19 October 2018
Scientists have unearthed the fossilised remains of a piranha-like species that they say is the earliest known example of a flesh-eating fish.
This bony creature, found in South Germany, lived about 150 million years ago and had the distinctive sharp teeth of modern-day piranhas.
These Jurassic marauders used their razor teeth to tear chunks of flesh and fins off other fish.
Other fish were found nearby which had been attacked by the ancient piranhas.
"We have other fish from the same locality with chunks missing from their fins," said Dr David Bellwood of James Cook University, Australia, who is one of the authors of the study.
"Feed on a fish and it is dead; nibble its fins and you have food for the future."
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