A fossil jawbone found by a British girl and her father on a beach in Somerset, England belongs to a gigantic marine reptile from 202 million years ago that appears to have been among the largest animals ever on Earth.

Somerset

A remarkable fossil discovery on a beach in Somerset, England, has led scientists to identify a new species of gigantic marine reptile, potentially among the largest animals ever to have existed on Earth. The fossilized jawbone, uncovered by Ruby and Justin Reynolds during a coastal walk in May 2020, dates back to approximately 202 million years ago, during the late Triassic period. This discovery comes after paleontologist Dean Lomax was contacted by the Reynolds, following their find, which parallels a similar discovery made by fossil hunter Paul De La Salle just down the coast in 2016.

Dean Lomax, who had previously examined a similar fossil found by De La Salle, and identified it in a 2018 study as belonging to an ichthyosaur, has confirmed that the Reynolds' find is also from an ichthyosaur. This recent discovery has led researchers to confirm the existence of a previously unknown species, named Ichthyotitan sevenensis. Based on the unique shape and various structures of the jawbones found, coupled with their age, experts believe that this new species represents a significant addition to the scientific community’s understanding of marine life during the Triassic period.

The Ichthyotitan sevenensis is estimated to have been between 72 and 85 feet long, making it comparable in size to the present-day blue whale, which can grow up to 100 feet. This size estimate indicates that Ichthyotitan sevenensis was one of the largest marine reptiles ever to exist, living approximately 13 million years later than any other currently known marine reptiles of comparable size. Researchers speculate that this giant ichthyosaur species might have been present in the oceans around what is now the UK, coexisting with dinosaurs on land until a global mass extinction event roughly 201 million years ago.

The discovery of these jawbones not only highlights the potential for new species identification but also sparks hope among scientists for the future uncovering of more complete skeletal remains. The existence of such gigantic creatures during the Triassic period offers a tantalizing glimpse into the diversity and scale of prehistoric marine life.



Fossil found on British beach likely largest known marine reptile

Oh, that's just an exceptional find. This jawbone fossil, found by a British father-daughter duo, belonged to perhaps the largest known marine reptile on Earth, dating back to around 202 million years ago. Ruby and Justin Reynolds found the bone in May 2020 on a beach in Somerset, England. They contacted paleontologist Dean Lomax, who said four years before their discovery, fossil hunter Paul De La Salle found a similar bone just down the coast. We described Paul's bone in 2018 in a study as an unusual giant jawbone, part of a syringa from right at the back of the jaw, of an ichthyosaur. Researchers said on Wednesday the Reynolds bone is also from an ichthyosaur. The discovery of a second jawbone confirms the existence of a new species not previously known. Based on that unique shape, various different structures, the fact that they're both right from the end of the Triassic period, about 202 million years ago, supports our identification of something entirely new to science, which we've named as a new species called Ichthyotitan sevenensis. The Ichthyotitan sevenensis was between 72 and 85 feet long. That means it would rival the largest animal to ever exist, the blue whale, which can reach up to 100 feet long. No other marine reptiles got as large as these animals did. The giant marine reptile lived 13 million years later than any others known to date. Researchers believe they could have survived until a global mass extinction event about 201 million years ago. It's quite remarkable to think that gigantic blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around the time the dinosaurs were walking on land in what is now the UK during the Triassic period. These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day, fingers crossed, a complete skull or a skeleton might be found. You never know.

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