Paleontologists Identify Tylosaurus Rex, a New Marine Predator, from Misidentified Fossils
Paleontologists have identified a new species of ancient marine predator, Tylosaurus rex, which was previously misidentified as Tylosaurus proriger. This discovery was made by Michael Polcyn and Amelia Zietlow, who noticed distinct features in fossils that had been mislabeled for decades. The Tylosaurus rex, a massive marine reptile, could grow up to 43 feet long and had sharp, serrated teeth, unlike its relatives with smooth, cone-shaped teeth. The fossils, primarily found in Texas, date back 80 million years, contrasting with the 84-million-year-old T. proriger fossils found mainly in Kansas. The most notable specimen, nicknamed 'The Black Knight,' is displayed at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. The findings were published in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History on May 21, 2026. 
