Giant Xiphactinus likely killed a Polycotylus plesiosaur in a prehistoric predator clash
TL;DR
CT scans of a Polycotylus plesiosaur fossil reveal a giant Xiphactinus tooth lodged in its neck, providing direct evidence that top predators in Cretaceous seas fought or attacked each other; the bite likely contributed to the plesiosaur’s death and highlights a violent prehistoric ecosystem where apex predators occasionally clashed.
- Rare evidence of a fight between apex predators shows an enormous plesiosaur was eaten by an even bigger prehistoric fish Earth.com
- Fish could kill plesiosaurs in ancient Ala., scientists say | 830 WCCO Audacy
- A Hidden Fossil Tooth Reveals How a Giant Predatory Fish Attacked a Plesiosaur in Prehistoric Alabama Discover Magazine
- The fish were biting in ancient Alabama EurekAlert!
- Fish could possibly kill plesiosaurs in ancient Alabama, scientists say Audacy
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