A study conducted at the University of Bonn has identified large fossilized bone fragments as belonging to the lower jaw of a gigantic ichthyosaur. These ancient marine reptiles could grow up to 30 meters in length, comparable to the size of a modern blue whale.
A reconstruction of a gigantic ichthyosaur floating dead on the surface of the ocean. Remains of ichthyosaurs have been found in ocean sediment in various places around Europe . Credit: Marcello Perillo / University of Bonn
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.
Using a modified drill, the researchers were able to remove pieces of the bone without destroying the valuable fossils. The resulting thin cross-sections of bone make it possible to examine the microstructure. Credit: Deborah Hutchinson/ Bristol Museum and Art Gallery 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. “However, this number is only an estimate and far from certain – until, that is, we find more complete fossil remains,” says Perillo.
Ichthyosaur Fossils University Of Bonn Europe Marine Reptiles Paleontology
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