The Ichthyosaurs

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the Ichthyosaurs had a unique path of evolution traveling from lizard-like creatures frolicking along the coastal edge to reptiles swimming in the ocean's depths, including their development of fins from feet. The author points out that the Ichthyosaurs inhabited the Mesozoic ocean, appearing approximately 20 million years prior to dinosaurs, around 250 million years ago and became extinct earlier, approximately 90 million years ago. The paper relates that the Ichthyosaurs seemed well-adapted to their environment, which allowed them to survive for approximately 155 million years, yet why ichthyosaurs became extinct is still uncertain.

Table of Contents
Overview of Ichthyosaurus
Ichthyosaurs Fin Evolution
Ichthyosaurs Eyes
Ichthyosaurs Vertebrae Evolution
Ichthyosaurs Swimming Evolution
Ichthyosaurs as Predecessors to Birds
Live Bearing Ichthyosaurs
Extinction of Ichthyosaurs
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Ichthyosaur fossils found near Holzmaden, Germany support this theory. A number of complete fossils were found in a quarry, in this southern part of Germany. Of these fossils, a large percentage was either babies or mothers carrying their young. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 10 percent of the females found in this deposit had fossilized embryos preserved inside of them. It's possible that some act of nature, rather than an instinctual return to a breeding or birthing ground, was the cause for this phenomenon. Waves or currents can sometimes wash bones into a small area, giving the deposit a denser than natural appearance. However, the Holzmaden fossils are preserved in perfect formation, which leads to the assumption that they were not moved."

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