Image source, National Museums of Scotland
A team of scientists in Scotland revealed the discovery of fossilized remains of a 5-meter-long aquatic reptile that was 240 million years old in the Triassic period. This ancient reptile was nicknamed the “dragon” because its neck was extremely long.
This ancient water-dwelling reptile was named Dinocephalosaurus. orientalis (Dinocephalosaurus orientalis), a species that was first discovered in 2003
Such fossils have been discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. This amazing new fossil allows scientists to see the anatomy of strange prehistoric animals.
Dr. Nick Fraser from the National Museums of Scotland, one of the researchers studying the fossil, said that this is the first time scientists have seen the full anatomy of an animal, which he described as “a very strange creature.”
“It had limbs like flippers. Its neck was longer than its body and tail combined,” Dr. Fraser said.
Image source, Marilyn Donnelly
Paintings by artists showing animals of the Dinocephalosaurus family. orientalis Swimming with prehistoric fish
The researcher expects this from the characteristics of this animal, which has a long, bendable and flexible neck, and this, in addition to the presence of 32 vertebrae, may be useful for hunting. Making dinosaurs orientalis species could be used to find prey at different angles underwater.
“This discovery adds to the strangeness of the Triassic,” Fraser told the BBC. And every time we search for these sites, we always find new things.
Published research on the discovery of this new group of fossils has been published in the journal Environmental and Earth Sciences. Supported by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
“Reader. Infuriatingly humble coffee enthusiast. Future teen idol. Tv nerd. Explorer. Organizer. Twitter aficionado. Evil music fanatic.”