An international team of scientists from Canada, Colombia and Germany has discovered the remains of a new species of reptiles. As reported on the McGill University website, the creature was one of the last ichthyosaurs to live on Earth..

It is noted that the researchers found a well-preserved skull, the length of which is about a meter. According to scientists, the new species developed unique teeth that allowed it to feed on large prey..

“While other ichthyosaurs had similarly sized small teeth to feed on small prey, this new species changed the size and distance between the teeth to create an arsenal for destroying large food such as large fish and other marine reptiles,” said Hans Larrson.

The new species was named Kyhytysuka, which means "

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Scientists note that the discovery of a new species sheds light on the evolution of ichthyosaurs. They compared the remains of Kyhytysuka with other similar reptiles from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, and were able to identify a new type of ichthyosaur..

According to the researchers, the new species existed in the early Cretaceous period - an important time of changes in the history of our planet.. Then the Earth was emerging from a relatively cool period, the sea level was rising, and the supercontinent Pangea was divided into northern and southern parts of the land..

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Scientists also added that they were able to discover many new species in the rocks in which a new ichthyosaur was found..

They believe that this region of Colombia was a biodiversity hotspot at the time.. Researchers intend to conduct further analysis of the found remains to better understand the evolution of marine ecosystems in transition.

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Previously, scientists discovered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the remains of an ancient shark that lived on Earth 300 million years ago. Analysis of her teeth revealed that she belonged to a new species of these giant predators..