- Scientists have unearthed the remains of a giant marine reptile, an ichthyosaur of the genus Temnodontosaurus, which terrorised ancient seas over 180 million years ago.
- Discovered at the Mistelgau clay pit in Germany, the creature was estimated to be over 6.5 metres (20ft) long and resembled modern dolphins.
- The fossil exhibited significant modifications to its shoulder and jaw joints, presumably caused by injuries, which likely impaired its ability to hunt and feed effectively.
- Evidence such as heavily worn teeth and the presence of gastroliths (stomach stones) suggests the injured reptile adapted its diet to survive.
- This discovery indicates that the Temnodontosaurus genus survived longer in the Southwest German Basin than previously documented, contributing to ongoing research into Jurassic Sea ecology.
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