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Questions and Answers
What key characteristic of the discovered jawbones led researchers to classify Ichthyotitan severnensis as a new species of ichthyosaur?
What key characteristic of the discovered jawbones led researchers to classify Ichthyotitan severnensis as a new species of ichthyosaur?
- The unique structure of the bones and their age of approximately 202 million years. (correct)
- Its immense size rivaled that of modern blue whales, reaching up to 85 feet.
- Its discovery was made by amateur fossil hunters rather than professional paleontologists.
- Its discovery occurred 13 million years later than other known species.
Considering the discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis, what does the fossil evidence suggest about the potential for future paleontological finds in the region?
Considering the discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis, what does the fossil evidence suggest about the potential for future paleontological finds in the region?
- Future discoveries are unlikely, as the area has been thoroughly searched by both amateur and professional paleontologists.
- The area is likely to yield fossils of terrestrial dinosaurs, but not further marine reptiles due to the extinction event 201 million years ago.
- The discovery suggests the potential for finding a complete skull or skeleton of _Ichthyotitan severnensis_ or similar marine reptiles. (correct)
- Future finds will likely be limited to smaller fragments of bone, as the larger, more significant fossils have already been discovered.
How does the size of Ichthyotitan severnensis challenge previous understandings of marine reptile evolution during the Triassic period?
How does the size of Ichthyotitan severnensis challenge previous understandings of marine reptile evolution during the Triassic period?
- It indicates that the Triassic period was dominated by giant marine reptiles, surpassing dinosaurs in size and diversity.
- It disproves the theory that marine reptiles coexisted with dinosaurs, placing their existence in separate geological periods.
- It suggests that marine reptiles reached their maximum size much later than previously thought, with some species rivaling modern whales. (correct)
- It confirms that all marine reptiles during the Triassic period were evolving towards smaller sizes for better maneuverability.
What inferences can be made about the paleoenvironment of the region where Ichthyotitan severnensis was discovered, based on the fossil evidence?
What inferences can be made about the paleoenvironment of the region where Ichthyotitan severnensis was discovered, based on the fossil evidence?
Considering the timeline of Ichthyotitan severnensis' existence, what implications does its discovery have for understanding the mass extinction event around 201 million years ago?
Considering the timeline of Ichthyotitan severnensis' existence, what implications does its discovery have for understanding the mass extinction event around 201 million years ago?
How does the discovery of two distinct jawbones from similar time periods and locations strengthen the case for the existence of Ichthyotitan severnensis as a unique species?
How does the discovery of two distinct jawbones from similar time periods and locations strengthen the case for the existence of Ichthyotitan severnensis as a unique species?
Based on the information, how did the roles of amateur fossil hunters and professional paleontologists contribute to the identification of Ichthyotitan severnensis?
Based on the information, how did the roles of amateur fossil hunters and professional paleontologists contribute to the identification of Ichthyotitan severnensis?
Considering the size and age of Ichthyotitan severnensis, what challenges do paleontologists face in studying such massive, ancient marine reptiles?
Considering the size and age of Ichthyotitan severnensis, what challenges do paleontologists face in studying such massive, ancient marine reptiles?
How might the study of Ichthyotitan severnensis contribute to a broader understanding of the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of the Triassic period?
How might the study of Ichthyotitan severnensis contribute to a broader understanding of the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of the Triassic period?
Considering the location of the fossil finds, how might coastal erosion and geological processes influence future discoveries of similar marine reptile fossils?
Considering the location of the fossil finds, how might coastal erosion and geological processes influence future discoveries of similar marine reptile fossils?
Flashcards
Surangular
Surangular
Fragment of the lower jaw in ichthyosaurs
Ichthyosaurs
Ichthyosaurs
Extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, resembling dolphins.
Ichthyotitan severnensis
Ichthyotitan severnensis
New species of giant ichthyosaur discovered in Somerset, England.
Triassic period
Triassic period
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Mass extinction event
Mass extinction event
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Somerset, England
Somerset, England
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72 to 85 feet
72 to 85 feet
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Study Notes
- A jawbone fossil discovered by a British father-daughter team belonged to a massive marine reptile.
- The fossil dates back roughly 202 million years.
- Ruby and Justin Reynolds located the bone in May 2020 on a Somerset, England beach.
- Paleontologist Dean Lomax was contacted after the discovery in 2020.
- Fossil hunter Paul de la Salle discovered a comparable bone along the coast four years prior.
- In 2018, researchers reported Paul's bone as an unusual giant jawbone.
- The bone was identified as a surangular segment from the back of an ichthyosaur jaw.
- The bone discovered by the Reynolds also came from an ichthyosaur.
- The discovery of a second jawbone supports the existence of a previously unknown species.
- The unique structure of the bones, as well as their origin around 202 million years ago, confirms the identification of a new species.
- Ichthyotitan severnensis is the name given to the new species.
- Ichthyotitan severnensis ranged in length from 72 to 85 feet.
- This species rivals the blue whale, which can grow to be 100 feet long.
- No other marine reptile ever grew to that size.
- This marine reptile lived 13 million years later than any other known species.
- Researchers suggest they may have survived until a mass extinction event around 201 million years ago.
- Giant ichthyosaurs lived in the oceans while dinosaurs roamed the land in what is now the United Kingdom during the Triassic period.
- The jawbones imply that a complete skull or skeleton may one day be discovered.
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