Meet the ‘Super Weird’ Sea Monster: The Unique Creature That Roamed the Oceans 190 Million Years Ago!

One of the most remarkable discoveries along the UK’s Jurassic Coast is an incredibly well-preserved sea monster. This fossil, believed to be one of the most complete reptile remains from the Pliensbachian period, dates back around 190 million years. It shines a light on a time when significant changes were happening in Earth’s ecosystems.

The creature is an ichthyosaur, affectionately called the “Sword Dragon of Dorset.” Its scientific name is Xiphodracon goldencapensis. Fossil collector Chris Moore uncovered this impressive specimen, which stretches about 3 meters (9.8 feet) long.

Moore explained how he stumbled upon this ancient creature. “I spotted some tail vertebrae sticking out,” he said. Once he began digging, he followed the vertebrae and discovered more bones, eventually revealing the skull. Remarkably, its skull remained intact in three dimensions while most ichthyosaur fossils tend to flatten over time. “The skull had huge eyes and a long, sword-like snout full of tiny teeth,” he added.

The region where Moore found this ichthyosaur was once a shallow tropical sea rich in life. This area had an anoxic seabed, meaning that when animals died, they sank into mud that preserved their remains. Such conditions explain why so many ichthyosaurs have been found here.

At first, the fossil was sent to the Royal Ontario Museum, where it awaited formal identification for nearly 24 years. Dr. Dean Lomax later examined the specimen and found it to be a new species—quite rare, as fossils from this specific time are uncommon. “This discovery fills an ichthyosaur void during a crucial stage in their evolution,” said Lomax, highlighting its importance in understanding the past.

Interestingly, ichthyosaurs thrived during a period of great change, but researchers still wonder what caused this upheaval. “Strangely enough, we don’t know what drove this transition,” Lomax admitted. The newly discovered fossil may help pinpoint when these changes occurred, and even contain preserved stomach contents that could provide further insight.

What’s remarkable about this specimen are its unusual features. Besides the long snout and large eyes, it has a peculiar bone around its nostril not seen in any other ichthyosaur. These unique traits spark excitement among paleontologists, who emphasize the importance of such discoveries in unraveling Earth’s history.

The findings were detailed in the journal Papers in Palaeontology. If you’re curious to dive deeper into this topic, check out the original study, which provides a thorough look at this fascinating species.

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