New Ichthyosaur Graveyard Found Near Tyndall Glacier In Chile
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 - 09:50
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Researchers have reported the discovery of 46 ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs (marine reptiles) in the vicinity of the Tyndall Glacier in the Torres del Paine National Park of southern Chile. Among them are numerous articulated and virtually complete skeletons of adults, pregnant females, and juveniles. Preservation is excellent and occasionally includes soft tissue and embryos. The skeletons are associated with ammonites, belemnites, inoceramid bivalves, and fishes as well as numerous plant remains. The enormous concentration of ichthyosaurs is unique for Chile and South America and places the Tyndall locality among the prime fossil Lagerstätten for Early Cretaceous marine reptiles worldwide. read more