'Chinese Dragon': Fossils of 240-million-year-old reptile unveiled

Scientists at National Museums Scotland have depicted a 240-million-year-old marine reptile with an extraordinarily long neck for the first time, reports CNN. The fossils were first discovered in Guizhou province in southern China in 2003 and they were called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis and were likened to a "Chinese dragon". It lived during the Triassic period, and it had 32 separate neck vertebrae. and flippered limbs.

"Chinese Dragon"

Talking to CNN, Dr Nick Fraser, keeper of National Sciences at NMS and one of the researchers said that the discovery allowed the institute to see this remarkable long-necked animal in full for the very first time. He expressed his confidence that it would capture imaginations across the globe due to its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long and snake-like mythical Chinese dragon.

Dinocephalosaurus Orientalis

Dinocephalosaurus orientalis has been compared with Tanystropheus hydroides for its long neck. Tanystropheus is another marine reptile found in the Middle Triassic period of both Europe and China. But Dinocephalosaurus was not closely related to the famous long-necked plesiosaurs that evolved around 40 million years later.

10-year-long study

A 10-year study of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was done at the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology, Beijing, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Scientists from Scotland, Germany, America and China took part in this project.

Professor Li Chun from the institute said that among all of the extraordinary finds made in the Triassic of Guizhou province, Dinocephalosaurus probably was the most remarkable.

FAQs:

Which fossils have been likened to Chinese dragons?
The fossils of a 240-million-year-old marine reptile were first discovered in Guizhou province in southern China in 2003 and they were called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis and were likened to a "Chinese dragon". The animal lived during the Triassic period, it had 32 separate neck vertebrae. and flippered limbs.

Why is the research carried out at the National Museum Scotland is important?
Dr Nick Fraser, keeper of National Sciences at NMS and one of the researchers said that the discovery allowed the institute to see this remarkable long-necked animal in full for the very first time.