Castillo-Visa, O., Bell, P. R., Galobart, A., Sellés, A. '26
Skin and color pattern of 125-million-year-old crocodile...
Crocodylomorpha (crocodilians and their extinct relatives) have an extensive fossil record that extends from the Late Triassic to the present day. Nevertheless, fossilized soft tissues (e.g. skin and cartilage) are virtually unknown for most clades, with the exception of the marine thalattosuchians.
Ballell, A., Ferrón, H.G. (2021).
Biomechanical insights into the dentition of megatooth shark
The evolution of gigantism in extinct otodontid sharks was paralleled by a series of drastic modifications in their dentition, including the widening of the crowns, the loss of lateral cusplets, and the acquisition of serrated cutting edges.
Sethapanichsakul, T., Khansubha, SO., Manitkoon, S. et al.
The first sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok..
Based on a partial postcranial skeleton, we present the first diagnostic sauropod specimen from this formation, which represents a new somphospondylan titanosauriform, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis n. gen. n. sp. Nagatitan is diagnosed by two autapomorphies and a unique character combination, including the presence of two.
Peng, X., Zhou, P., Song, X. et al. (2026)
A 5.3-million-year-old deep-sea whale necropolis found...
Scientists have discovered a vast whale graveyard stretching for hundreds of miles in the Indian Ocean, with some fossil bones dating back over 5 million years. personal and professional life. In total, they identified 476 whale fossils and five carcasses of whales that had died more recently, known as whale falls...
Godfrey, Stephen J. and Grimsley, Gary J. (2026).
The Geology & Vertebrate Paleontology of Calvert Cliffs, MD
In this third volume in the series on the Miocene vertebrate fauna from Calvert Cliffs, Maryland, USA, the three chapters detail the historical record and taxonomy of Miocene elephants, all other known land mammals, and seals.
Schwenk, J.L., Perez, V.P., Godfrey, S.J. & Bowers, G.M. '26
Selective Zinc Enrichment in Otodus megalodon Enameloid
These results suggest that as otodontid sharks transitioned from a fish-based diet to preying on marine mammals, natural selection favored a chemical reinforcement of their teeth in response to increased functional demands.
Maisch, H. M., IV, Narducci, R. E., Proulx, E., et al.
Gigantic burrfish (Tetraodontiformes: Diodontidae) tooth...
Fossil jaw bones and tooth plate batteries from Diodontidae are relatively abundant in shallow marine deposits along the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains of the U.S.A. Two tooth plate batteries of Diodontidae (Tetraodontiformes) were recently collected from a submerged lag deposit associated with hardbo..
Sternes, P. C., Jambura, P. L., Türtscher, J., et al.
White Shark Comparison Reveals a Slender Body for the Meg...
The megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon, which likely reached at least 15 m in total length, is an iconic extinct shark predominantly known for its gigantic teeth found in the Neogene fossil record. As one of the largest marine carnivores to ever exist, the study of Megalodon discoveries contributes significantly to fossil research, enhancing our understanding of the biology, evolution, and extinction of O. megalodon, alongside other marine reptiles.
Stumpf, S., Türtscher, J., López-Romero, F.A. et al.
Reappraisal of the extinct barbelthroat shark †Bavariscylliu
We present a revised diagnosis of the extinct galeomorph shark †Bavariscyllium based on dental and skeletal material from the Upper Jurassic of Germany and test its purported carcharhiniform affinity through morphometric and phylogenetic analyses. Although †Bavariscyllium possesses a whisker-like throat barbel...
During, M.A.D., Van Vranken, N.E., Boyd, C.A. et al.
Megalodon Research: The Latest Discoveries
The discovery of a mosasaurine tooth (NDGS 12217) in the Hell Creek Formation, Morton County, North Dakota, contributes to fossil research by providing evidence that mosasaurs, which are traditionally classified as marine reptiles, may have also thrived in freshwater environments. This finding aligns with recent Megalodon discoveries that challenge our understanding of the habitats of ancient marine species.
Maisch IV, H. M., Becker, M. A., Perez, V. J. & Shimada, K.
Sharks and Rays (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) from Plio..
The submerged continental shelf near Venice, Sarasota County, Florida, USA, reveals clays and hard-bottom limestones from the Peace River and Tamiami formations (Late Miocene–Early Pliocene). These formations, located in ≤12 m of seawater and within 4.5 km of the modern-day shoreline, are crucial for fossil research, particularly in the study of marine reptiles and notable Megalodon discoveries, all influenced by wave and current-driven deposits.
Bazzi, M., Siversson, M., Wintner, S. et al.
Early gigantic lamniform marks the onset of mega-body size..
Lamniform sharks are among the largest-bodied extant fishes, boasting an evolutionary history that spans approximately 135 million years (Ma). Fossil research has linked their initial development of mega-body size (≥ 6 m) to ecological radiation as marine top-predators during the latter part of the mid-Cretaceous. This period follows the late Albian and is crucial for understanding the evolution of marine reptiles and the context of notable Megalodon discoveries.