14. New Giant Prehistoric Fish Species Found Gathering Dust in Museums

Source:

Keim B. New Giant Prehistoric Fish Species Found Gathering Dust in Museums. Wired [Internet]. Wired Science. 2010 Feb 18 [cited 2010 Feb 19]. Available from: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/02/giant-filter-fishes/#more-18228

A look at forgotten fossils helped reconstruct evidence for two large filter feeding fish. These fish occupied the filter feeding niche currently occupied by whales and whale sharks. Previous to this, it was though that filter feedings in the prehistoric era was short lived and just an evolutionary bust. It was originally though that these types of organisms only lasted for a short period because they were not efficient, however, it was found that filter feeders have lasted for a long time and have a rich evolutionary history. It was found that these two new fishes occupy the pachycormid genus and feed by filtering drifting plankton. Friedman observed fossils that were beyond recognition. He found that those fossils were parts of jaws and gills. The disappearance of this fish is linked with the mass extinction of dinosaurs caused by an asteroid. The fish’s diet of photosynthesizing algae was no longer available after the asteroid collision, thus, it went extinct. When photosynthesizing algae were later reborn, this led to the birth of whales and other filter feeders.