Fossil CSI: Analysis of giant extinct marine reptile graveyard suggests mysterious site was ancient birthing grounds

Credit: Gabriel Ugueto

Adult and young of the ichthyosaur species Shonisaurus popularis chase ammonoid prey 230 million years ago, in what is now Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada, U.S.A.

« Fossil CSI: Analysis of giant extinct marine reptile graveyard suggests mysterious site was ancient birthing grounds

Credit: Smithsonian Institution

3D-model image of the Shonisaurus popularis fossil bed at Quarry 2 in Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada. Fossilized bones have been color-coded where each color corresponds to a different skeleton.

« Fossil CSI: Analysis of giant extinct marine reptile graveyard suggests mysterious site was ancient birthing grounds

Credit: Natural History Museum of Utah / Mark Johnston

Complete tooth and partial jaws (UMNH VP 32539) of the ichthyosaur Shonisaurus popularis from Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada. These new fossils demonstrate that Shonisaurus was an apex predator at the top of its ecosystem.

« Fossil CSI: Analysis of giant extinct marine reptile graveyard suggests mysterious site was ancient birthing grounds

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