{"id":120939,"date":"2023-11-09T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourclomid.com\/?p=120939"},"modified":"2023-11-09T10:30:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T10:30:00","slug":"scientists-fear-megalodon-fate-for-sharks-as-deep-water-beast-washes-up-on-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourclomid.com\/world-news\/scientists-fear-megalodon-fate-for-sharks-as-deep-water-beast-washes-up-on-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists fear megalodon fate for sharks as deep water beast washes up on beach"},"content":{"rendered":"
The discovery of a dead warm-blooded descendant of the extinct megalodon has raised fears sharks could follow in its ill-fated footsteps.<\/p>\n
The body of a small tooth sand tiger shark washed up on the coast of Ireland has been picked over by researchers. Their findings have led to fears that they could be in danger of joining their long-lost relative in no longer existing.<\/p>\n
Talk of the megalodon has had a bit of a resurgence recently despite having been extinct for three million years, after it featured in a series of eponymous action films. The family of animals the megalodon was part of, Otodontidae, is now extinct but its wider genus of Lamniformes or mackerel sharks, is still strongly represented by a number of creatures.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Huge great white shark filmed moments after 'swallowing surfer whole' in horror attack<\/b><\/p>\n
For the latest news and updates on shark attacks from across the globe, click here.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
They include great white sharks, tiger sharks, basking sharks and mako sharks and share some similar traits to the world's largest fish, which used to be able to grow as long as 20metres long. The megalodon even shared further unique traits with some of those sharks like being warm-blooded, an unusual shark trait seen in apex predators like the great white.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cosmos<\/u>reports that the small tooth tiger shark that washed up on the Irish shores was also part of the lamnids and had an autopsy carried out by academics from Trinity College Dublin. That autopsy found that it had features similar to being a regional endotherm \u2013 in other words, warm-blooded. <\/p>\n
The research was published in Biology Letters and discussed the possibility that: \u201cIf sand tiger sharks have regional endothermy then it\u2019s likely there are several other sharks out there that are also warm-bodied\u201d.<\/p>\n
The study\u2019s senior author, Dr Nick Payne, continued: \u201cWe used to think regional endothermy [warm bloodedness] was confined to apex predators like the great white and extinct megalodon, but now we have evidence that deep water \u2018bottom-dwelling\u2019 sand tigers, and plankton-eating basking sharks also are warm-bodied.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThis raises plenty of new questions as to why regional endothermy evolved, but it might also have important conservation implications.\u201d<\/p>\n
As ocean temperatures rise, those endothermic creatures may have to make changes to their natural habits to cope. The very fact that this small-toothed tiger shark was found on the British Isles when normally they wouldn\u2019t come further north than France could be a sign that things are already happening.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!<\/p>\n
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course. <\/p>\n
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link<\/b>, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!<\/p>\n
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. <\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO JOIN<\/b><\/p>\n
Marine biologist and lead author of the study, Dr Haley Dolton, said: \u201cThe discovery\u2026 has major implications from a conservation perspective for regional endotherms. We believe changing environments were a major contributor to the megalodon\u2019s extinction, as we think it could no longer meet the energetic demands of being a large regional endotherm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the seas are warming at alarming rates again now and the smalltooth tiger that washed up in Ireland was the first one seen in these waters. That implies its range has shifted, potentially due to warming waters, so a few alarm bells are ringing.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking <\/i><\/b>here<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The discovery of a dead warm-blooded descendant of the extinct megalodon has raised fears sharks could follow in its ill-fated footsteps. The body of a […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n