By Ella Davies, Reporter, BBC Nature
An ancient spiral-toothed fish has been
reconstructed from fossil evidence by scientists.
They were also able to resolve a continuing puzzle
over whether the unique saw-like spirals were located inside or outside the
mouth.
The findings show the animals were more closely
related to modern chimaeras, or ratfish, than sharks.
The study is published by researchers from Idaho State
University
The university's Museum of Natural History
The fish lived 270 million years ago but because
they were largely formed from cartilage, which does not preserve well, their
fossil record comprises unusual spiral structures.
Referred to as "whorls", these features
have been compared to spiralling saw blades and have puzzled the scientific
community for over a century.
Continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21589719
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