New Toothless Ichthyosaur from China
Author Information
Author(s): Sander P. Martin, Chen Xiaohong, Cheng Long, Wang Xiaofeng
Primary Institution: Steinmann Institute, Division of Palaeontology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Hypothesis
Was there a Late Triassic diversification of suction-feeding ichthyosaurs?
Conclusion
The study suggests a unique Late Triassic diversification of toothless, suction-feeding ichthyosaurs.
Supporting Evidence
- Ichthyosaurs were an important group of Mesozoic marine reptiles.
- The study reinterprets the ichthyosaur genus Shastasaurus to show greater morphological diversity.
- Shastasaurus liangae has the highest vertebral count among ichthyosaurs.
- Suction feeding has not been hypothesized for other Mesozoic marine reptiles before this study.
- The diversification of suction-feeding ichthyosaurs may have lasted for up to 32 million years.
Takeaway
Scientists found a new type of ancient sea creature that didn't have teeth and used suction to eat, showing that there were many different kinds of these creatures a long time ago.
Methodology
The study involved examining new specimens from China and reanalyzing existing ichthyosaur material using phylogenetic analysis.
Limitations
The fossil record may not fully capture the diversity of suction-feeding ichthyosaurs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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