Dramatic fossil shows animal giving birth

[pokerfan]

This 248 million-year-old fossil is incredible for two reasons. First, it shows the tragic moment an Ichthyosaur died giving birth. Second, it's the oldest evidence of a live reptilian birth — about 10 million years older than previous samples.

http://io9.com/this-dramatic-fossil-shows-an-ancient-marine-reptile-gi-1522223373

[progressoid]

1. That's not real

Satan made that.

[bvar22]

2. Amazing... and informative.

I thought that all Dinosaurs laid eggs.

[wandy]

3. Proof that you learn something every day..........

I sort of thought that also but.........

During the middle Triassic Period, ichthyosaurs evolved from a group of, as yet, unidentified land reptiles that moved back into the water, in a development parallel to that of the ancestors of modern-day dolphins and whales, which they resembled in a case of convergent evolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyosaur

Oh well, among other sources I guess the Flintstones weren't the best way to learn about them critters.

[bvar22]

5. ...AND doesn't the skull of the baby ichthyosaur...

...look just like the skull of a bird?

We started Keeping Chickens in 2007,
and after watching a couple of our hens attack, corner, and devour a field mouse with ruthless efficiency,
I have no doubt that they are the descendents of the VelociRaptors.

[loudsue]

12. I bought one at Safeway I'm pretty sure was descended from VelociRaptors.

Sure tasted just like one.

[pokerfan]

6. Mother Nature' s a mad scientist! (nt)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

4. What we call "dinosaurs" are actually several lost Classes or Orders....

There are fish that give live birth too. Guppies are an example.

[wandy]

7. Yes, there are fish that do.......

I should have remembered that.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. Found this clip from "Walking With Dinosaurs"....

[Enthusiast]

10. Ichthyosaurs are marine reptiles, not dinosaurs.

Ichthyosaurs are kind of like the reptile version of a dolphin without a blowhole.


Today some snakes are live bearers and some are egg layers. Yes, it's a strange world.

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[BlancheSplanchnik]

8. awwww…that's sad…. :(

I know I know, I'm wayyy sensitive about animals…….


Amazing fossil, though. Fossils are the best!

[Aldo Leopold]

11. Hard to believe that's authentic. Is the fossil from China?

There have been some cleverly faked fossils coming out of China that have made their way into the scientific literature lately.

[Javaman]

13. I wonder what killed them? nt