In 2021, scientists identified a new species of mosasaur after discovering a Cretaceous jaw with unusual teeth in a mine in Morocco. There was just one problem—the remains might have been forged.
Researchers in Canada have questioned the accuracy of fossils used to identify and describe a new species of extinct marine reptile. Xenodens KalminechariIn 2021, their analysis Details will be available on December 16th. study Published in anatomical notesEmphasize internal inconsistencies previous research and called for new CT scans of the jaw to confirm its accuracy.
If their suspicions prove true, then “it should be proven in the published literature that This is fake,” said Henry Sharp from the University of Alberta. who led the recent study said live science–
Our rebuttal to “Xenodens” is now published in The Anatomical Record: This bizarre “shark tooth” mosasaur is likely both fake and undiagnosable (🧵) pic.twitter.com/9s1UWMYJaw
– Hank Sharp (@Paleoartologist) December 17, 2024
Mosasaurus It is a large sea lizard and one of the top predators. of the oceans during the Cretaceous period (145.5 million to 66 million years ago), with some reaching lengths of up to 56 feet (17 meters). A new species has discovered four sharp teeth found in an imperfect jawbone. They date between 72.1 and 66 million years ago and were discovered in a phosphate mine in Morocco.
“This new mosasaurid showcases a dental battery. “It is an arrangement of teeth with many short, blade-like teeth that come together to form a saw-like cutting edge,” the researchers, led by Nicholas R. Longrich of the University of Bath, wrote in study in 2021, they claim that this is the first time such a tooth arrangement has been found in a four-legged animal. (Four-legged vertebrates.) And it was this assumption that Sharp and his colleagues took a closer look at.
The accused's two surviving teeth X. Kalminechari The jaw is contained within a single tooth socket. This contrasts with mosasaur teeth and other jaw arrangements. that is mostly known Each tooth grows into its own socket. Mosasaur tooth sockets were developed from the bone of each tooth. Contrast this with jawbone Michael Caldwell from the University of Alberta. This means that each tooth should have its own socket, explains a person involved in the new study.
“Every time a tooth is sucked back and comes out, There will be a large hole left. And that's because the next tooth is about to come into that hole to build all the tissue back up again. so that it stays firmly in the jaw,” he told Live Science. Sharp's team also points out the presence of They considered “possible adhesive materials” and argued that the overlapping of one type of tissue on two teeth was unusual. and may indicate counterfeiting. According to research studies
Besides teeth The discovery of the jaw in Morocco's Khouribga province also occurred under suspicious circumstances. Because such fossils “It was obtained in an unscientific manner. “The samples were collected (without technical supervision) from an area in Morocco that contained a large number of altered or counterfeit samples,” they wrote in the study.
Researchers eventually suggested that the teeth and jaws might belong to two different creatures. Although CT scans of the cadavers may help clear up doubts. It remains to be seen whether researchers will be able to apply this technique or not. X. Kalminechari fossils—or convince others to do so—in the near future. For now, proceed with caution if you come across any reference to a new mosasaur with strange teeth!