Ichthyosaur Discovery Overview

Ichthyosaur Discovery

• A new, massive ichthyosaur species, Ichthyotitan severnensis, was discovered by amateur paleontologists Justin Reynolds and his daughter Ruby.
• The fossils were found on Blue Anchor Beach in Somerset, England.
• The area is known for its rich Triassic-era fossil deposits.
• The discovery began in spring 2020 with the finding of a small, oval fossil.
• Additional, larger fossilized bone fragments were found by Ruby.
• Experts confirmed the fossils were from an ichthyosaur.
• The team, led by Dr. Dean Lomax, worked to recover more fossils, culminating in the reconstruction of a section of the lower jaw in October 2022.
• Estimated length of the complete lower jaw: over 6 feet (1.8 m).
• Estimated total length of the ichthyosaur: a staggering 80 feet (24 m).
• The new species was classified based on bone fragments, along with a similar ichthyosaur found in 2016.
• The name Ichthyotitan severnensis translates to "giant fish lizard of the Severn."
• Justin and Ruby were co-authors of the study published in PLOS One in April 2024.
• Ichthyosaurs dominated seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods (251-145 million years ago).
• They were marine reptiles, similar in appearance to dolphins and whales.

Ichthyosaur Attributes and Discovery Context

• Ichthyosaurs were members of the reptile family.
• The discovery highlights the value of amateur paleontologists in contributing to scientific research.
• The discovery process demonstrates the importance of persistence and collaboration.
• Finding a fossil is often a rare occurrence. (95% of finds are discarded as ordinary rocks)

Explore the fascinating discovery of the new ichthyosaur species, Ichthyotitan severnensis, found on Blue Anchor Beach. Learn about the contributions of amateur paleontologists and the significant fossil findings that shed light on this Triassic-era marine reptile. Delve into the details of the species' classification and its impressive dimensions.