Largest ichthyosaur jawbone fossil found on rocky English beach
Washington — A jawbone fossil found on a rocky English beach belongs to one of the biggest marine animals on record, a type of seagoing reptile called an ichthyosaur that scientists estimated at up to 26m long — approaching the size of a blue whale. Scientists said on Monday this ichthyosaur, which appears to be the largest marine reptile ever discovered, lived 205-million years ago at the end of the Triassic period, dominating the oceans just as dinosaurs were becoming the undisputed masters on land. The bone, called a surangular, was part of its lower jaw. The researchers estimated the animal’s length by comparing this surangular to the same bone in the largest ichthyosaur skeleton ever found, a species called Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia that was 21m long. The newly discovered bone was 25% larger. "This bone belonged to a giant," said University of Manchester paleontologist Dean Lomax. "The entire carcass was probably very similar to a whale fall in which a dead...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.