The ocean depths have long been mysterious to us, full of strange and unknown creatures. Recent scientific research has uncovered a new species of deep-sea marine reptile, which could help us gain insight into the evolution of long extinct prehistoric sea monsters.
Discovered during an oceanographic expedition off the coast of New Zealand and published in the April 2021 edition of Nature, the new species has been named the Eokion isidoi. It is part of an extinct group of marine reptiles known as plesiosaurs, popularly referred to as sea monsters.
Plesiosaurs ruled the ancient seas during the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. While their exact relationship with other classes of marine animals is not yet fully understood, plesiosaurs are believed to be descended from early marine lepidosaurs, meaning relatives of modern-day lizards.
The newly discovered species is particularly interesting because it is extremely well-preserved and has features not seen in other plesiosaurs. Its skull displays an unexpectedly diverse array of skull shape, with a pair of crests on its snout, offering clues to its evolutionary history. Furthermore, the four flippers of the species are asymmetrical, meaning they are a different size and shape on either side of the body.
The combination of these unique features suggest that the Eokion isidoi is an intermediate species between earlier and later varieties of plesiosaurs, potentially offering invaluable insight into their evolution. Furthermore, the discovery of this species could shed light on the habitats of the extinct animals, as well as provide potential insight into the massive extinction event that occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period, which helped wipe out plesiosaurs.
This latest discovery is an incredibly exciting find and may help to shed light on the evolution of these mysterious prehistoric sea monsters. With further research and study, it could offer valuable insight into the fascinating aquatic ecosystems of the past, and facilitate a better understanding of the current underwater environments.