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Rare Fossil Reveals a Three-Tier Food Chain Frozen in Time: a Pterosaur Eaten by an Ichthyosaur Eaten by a Pliosaur

First publishedJul 31, 18:40 UTC

Last updatedAug 2, 20:35 UTC · 15m ago

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Rare Fossil Reveals a Three-Tier Food Chain Frozen in Time: a Pterosaur Eaten by an Ichthyosaur Eaten by a Pliosaur

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4.7/10Significanceimpact & urgency

7.0/10Source trustoutlet authority

1Outletsindependent sources

Significance weighs impact, urgency & coverage breadth · Source trust is the outlets' average authority · more outlets means a more confirmed story.

Answer

A pterosaur was eaten by an ichthyosaur, and then the ichthyosaur was eaten by a pliosaur.

Reported by 1 outlet — Smithsonian. See all sources ↓

A long time ago, a flying pterosaur was eaten by a swimming ichthyosaur. But the ichthyosaur did not eat the pterosaur for long. It was then eaten by a big pliosaur.

Why it matters

This discovery helps scientists understand how animals lived and ate each other a long time ago.

In brief

What was eaten by the ichthyosaur?: A pterosaur.
What ate the ichthyosaur?: A pliosaur.
How long ago did this happen?: About 100 million years ago.

Different angles across outlets

Coverage map

How outlets are framing the same story

These are the main editorial angles found across reporting. Use them to quickly compare what different outlets emphasize, omit, or question.

The outlets all frame the story as a fascinating discovery that deepens our understanding of prehistoric life.

Coverage cardFraming signal
1Angle
Scouting report
A rare fossil shows a three-tier food chain.
Sources1
TypeAngle
SmithsonianJul 31, 18:40Highlights the unique fossil and its significance.