A recent discovery from Poland sheds light on predator-prey interactions in the Middle Jurassic period. Evidence gleaned from a Cenoceras nautiloid reveals a failed predation attempt by a pliosaur, a type of marine reptile. The nautiloid shell, measuring 88mm in diameter, bears two distinct bite marks, each approximately 20mm wide.
Analysis suggests the attack originated from the right side, potentially indicating an unsuccessful attempt by the pliosaur to fully grasp the nautiloid's shell or, alternatively, a successful extraction of its soft tissues.
Published in the journal Lethaia and led by Professor Shripad Jain, this finding represents the first documented instance of a pliosaur preying on a nautiloid. The discovery offers a unique glimpse into the complex relationships that existed within ancient marine ecosystems, highlighting a previously unknown predatory behavior.
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