11-year-old's Fossil Find Unveils Earth's Largest Marine Reptile, Research Reveals

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A father-daughter fossil-collecting duo discovered a massive jawbone on a beach in Somerset along the English coast. This jawbone belonged to a newfound species, which is believed to be the largest known marine reptile to have swum in Earth’s oceans.

Scientists believe that the blue whale, reaching lengths of up to 110 feet (33.5 meters), is the largest animal known to have ever lived on Earth. However, there is a chance that a 202 million-year-old reptile called an ichthyosaur, also known as a "fish lizard," may have been just as big.

This ancient creature, named Ichthyotitan severnensis or "giant fish lizard of the Severn" in Latin, had a jawbone called a surangular that was over 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. Researchers estimate that the ichthyosaur was more than 82 feet (25 meters) in length, equivalent to the size of two city buses.

Justin and Ruby Reynolds, residents of Braunton, England, made an exciting discovery in May 2020 while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, Somerset. It was Ruby, who was 11 years old at the time, who first noticed a piece of jawbone. Together with her father, they uncovered additional pieces.

This significant find has the potential to provide more insights into the evolutionary history of prehistoric giants and the ocean ecosystem they inhabited. Marcello Perillo, a graduate student in evolutionary paleobiology at the University of Bonn in Germany, is a coauthor of a new report published in the journal PLOS One on Wednesday, which describes the discovery.

Dr. Dean Lomax, Ruby Reynolds, Justin Reynolds and Paul de la Salle (from left) are shown with the fossil discovery in 2020.

Dr. Dean Lomax, Ruby Reynolds, Justin Reynolds and Paul de la Salle (from left) are shown with the fossil discovery in 2020.

Dean Lomax

Uncovering an unknown ichthyosaur

Excited about the potential significance of the fossil discovery, the Reynoldses decided to get in touch with Dr. Dean Lomax, an expert in ichthyosaurs from the University of Manchester and University of Bristol in the UK. Dr. Lomax has been responsible for identifying and naming several new species in recent years.

Dr. Lomax, intrigued by the fossil, reached out to fossil collector Paul de la Salle, who had previously found a similar giant ichthyosaur jawbone in May 2016. The first jawbone was discovered by de la Salle approximately 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) away from Devon, specifically along the coast at Lilstock.

Lomax and de la Salle, the lead author and coauthor of the new report, had previously studied a find together and coauthored a paper in April 2018. They suspected that the discovery might belong to a new species of ichthyosaur. However, they needed more evidence to confirm this suspicion. Luckily, a second jawbone, almost identical to the first, provided an opportunity to potentially validate the existence of a new species.

De la Salle expressed his excitement about the impact of his 2016 discovery on the study of these massive creatures. He shared his joy, saying, "Finding the first jawbone made me realize it was something special. Having a second one that confirms our findings is truly incredible. I am thrilled beyond words."

Artist's life reconstruction of adult and newly born Triassic ichthyosaurs Shonisaurus, 2022.

Artist's life reconstruction of adult and newly born Triassic ichthyosaurs Shonisaurus, 2022.

Gabriel Ugueto

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Paleontologists team up to uncover the secrets of a fossil death bed. The Reynoldses, Lomax, de la Salle, and their colleagues revisited Blue Anchor to find more fragments. They found more pieces that interlocked perfectly, just like finishing a puzzle.

Justin Reynolds expressed his excitement upon finding the first two pieces with Ruby, realizing the significance of their discovery. He was particularly thrilled to find the back part of the jaw, a key component of Paul's earlier find.

By October 2022, the researchers successfully reassembled the jawbone.

Lomax expressed his amazement at the discovery, sharing, "In 2018, my team (which included Paul de la Salle) examined and identified Paul's large jawbone. We were hopeful that another one would be found in the future." This new specimen, found recently, is even more complete and well-preserved than the previous one. It confirms the existence of two giant bones known as surangulars, which have a distinct shape and structure. The researcher admitted to feeling extremely excited about this new development.

Piecing together a giant ichthyosaur

The bones were found from the end of the Triassic Period, specifically during the Rhaetian period when ichthyosaurs roamed the seas and dinosaurs ruled the land.

According to Lomax, the recently uncovered jawbone is of higher quality compared to the initial discovery. It highlights unique features of the creature's surangular bone that sets it apart from other species.

Severnensis lived around 13 million years ago, following the discovery of giant icthyosaur fossils in Canada and China from various species. Ichthyosaurs, similar in appearance to today's dolphins, emerged roughly 250 million years ago. Some evolved into larger sizes, with ocean giants like severnensis possibly being the largest marine reptiles by 202 million years ago.

200 million year old deposits of the precursor of the Mediterranean Sea have been preserved in the Swiss High Alps.

Whale-sized ichthyosaurs came from the open sea only occasionally into shallower water.

Jeannette Rüegg/Heinz Furrer/University of Zurich

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Fossils of 'fish lizard' discovered in the Swiss Alps belonged to some of the biggest creatures from the past. Scientists suggest that these giant ichthyosaurs went extinct during an ocean acidification event around 200 million years ago. The surviving ichthyosaurs after this event never reached the massive sizes of their ancestors and eventually disappeared 94 million years ago.

The researchers emphasized the importance of obtaining more evidence to determine the precise size of severnensis. They are optimistic that a complete skull or skeleton of the creature may be found in the future, according to Lomax.

Coauthor Perillo from the University of Bonn examined the histology, or microscopic anatomy, of the ichthyosaur bones. The findings suggest that the reptile was probably still growing when it died. This indicates that an adult severnensis could have been larger than a blue whale.

The nearly complete giant jawbone is shown along with the jawbone (middle and bottom) found by Paul de la Salle in 2016.

The nearly complete giant jawbone is shown along with the jawbone (middle and bottom) found by Paul de la Salle in 2016.

Dean Lomax explained that histology can uncover the secret biological details stored in fossilized bones, shedding light on how different animals evolved and adjusted to specific ways of life. For instance, certain ichthyosaurs possessed bones that enabled them to plunge into the depths of the ocean or thrive in shallow waters.

Through the study of histology, we can gain insights into the growth rate and duration of growth of ancient marine reptiles. According to Perillo, analysis of the ichthyosaur fossils did not reveal any clear indications of growth stoppage. This suggests that if the animal had not died, it would have continued to grow larger, possibly reaching its estimated length of 25 meters. Despite the mysteries surrounding these giants, each fossil discovered brings us closer to unraveling their secrets.

Understanding the history of marine reptiles is essential for piecing together the puzzle of ancient ocean ecosystems. These creatures occupied various ecological niches, influenced ocean food chains, and contributed to competition and evolutionary processes. According to Perillo, studying these ancient marine reptiles sheds light on the continuous cycle of evolution that shaped prehistoric oceans.

He mentioned that by studying fossils, we can gain insight into how life has evolved over time and the factors that have influenced its current state. By understanding how environmental changes impact ecosystems, we can also make predictions about future ecological trends.

The future of paleontology looks promising as researchers continue to uncover new information that can help us better understand the history and development of life on Earth.

Mary Anning and her brother Joseph found the first ichthyosaur fossils in 1811 and 1812, long before dinosaurs were well known. Over 100 different species of ichthyosaurs have been found globally since then.

An illustration depicts a washed-up Ichthyotitan severnensis carcass on the beach.

An illustration depicts a washed-up Ichthyotitan severnensis carcass on the beach.

Sergey Krasovskiy

The discovery made by the Reynoldses and de la Salle will soon be showcased at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in the UK.

“It was amazing to find a piece of this huge ichthyosaur. I feel really proud to have been involved in such an important scientific discovery,” Ruby Reynolds shared in a statement.

Lomax shared that he has been enjoying working with fossil collectors in recent years. He believes that paleontology is a scientific field where anyone can make a significant contribution.

In an email, Lomax mentioned Ruby Reynolds, who not only discovered an important fossil but also helped name a type of gigantic prehistoric reptile. Lomax highlighted that not many 15-year-olds can claim such an achievement. He even compared Ruby to a young Mary Anning in the making. Regardless of whether Ruby pursues a career in paleontology or science, what matters most is that she, along with Justin and Paul, have made immense contributions to paleontology and our understanding of the ancient world.

Editor's P/S:

The discovery of the massive jawbone of Ichthyotitan severnensis is a thrilling reminder of the wonders hidden within our planet's history. This newfound species, estimated to be larger than a blue whale, roamed the ancient oceans millions of years ago. Its existence challenges our understanding of prehistoric marine life and highlights the diversity of creatures that once inhabited Earth. The involvement of fossil collectors like Justin and Ruby Reynolds, and Paul de la Salle, demonstrates the importance of citizen science in paleontology.

Furthermore, the study of ichthyosaurs not only sheds light on extinct species but also provides insights into the evolution and dynamics of ancient ecosystems. By examining these fossils, scientists can piece together the puzzle of how these creatures interacted with each other and their environment. The discovery of this giant reptile adds another piece to this complex tapestry, revealing the incredible scale and diversity of life in the prehistoric oceans.