“This ichthyosaurus has several differences that make it unique enough to be its own genus and species,” said paleontologist Megan L. Jacobs. New Late Jurassic ichthyosaurs in the UK are extremely rare, as these creatures have been studied for 200 years. We knew it was new almost immediately, but it took us about a year to make thorough comparisons with all the other Late Jurassic ichthyosaurs to make sure our instincts were correct. It was very exciting not being able to find a match. “
Illustration from Thalassodraco etchesi. Credit: Megan Jacobs
This particular specimen was discovered in 2009 and estimated to be about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. It was discovered by fossil collector Steve Etches MBE after a “cliff along the coast had crumbled.”
It appears to have some similarities to sperm whales with its “extremely deep rib cage” which may have allowed for larger lungs and space so that the internal organs were not crushed under the pressure. He also had wide eyes, which meant he could have seen well in low light.
The hundreds of tiny teeth seem to indicate a diet that may have consisted of squid and small fish, and “the teeth are unique in that they are completely smooth.”
Photo of the sea dragon (Thalassodraco etching) fossil (MJML K1885). Credit: The Etches Collection, Dorset, UK
“They still had to breathe air at the surface and had no scales,” Jacobs said. “Little is actually known about the biology of these animals. We can only make assumptions based on the fossils we have, but there is nothing comparable today. To adapt to being fully aquatic, they could no longer go on land to lay eggs, so they evolved to carry live young, tail first. Skeletons have been found in babies in the mother and also in babies that were actually born. “
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.