A recent study led by Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiology professor at DePaul University, sheds new light on the biology of the prehistoric shark known as Megalodon. This research involved 28 experts from around the world and has been published in "Palaeontologia Electronica."

Megalodon, scientifically referred to as Otodus megalodon, lived approximately 15 to 3.6 million years ago. Its remains are primarily limited to serrated teeth, vertebrae, and scales due to the absence of complete skeletons. The study explores how long parts not represented in a nearly complete fossilized vertebral column found in Belgium might have been.

The researchers analyzed proportions of head, trunk, and tail across 145 modern and 20 extinct shark species. They estimated that Megalodon's head and tail occupied about 16.6% and 32.6% of its total body length respectively. Based on these calculations, a specific individual could have measured about 16.4 meters (54 feet) long.

Further analysis suggested that another individual could have reached up to 24.3 meters (80 feet) based on vertebrae measurements from Denmark. "The length of 24.3 meters is currently the largest possible reasonable estimate for O. megalodon that can be justified based on science and the present fossil record," stated Shimada.

The study also suggests that Megalodon's body form resembled that of a modern lemon shark rather than a great white shark due to hydrodynamic efficiency considerations. This insight helps explain why certain aquatic vertebrates achieve gigantism while others do not.

Shimada's former students, Phillip Sternes and Jake Wood, contributed significantly to this research. Sternes noted that their findings support previous studies suggesting Megalodon was not simply a larger version of today's great white shark.

Additional findings include estimates of Megalodon's weight at around 94 tons and cruising speed between 2.1–3.5 kilometers per hour—comparable to modern great whites. Growth patterns suggest live births with newborns measuring about 3.6–3.9 meters long.

"Many interpretations we made are still tentative," said Shimada, expressing hope for future discoveries that may confirm or refine these conclusions.