A new scientific study has revealed that the prehistoric shark known as Megalodon, or the megatooth shark, had a more slender body than previously believed. Megalodon, which lived between 15 and 3.6 million years ago, has long been portrayed as a massive and monstrous creature in popular culture. However, the new study, published in the journal "Palaeontologia Electronica," challenges this perception.

Previous studies had suggested that Megalodon reached lengths of 50 to 65 feet, with the modern great white shark serving as a model for its body form. However, the new research indicates that Megalodon had a body shape that was more elongated than the great white shark. Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiology professor at DePaul University and the senior author of the study, explains, "The remarkably simple evidence that O. megalodon had a more slender body than the great white shark was hidden in plain sight."

The study highlights a discrepancy in the measurements of an O. megalodon specimen. Previous reports had estimated its length to be 11.1 meters, but the new study suggests it was only 9.2 meters, including the head. This finding suggests that Megalodon was not simply a larger version of the great white shark, as previously thought.

Phillip Sternes, the first author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Riverside, notes, "Even though it remains uncertain exactly how long the body of O. megalodon was elongated relative to the great white shark, this new finding marks a major scientific breakthrough in the quest to decipher what Megalodon looked like."

The study involved a team of 26 shark experts from 29 academic institutions around the world. Jake Wood, one of Shimada's master's students, also contributed to the research. Wood emphasizes that further progress in understanding Megalodon's body form would require the discovery of a complete or nearly complete skeleton in the fossil record.

While the study provides important insights into Megalodon's appearance, there are still many mysteries surrounding this ancient shark. Shimada concludes, "The fact that we still don't know exactly how O. megalodon looked keeps our imagination going. The continued mystery makes paleontology, the study of prehistoric life, a fascinating and exciting scientific field."

The study, titled "White shark comparison reveals a slender body for the extinct megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon (Lamniformes: Otodontidae)," was authored by a diverse group of researchers from various countries and institutions. The work was partially supported by a U.S. National Science Foundation grant and a research grant from DePaul University.

In conclusion, the new study challenges the long-held perception of Megalodon as a gigantic great white shark. By revealing that Megalodon had a more slender body form, this research opens up new avenues for understanding the appearance and behavior of this ancient predator.