Scientists have discovered the fossilized jawbone of a massive marine reptile that could be the largest ever to swim in the world’s waters, living almost 202 million years ago at the end of the Triassic period. The jawbone, found on a beach in Somerset, UK in 2016, is over two meters long and belongs to a fish lizard species named Ichthyotitan severens.
Further evidence, such as the entire skeleton and skull of the animal, is needed to confirm its size. Dean Lomax, a paleontologist from the University of Bristol explains that based on its jawbone size, they estimate that Ichthyotitan severensis was about 25 meters long, roughly equivalent to a blue whale. However, more research is needed to fully understand its significance and determine if it is a new species or one already known.
Ichthyotitan severensis was the top predator of its time and went extinct following a mass extinction event. Its discovery suggests that there may have been new species in existence during this time period. Neil Kelley, another paleontologist involved in the study notes that this finding is significant for understanding marine ecosystems during this crucial time period for the fossil record of ichthyosaurs.
Further research will provide valuable insights into life’s history on Earth and help us understand how marine ecosystems evolved over time.
