PLoS One May 2010 PMID 20479893

Ancient nursery area for the extinct giant shark megalodon from the Miocene of Panama.

Catalina Pimiento, Dana J Ehret, Bruce J Macfadden, Gordon Hubbell

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Mentions

65
Peak: 3 in Jul 2024
across 6 sources since Jul 2018

Extended reach

44,568,121
potential audience

Total likes

404,168

Video views

44,564,871

Mentions per month

Jul 2018 – Jul 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News36 articles
  • Blogs17 articles
  • YouTube6 videos
  • X / Twitter2 posts
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall conversations express strong interest and agreement with the findings, illustrated by the mention of the Gatun site's significance and the detailed breakdown of juvenile and neonate sizes. Words like 'fascinating' and references to 'first definitive evidence' highlight their engagement and recognition of the study's impact on paleontology.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the discovery as it links to well-known fossil sites like Panama's Gatun Formation.

InterestHigh interest

Participants demonstrate high curiosity, especially by referencing specific details about Megalodon nurseries and fossil evidence.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments show modest in-depth engagement, such as recalling previous research and analyzing the fossil data.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions reflect recognition of the research's importance for understanding prehistoric shark behaviors, though they remain somewhat informal.

Abstract in brief

  • The study provides the first definitive evidence of ancient nursery areas for the extinct giant shark Megalodon from the late Miocene period in Panama, highlighting that these areas served as critical habitats for juvenile sharks about 10 million years ago.
  • Fossil analysis of Megalodon teeth from the Gatun Formation revealed that the majority of the teeth were very small, indicating that these sharks were juveniles or neonates with estimated body lengths between 2 and 10.5 meters, showing the importance of this area for early life stages.
  • The findings suggest that sharks, including Megalodon, used nursery areas as an adaptive strategy for at least 10 million years, making the Gatun Formation a significant paleoecological site for understanding the life history of both extinct and modern sharks.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
マンブルV2/フォアグラ
@V2manburu · X

@yokkikuroboshi1 10年以上前の論文になりますが、パナマで見つかったメガロドンの歯の大きさから、当時のパナマにいたメガロドンの年齢層と個体差を割り出しています。 稚魚(neonates):全長2〜4mで4匹 亜成魚(juvenile):全長4〜10mで21匹 成魚(adult):全長10〜17mで7匹 論文(https://t.co/BxYhOf5K1a) 以前渡しました? https://t.co/LyDGb05Xx3

Oct 7, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,165 followers View post →
Dr. Jack Cooper
@CooperPalaeo · X

7. My favourite Easter egg of this scene is the mention of fossil nursery sites - including one in Panama. This is a reference to the Gatun formation in Panama, the first fossil megalodon nursery site identified; published right here: https://t.co/EfCZS8fgfu

Jun 15, 2024 · 1 like · 1,084 followers View post →

All mentions

Ancient Megalodon Nursery Revealed by Panama Fossils

This study provides the first definitive evidence of nursery areas for Megalodon during the late Miocene in Panama. Fossil teeth indicate that juvenile sharks used these areas as vital habitats approximately 10 million…

PBS Eons · Dec 19, 2018 41,768,268 views

Exploring Megalodon: Fact or Fiction and Its Legacy

This video explores the myth and science behind Megalodon, the giant prehistoric shark. We examine whether Megalodon was a true monster or a product of popular media, and discuss its potential existence in modern…

Ecotasia · May 4, 2024 699 views
Dr. Jack Cooper
@CooperPalaeo · X

7. My favourite Easter egg of this scene is the mention of fossil nursery sites - including one in Panama. This is a reference to the Gatun formation in Panama, the first fossil megalodon nursery site identified; published right here: https://t.co/EfCZS8fgfu

Jun 15, 2024 · 1 like · 1,084 followers View post →
マンブルV2/フォアグラ
@V2manburu · X

@yokkikuroboshi1 10年以上前の論文になりますが、パナマで見つかったメガロドンの歯の大きさから、当時のパナマにいたメガロドンの年齢層と個体差を割り出しています。 稚魚(neonates):全長2〜4mで4匹 亜成魚(juvenile):全長4〜10mで21匹 成魚(adult):全長10〜17mで7匹 論文(https://t.co/BxYhOf5K1a) 以前渡しました? https://t.co/LyDGb05Xx3

Oct 7, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 2,165 followers View post →