Killer Whales Were Snacks for Ancient Ocean Reptiles

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Ancient marine reptiles from Colombia topped killer whales on the food chain, reaching unprecedented seventh trophic level 130 million years ago.

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These formidable predators stretched up to 33 feet long, surpassing modern ocean giants like great white sharks stuck at the sixth trophic level.

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McGill University researchers reconstructed the complex food web of the Paja Formation, where massive reptiles dominated warm Cretaceous seas.

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Ancient predators developed robust jaws and swift movement capabilities, becoming apex hunters that devoured everything in their path.

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Intense competition during the Mesozoic Marine Revolution forced these creatures to evolve massive body sizes and advanced hunting techniques.

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Researchers drew upon modern Caribbean reef networks to cross-check their findings about prehistoric marine ecosystems.

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Fossil evidence revealed specialized teeth and large jaw structures, painting a picture of predators more fearsome than modern marine mammals.

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The Paja Formation fossils suggest these ancient marine reptiles reached hunting capabilities rarely matched in modern times.

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Research continues at other fossil sites to determine if seventh-level predators thrived in multiple locations during the Mesozoic era.

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