More Like Dolphins Than We ImaginedThe ichthyosaurs, often likened to today’s dolphins due to their uncanny resemblance, have long intrigued scientists with the question of their body temperature regulation. These ancient marine reptiles emerged from terrestrial reptiles that ventured into the oceans roughly 250 million years ago and thrived alongside the dinosaurs, ultimately meeting their demise about 90 million years ago.
In a startling revelation, a 180-million-year-old fossil discovered in Germany has rewritten the ichthyosaur narrative. This exceptionally well-preserved specimen is a testament to the wonders of time, as even pieces of the skin, removed for analysis, retained their flexibility. The analysis reveals a pivotal discovery: beneath their smooth, scaleless skin lay blubber, an insulating layer of fat. This newfound similarity to modern sea animals like dolphins raises the intriguing possibility that ichthyosaurs were not just warm-blooded but possibly capable of maintaining a constant body temperature, much like whales and seals, or staying well above the water temperature, akin to the leatherback turtle. This remarkable insight, brought to light by the team led by Johan Lindgren from Lund University in Sweden, expands our understanding of these ancient marine reptiles and the secrets of their physiology.