Ichthyosaurs were a successful group of marine reptiles that prospered during the age of dinosaurs, some reaching up to around 70 feet (21 meters) long - exceeded in size in the history of Earth's oceans only by the largest of the whales.
The researchers had thought any ichthyosaur living 250 million years ago would have been a primitive form, not far removed from its land-living forerunners. The fossils showed this one, which has not yet been given a scientific name, was quite advanced anatomically.
In light of this discovery, it may be that ichthyosaur origins predated the mass extinction event by up to perhaps 20 million years, Kear said. The Triassic Period that followed the mass extinction was the opening act of the age of dinosaurs, though the oldest-known dinosaurs did not appear until about 230 million years ago.
The mass extinction shook up land and marine ecosystems and opened opportunities for new species to fill ecological roles vacated by extinct creatures. Ichthyosaurs quickly became dominant and endured until about 90 million years ago. Until now, the oldest-known member of the ichthyosaur lineage was a 16-inch-long creature called Cartorhynchus that lived 248 million years ago in China.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden to enact Arctic protections as approval of oil project loomsThe president will put the entire Arctic Ocean off limits to oil and gas leasing Monday, according to a White House office, as the administration nears approval of the Willow drilling project in Alaska.
Read more »
At the World's Oldest Restaurant, the Fire Has Been Burning for Nearly 300 YearsThey've never turned the oven off at Madrid's Restaurante Botín, the world's oldest restaurant.
Read more »
Biden plans limits on oil drilling in Alaska, Arctic Circle, AP reportsU.S. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 13 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, the Associated Press reported on Sunday, citing an administration official.
Read more »
Biden to announce Arctic Ocean protections as administration weighs controversial Willow oil projectPresident Biden is expected to prohibit oil and gas leasing across the entirety of the United States' territory in the Arctic Ocean, an administration official confirmed on Sunday.
Read more »
Biden Declares U.S. Arctic Ocean Off Limits to New Oil and Gas LeasingThe Biden administration says it will form a 'firewall' against future oil and gas leasing in the Arctic and federal lands in Alaska’s North Slope
Read more »
Biden will announce sweeping protections preventing new Arctic drilling ahead of Willow decision | CNN PoliticsPresident Joe Biden on Monday is expected to announce sweeping new protections for federal lands and waters in Alaska, according to an administration official, as the administration is poised to soon approve a major oil drilling project in the state.
Read more »