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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists
A prehistoric sea monster never-before-known to man was hunting prey in North America 85 million years ago, fossils found decades ago in Canada reveal. The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.6 to 77 million years ago, according to the paper, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. Additional fossils found since include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton comprising of a thorax, girdles and limbs, according to the study. MORE: Evidence of 30-foot ancient sea monster found in Mississippi But they have now been formally identified to belong to a "very odd" new genus of sea monster called Traskasaura sandrae, the researchers said. The long-necked creature likely measured about 39 feet and had heavy, sharp teeth that were "ideal for crushing" ammonite shells, according to paleontologists. Dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae indicate at least 50 bones in the neck -- likely more, the researchers said. T. sandrae also had a "strange mix" of primitive and derived traits, unlike any other elasmosaur. Its unique adaptations allowed it to hunt prey from above -- the first of the plesiosaur taxa to do so, the paper states. Prey was likely abundant in the region at the time, the scientists said. "It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits," O'Keefe said. "The shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen, and I have seen a few." MORE: Underwater camera captures elusive tentacled creature 3 miles below ocean surface When lead author F. Robin O'Keefe first saw the fossils and realized they belonged to an entirely new taxon, he hypothesized that they may be related to the plesiosaurs from Antarctica, he said in a statement. But it is "a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast," O'Keefe said. "The fossil record is full of surprises," O'Keefe said. "It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected." The fossils are among the most famous in the country. In 2002, they were adopted by the Province of British Columbia and declared the official fossil emblem of British Columbia. "Plesiosaur fossils have been known for decades in British Columbia," O'Keefe said. "However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it were declared BC's provincial fossil in 2023. Our new research, published today, finally solves this mystery." MORE: What paleontologists learned from fossils of a 3-eyed predator that lived 500 million years ago Paleontologists were reluctant at first to erect a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. But a new 'excellently preserved' partial skeleton enabled this latest international team of scientists from Canada, Chile and the U.S. to eventually identify the new genus and species. The genus name Traskasaura was given in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, where the researchers who discovered the original specimen in 1988 were based. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the team of researchers who identified the fossils in 2002. They are currently on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia. Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists originally appeared on
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists
A prehistoric sea monster never-before-known to man was hunting prey in North America 85 million years ago, fossils found decades ago in Canada reveal. The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.6 to 77 million years ago, according to the paper, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. Additional fossils found since include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton comprising of a thorax, girdles and limbs, according to the study. MORE: Evidence of 30-foot ancient sea monster found in Mississippi But they have now been formally identified to belong to a "very odd" new genus of sea monster called Traskasaura sandrae, the researchers said. The long-necked creature likely measured about 39 feet and had heavy, sharp teeth that were "ideal for crushing" ammonite shells, according to paleontologists. Dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae indicate at least 50 bones in the neck -- likely more, the researchers said. T. sandrae also had a "strange mix" of primitive and derived traits, unlike any other elasmosaur. Its unique adaptations allowed it to hunt prey from above -- the first of the plesiosaur taxa to do so, the paper states. Prey was likely abundant in the region at the time, the scientists said. "It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits," O'Keefe said. "The shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen, and I have seen a few." MORE: Underwater camera captures elusive tentacled creature 3 miles below ocean surface When lead author F. Robin O'Keefe first saw the fossils and realized they belonged to an entirely new taxon, he hypothesized that they may be related to the plesiosaurs from Antarctica, he said in a statement. But it is "a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast," O'Keefe said. "The fossil record is full of surprises," O'Keefe said. "It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected." The fossils are among the most famous in the country. In 2002, they were adopted by the Province of British Columbia and declared the official fossil emblem of British Columbia. "Plesiosaur fossils have been known for decades in British Columbia," O'Keefe said. "However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it were declared BC's provincial fossil in 2023. Our new research, published today, finally solves this mystery." MORE: What paleontologists learned from fossils of a 3-eyed predator that lived 500 million years ago Paleontologists were reluctant at first to erect a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. But a new 'excellently preserved' partial skeleton enabled this latest international team of scientists from Canada, Chile and the U.S. to eventually identify the new genus and species. The genus name Traskasaura was given in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, where the researchers who discovered the original specimen in 1988 were based. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the team of researchers who identified the fossils in 2002. They are currently on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia. Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists originally appeared on
4 days ago
- Science
Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists
A prehistoric sea monster never-before-known to man was hunting prey in North America 85 million years ago, fossils found decades ago in Canada reveal. The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.6 to 77 million years ago, according to the paper, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. Additional fossils found since include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton comprising of a thorax, girdles and limbs, according to the study. But they have now been formally identified to belong to a "very odd" new genus of sea monster called Traskasaura sandrae, the researchers said. The long-necked creature likely measured about 39 feet and had heavy, sharp teeth that were "ideal for crushing" ammonite shells, according to paleontologists. Dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae indicate at least 50 bones in the neck -- likely more, the researchers said. T. sandrae also had a "strange mix" of primitive and derived traits, unlike any other elasmosaur. Its unique adaptations allowed it to hunt prey from above -- the first of the plesiosaur taxa to do so, the paper states. Prey was likely abundant in the region at the time, the scientists said. "It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits," O'Keefe said. "The shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen, and I have seen a few." When lead author F. Robin O'Keefe first saw the fossils and realized they belonged to an entirely new taxon, he hypothesized that they may be related to the plesiosaurs from Antarctica, he said in a statement. But it is "a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast," O'Keefe said. "The fossil record is full of surprises," O'Keefe said. "It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected." The fossils are among the most famous in the country. In 2002, they were adopted by the Province of British Columbia and declared the official fossil emblem of British Columbia. "Plesiosaur fossils have been known for decades in British Columbia," O'Keefe said. "However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it were declared BC's provincial fossil in 2023. Our new research, published today, finally solves this mystery." Paleontologists were reluctant at first to erect a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. But a new 'excellently preserved' partial skeleton enabled this latest international team of scientists from Canada, Chile and the U.S. to eventually identify the new genus and species. The genus name Traskasaura was given in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, where the researchers who discovered the original specimen in 1988 were based. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the team of researchers who identified the fossils in 2002. They are currently on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists
A prehistoric sea monster never-before-known to man was hunting prey in North America 85 million years ago, fossils found decades ago in Canada reveal. The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.6 to 77 million years ago, according to the paper, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. Additional fossils found since include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton comprising of a thorax, girdles and limbs, according to the study. MORE: Evidence of 30-foot ancient sea monster found in Mississippi But they have now been formally identified to belong to a "very odd" new genus of sea monster called Traskasaura sandrae, the researchers said. The long-necked creature likely measured about 39 feet and had heavy, sharp teeth that were "ideal for crushing" ammonite shells, according to paleontologists. Dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae indicate at least 50 bones in the neck -- likely more, the researchers said. T. sandrae also had a "strange mix" of primitive and derived traits, unlike any other elasmosaur. Its unique adaptations allowed it to hunt prey from above -- the first of the plesiosaur taxa to do so, the paper states. Prey was likely abundant in the region at the time, the scientists said. "It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits," O'Keefe said. "The shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen, and I have seen a few." MORE: Underwater camera captures elusive tentacled creature 3 miles below ocean surface When lead author F. Robin O'Keefe first saw the fossils and realized they belonged to an entirely new taxon, he hypothesized that they may be related to the plesiosaurs from Antarctica, he said in a statement. But it is "a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast," O'Keefe said. "The fossil record is full of surprises," O'Keefe said. "It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected." The fossils are among the most famous in the country. In 2002, they were adopted by the Province of British Columbia and declared the official fossil emblem of British Columbia. "Plesiosaur fossils have been known for decades in British Columbia," O'Keefe said. "However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it were declared BC's provincial fossil in 2023. Our new research, published today, finally solves this mystery." MORE: What paleontologists learned from fossils of a 3-eyed predator that lived 500 million years ago Paleontologists were reluctant at first to erect a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. But a new 'excellently preserved' partial skeleton enabled this latest international team of scientists from Canada, Chile and the U.S. to eventually identify the new genus and species. The genus name Traskasaura was given in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, where the researchers who discovered the original specimen in 1988 were based. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the team of researchers who identified the fossils in 2002. They are currently on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia. Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists originally appeared on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Giant 85 million-year-old mystery sea monster fossil finally identified
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have finally solved the mystery behind the identity of a prehistoric sea monster. The marine reptile, which could grow to around 39 feet (12 meters) long and had heavy teeth for crushing prey, was previously known from several sets of fossils unearthed over the past two decades. One key fossil was a complete but badly-preserved adult skeleton from about 85 million years ago, discovered in 1988 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was thought to come from a group of long-necked reptiles known as plesiosaurs. However, until now, scientists weren't sure if it belonged to a new species or a previously discovered one. "The identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery," F. Robin O'Keefe, a professor of anatomy at Marshall University in West Virginia, said in a statement. "Our new research published today finally solves this mystery." In a new study published May 22 in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, O'Keefe and colleagues formally classified all the fossils as Traskasaura sandrae. This species is so different from other marine reptiles that researchers assigned it to a brand new genus, Traskasaura, within a subgroup of plesiosaurs called elasmosaurs. Elasmosaurs, like other plesiosaurs, lived throughout the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago) alongside the dinosaurs and shared the oceans with other marine reptiles, including ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs. Plesiosaurs were characterized by having small heads on long necks, broad bodies and four large, paddle-like limbs. The mythical Loch Ness Monster is usually depicted as a plesiosaur. They are thought to have breathed air and probably had to surface regularly, akin to modern-day marine mammals. The first T. sandrae specimen was unearthed in 1988 in the Haslam Formation on Vancouver Island, was formally described by scientists in 2002 and dates back to between 86 and 83 million years ago. Other fossils found in the same region include a right humerus and an "excellently preserved" juvenile skeleton. Related: Half-a-billion-year-old 3-eyed sea creature dubbed 'Mosura' breathed through big gills on its butt Although the adult specimen discovered in 1988 wasn't quite different enough from other elasmosaurs, it wasn't similar enough to any known species either. "Relatively few characters are unambiguous on this skeleton," the researchers wrote in their paper. Newer fossils also had strange traits, but they weren't complete enough to confirm the possibility of a new species. The newest juvenile skeleton specimen, however, helped shed light on these ancient creatures' features, revealing that three had the same key traits. "It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits — the shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen," said O'Keefe. After analyzing the features of all three fossil specimens, the researchers concluded that they must all belong to a new genus of elasmosaur. RELATED STORIES —Ancient sea monsters grew their long necks super fast after Great Dying by adding more vertebrae —Enormous 240 million-year-old sea monster had its head torn off in one clean bite —Giant 'sea dragon' fossil could be largest mosasaur ever discovered in Mississippi T. sandrae is thought to have at least 50 vertebrae in its neck. This adaptation may have made the aquatic predator extremely good at downward swimming and suggests that it hunted prey by diving from above. What about their diet? The ammonite molluscs that were plentiful in the oceans during the Cretaceous period are a "good candidate — due to Traskasaura's robust teeth, ideal, possibly, for crushing ammonite shells," O'Keefe said. "When I first saw the fossils and realized they represented a new taxon, I thought it might be related to other plesiosaurs from the Antarctic," said O'Keefe. "My Chilean colleague Rodrigo Otero thought differently, and he was right; Traskasaura is a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast."
