Ancient 20-foot sea predator survived devastating injuries by changing how it ate
Yahoo • • technology
Key Points:
- A newly discovered Temnodontosaurus ichthyosaur fossil from the Jurassic Sea, found in Mistelgau, Germany, offers new insights into marine ecology over 180 million years ago.
- The fossil shows evidence of multiple injuries around the shoulder and jaw, suggesting the reptile adapted its hunting and feeding behavior despite significant physical challenges.
- Researchers found gastroliths in the abdominal region, indicating the reptile used swallowed stones to aid digestion, a rare feature among ichthyosaurs.
- This specimen is one of the youngest of its genus, implying that these large marine reptiles survived longer in the Southwest German Basin than previously thought.
- The discovery enhances understanding of ancient marine ecosystems, predator resilience, and the importance of fossil sites for reconstructing evolutionary history.