A new species of pliosaur, named Lorrainosaurus keileni, has been discovered in the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
The creature was approximately 10 meters long and had a skull that was 2.5 meters in length.
The Lorrainosaurus keileni lived approximately 170 million years ago and is believed to be the oldest known megapredator of its kind.
A new species of pliosaur, a type of marine reptile, has been discovered in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The species, named Lorrainosaurus keileni, lived approximately 170 million years ago during the Middle Jurassic period. The fossilized remains of the creature were found in the Kilmaluag Formation, a geological formation in the Isle of Skye. The discovery was made by a team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh, National Museums Scotland, and Staffin Museum.
The Lorrainosaurus keileni is believed to be the oldest known megapredator of its kind. Megapredators are large carnivorous animals that sit at the top of the food chain. The pliosaur was approximately 10 meters long and had a skull that was 2.5 meters in length. The creature had a short neck, a large head, and powerful jaws, which it likely used to hunt and kill its prey.
The discovery of the Lorrainosaurus keileni provides valuable insights into the evolution of marine reptiles. The species is believed to have evolved from smaller, long-necked plesiosaurs. The transition from long-necked plesiosaurs to short-necked pliosaurs is thought to have occurred during the Middle Jurassic period. The discovery of the Lorrainosaurus keileni supports this theory.
The fossilized remains of the Lorrainosaurus keileni are currently on display at the Staffin Museum in the Isle of Skye. The discovery of the creature has been hailed as a significant contribution to our understanding of the evolution of marine reptiles.