A rediscovered Lower Jurassic ichthyosaur skeleton possibly from the Strawberry Bank Lagerstätte, Somerset, UK

ABSTRACT

An almost complete ichthyosaur from the historically significant collection of fossils amassed by Somerset geologist, Charles Moore, is described. Available information suggests that it was collected from the Lower Lias of Somerset, UK. However, inspection of the surrounding matrix, which seems to be a nodule, indicates that the specimen may instead hail from the Upper Lias (Toarcian) Strawberry Bank Lagerstätte of Ilminster, Somerset. The specimen had previously been identified as Leptonectes tenuirostris. Herein, further analysis of the skull and forefin, reveals closer affinities to Stenopterygius triscissus, to which the specimen is tentatively assigned. Therefore, the specimen represents one of the most complete ichthyosaurs collected from the Strawberry Bank Lagerstätte.

KEYWORDS:

• Ichthyosauria
• Stenopterygius
• Leptonectes
• Charles Moore
• CT-scan
• Strawberry Bank

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following individuals and their institutions for access to and assistance with specimens: E. Daeschler and E. Gilmore (ANSP); M. Williams (BRLSI); M. Riley and S. Finney (CAMSM); S. Chapman, P. Barrett, L. Steel and R. Hansen (NHMUK); C. Howells (NMW); C. Pickersgill and D. Large (UNM). Further discussion about the specimen was held with M. Williams at BRLSI and R. Gallois. Our profound gratitude to the BBC (including P. Mould, K. Arthy, P. Bradshaw and N. Fellows) and particularly staff at the Brentknoll Veterinary Centre (especially Dave Fisher) where the specimen was CT-scanned and X-rayed. Thanks also to J. Massare for providing a critical review of this study, which helped to improve the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.