Asturias museum unveils unique 192-million-year-old marine reptile

The Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA) has presented the reconstruction of an Ichthyosaurus anningae, a marine reptile discovered in 2009 at Vega beach in Ribadesella. This specimen is the first of its species identified outside of the United Kingdom and is the largest known example to date, measuring approximately two meters in length.

Living roughly 192 million years ago during the Lower Jurassic, the reptile's remains include parts of the skull, teeth, vertebrae, ribs, and a portion of the left fin. Researchers noted that this specimen differs from previous finds in the region due to its robust, conical teeth, which suggest a varied diet that may have included crustaceans, unlike other specimens with finer teeth suited for soft prey.

The study was a multi-year collaborative effort involving MUJA researchers and specialists from Argentina and the United States.