New Prehistoric Marine Lizard Species Unveiled

Khinjaria acuta, with its unique dagger-like teeth, sheds light on the diverse ocean ecosystem of the Late Cretaceous era.

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of marine lizard, Khinjaria acuta, with dagger-like teeth, indicating a dramatically different ocean ecosystem 66 million years ago.
Khinjaria acuta, a member of the Mosasauridae family, was not a dinosaur but a giant marine lizard, showcasing the diversity of top predators in the Late Cretaceous period.
The discovery was made in a phosphate mine southeast of Casablanca, involving researchers from multiple international institutions.
This period featured a diverse marine fauna, with numerous large predators, contrasting with modern ecosystems dominated by a few apex predators.
The study suggests a significant shift in ecosystem structure over the past 66 million years, with implications for understanding prehistoric marine life.