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Researchers have uncovered the remains of a previously unknown marine reptile species, characterized by sharp teeth resembling daggers, that was the dominant ocean predator approximately 66 million years ago.
The species Khinjaria acuta would have shared a habitat with dinosaurs, including giants such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops.
Around eight metres long – about the same length as an orca – Khinjaria had powerful jaws and long, dagger-like teeth to munch prey, giving it a “nightmarish appearance”, according to researchers.
The team hypothesized that the creature possessed a powerful bite due to the elongated shape of its skull and jaw muscles.
Khinjaria is a member of a type of oversized sea reptiles called mosasaurs, which are distant ancestors of current species like Komodo dragons and anacondas.
According to researchers, these animals were top-level hunters in their era, ruling the oceans along with other mosasaurs like the serrated-toothed Xenodens and the star-shaped toothed Stelladen.
Dr Nick Longrich, of the Department of Life Sciences and the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, said: “What’s remarkable here is the sheer diversity of top predators.
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“There are several species that surpass the great white shark in size and hold the role of top predator. However, their distinct teeth indicate that they employ unique hunting methods.”
Certain mosasaurs possessed teeth that were suited for piercing prey, while others had teeth that were specialized for cutting, tearing, or crushing.
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“Now we have Khinjaria, a creature with a compact facial structure and large, triangular teeth.”
This marine fauna is remarkably diverse, surpassing any seen before or since, and it thrived at the cusp of the extinction of marine reptiles and dinosaurs.
A depiction of Khinjaria acuta by artist Andrey Atuchin from the University of Bath.
The scientists suggest that the warm ocean currents and nutrient-filled waters in the area may have served as a food source for a diverse range of sea creatures, resulting in the presence of many top predators.
According to research published in Cretaceous Research, an examination of a skull and other bones found at a phosphate mine near Casablanca has been conducted. Casablanca is the biggest city in Morocco.
Mosasaurs vanished from existence during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago, which coincides with the extinction of dinosaurs.
The reason for their disappearance is not completely known, but it is thought to be connected to the consequences of a huge asteroid collision in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
The researchers stated that with the extinction of top predators like mosasaurs, it paved the way for whales and seals to rise as the dominant species in the oceans. Additionally, swordfish and tuna also emerged during this time.
Khinjaria acuta would have lived alongside dinosaurs, co-existing with Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops.
Currently, contemporary food chains in the ocean consist of a limited number of prominent apex predators such as killer whales, great white sharks, and leopard seals.
According to Dr. Longrich, the ecosystem structure has drastically changed over the last 66 million years.
“The vast array of apex predators during the Late Cretaceous is atypical and does not align with the makeup of current marine ecosystems.”
He stated that it is uncertain what caused the change in the ecosystem – whether it was a factor specific to marine reptiles, their prey, or the environment.
However, it was a highly precarious era for any aquatic creature, including fish, sea turtles, and marine reptiles.
Source: independent.co.uk
