Discover 200 million year old fossil with a belly filled with squid

This tiny ancient reptile has a very rich meal with a belly full of squid before dying.

Millions of years ago during the Jurassic period, there was a marine reptile named ichthyosaur that used to hunt prehistoric squid species. But it is also a recent rare story when palaeontologists suddenly discovered a Millions of years ago during the Jurassic period, a species of sea reptile named ichthyosaur that often hunted prehistoric squid species. inside the abdomen filled with sea squid.

Ichthyosaurus is full of ink.

According to The Verge, fossils dating back over 200 million years have been discovered by paleontologist Dean Lomax with many remnants. Fossils are currently on display at the University of Lapworth Geological Museum. Birmingham. After searching for fossils, Lomax realized there was more in the skeleton of ichthyosaur.

The image depicts an Ichthyosaurus who is hunting squid.(Photo Julian Kiely).

These are the remaining prehistoric squid in the intestine of ichthyosaur. And this is the first case that appeared in archeology. Lomax and paleontologist Nigel Larkin published this discovery in the journal Historical Biology last week.

Fossils are a mystery, there is no concept of where they come from or how deep they are underground. But based on tiny fossils buried in rock and bone layers, paleontologists have identified the date of the ichthyosaur fossil in the Jurassic period.

This extinct reptile has a fish-like body, its body can reach nearly 5 meters as an adult.

Panoramic view of ichthyosaur fossil.

Lomax and Larkin realized, fossil is a young ichthyosaur. Because the skull bones of fossils are rather porous rather than smooth as they were when they were adults. The structure of the eyeball has a very large circle shape compared to the eye. This partly confirms, the ichthyosaur is growing.

Close up of squid hooks and tentacles between the ribs of ichthyosaur.

However, the surprise only appears when Lomax explores the stomach. He found that near the abdomen of the skeleton there were very small objects, hooked images that lay between the two ribs. These hook-shaped objects are a form of beard or tentacles made from chitin. This is the main ingredient that makes up the skeleton armor of crabs or insects. Some molluscs (both alive and extinct) have these hooks in their hands or tentacles.

Lomax said: "I am very happy to discover the last meal of the ichthyosaur species, especially it is very different from what was found, such as fish in the intestines of fossil specimens of other ichthyosaur."

This may be a sign that individuals may have separate eating preferences.

1. 200 million year long sea fossil remains intact