Ancient giant marine reptile identified through fossil discovery

DIn a paper published April 17, scientists say two fossilized jaws discovered in 2016 and 2020 belonged to two ichthyosaurs. These giant marine reptiles, which existed about 200 million years ago, could have been 25 meters long.

Dean Lomax (University of Bristol), author of the paper, clarifies that further evidence, such as the discovery of a skull or skeleton, is needed to be able to confirm the exact size of the specimens.

The first fossilized jaw, which turned out to be the first known jaw of this giant reptile, was discovered in 2016 by fossil hunter Paul de la Salle on a beach in Somerset, UK. Together with Dean Lomax, they published the first results in 2018, but they needed more evidence to realize the reptile’s gigantic size. This long-awaited opening will take place in 2020.