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Rare B.C Fossil Finds Fame at Canadian Museum of Nature

EAST KOOTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, JUL 30 – The Early Jurassic ichthyosaur fossil, 3.5 to 4 meters long, is one of only two such taxa recognized in Canada, highlighting rarity in North America compared to Europe.

  • Tom Prentice discovered a nearly complete ichthyosaur fossil near Morrissey in 1916 that is now housed at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
  • The fossil remained overlooked for decades due to poor scientific exposure in North America until renewed research led by Mallon revealed its significance.
  • Mallon and colleagues documented the specimen, named fernatator prenticei, as the most complete Early Jurassic ichthyosaur skeleton in North America in the journal Paludicola.
  • The specimen measures about 2.8 meters long, is 187 to 190 million years old, and is only the second ichthyosaur taxon recognized in Canada, highlighting its rarity.
  • This discovery highlights the value of museum collections that preserve fossils for over a century, allowing later recognition of their importance and insights into prehistoric marine reptiles.
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11 Articles

Penticton Western NewsPenticton Western News
+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Lean Left

Rare B.C fossil finds fame at Canadian Museum of Nature

An ichthyosaur fossil that was discovered over a century ago near Fernie B.C, was recently declared the most complete skeleton of its kind from the Early Jurassic period in North America

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crestonvalleyadvance.cacrestonvalleyadvance.ca
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Lean Left

Newfound fame for Fernie fossil

An ichthyosaur fossil that was discovered over a century ago on the banks of the Elk River, was recently declared the most complete skeleton of its kind from the Early Jurassic period in North America

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Cranbrook Daily Townsman broke the news in Cranbrook, Canada on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
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