By NewsBlogger Two new species, a toothless fossil bird named Imparavis attenboroughi and a sea lizard species called Khinjaria acuta, have been discovered in China and Morocco, respectively, shedding light on the diverse ecosystems that existed during the Late Cretaceous period.
At a glance
- Scientists discovered two new species from the Late Cretaceous period, Imparavis attenboroughi and Khinjaria acuta.
- Imparavis Attenborough is a toothless bird with unique wing bones found in northeastern China.
- Khinjaria acuta is an eight-meter-long sea lizard with dagger-like teeth belonging to the mosasaur family.
- The fossils of Khinjaria acuta were found in Morocco, shedding light on the marine ecosystem of the Late Cretaceous period.
- The extinction of mosasaurs led to the rise of modern marine species, impacting the diversity of top predators in contemporary marine food chains.
The details
Scientists have recently made two significant discoveries in the field of paleontology, uncovering the remains of two distinct species that roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago.
The first discovery involves the identification of a new species of fossil bird named Imparavis Attenborough.
This unique bird, belonging to the enantiornithine group, is the first of its kind to have evolved toothlessness.
The fossil was unearthed in northeastern China and has been graciously donated to the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature.
Imparavis Attenborough
Researchers believe that the bird, with its unusual wing bones capable of strong wing beats, may have inhabited trees but ventured to the ground for feeding purposes.
It is worth noting that the absence of teeth in Imparavis Attenborough does not necessarily indicate its dietary habits.
In honor of the renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough, the bird was named “Attenborough’s strange bird,” reflecting his significant influence on the researchers’ passion for science.
Sir David Attenborough is widely recognized for his documentaries highlighting Earth’s biodiversity and emphasizing the urgent need to address human-induced climate change and habitat destruction.
Khinjaria acuta
The second discovery pertains to the unearthing of remains belonging to a new sea lizard species called Khinjaria acuta.
This sea lizard, measuring approximately eight meters in length, possessed formidable jaws and long, dagger-like teeth.
Khinjaria acuta was a member of the mosasaur family, which were apex predators during the Late Cretaceous period.
The fossils were discovered in a phosphate mine in Morocco, shedding light on the diverse marine ecosystem that existed during that era.
Mosasuars, including Khinjaria acuta, co-existed with other creatures such as Xenodens and Stelladen in the region’s warm currents and nutrient-rich waters.
The extinction of mosasaurs, believed to be linked to a catastrophic asteroid impact, paved the way for the rise of modern marine species such as whales, seals, swordfish, and tuna.
This shift in apex predators has resulted in a reduction in the number of large predators in contemporary marine food chains when compared to the Late Cretaceous period, which boasted an exceptional diversity of top predators.
These groundbreaking discoveries underscore the importance of paleontological research in unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s ancient past and its enduring impact on present-day ecosystems.
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| scitechdaily.com |
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| – Scientists have discovered a new species of fossil bird, Imparavis Attenborough, which is the first of its kind to have evolved toothlessness. – The bird was named in honor of naturalist Sir David Attenborough and means Attenborough’s strange bird. – Imparavis Attenborough was a member of a group of birds called enantiornithines, which went extinct 66 million years ago. – The fossil was found in northeastern China and donated to the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature. – The bird had unusual wing bones that could have allowed for strong wing beats. – The toothless beak of the bird does not necessarily indicate its diet. – The researchers hypothesize that Imparavis Attenborough may have lived in trees but ventured to the ground to feed. – The researchers also suggest that another previously described fossil bird, Chiappeavis, was an early toothless enantiornithine. – The researchers named the new fossil after Sir David Attenborough due to his influence on their interest in science. – Attenborough’s documentaries are noted for celebrating life on earth and warning against human-caused climate change and habitat destruction. |
| independent.co.uk |
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| – Scientists have discovered remains of a new sea lizard species called Khinjaria acuta with dagger-like teeth that lived 66 million years ago – Khinjaria was around eight meters long and had powerful jaws and long, dagger-like teeth – The creature belonged to a family of giant marine lizards known as mosasaurs – Mosasaurs were apex predators of their time, co-existing with other species like Xenodens and Stelladen – The region’s warm currents and nutrient-rich waters may have supported numerous apex predators – The study was based on an analysis of skeletal remains uncovered at a phosphate mine in Morocco – Mosasaurs became extinct around the same time as dinosaurs, believed to be related to a massive asteroid impact – The extinction of mosasaurs allowed whales, seals, swordfish, and tuna to become dominant in the oceans – Modern marine food chains now have fewer large apex predators compared to the Late Cretaceous period – The Late Cretaceous period had an unusual diversity of top predators, not seen in modern marine communities |
