Which specific fish species was famously found preserved whole inside a *Xiphactinus* fossil?
Answer
Gillicus
The most compelling direct evidence regarding the diet of *Xiphactinus* comes from spectacular fossil finds where the stomach contents remained preserved. One of the most renowned examples involves a skeleton of *Xiphactinus* found with the nearly intact skeleton of another large fish situated within its rib cage area. This unfortunate prey item has been identified as *Gillicus*. The orientation suggests that the *Xiphactinus* had managed to swallow *Gillicus* whole just before its own death, before digestion could commence. The size disparity between the predator and this specific prey item underscores the extreme gape and predatory mechanism employed by *Xiphactinus*.
#Videos
#9 Xiphactinus- The Monster Fish - YouTube
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