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metal prints fossil jurassic lias liassic marine marine reptile palaeontology preservation reptile skeletal skeleton skull somerset street articulated

photographs fossil jurassic lias liassic marine marine reptile palaeontology preservation reptile skeletal skeleton skull somerset street articulated

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Fossil of an extinct Ichthyosaur (Ichthyosaurus communis Conybeare), or fish lizard. This specimen dates to the Lower Jurassic, 208-203 million years ago and was discovered in Street, Somerset, UK. It is a nearly complete, large individual lying on its ventral side with almost all features of the skull and postcranium present. The skull is very well preserved, with many of the sutures well defined. It is displayed in dorsolateral view with a large portion of the skull roof exposed. This is one of few specimens where the skull roof remains undamaged. Ichthyosaurs provide a great example of convergent evolution as although they are marine reptiles they have the same basic body plan as present day mammalian Dolphins. The specimen formed part of the Thomas Hawkins Collection.

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