AI Study Reveals How Sharks Survived the Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid

A new scientific study powered by advanced artificial intelligence has reshaped long-held views about shark evolution, revealing that the asteroid impact responsible for the extinction of dinosaurs had only a limited effect on sharks and rays. The research shows these marine species were far more resilient than previously believed.

The project was led by researchers at Swansea University, who used a deep-learning AI model to examine the largest dataset of shark fossils ever compiled. By analysing records spanning the past 145 million years, the AI system was able to overcome long-standing challenges caused by incomplete and fragmented fossil evidence.

The artificial intelligence model successfully filled missing data gaps, corrected inconsistencies and detected subtle evolutionary patterns that had been overlooked by human researchers. This resulted in the most detailed and accurate timeline of shark and ray evolution produced to date.

The findings challenge earlier assumptions that sharks suffered massive losses following the asteroid strike 66 million years ago. While dinosaurs experienced widespread extinction on land, sharks and rays saw only about a 10 percent decline in species globally, allowing them to survive and adapt in the aftermath of the catastrophe.

However, the study also highlights a long-term decline that paints a more concerning picture. Shark and ray diversity peaked around 50 million years ago, after which species numbers gradually decreased. Over the past 50 million years, oceans have naturally lost more than 40 percent of shark and ray species.

Researchers warn that this prolonged decline has left modern sharks in a vulnerable position. Because their populations have been shrinking for millions of years, they are starting from an already weakened baseline when facing present-day threats.

The study suggests that human-driven pressures such as overfishing, habitat destruction and climate change pose an even greater risk than previously understood. With their evolutionary resilience already reduced, protecting existing shark and ray species has become more critical than ever for maintaining ocean ecosystems.