Ancient marine reptile discovered in Spain extends species’ range
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Researchers in Spain identified a 192 million-year-old marine reptile, Ichthyosaurus anningae, from a fossil found on the beach of Vega, in Ribadesella, Asturias.
José Antonio Sánchez Feliz discovered the remains in 2009, embedded in rock from the Jurassic period. The painstaking excavation and preparation of the fragile bones revealed a remarkably complete skeleton, approximately two meters long, the largest known specimen of this species. Until this discovery, Ichthyosaurus anningae was only known from the United Kingdom.
Scientists used features of the creature’s humerus and skull to confirm its identity, naming the species in honor of British paleontologist Mary Anning. The fossil’s teeth suggest the reptile had a generalist diet, differing from other ictiosaur species previously found in the region, which appear to have eaten mostly fish. The find is important because fossils from this specific Jurassic period are rare globally.
This specimen helps scientists better understand the marine life that inhabited the area when present-day Asturias formed part of a vast marine platform less than 100 meters deep. Researchers from Spain collaborated with experts from Argentina and the United States on the study, which they published in Acta Paleontologica Polonica.
