A team of international scientists from China, the U.S., and Europe has conducted a study on newly discovered fossils of the marine reptile Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. This groundbreaking research has allowed for a comprehensive description of this extraordinary and impressive creature for the very first time.
The initial discovery of a skull and the first three cervical vertebrae of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis dates back to 2003 when they were found and examined in the Guanling Formation of Guizhou Province. Subsequently, several other specimens have been unearthed in southwestern China, now housed at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing and the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History in Hangzhou. These findings have enabled researchers to conduct a 10-year study and describe the nearly complete skeleton of this marine reptile.
Dr. Nick Fraser of the National Museum of Scotland, one of the authors of the study, expressed, “The discovery of the additional fossils allows us to see this remarkable long-necked animal in its entirety for the first time. It is reminiscent of the long, snake-like, mythical Chinese dragon. We are sure that Dinocephalosaurus orientalis will capture the imagination around the world because of its striking appearance.”
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis boasted an exceptionally long neck with 32 separate cervical vertebrae, drawing comparisons to Tanystropheus hydroides, a similar-sized reptile found in Europe and China during the Middle Triassic period. Both reptiles share several skull features, including a fish cage-like dentition.
Dr. Stephan Spiekman, a specialist on long-necked marine reptiles at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, noted, “Dinocephalosaurus is unique in that it has many more vertebrae in both its neck and trunk than Tanystropheus. Dinocephalosaurus was viviparous and obviously very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle, as the fin limbs and the excellently preserved fish in its stomach area show.”
2024-02-26 02:00:05
Post from phys.org