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A previously unknown dynasty of giant plankton-eating fish that once filled the seas between 66 and 172 million years ago has been discovered by scientists. The discovery was made after scientists, lead by researchers from Glasgow University, found new fossils and re-examined others.
The experts believe they have discovered an important missing piece in the evolutionary story of fish, mammals and ocean ecosystems.
Scientists were aware of the similarities between the giant plankton-feeders of today and the fact that a large fish called Leedsichthys fulfilled the same role around 160 million years ago, but there were gaps in their knowledge until this discovery.
The discovery, reported in the journal Science, was made by an international team of scientists from Glasgow, Oxford and several American universities.
"The fact that creatures of this kind were missing from the fossil record for over 100 million years seemed peculiar," said Dr Jeff Liston, of Glasgow University's Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, who led the study.
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