Scientists The remains of have been found The mysterious sea reptile 150 million years ago belongs to a previously unknown species.
This Well preserved Reptilese was found late in the Jurassic deep sea deposit on the shores of the English Channel in Dorset.
Experts say The aquatic reptiles were part of a group known as the Ichthyosasar, which has been a well-organized sea predator since the Swaraj Jurassic period.
PAlontologist Megan L. Jacobs, A Baylor University Doctoral Candidate in Geosciences And co-author of the study published in the journal Plaza one, Said: “There are many differences in this ichthyosaur that make it unique enough for its breed and species.
“New late Jurassic ichthyosaurs are extremely rare in the United Kingdom, as these animals have been studied for over 200 years.
“We knew it was new almost immediately, but it took almost a year to make a complete comparison with all the other late Jurassic ichthyosaurs to make sure our instincts were right.
“It was so exciting not to get a match.”
Jacobs named the sample ‘Thalesodraco Itchesy‘, Which means’ Eches Sea Dragon’ – which is allowed Relic collector Steve Ashes MBE, WHO Sample received in 2009 After a rock collapsed on the beach.
Since the discovery, the specimen has been housed in the Huts Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, located in Cambridge, Drumset.
The author of the study, David Martil“Now that the new sea dragon has been officially named, it’s time to investigate its biology,” said a PhD professor of paleontology at the University of Portsmouth in Portsmouth.
4 months ago“There are many things that make this animal special.”
This Animal iWhich was approximately 2.5 meters (eight feet) long and shares some similarities with sperm wells with ‘extremely deep rib cages’.
This can allow for larger lungs and extra space For internal organs so that they do not get crushed under pressure.
With large eyes, which allowed it to see in low light, it also had hundreds of small teeth – which showed Its The diet may include squid and small fish.
Jacob continued: “They had to breathe air into the surface and there were no scales.
“Hardly anything is known about the biology of these animals.
“We can only guess from the fossils we have, but there is nothing like it today.
“Eventually, in order to adapt to being fully aquatic, they could no longer go to the ground to lay eggs, so they grew into living young, tail-bearing.
“Skeletons with babies have been found inside the mother and even those that were actually born.”
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