Huge prehistoric salmon had spikes that could ‘easily kill’ sharks

A giant prehistoric salmon had huge fang-like spikes sticking out of its snout that could “easily” kill a shark or other large sea animal, the lead author of a study tells us. Weekly newspaper.

The exact purpose of the spikes is not yet known, although research published in the journal suggests that these spikes are actually oversized incisors. PLOS Oneshowing that they were used as weapons against rivals or predators.

The salmon species in question, scientifically known as rainbow trout or saber-toothed tigerMillions of years ago, it lived in the waters of the North Pacific off the coast of North America and Japan. It became extinct about five million years ago.

The fish is thought to be huge, reaching lengths of nearly 9 feet, and was first described in the 1970s. Its size makes it the largest member of the family Salmonidae (which includes salmon, trout, and other related fish) ever discovered.

“We suspect these salmon lived a similar life to modern Pacific salmon, spending most of their time in the open ocean and then returning to freshwater rivers to spawn upstream,” said study lead author Kerin Claeson, a professor of anatomy at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. medicine, tell Weekly newspaper.

Initially, researchers thought its oversized front teeth pointed back into the mouth like fangs, hence the name “saber-toothed salmon,” or saber-toothed tiger. But that conclusion is largely based on fossilized teeth found separately from the rest of the skull.

However, in recent years, new images of this prehistoric salmon have emerged – with front teeth protruding sideways from the mouth, much like a warthog’s tusks. The new study, based on CT scans of fossils and analysis of newly collected remains over the past few years, supports this idea and suggests that the fish should now be called “sharp-toothed salmon.”

“No other living (or extinct) salmon has such unusual teeth,” Clayson said.

The spikes may have been used in combat—either against other sharp-toothed salmon or in defense against predators—or as tools to aid in nest building. Research suggests that these spikes may have multiple functions and serve both purposes.

“Coupled with their massive body muscles, they are able to generate incredible amounts of force [through] Clayson said. If such a spike were wielded with such force, it could easily kill or injure a shark, dolphin, sea lion, or rival sharp-toothed salmon.

“Findings like ours suggest they may not have been gentle giants,” Clayson said in a press release.

The spikes are not thought to be used to capture prey, as the fish appear to be filter feeders. While their lives may have been similar to modern Pacific salmon in terms of where they lived, this filter-feeding trait is an example of the differences between the two fish.

“The behavior of these people [prehistoric] This fish is naturally different from modern Pacific salmon, not only in their spikes but also in their lack of any other substantial teeth. Rather than grabbing, slicing, or chewing like fish with teeth, these fish are filter feeders,” Clayson told us. Weekly newspaper.

Researchers say filter feeding could help explain why these prehistoric fish were so large. After all, many whales also filter feed, and they are among the largest marine animals.

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