While tales of the cryptid, the Loch Ness monster more colloquially known as Nessy, have gone largely unsubstantiated in the past, archaeologists in Scotland believe that they may now have found creature that fits the bill. The only problem is, that the dolphin-like marine reptile which grew to lengths of up to 14 feet went extinct nearly 170 million years ago.
The new species of ichthyosaur, known as Dearcmhara shawcrossi, may not have been an inhabitant of the Loch Ness, but fossil records reveal that the species did inhabit the warm shallow sea that once existed in what is now the Isle of Skye. First found by amateur fossil hunter Brian Shawcross on the Isle of Skye's Bearreraig Bay in 1959, the species that shares his name come from the ichthyosaur family and was long-believed to be something entirely different.
Once incomplete, merely a set of fossil fragments of skulls, teeth, vertebrae and an upper-arm bone, paleontologists believe now through advanced modeling and rendering techniques, as well as substantial additions to the fossil record over the past five decades, that they have finally revealed the true identity of Dearcmhara shawcrossi.
"During the time of dinosaurs, the waters of Scotland were prowled by big reptiles the size of motor boats" lead researcher of the study from the University of Edinburgh, Dr. Steve Brusatte says. "Their fossils are very rare, and only now, for the first time, we've found a new species that was uniquely Scottish."
"Without the generosity of the collector who donated the bones to a museum instead of keeping them or selling them, we would have never known that this amazing animal existed. We are honored to name the new species after Mr Shawcross and will do the same if any other collectors wish to donate new specimens."
As one of the very few places on the Earth where fossils of the Middle Jurassic Period have been unearthed, the Isle of Skye much like with this discovery offers researchers valuable insights into the evolution of truly marine reptiles, that to this day are very rare. While the current study of D. shawcrossi has been completed, the discovery of the new species has prompted many researchers to collaborate in new excavations and studies of fossils yet to be identified, much like D. shawcrossi was for decades.
"Not only is this a very special discovery, but it also marks the beginning of a major new collaboration involving some of the most eminent paleontologists in Scotland" Dr. Nick Fraser from the National Museums Scotland says. "It has brought together key organizations, local collectors on Skye and specialist from further afield."
Though an incomplete skeleton, the remains of the ichthyosaur will be exhibited the "Our Dynamic Earth" event in Edinburgh this Sunday Jan. 18.
