Fossils of a giant marine lizard discovered in Morocco highlights dramatic evolution of oceanic ecosystems.

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of sea lizard with a “nightmarish appearance” that roamed the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco 66 million years ago.

Named Khinjaria acuta, it had powerful jaws and long, dagger-like teeth to grab prey. It is a distant relative of the Komodo dragon and anaconda.

"What’s remarkable here is the sheer diversity of top predators," said Dr. Nick Longrich of the University of Bath, who led the study. "We have multiple species growing larger than a great white shark, and they’re top predators, but they all have different teeth, suggesting they’re hunting in different ways." 

Today only a handful of apex predators like great white sharks, orcas and leopard seals dominate the seas.  

The study is based on a skull and parts of the skeleton collected from a phosphate mine southeast of Casablanca. 

 This discovery offers a glimpse into the thriving marine life just before an asteroid impact near Mexico, which triggered catastrophic environmental changes, leading to the extinction of numerous species.