Such species are thought to have lived about 170 million years ago.
A new species of sea reptile, estimated to have lived about 170 million years ago, have been identified from fossils found in the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
With a length of 4.2 meters measured from snout to tail-reptile was allegedly chasing fish and other reptiles in warm shallow seas and Scotland during the Jurassic period.
Paleontologists named the reptile Dearcmhara, a Gaelic name to reflect its relationship with Hebrides Islands in the west of Scotland.
A team of paleontologists studying the fossil skull fragments, teeth, spine and upper arm bone Dearcmhara reptiles found in the Isle of Skye during the last 50 years.
Besides Dearcmhara, scientists identified several extinct aquatic animals - known as ichthyosaurs - who lived in the early to mid-Jurassic period.
The team that identifies these reptiles from the University of Edinburgh and a few museums. They publish their findings in the Scottish Journal of Geology.
Most of the Isle of Skye is believed to be under sea during the Jurassic.
The uniqueness of Scotland
Dr. Steve Brusatte of the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, who led the study, said, "During the period of the dinosaurs, in Scottish waters many large reptiles roamed the size of boat. Fossil they are very rare, and now for the first time we have found a new species typical of Scotland. "
He added: "Without kedermawan collector who donated the fossils to the museum, we will never find these amazing animals."
The study was conducted by a group involving the University of Edinburgh, Scotland National Museum, Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow, the Scottish National Heritage and Museums Staffin Museum on the Isle of Skye.
During the Jurassic period, most of the island of Skye lies beneath sea. Therefore, in the region are found fossils from the middle Jurassic period.
Other findings occurred in 2008, when scientists revealed that the earliest turtles that live in the water found on the island.
New species of 164 million year old associate the missing link between ancient tortoises and their modern descendants who live in the water.
0 comments