Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A team of paleontologists has unveiled an exceptionally well-preserved fossil of an aquatic reptile dating back approximately 240 million years to the Triassic period.
Image : Marlene Donelly
Dubbed Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, the new species was discovered in the Lingwu region of China and measures over 16 feet in length, with a neck spanning more than 5 feet.
Dr. Nick Fraser, curator of the National Museums Scotland, described the creature as having flipper-like limbs and an unusually long neck comprising 32 separate vertebrae, making it a peculiar and fascinating specimen.
Unlike previous discoveries of partial remains, this newfound fossil offers paleontologists the first comprehensive view of Dinocephalosaurus' anatomy, shedding light on its swimming capabilities and hunting behaviour.
Image : @NtlMuseumsScot
The fossil provides valuable insights into the diverse array of marine creatures that inhabited Earth's oceans following the Permian mass extinction event 250 million years ago.
Researchers speculate that Dinocephalosaurus' elongated neck may have conferred a hunting advantage, allowing it to search for prey in narrow cracks and crevices in ancient underwater environments.
The significant findings from this discovery were published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, highlighting its importance in understanding prehistoric marine ecosystems.
The fossil was encased in ancient limestone in China's southern region, contributing to our understanding of the geological history of the area and the evolution of marine life during the Triassic period.