German scientists have identified an ancient marine reptile that lived approximately 183 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, when dinosaurs dominated the land and large aquatic creatures ruled the seas.
The fossil, which has now been classified as a new and previously unknown species, was discovered in 1978 in a stone quarry in Holzmaden, Germany. At the time, the specimen did not receive detailed examination. However, recent analysis has confirmed its uniqueness.
Researchers have named the species Plesionectes longicollum, meaning ‘long-necked swimmer’. The creature possessed an elongated neck, specialised features for movement through water, and a distinct anatomical structure.
Its skeleton was found in a nearly intact condition, and, remarkably, impressions of the body remain clearly visible despite the passage of millions of years.
The rare fossil has now been placed on permanent display at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, where it is accessible to visitors from around the world.
