RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY/WOLFGANG STINNESBECK" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
A handout image made available on March 18, 2021 shows a fossil of an Aquilolamna Eagle Shark. - Some 93 million years ago, a bizarre winged sharks swam in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This newly described fossil species, called Aquilolamna milarcae, has allowed its discoverers to erect a new family. Like manta rays, these 'eagle sharks' are characterised by extremely long and thin pectoral fins reminiscent of wings. The specimen studied was 1.65 metres long and had a span of 1.90 metres. With its large mouth and supposed very small teeth, it must have fed on plankton, according to the international research team led by Romain Vullo of the CNRS. The complete specimen was found in 2012 in Vallecillo (Mexico). (Photo by Wolfgang Stinnesbeck / Heidelberg University / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY/WOLFGANG STINNESBECK" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS