Several similar large, fossilized bone fragments have been discovered in various regions across Western and Central Europe since the 19th century. The animal group to which they belonged is still the subject of much debate to this day.
A study carried out at the University of Bonn sheds light on a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for 150 years A study could now settle this dispute once and for all: The microstructure of the fossils indicates that they come from the lower jaw of a gigantic ichthyosaur. These animals could reach 25 to 30 meters in length, a similar size to the modern blue whale.
There is still some debate to this day about the animal group to which these large, fossilized bones belonged. Stutchbury assumed in his examination of the first finds that they came from a labyrinthodontia, an extinct crocodile-like land creature. However, this hypothesis was questioned by other researchers, who believed instead that the fossils came from long-necked dinosaurs , stegosaurs or a still completely unknown group of dinosaurs.
It is likely that the fossils come from the lower jaw of a sea creature. By comparing the size of the fragments with the jaws of other species in this animal group, it is possible to deduce the length of the animals: They could possibly have reached a length of 25 to 30 meters, as proponents of the ichthyosaur theory had originally speculated in an earlier study.
The unusual structure of their bone walls -- which is similar to carbon fiber reinforced materials -- probably kept the bone very stable while allowing for fast growth."These huge jaws would have been exposed to strong shearing forces even when the animal was eating normally," says Perillo."It is possible that these animals also used their snouts to ram into their prey, similar to the orcas of today. However, this is still pure speculation at this time.
Extinction Life Sciences Wild Animals Fossils Dinosaurs Evolution Paleontology
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