Fossil reveals 180 million-year-old dolphin-like sea monster that survived despite injuries
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- Scientists discovered the fossil of a giant ichthyosaur, Temnodontosaurus, over 20ft long, at the Mistelgau clay pit in Germany, dating back more than 180 million years.
- The fossil, one of the youngest of its genus, shows the species survived longer in the Southwest German Basin than previously known.
- The specimen exhibited multiple injuries affecting its shoulder and jaw joints, likely impacting its hunting and feeding behavior, evidenced by abraded teeth and rare gastroliths found in its stomach.
- Researchers suggest the injured ichthyosaur may have altered its diet to survive despite limited ability to catch prey, highlighting its resilience.
- Ongoing excavations aim to further study the Jurassic Sea's ecology through detailed analysis of fossils from the Mistelgau site.
