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Ancient Plesiosaur Fossil Reveals Evolutionary Secrets

2/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study of a 183-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil from Germany has unveiled the creature's unique combination of scaly and smooth skin. This discovery not only sheds light on the plesiosaur's appearance but also hints at its evolutionary split from ichthyosaurs, deepening our understanding of how these ancient reptiles thrived in their marine habitats.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study of a 183-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil from Germany has unveiled the creature's unique combination of scaly and smooth skin. This discovery not only sheds light on the plesiosaur's appearance but also hints at its evolutionary split from ichthyosaurs, deepening our understanding of how these ancient reptiles thrived in their marine habitats.