Temporal range: Late Triassic (Rhaetian), 205–202 Ma
PreꞒ
Ꞓ
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
↓
Holotype (A, C) and referred (B, D) specimens of Ichthyotitan
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
†Ichthyosauria
Family:
†Shastasauridae (?)
Genus:
†Ichthyotitan Lomax et al., 2024
Species:
†I. severnensis
Binomial name
†Ichthyotitan severnensis
Lomax et al., 2024
Ichthyotitan (/ˌɪkθiəˈtaɪtən/IK-thee-ə-TY-tən) is an extinct genus of giant ichthyosaur from the Late Triassic (Rhaetian), known from the Westbury Mudstone Formation in Somerset, England. It is believed to be a shastasaurid, extending the family's range by 13 million years up to the latest Triassic. The discovery of Ichthyotitan has been considered evidence that shastasaurids were still thriving until their disappearance in the Triassic–Jurassic extinction event.
The genus contains a single species, I. severnensis. It is known from two fragmentary surangular bones of the lower jaw, discovered in separate places in 2016 and 2020. Other specimens throughout Western Europe have been linked to the species based on similar osteological features, although their affiliation is uncertain. Estimates scaling up the bones from other ichthyosaur species put Ichthyotitan's body length at nearly 25 metres (82 ft), which would make it the largest marine reptile currently known.
Ichthyotitan (/ˌɪkθiəˈtaɪtən/ IK-thee-ə-TY-tən) is an extinct genus of giant ichthyosaur from the Late Triassic (Rhaetian), known from the Westbury Mudstone...
2024, the Lilstock specimen was referred to the newly described species Ichthyotitan, with a length estimate of up to 25 meters (82 ft). Unlike other Triassic...
Westbury-on-Severn "Vertebrae, pubis, ischium, femur, tibia, phalanges, adult." Ichthyotitan I. severnensis Blue Anchor and Lilstock Two partial surangulars Possibly...
related to Ophthalmosauria. The type species is A. martafernandezi. Ichthyotitan Gen. et sp. nov Valid Lomax et al. Late Triassic (Rhaetian) Westbury...
between 20 and 25 m (66 to 82 ft), which have been recently described as Ichthyotitan severnensis. According to weight estimates by Ryosuke Motani a 2.4 m...
factor. Scientists find in the Westbury Formation fossil remains of the Ichthyotitan, the largest marine reptile ever. 18 April BBC News reports that documents...
approximately 26 m (85 ft) in length. The specimen was referred in 2024 to Ichthyotitan severnensis, with revised estimates of 25 metres (82 ft) making it the...
known, rivaling some blue whales in size. These remains were later named Ichthyotitan and it has been estimated to reach up to 25 m (82 ft), which makes it...
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