Discovered lost relatives of Loch Ness monster

Paleontologists have discovered a creature believed to be a long-lost relative of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

Since the announcement has been seen in the 6th century until today, Loch Ness lake monster is still a mystery, attracting the attention of many world opinion all the time. However, this did not seem to be the only monster hiding in Scotland, after scientists claimed to have discovered a long-lost, cousin.

The new species of dragonfish identified as a long-lost relative of the Loch Ness monster.(Photo: PA)

The newly discovered monster lived 170 million years ago, not in Loch Ness Lake, but in a shallow, warm sea around the now-Skye island. It is identified as a new species of marine fish - a marine reptile like a giant dolphin , which can grow to a length of more than 4.2 meters from the muzzle to the tail.

A group of paleontologists, led by the University of Edinburgh (UK), studied fragments of fossil skulls, teeth, vertebrae and upper arm bones at Skye in the past 50 years. Many fossils belong to the fishermen, including a previously unknown species called Dearcmhara shawcrossi . In it, "Dearcmhara" in Scottish is the word for sea lizard, while "shawcrossi" is chosen to honor the "hunter" amateur fossil Brian Shawcross, who has discovered the rest of the creature on the bay. Bearreraig of the island of Skye in 1959.

During the Jurassic period, much of Skye Island was submerged in water. At the time, it was connected to the rest of England and was part of a large island located between separate continents, later becoming Europe and North America.

Dr. Steve Brusatte, head of research, said: "In the age of dinosaurs, Scotland's waters are a haven for massive reptiles, about the size of motorboats. Their fossils very rarely and only until now, we have discovered a new species only in Scotland for the first time. "

Skye is currently one of the few places in the world that has been found to contain fossils since the mid-Jurassic period. Scientists believe that these findings may provide useful information on how these reptiles evolve.