Evidence Competition, Former Fossil Bite

Ocean life in ancient times was tinged competition. Bite marks on the fossil proves this.

The experts found bite marks that have been recovered in the lower jaw ichthyosaurs, marine reptiles like the dolphins that live in the age of dinosaurs. They see the bite marks were evident enough time to clean and reframe ichthyosaurs in the laboratory.

The size and spacing of the teeth that bite marks found on the match with some other animal species. Even so, experts believe, the bite is a bite of other adult ichthyosaurs.

They also concluded, the cause of injury is a battle that occurs when competing for food, mates or territory. Evidence of wound healing showed that these animals survived the attack happened.

"The trail pathological bone and teeth that have become fossilized open horizons of life and new social behavior of animals that have become extinct," said Benjamin Kear, one of the experts involved in the study who is an assistant professor at Uppsala University Palaeobiology Programme, the release his press conference on Wednesday (05/04/2011).

Ichthyosaurs are predatory marine reptile that can swim fast and prey on fish and squid a similar animal. Ichthyosaurs adult body length can reach 6 feet, with long-mouthed head shape like a dolphin. The composition of ichthyosaurs teeth similar to crocodiles, with a total of more than 100 pieces.