Bristol, United Kingdom – Scientists have recently uncovered a remarkable discovery, identifying what is believed to be the largest marine reptile ever known to roam the ancient seas. This colossal creature, estimated to be longer than two buses placed nose to nose, existed approximately 202 million years ago during the same era as the dinosaurs.
The fascinating finding came to light when a fossilized jawbone was initially stumbled upon by a fossil enthusiast on a Somerset beach in the UK back in 2016. Subsequently, in 2020, another similar jawbone was discovered by a father and daughter duo, shedding more light on the massive ichthyosaur reptiles that could have reached lengths of up to 25 meters.
Dr. Dean Lomax, a prominent palaeontologist from the University of Bristol, utilized the size of these jawbones – one over a meter long and the other two meters long – to estimate that the complete animal would have spanned about 25 meters, comparable in size to a blue whale. However, due to the limited fragments found thus far, more evidence, such as a complete skull and skeleton, is required to confirm the exact dimensions of the ancient creature.
Tracing back to Paul de la Salle’s fortuitous beachcombing excursion in 2016 that led to the initial jawbone discovery, with the assistance of Dean Lomax, the team has since made tremendous progress in unveiling the mysteries of this prehistoric behemoth. Their combined efforts culminated in the unveiling of a new ichthyosaur species, Ichthyotitan severnensis, dubbed the giant fish lizard of the Severn.
The team’s relentless pursuit of uncovering fragments and clues eventually paid off, painting a clearer picture of this newfound species. Collaborating with the Reynolds family, the researchers pieced together the puzzle, further solidifying their understanding of the ancient marine predator.
The significance of this discovery extends beyond the realm of academic research, emphasizing the vital role that amateur fossil collectors play in unearthing the Earth’s ancient past. By highlighting the contributions of individuals like Paul de la Salle and the Reynolds family, this extraordinary finding underscores the invaluable impact that citizen scientists can have in expanding our knowledge of prehistoric life forms.