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Rare 'Sword Dragon' Identified From 180 Million-Year-Old Fossil
Xiphodracon goldencapensis is the most complete ichthyosaur from the Early Jurassic Pliensbachian period, filling a key gap in marine reptile evolution, researchers say.
- On Oct. 10, researchers published a paper identifying a near-complete ichthyosaur from Dorset as a new species, Xiphodracon goldencapensis, in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.
- Dating to the Pliensbachian, the specimen is the only known example and helps fill a gap in the ichthyosaur evolutionary record from about 193 million to 184 million years ago.
- Notable anatomical details include a lacrimal bone with prong-like structures near the nostril, an exceptionally preserved skeleton, and needle-like teeth indicating a diet of fish and squid in the three-metre animal.
- The original specimen remains in Ontario and is planned for display at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, while Chris Moore has found a second specimen exhibited at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
- Researchers say the specimen clarifies faunal turnover in the Pliensbachian, while evidence of bite marks and malformed bones suggests serious injury or death by a larger ichthyosaur.
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Scientists believe that this reptile, which belonged to the order of ichthyosaurs, was killed by an attack by a larger predator.
·Belgrade, Serbia
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British researchers have reportedly discovered an unknown species of marine dinosaurs. A petrified skeleton (see picture above) of the so-called Jurassic Coast in southern England known as the fossil site has now been assigned to the group of Ichthyosaurians.The new species was named after the site at the Golden Cap on the coast of Dorset Xiphodracon goldencapensis or "Sword Dragon of Dorset", the University of Manchester announced on Friday.It …
·Vienna, Austria
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Total News Sources35
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 26%
C 53%
R 21%
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