The unearthing of Pluridens serpentis expands the roster of known mosasaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco to a remarkable total of 13. This newfound diversity astounds researchers, as it contradicts the notion that mosasaurs were in decline prior to their extinction.
Dr. Longrich expressed his amazement, stating, “The diversity in these fossils is just astonishing. Far from declining in diversity, the mosasaurs seem to be peaking just before they went extinct. We’re not seeing any evidence that this group was struggling before they went extinct. From an evolutionary standpoint, they were succeeding, they did everything right, but nothing can prepare you for an asteroid.”
Dr. Nour-Eddine Jalil, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum of Sorbonne University, highlighted the significance of Pluridens serpentis as a new species of a large predator. With its impressive length of 8 meters, this discovery serves as further evidence of the diverse marine faunas that inhabited the seas just prior to the Cretaceous crisis. Dr. Jalil remarked, “Pluridens serpentis highlights the importance of the paleontological heritage of Morocco to help illustrate the history of life.”
Dr. Nathalie Bardet, a paleontologist at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris, emphasized that these recent findings demonstrate that the list of species in Morocco is far from complete. The future holds the promise of remarkable surprises and discoveries, underscoring the ongoing significance of Morocco’s paleontological heritage.
The continuous exploration of Morocco’s fossil-rich landscapes allows scientists to unravel the complexities of ancient life, painting a vivid picture of the diverse and thriving ecosystems that once existed on our planet.
The unearthing of Pluridens serpentis expands the roster of known mosasaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco to a remarkable total of 13. This newfound diversity astounds researchers, as it contradicts the notion that mosasaurs were in decline prior to their extinction.
Dr. Longrich expressed his amazement, stating, “The diversity in these fossils is just astonishing. Far from declining in diversity, the mosasaurs seem to be peaking just before they went extinct. We’re not seeing any evidence that this group was struggling before they went extinct. From an evolutionary standpoint, they were succeeding, they did everything right, but nothing can prepare you for an asteroid.”
Dr. Nour-Eddine Jalil, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum of Sorbonne University, highlighted the significance of Pluridens serpentis as a new species of a large predator. With its impressive length of 8 meters, this discovery serves as further evidence of the diverse marine faunas that inhabited the seas just prior to the Cretaceous crisis. Dr. Jalil remarked, “Pluridens serpentis highlights the importance of the paleontological heritage of Morocco to help illustrate the history of life.”
Dr. Nathalie Bardet, a paleontologist at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris, emphasized that these recent findings demonstrate that the list of species in Morocco is far from complete. The future holds the promise of remarkable surprises and discoveries, underscoring the ongoing significance of Morocco’s paleontological heritage.
The continuous exploration of Morocco’s fossil-rich landscapes allows scientists to unravel the complexities of ancient life, painting a vivid picture of the diverse and thriving ecosystems that once existed on our planet.
