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Prehistoric piranha also had 'bite'

───   08:00 Sat, 20 Oct 2018

Prehistoric piranha also had 'bite' | News Article
The fossilised remains of the piranha-like species (Researchers M.Ebert/T.Nohl)

Scientists have unearthed the fossilised remains of a piranha-like species that they say is the earliest known example of a flesh-eating fish.


BBC reports that this bony creature, found in South Germany, lived about 150 million years ago and had the distinctive sharp teeth of modern-day piranhas. 

One of the authors of the study, David Bellwood of James Cook University, Australia, explains other fish were found nearby, which showed signs of attack. 

Piranhas are now only found in freshwater areas in South America, with some 20 different species found in the Amazon. 

This is in contrast to the newly described fossil, which was found in what was once the sea. 

Some modern piranhas have been found in other parts of the world but these are believed to be pets that were released into waterways.

BBC

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