Scientists have discovered several ancient bones found on the Isle of Skye.Likely, they belonged to a new species of marine predator.
This is the first ichthyosaur from Scotland, which will be described in the scientific literature - nearly 14 m measured from snout to tail.
"It's not the most beautiful specimens in the world. You can keep all the bones in one hand. But this is the first time we recognized distinctly Scottish prehistoric marine reptiles," said Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh.
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George Lloyd
Och, ye great Sassenach, the Scots drink whisky, they dinnae drink whiskey unless an American tourist frae Appalachia brings some o'wer.
John
It looks like a reptilian version of a shark. Being a reptile, it might have been as dumb as a crocodile. I don't know if a reptile is much smarter than a shark. So, if this thing were as dumb as a shark, it would have the disadvantage of not having gills. On the other hand, having lungs might have served it well in low oxygen waters. But, aside from the comparison of brains and oxygen sources, the thing had a crocodilian or dolphin shaped snout, which is useful for catching smaller fish.
Antiproduct
I can't even contribute to a thread on fossils without people having a go at Scotland? Honestly. The only reason it's referred to as Scottish is because it was found near skye. That's all. No sinister motive.
