A remarkable fossil discovery in the seaside village of Blue Anchor, Somerset, has revealed the remains of the largest marine reptile ever known to exist. The incredible find was made by 11-year-old Ruby Reynolds and her father, Justin Reynolds, during a fossil hunting trip in late May 2020.

While exploring the beach, Ruby stumbled upon a piece of fossilized bone partially buried in a mud slope. To their astonishment, this discovery turned out to be a part of the jawbone of a massive ichthyosaur, a marine reptile that lived approximately 202 million years ago. The find was later identified as belonging to a new species named Ichthyotitan severnensis, estimated to be around 82 feet long - twice the length of a school bus.

Professor Dean Lomax, a paleontologist from the University of Bristol and the University of Manchester, explained that ichthyosaurs were ancient reptiles distantly related to crocodiles. These creatures resembled whales in certain ways, such as giving birth to live young and being fully committed to an aquatic lifestyle without venturing onto land.

The fascinating excavation began nearly eight years ago when amateur fossil collector Paul de la Salle discovered fragments of the ichthyosaur jawbone in Lilstock, Somerset. The pieces were expertly assembled, indicating the colossal size of the creature. However, it wasn't until Ruby and Justin Reynolds contacted Professor Lomax with their own ichthyosaur jawbone discoveries that researchers were able to gain more profound insights into the ancient reptile.

The second specimen found by the Reynolds family was even more complete than the first bone, providing further evidence of a new species. The researchers named the marine reptile Ichthyotitan severnensis after the Severn Estuary where it was found. Although the full size of the creature is still uncertain without a complete skeleton, it is believed to have been enormous - potentially as long as a blue whale.

The incredible discovery sheds light on the Triassic Period, a time of great evolutionary significance when early mammals and dinosaurs emerged. Ichthyotitan severnensis reigned during this period, just before the mass extinction event that wiped out these extraordinary creatures forever. No marine reptile has ever reached such massive proportions since.

The extinction of these giant reptiles left a niche in the ocean ecosystem, allowing for the rise of other species. Whales, including the ancestors of modern-day whales, filled this vacant ecological position, becoming the new apex predators in the marine world.

The find offers invaluable insights into the mysteries surrounding Earth's ancient past and the evolution of life on our planet. As researchers continue to study these remarkable fossils, this discovery provides another piece of the puzzle in understanding the rise and fall of these fascinating prehistoric giants.