Geologists in Mississippi discovered a fossilized lumbar vertebra believed to belong to a mosasaur, a marine apex predator from the Late Cretaceous period. The vertebra, estimated to be from a 30 to 40-foot-long specimen, was found during a sampling expedition south of Starkville, revealing the distinct shape indicative of a mosasaur. This finding is particularly significant as it represents the largest mosasaur fossil encountered in the region, which is known for its rich fossil record.
