Overview
- A UK–Mexico team from the Desert Museum in Saltillo and the University of Bath used X-ray and CT imaging to reanalyze fossils found in 2001 in the Méndez Formation of Nuevo León and confirmed a new species.
- The reptile measured about six meters in length and had short jaws with thick, conical teeth suited to gripping and crushing large prey.
- Researchers say the animal lived around 70 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous and filled an apex role much like modern orcas.
- The discovery adds to evidence that northeastern Mexico hosted diverse marine ecosystems, with today’s inland sites preserving ancient seabeds uplifted by tectonic forces.
- EL PAÍS emphasizes the fossil’s origin and methods with quotes from study author Héctor Rivera-Sylva, while UK coverage plays up its size and predator status, and both report the orca comparison and timing.