Ancient Jurassic Lampreys: Unveiling Flesh-Eating "Vampires"

Paleontologists have discovered the fossils of two 160 million-year-old lamprey species in North China, revealing that these ancient fish had already evolved into much larger creatures than their earlier counterparts. The largest of the newly discovered species measured over 64 centimeters in length. The exceptionally well-preserved fossils provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history and feeding biology of lampreys, shedding light on their origins and the development of their unique feeding behavior. The study also suggests that modern lampreys may have originated from the Southern Hemisphere.