The Discovery of the Fossil of Cymbospondylus Youngorum, the First Ocean Giant

The discovery of the fossil Cymbospondylus youngorum has been in the spotlight in recent days. The discovery is in the form of a 2 meter high skull of a giant ichthyosaur species.

It initially highlighted the growth from marine reptiles to giants in the sea of ​​dinosaurs. It certainly can help understand the journey of modern cetaceans or whales.

Whales are the largest animals that have ever inhabited Earth to date. Dinosaurs ruled the land, while ichthyosaurs and other aquatic reptiles ruled the waves.

They are gigantic in size and many of the same species. Their developed fins and hydrodynamic body shape are seen in fish and whales.

Ichthyosaurus swam in the ancient ocean for almost the entire time of the dinosaurs.

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Newest, Discovery of Cymbospondylus Youngorum Fossil

Excavating from the rock unit called the Fossil Hill Member in the Augusta Mountains of Nevada. Later found a well-preserved skull, part of the spine, shoulders, and front fins.

The discovery came from the Middle Triassic about 247.2-237 million years ago. It certainly represents the earliest case of an ichthyosaur reaching epic proportions.

As big as a giant sperm whale with a length of more than 17 meters or 55.78 feet. The new discovery is named Cymbospondylus youngorum.

The largest animal ever found during that time period, either on land or at sea. According to Wikipedia, Cymbospondylus was an early ichthyosaur that lived between the middle and late Triassic years.

In fact, the discovery of the fossil of Cymbospondylus youngorum was the first giant creature to ever inhabit Earth.

But only a few vertebrae are visible on the side of the canyon. The anatomy of the spine reveals about the animal’s front end. Possibly still hidden in the rocks.

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Giant Predator

In other mountains in Nevada, paleontologists have found fossils. Starting from limestone, shale, and siltstone Members of the Fossil Hill since 1902.

This discovery can open a window to the Triassic. Mountains connect the present with the ancient oceans.

It has even produced various species of ammonites. Species are ancestors of modern squid shells such as cuttlefish, octopuses, and other marine reptiles.

All of these animal specimens are collectively referred to as the Fossil Hill Fauna. Species that represent the abundance of prey and competitors C. youngorum.

C. youngorum stalked the oceans about 246 million years ago. That’s only about 3 million years, after the first ichthyosaurs got their fins wet. Of course the time is relatively short to become this big.

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The snout is elongated and has conical teeth. The appearance of the shape indicates that C. youngorum preyed on squid and fish.

However, it can also hunt smaller and medium-sized marine reptiles. The giant predator may have strong competition.

Possibly its energy flowing through the Fossil Hill Fauna’s food web. Thus found that marine food webs could support some ichthyosaurs as colossal meat eaters.

Ichthyosaurs came in a variety of sizes, survival strategies, and breeds. Discovery of Cymbospondylus youngorum fossils in Nevada. It is currently the first giant creature to ever inhabit Earth. (R10/HR-Online)

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