The first amphibian sea monster was found

The first fossil of the amphibian reptile known as the "sea monster" since the prehistoric era has been discovered in China.

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National Geographic page said, the species 'sea monster' named Scientific Cartorhynchus lenticarpus was found in China as the missing link in the evolutionary chain of predators like dolphins living in the sea during Jurassic period from about 200 million years to 145 million years ago. The length of the reptile Cartorhynchus lenticarpus can be up to 20m, about the same as a tractor truck.

Scientists claim that fish lizards evolved from the mainland to the sea, due to fossils of terrestrial ancestors and aquatic life that have been found before, from this judgment Biology hypothesizes: there is a reptile in the midst of this evolutionary process, which can include the discovery of fossils of an amphibian species proving the hypothesis of the transition of habitat from On the sea into the sea of ​​whales and long neck lizards - a species of other progressive sea monsters.

"Sea Monster" Cartorhynchus lenticarpus has just been found in China.(National Geographic photo)

Recently, scientists have excavated an area in Anhui Province, China and found evidence they have been searching for so long: a 0.5-meter-long fossil of a living animal from 248 million years ago in the dinosaur era.Cartorhynchus lenticarpus has a short nose, heavy body structure and large duck feet, signs that the reptile can live both on land and in water.

The short nose of Cartorhynchus lenticarpus is inherited from terrestrial ancestors, very different from the long nose type of the following types of fish lizards, which allows Cartorhynchus lenticarpus to sniff out potential prey. move fast like fish or squid. On the other hand, the scientists also thought that the 'sea monster' Cartorhynchus lenticarpus swimed slowly due to unusually large body and propeller parts.

The anatomy of the fossil set also suggests the possibility that Cartorhynchus lenticarpus is a species that absorbs water, or more accurately swallowing prey with a light body in the water, in fact there are very few fossils of prey. The area around the fossil 'sea monster' area may be considered a testament to this hypothesis.

"Sea Monster" Cartorhynchus lenticarpus is an amphibian living in the Jurassic period.(Illustration)

The new fossil set will help scientists determine the possibilities that have happened to fish lizards after the massive 252 million year ago extinction, a catastrophe that 'wiped out' about 90% of aquatic species. that period. In addition, scientists want to know the time needed to revive animals and plants after the catastrophic extinction.