Scientists announce they have discovered a “very strange” 240 million-year-old “Chinese dragon” fossil

LONDON — Scottish scientists have revealed the surprising discovery of a “very strange” 240 million-year-old “Chinese dragon” fossil.

An international team from the National Museums of Scotland has revealed the discovery of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, a five-metre-long aquatic reptile from the Triassic period that dates back an estimated 240 million years.

“With its 32 separate neck vertebrae, D. orientalis can be compared to the neck of D. orientalis, another strange marine reptile that lived in the Middle Triassic period of Europe and China. “It had an extremely long neck,” the scientists said in announcing their discovery.

“Both reptiles are similar in size and share several skull features, including a fish-catching type of dentition,” the official continued. “But Dinocephalosaurus is unique in that it has many more vertebrae in both its neck and torso, giving it a more snake-like appearance.”

Scientists said the reptile was “clearly very well adapted to marine life”, as evidenced by the “exquisite preservation” of its upturned limbs and abdominal fish. .

“Despite superficial similarities, Dinocephalosaurus is not closely related to the famous long-necked plesiosaur that evolved only about 40 million years later and inspired the Loch Ness Monster myth. was.”

This reptile was first identified in 2003, but the recent discovery of additional, more complete specimens has allowed scientists to paint a complete picture of this strange, long-necked creature for the first time. Ta.

“This is another example of the strange and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle palaeontologists,” Dr Nick Fraser, head of natural science at the National Museums of Scotland, said in a statement announcing the discovery. Its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long, serpentine Chinese mythological dragon, has captivated imaginations around the world. ”

Researchers from Scotland, Germany, the United States and China, who studied the fossil for 10 years at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, published their findings on Friday.

“This was an international effort. Working with colleagues in the US, UK and Europe, we used newly discovered specimens housed at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to build on existing knowledge about this animal. “We did,” Professor Lee said. Chun of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology said. “Among the amazing discoveries we have made in the Triassic of Guizhou, Dinocephalosaurus probably stands out as the most remarkable.”

A paper describing the animal was published in full in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“It was a great experience to be able to contribute to these important discoveries as an early researcher,” said Dr. Stefan Speakman, postdoctoral researcher at the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History. “We hope that our future research will help us further understand the evolution of this group of animals, particularly how their elongated necks functioned.”