apex predator

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İlgili Etiketlerpaleontology octopus cretaceous fossils japan giant octopus marine predators invertebrates

Son Haberler

24.04.2026AI özeti

Giant Ancient Octopuses Discovered in Japan Fossils Rivaled Apex Predators

Researchers have discovered fossilized remains of two giant octopus species from the late Cretaceous period (100 million years ago) in northern Japan. Using innovative digital fossil-mining techniques with AI, they found jaws inside concretions that indicate the creatures reached up to 60 feet in length — larger than a school bus and rivaling other apex predators of the era. These ancient octopuses likely fed on hard-shelled prey like shrimp and lobster, and showed signs of right-side jaw dominance suggesting early brain development.

Giant Apex Predator Octopuses Discovered in Cretaceous Fossil Record

Researchers using a new Digital Fossil Mining technique have discovered fossilized jaws from giant Cretaceous octopods that reached up to 19 meters in length, challenging the long-held view that vertebrates alone dominated the Mesozoic marine food chain. The species Nanaimoteuthis haggarti had powerful beaks showing wear patterns from crushing hard prey, and lateralized behavior suggesting high intelligence comparable to modern octopuses.

Ars Technica

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