by Researchers from Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld, Adenauerplatz, the Polish Academy of Sciences, Natural History Museum Luxembourg, and The Museum of Evolution at Uppsala University have shed new light on the evolution of plesiosaurs, ancient marine creatures, through the study of a Lorrainosaurus fossil at Luxembourg’s National Museum of Natural History (MNHN). Their findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveal that the clade to which the Lorrainosaurus belonged, Plesiosauria, evolved earlier in history than initially thought.
Plesiosaurs were large, shark-like creatures that inhabited the world’s oceans millions of years ago. These apex predators reached lengths of up to 14.5 meters, twice the size of modern orcas, and possessed two pairs of side fins, which provided them with superior maneuverability compared to modern sharks.
The investigation originated in 1983 when a group of amateur paleontologists discovered a plesiosaur fossil near Lorrain, France. They enlisted the help of MNHN, who subsequently excavated, studied, and displayed the fossil at the museum. In this new research, the team revisited the fossil to gain fresh insights into the specimen and its ancestors.
Upon closer analysis, the researchers identified the Lorrainosaurus fossil as belonging to an entirely new genus and named it Lorrainosaurus. They noted that it appeared smaller than other related fossils discovered, measuring approximately 6 meters, equivalent to the size of the longest modern great white sharks.
By examining its features and comparing them with other known fossils, the team determined that Lorrainosaurus was an early member of the plesiosaur family and served as an ancestor to larger marine reptiles that emerged in the subsequent eras. Plesiosaurs, the researchers added, thrived as apex predators for around 80 million years.
The study also revealed that plesiosaurs evolved much earlier than previously assumed, with their existence dating back to the Middle Jurassic period. Furthermore, the researchers found evidence suggesting that plesiosaurs primarily inhabited the waters of what is now western Europe.
This groundbreaking research expands our understanding of the evolution and prevalence of plesiosaurs throughout history. It highlights the significant role played by the Lorrainosaurus fossil in reshaping our knowledge of ancient marine ecosystems and supports further investigations into the origins and adaptations of these fascinating creatures.
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