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Megalodon:
- It is estimated that the Leedsichthys species is found to be approximately 16.5m long, which is quite larger than the average Megalodon.
- Despite being a huge fish it was probably some kind of filter-feeder, not a predator.
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Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article related to Standard VIII Biology, specifically focusing on the topic of Megalodon and its comparison to the Leedsichthys species:
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Megalodon:
The article mentions that the Leedsichthys species is estimated to be approximately 16.5 meters long, surpassing the average size of the Megalodon. Megalodon is a prehistoric shark species that is known for its massive size and formidable presence. Contrary to popular belief, the article suggests that despite its enormous size, the Megalodon might have been a filter-feeder rather than a predator. This challenges the conventional perception of Megalodon as a fierce apex predator.
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Filter-Feeding vs. Predation:
The concept of filter-feeding refers to the method by which certain aquatic organisms, in this case, the Megalodon, obtain food by filtering particles from the water. This is in contrast to predation, where an organism actively hunts and captures prey. The article implies that despite its size, Megalodon might have had a filter-feeding lifestyle, challenging the assumption that large aquatic creatures are always predators.
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Leedsichthys Species:
The Leedsichthys species is highlighted in the article as a fish that is approximately 16.5 meters long, making it larger than the average Megalodon. However, it is described as a filter-feeder, suggesting a different ecological role than the predatory nature typically associated with large marine species.
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Gill Slits in Bony Fish:
The article doesn't directly address the number of gill slits in Megalodon or the Leedsichthys species. However, the mention of gill slits in a bony fish in one of the related questions points to the importance of respiratory adaptations in aquatic organisms.
These concepts touch upon various aspects of marine biology, paleontology, and ecological niches, providing a rich tapestry of information for students studying Standard VIII Biology. It encourages critical thinking by challenging preconceived notions about the behavior and ecological roles of ancient and large aquatic species.
FAQs
Leedsichthys problematicus, meaning "Alfred Leed's problem-causing fish", was another prehistoric ocean giant. Estimates put Leedsichthys at approximately 16.5m long, substantially larger than the average Megalodon. Although huge, this fish was probably a filter-feeder, not a predator.
What is the largest fish that ever existed? ›
The biggest bony fish ever known (as opposed to cartilaginous fish such as sharks) is a specimen of the marine fossil species Leedsichthys problematicus. Dating back c. 165 million years, it is estimated to have reached up to 16.76 m (55 ft) in length.
What is bigger than a Leedsichthys? ›
Leedsichthys problematicus
It was a pachycormid, a group of extinct ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii). Leedsichthys is the largest fish known, with an estimated length of up to 16 metres. The blue whale is twice as long, at 30 metres, but it is a mammal, not a fish.
What is the largest fish ever caught? ›
The Guinness Book of World Records, however, recognizes another freshwater fish as the biggest: a 661-pound stingray that fishermen caught in Cambodia in 2022. Before that, the Guinness Record holder was the 646-pound Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand.
What's the biggest dinosaur fish? ›
Leedsichthys is an extinct genus of pachycormid fish that lived in the oceans of the Middle to Late Jurassic. It is the largest ray-finned fish, and amongst the largest fish known to have ever existed.
What shark is bigger than a megalodon? ›
Leedsichthys problematicus, meaning "Alfred Leed's problem-causing fish", was another prehistoric ocean giant. Estimates put Leedsichthys at approximately 16.5m long, substantially larger than the average Megalodon.
What big fish can eat humans? ›
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- Three Fish That Eat People. There are more than 33,000 known fish species that range from less than an inch to well over 1,000 pounds, the variety is stunning. ...
- Sharks - Have Eaten People. ...
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- Dangerous Fish.
It is estimated that the Leedsichthys species is found to be approximately 16.5m long, which is quite larger than the average Megalodon. Despite being a huge fish it was probably some kind of filter-feeder, not a predator.
Are there any ancient fish alive today? ›
Modern coelacanths live in caves and rocky outcrops hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. They are larger than most of their fossil ancestors, reaching over 6 feet long and weighing 200 pounds. Scientists estimate they can live up to 60 years or more.
Are there any dinosaur fish alive? ›
Latimeria chalumnae and L. menadoensis are the only two known living coelacanth species. Coelacanths are large, plump, lobe-finned fish that can grow to more than 2 m (6.6 ft) and weigh around 90 kg (200 lb).
Guinness Book of World Records largest Great White Shark
One, a 10.9-meter (36-foot) shark, was captured in Australian waters near Port Fairy during the 1870s. The second was discovered ensnared in a Herring weir in New Brunswick, Canada, during the 1930s, measuring an impressive 11.3 meters (37 feet) in length.
What is the smallest fish ever caught? ›
List of smallest fish in the world
| Species | Standard length of smallest known mature individual |
|---|
| Paedocypris progenetica | 7.9 mm (0.31 in), female |
| Danionella translucida | 10 mm |
| Danionella cerebrum | 10 mm |
| Leptophilypnion fittkaui | ? |
5 more rowsSnailfish are tadpole-like and can only grow to about 12 inches long. They are found in oceans across the world, with some species inhabiting relatively shallow waters. The snailfish discovered 8,300 meters down — which is more than 27,000 feet, or five miles, deep — belongs to an unknown species, scientists said.
Who would win, Megalodon or Mosasaurus? ›
While a similar length, the Megalodon had a much more robust body and huge jaws built for devouring whales and other large marine mammals. A Mosasaurus would not have been able to get its jaws around the much thicker body of the Megalodon. It would just take one catastrophic bite for the Megalodon to end the battle.
What is the most famous extinct fish? ›
The primitive-looking coelacanth (pronounced SEEL-uh-kanth) was thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
What was the biggest sea predator ever? ›
Megalodon could fully consume prey the size of today's killer whales and then roam the seas without more food for two months. Megalodon, the largest shark that ever lived, is famous for its huge, human-hand-sized teeth.
Is Leedsichthys bigger than a blue whale? ›
Citing the large "gill basket" and other fossils attributed to the creature, paleontologist David Martill in 1986 dubbed Leedsichthys "the world's largest fish." He estimated that Leedsichthys might have been over 90 feet long, approaching the size of a blue whale.
Is Leedsichthys problematicus bigger than megalodon? ›
Yeah no. None can surpass 40 tonnes. Livyatan only weighed 30 tonnes while Megalodon weighed between 30-40 tonnes. Leedsichthys weighed 45 tonnes.
Is the megalodon real? ›
The earliest megalodon fossils (Otodus megalodon, previously known as Carcharodon or Carcharocles megalodon) date to 20 million years ago. For the next 13 million years the enormous shark dominated the oceans until becoming extinct just 3.6 million years ago.
How big was a megalodon? ›
The colossal predator reached lengths up to 60 feet, stretching as long as a boxcar. The only marine animal ever to outweigh the massive megalodon is the blue whale, which weighs up to 200 tons, or just more than double the size of a megalodon.
