PLoS One December 2015 PMID 25338197

When did Carcharocles megalodon become extinct? A new analysis of the fossil record.

Catalina Pimiento, Christopher F Clements

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Mentions

220
Peak: 2 in Jul 2020
across 6 sources since Oct 2014

Extended reach

41,795,021
potential audience

Total likes

359,859

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41,768,489

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Oct 2014 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Comments demonstrate high interest by emphasizing the use of the OLE method and its role in refining extinction estimates, such as noting it 'fills a gap in previous research.' The tone combines appreciation for scientific approaches with some skepticism, as seen in remarks about conspiracy theories and the importance of solid evidence, which shows an engaged yet cautious attitude toward the findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the use of the new OLE method and support the idea that the extinction date is being analyzed with scientific rigor.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high curiosity about the methodology and implications of the research, indicating strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific methods and debate the significance of the findings, reflecting moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the importance of accurately determining extinction dates, suggesting a modest but meaningful impact on understanding marine history.

Abstract in brief

  • Carcharocles megalodon, the largest shark ever, likely went extinct around 26 million years ago during the Miocene epoch, based on recent fossil analyses.
  • The study used a new method called the Optimal Linear Estimation (OLE) model to more accurately date its extinction, filling a gap in previous research.
  • The extinction of Megalodon predates the rise of modern large filter-feeding whales, providing insights into how the removal of apex predators can influence marine ecosystems and their evolution over time.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Sobre tubarões
@sobretubaroes · X

+Infos: https://t.co/tlg9nsrAAz https://t.co/leFcXjCC2P https://t.co/Pxs5ZeCwuM https://t.co/i6M0JU6FE5 https://t.co/V0wlGI7cNS https://t.co/Y1JhkA7kVa

Jul 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 16,133 followers View post →
Andrej Spiridonov
@AndrejSpiridon4 · X

@norvid_studies @vintageyaks Here is a fine example of using the Optimal Linear Estimation (OLE) [one of several methods] in the determination of the extinction date of the megashark Otodus megalodon https://t.co/b7gR2lIwFl

Sep 11, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,776 followers View post →
Dr. Jack Cooper
@CooperPalaeo · X

@Z3nDea @TylerGreenfieId Sadly, there will always be conspiracy theorists & cranks who won't acknowledge any evidence against the nonsense, no matter how solid. So indeed good to have papers stating the obvious. See also these 2 papers on Meg extinction: https://t.co/EtTG6DSV5j https://t.co/YQEgVQ7suG

Oct 21, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,104 followers View post →
Steve Wang
@SteveWang251 · X

@AdamRShannon @JacquelynGill @alexantra For most analyses, we do assume that a species goes extinct immediately after its last appearance, as Dr. Gill states. But some analyses attempt to quantify the gap between the last appearance & true time of extinction. e.g.: https://t.co/95c2PfPBZ9 by @pimientoc & @ExpEcoCons

May 24, 2019 · 1 like · 911 followers View post →
norvid_studies
@norvid_studies · X

RT @AndrejSpiridon4: @norvid_studies @vintageyaks Here is a fine example of using the Optimal Linear Estimation (OLE) [one of several metho…

Sep 11, 2024 · 1 share · 4,911 followers View post →
hanna
@sukunacarioca · X

RT @sobretubaroes: +Infos: https://t.co/tlg9nsrAAz https://t.co/leFcXjCC2P https://t.co/Pxs5ZeCwuM https://t.co/i6M0JU6FE5 https://t.co…

Jul 10, 2020 · 1 share · 1,627 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
norvid_studies
@norvid_studies · X

RT @AndrejSpiridon4: @norvid_studies @vintageyaks Here is a fine example of using the Optimal Linear Estimation (OLE) [one of several metho…

Sep 11, 2024 · 1 share · 4,911 followers View post →
Andrej Spiridonov
@AndrejSpiridon4 · X

@norvid_studies @vintageyaks Here is a fine example of using the Optimal Linear Estimation (OLE) [one of several methods] in the determination of the extinction date of the megashark Otodus megalodon https://t.co/b7gR2lIwFl

Sep 11, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,776 followers View post →
_3N
@3N_954 · X

RT @CooperPalaeo: @Z3nDea @TylerGreenfieId Sadly, there will always be conspiracy theorists & cranks who won't acknowledge any evidence aga…

Oct 21, 2023 · 1 share · 59 followers View post →
Dr. Jack Cooper
@CooperPalaeo · X

@Z3nDea @TylerGreenfieId Sadly, there will always be conspiracy theorists & cranks who won't acknowledge any evidence against the nonsense, no matter how solid. So indeed good to have papers stating the obvious. See also these 2 papers on Meg extinction: https://t.co/EtTG6DSV5j https://t.co/YQEgVQ7suG

Oct 21, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,104 followers View post →
hanna
@sukunacarioca · X

RT @sobretubaroes: +Infos: https://t.co/tlg9nsrAAz https://t.co/leFcXjCC2P https://t.co/Pxs5ZeCwuM https://t.co/i6M0JU6FE5 https://t.co…

Jul 10, 2020 · 1 share · 1,627 followers View post →
Sobre tubarões
@sobretubaroes · X

+Infos: https://t.co/tlg9nsrAAz https://t.co/leFcXjCC2P https://t.co/Pxs5ZeCwuM https://t.co/i6M0JU6FE5 https://t.co/V0wlGI7cNS https://t.co/Y1JhkA7kVa

Jul 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 16,133 followers View post →
Steve Wang
@SteveWang251 · X

@AdamRShannon @JacquelynGill @alexantra For most analyses, we do assume that a species goes extinct immediately after its last appearance, as Dr. Gill states. But some analyses attempt to quantify the gap between the last appearance & true time of extinction. e.g.: https://t.co/95c2PfPBZ9 by @pimientoc & @ExpEcoCons

May 24, 2019 · 1 like · 911 followers View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

#PLOSONE: When Did Carcharocles megalodon Become Extinct? A New Analysis of the Fossil Record http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111086

Dec 30, 2017 View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

PLOS ONE: When Did Carcharocles megalodon Become Extinct? A New Analysis of the Fossil Record http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111086

Oct 22, 2014 View post →