240 million years before us: fragments of an ichthyosaur skeleton arrive at Primorsky Aquarium
Two fragments of an ichthyosaur skeleton, found earlier this month on Russky Island, were moved from the site of discovery to the Primorsky Aquarium on June 16. The fossils are estimated to be about 230-240 million years old. Finds like these are quite rare not only in Vladivostok and Primorsky Krai but also in the world at large, and that is why each of them attracts interest from a variety of specialists, such as geologists, biologists, and paleontologists.
“These fossils are especially valuable because they are two fairly large fragments of the same individual. Single bones or fragments of bones are discovered more often. The historical and social value of the find is also unquestionable: the place where Russky Island now lies was once covered by a sea seething with life,” said Dmitry Pitruk, Assistant Director for Biology at the Primorsky Aquarium.
The Primorsky Aquarium has given substantial assistance to the scientific community: the institution transported the fossil specimens from the site located in rather rough terrain to its premises and decided to host them. To ensure long-term preservation of the fossils and to facilitate their examination, Aquarium staff will prepare them. Then the skeletal fragments will be conserved and put in safe storage to await the arrival of experts on extinct marine reptiles.
“After being studied by scientists, the specimens will take the place they deserve in one of the Primorsky Aquarium’s exhibits,” said Dmitry Pitruk.