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Ancient Squid Dominated Oceans 34 Million Years Before Dinosaur Extinction, Fossil Discovery Reveals
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A groundbreaking discovery is rewriting the history of marine life during the age of dinosaurs. Fossils found within a seemingly ordinary rock,collected off the coast of Japan,indicate that ancient squid species thrived as key ocean predators millions of years earlier than previously believed. The research,published in the journal *Science*,suggests that squid were already a dominant force in marine ecosystems a staggering 34 million years before the cataclysmic event that wiped out the dinosaurs [1].
Revolutionary Fossil Analysis uncovers Prehistoric Squid Diversity
Researchers from the University of Hokkaido spearheaded the innovative analysis, employing a technique called abrasion tomography. This method involves meticulously sanding down the rock layer by layer and digitally scanning each segment. This painstaking process allowed scientists to construct a complete 3D image of the rock’s interior, revealing over a thousand squid remains, including 263 identifiable specimens representing at least 40 previously unknown species [1].
did You Know? Abrasion tomography allows paleontologists to study fragile microfossils without irreversibly damaging the original specimen.
Challenging the Timeline of Squid Evolution
Previously, the prevailing scientific understanding held that squid populations exploded *after* the dinosaur extinction event, approximately 66 million years ago.This new evidence pushes back the timeline significantly,demonstrating that diverse and abundant squid species were already playing a crucial role as marine predators during the Mesozoic Era,roughly 100 million years ago [1].
the discovered squid fossils exhibited a wide range of sizes and shapes, indicating adaptation to various ecological niches. Some species rivaled contemporary fish in size, further solidifying their position as apex predators of their time.
Implications for Understanding Marine Ecosystems
This discovery also reveals that modern squid groups, including
