In the Mesozoic, the time of the dinosaurs, from 252 to 66 million years ago, marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs were top predators in the oceans. But their origins and early rise to ...

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American The Mesozoic was not a ‘dinosaurs-only theme ...

Purchased with funds from the S. Dillon Ripley Endowment. "This group of animals comprises a complex of disparate groups including the dolphin/shark-like ichthyosaurs, manatee-like placodonts, long- ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The dusty plains of Western Australia’s Kimberley region are a long way from the ocean. Yet, 250 million years ago, this scorched ...

The ichthyosaurs of Holzmaden, Germany, are among the most exquisite fossils ever discovered. Many of their skeletons have been left in stunning, articulated detail, and the very outlines of their ...

Scientists have pieced together the first-ever fossil of a pregnant plesiosaur, a giant Mesozoic sea reptile from the Cretaceous Era, with an embryo still inside. The animal, which roamed the seas ...

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED The fossil record can be a ...

In the Mesozoic, the time of the dinosaurs, from 252 to 66 million years ago, marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs were top predators in the oceans. But their origins and early rise to ...

The fossil record can be a frustrating tease. Although it’s wonderful that paleontologists are assembling an ever more complete understanding of prehistoric life, every ancient species contains ...

BRISTOL, England, May 20 (UPI) --New research suggests the arrival of marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs on the fossil timeline was sudden, and their ascent to the top of the food chain ...