Artist’s thoughts CarinodensScientists suspect the remains of a mosasaur may have been processed and classified as a new species
henry sharp
The remains of a strange “shark-toothed” aquatic predator that lived in symbiosis with dinosaurs are likely forged, according to a new study.
The controversial jaw fragment fossil is believed to have been collected from 66 to 72 million year old rock by miners working at the Sidi Chenan phosphate mine in Morocco. nick longrich Researchers from the University of Bath in the UK analyzed the findings and It has been classified as a new species of Mosasaurus. xenodens carminechari In 2021.
The fossil had very unusual blade-like teeth similar to shark teeth, which Longrich and his colleagues suggested could be useful for carving up large prey.
Morocco is said to be uniquely rich in mosasaurus fossils henry sharp at the University of Alberta, Canada. “Miners working in phosphate mines encounter mosasaurs all the time.”
The problem, Sharp says, is that many people in Morocco make a living selling fossils. “Many of the mosasaurus fossils sold from Morocco have been altered. [there] – Teeth are added and bones are carved, all to increase the sale value of the fossil. ”
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Source: www.newscientist.com
