Study reveals Megalodon's slenderness in contrast to movie depictions

January 21, 2024

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The extinct Megalodon, a gigantic shark that died out 3.6 million years ago, has been revealed to be more slender than previous studies have suggested. Based on this new study, our understanding of Megalodon behavior, ancient marine lifeforms and the reasons for the extinction of these colossal sharks has been significantly altered.

The Megalodon, or the grandiose 'megatooth shark', is commonly depicted as a colossal monster in popular culture, such as in the contemporary sci-fi movies 'The Meg' (2018) and 'Meg 2: The Trench' (2023). Past research implied that this shark could possibly reach lengths of 50 to 65 feet.

The majority of what we understand about the Megalodon is based on the teeth and vertebrae found in the fossil record, presenting a sketchy set of data to craft assumptions from. Consequently, the modern great white shark was often used as a model for the ancient Megalodon, leading researchers to conclude the shark was round and stocky, much like the present-day great white.

In a groundbreaking study published by Palaeontologia Electronica, a team of international scientists reevaluated the fossil record. 'While still a formidable predator at the helm of the early marine food chain, we now believe the Megalodon was more thin and possibly even larger than previously thought. A modern-day mako shark serves as a better model for the Megalodon's form', shared Phillip Sternes, a biologist at UCR and first author of the paper.

Sternes, along with Kenshu Shimada of DePaul University, lead the team of 26 scientists. They drew inspiration from the disparities in previously approximated body lengths of the Megalodon. Shimada confessed their realization of the disparity between two formerly published lengths of the same Megalodon specimen was quite a 'eureka moment'.

The team's comparison of Megalodon's vertebra fossils to those of living lamniform shark relatives gave a fresh perspective. After conducting a CT scan of a great white shark's vertebral skeleton and comparing it to earlier reconstructions of the Megalodon, Sternes concluded, 'The results strongly suggest that the Megalodon was not a mere larger form of the great white shark.'

A revised understanding of the Megalodon's physical form could influence how scientists perceive the ecology and evolution of the marine ecosystems the giant shark influenced, as well as the shark itself.

While the Megalodon is undoubtedly one of the largest marine predators to have ever lived, the conclusion that it had a slender and elongated form suggests that it also had a longer digestive canal. Having a longer digestive canal means more efficient food absorption and thus a decreased frequency in meals, Sternes explained.

'Less frequent meals imply lesser pressure to hunt, in turn reducing the predatory pressure on other marine animals', Sternes specified. 'For instance, if I had to consume a whale only once in a while, it would ensure healthier whale populations over time.'

Some theories on the Megalodon's extinction suggest that a decrease in prey could have been the cause. But Sternes holds another theory, one that is helped by the understanding of the Megalodon's revised shape.

'I think the emergence of the highly agile great white shark, a superior predator, combined with other factors, led to the extinction of the Megalodon. The competition for food likely played a major part in its downfall.', stated Sternes.

The team of shark connoisseurs from the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, France, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, all agree it's necessary to reassess the effects on our current oceans based on a revised understanding of ancient marine life.

'Our new theory of the Megalodon being a more lean shark necessitates a reevaluation of its lifestyle and reasons for extinction.', expressed Sternes. 'This study serves as an crucial milestone for future research.'

Archive: Palaeontologia Electronica

Provided by University of California - Riverside