Ancient Predator Fish Found in North America

Giant predatory fish found from the layer of 375 million year old soil in North America. The animal was alive when the land has not been occupied by vertebrate creatures.

Drs. Jason Downs and Dr. Ted Daeschler, both of the Academy of Natural Sciences, with the fossil skull of Laccognathus embryi, a large predatory fish that lived 375 million years ago. (Picture from: http://www.sciencecodex.com/)

Giant sea is derived from the Devonian period spanning 415-360 million years ago. In this period, various animals living in the ocean and became the ruler of the earth. Not surprisingly, this period is referred to as "The Fish".

This is an artists rendering of Laccognathus embryi in its habitat during the Devonian Period. Although the fossils were discovered in the Canadian Arctic, the conditions when Laccognathus lived were subtropical. (Picture from: http://www.sciencecodex.com/)

Laccognathus embryi is one fish that was in the top of the food pyramid when it is. These animals can grow 3 meters with a wide head and small eyes. The jaws are very strong fish with big teeth and sharp making it the most terrifying predators.

"I do not want to swim in waters where the fish is stalking prey," said Edward Daeschler of the University of Chicago.

This is a photograph and line drawing of the skull of Laccognathus embryi, a new species of predatory fish from the Devonian Period. Note the wide head, large mouth and small area for the eyes. Individual bones labeled on line drawing. (Picture from: http://www.sciencecodex.com/)

According to him, these fish to find prey in silence in the bottom waters. His eyes are alert to monitor the movement of other fish that pass in the vicinity. When the bite, the jaws are clamped tightly prey animals and lock it with rows of sharp teeth.

The latest finding proves that this predator fish have a wider territory. *** [SCIENCEDAILY | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 3647]

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