An 11-year-old girl and her father recently made a groundbreaking discovery that has the scientific community buzzing with excitement. Ruby Reynolds and her father stumbled upon the largest marine reptile ever found while searching for fossils in Blue Anchor, Somerset.
The duo uncovered fossilized bones that were later identified as belonging to a giant ichthyosaur from 202 million years ago. This new species, named Ichthyotitan severnensis, measures an astounding 82 feet in length, making it the largest marine reptile ever described.
The significance of this discovery goes beyond just size – it sheds light on life in the past and how it evolved on Earth. Paleontologist Dean Lomax and his colleagues recently published their findings in PLOS ONE, detailing the incredible discovery made by Ruby and her father.
The story behind the finding is just as fascinating. The initial bone was found nearly eight years ago by amateur fossil collector Paul de la Salle in Lilstock, Somerset. It was identified as part of an ichthyosaur jawbone, but it was incomplete. Ruby and Justin Reynolds later uncovered additional fragments of the jawbone, leading to the identification of a new species.
The size of Ichthyotitan severnensis suggests it was a dominant predator in the oceans of the past. The Triassic Period was a time of evolution and change, with the end marking the extinction of giant marine reptiles. This discovery provides valuable insight into the history of life on Earth and the eventual rise of mammals, such as whales, as dominant marine predators.
Overall, this remarkable find not only expands our knowledge of prehistoric creatures but also highlights the importance of amateur fossil collectors in furthering scientific research. Ruby Reynolds and her father have certainly left their mark on the world of paleontology with their extraordinary discovery.
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