Giant Octopuses May Have Ruled the Oceans 100 Million Years Ago Fossilized jaws of ancient octopuses, discovered in Japan and Vancouver Island, have revealed that these creatures may have been apex predators in the oceans 100 million years ago. A study led by researchers at Hokkaido University, published in Science, challenges previous assumptions about the role of invertebrates in marine ecosystems, suggesting that early octopuses occupied the top of the food web alongside large marine vertebrates. The findings, based on advanced imaging and artificial intelligence analysis, indicate that these ancient octopuses were not merely elusive, soft-bodied animals but powerful hunters capable of crushing hard prey with immense force. The study focused on fossilized jaws from the Late Cretaceous period, spanning 100 to 72 million years ago. These fossils, preserved in calm seafloor sediments, retained fine wear patterns that provided insights into the feeding behavior of these extinct creatures. The researchers used high-resolution grinding tomography and a zero-shot learning AI model to digitally mine the fossils, revealing intricate details of their structure. The jaws belonged to a group of extinct finned octopuses known as Cirrata, which were likely active predators. The analysis of jaw size, shape, and wear patterns suggested that these animals could have grown to nearly 20 meters in length, surpassing the size of contemporary marine reptiles. Professor Yasuhiro Iba of Hokkaido University emphasized the significance of the findings, noting that the fossilized jaws showed extensive damage, including chipping, scratching, cracking, and polishing. These signs of wear indicated a strong biting force, with up to 10% of the jaw tip relative to the total length worn away in well-developed specimens.#science #japan #vancouver_island #hokkaido_university #cirrata
Ancient 19-Metre Octopus May Have Dominated Prehistoric Oceans A groundbreaking study reveals that colossal octopuses, potentially reaching lengths of 19 metres, may have ruled the ancient oceans 100 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. Researchers from Hokkaido University in Japan have analyzed remarkably well-preserved fossilized jaws, suggesting these creatures were among the largest invertebrates ever to exist. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that vertebrates like fish and reptiles were the dominant predators in prehistoric seas, redefining the role of invertebrates in ancient marine ecosystems. The study focuses on the discovery of fossilized jaws, which indicate the presence of a species with immense size and predatory capabilities. Scientists estimate that these ancient octopuses could have measured between 1.5 to 4.5 metres in body length, with their long arms adding up to a total length of 7 to 19 metres. Even at the lower end of this range, the creatures would have been vastly larger than any modern octopus species. The Giant Pacific Octopus, the largest living species today, has an arm span of over 5.5 metres, making the ancient giants significantly more formidable. The analysis of the fossilized jaws also provides intriguing insights into the behavior and physiology of these ancient predators. The uneven wear patterns on the jaws, which are more pronounced on one side, suggest that these octopuses may have exhibited a preference for using one side of their body during feeding. This handedness, a trait observed in some modern octopuses, is linked to advanced brain function and problem-solving abilities.#hokkaido_university #university_of_bath #university_of_zurich #science_journal #ammonites
