Discovered Fossils in North America Unveil Perplexing Sea Monster Species: Researchers
Prehistoric Sea Monster Identified: Canada's 85-million-year-old Marine Mystery Solved
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have officially identified a long-lost, prehistoric sea monster that prowled North American waters 85 million years ago. The unique marine reptile, named Traskasaura sandrae, has been identified through the analysis of fossils discovered in Canada.
The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were initially determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a type of plesiosaur. However, further examination of additional fossils has revealed the creature's distinctiveness, setting it apart from other known elasmosaur genera. These additional fossils include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton, characterized by a thorax, girdles, and limbs.
Traskasaura sandrae is a 12-meter-long (approximately 39 feet) plesiosaur with a notably elongated neck, likely used for attack from above. The species showcases a peculiar blend of primitive and advanced traits, making it the first of its kind among plesiosaurs to adopt this unique predatory style. Its teeth are large, robust, and sharp, ideal for crushing hard ammonite shells. These distinctive features are evident through dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae, hinting at a neck structure with at least 50 bones, possibly more.
Researchers were initially hesitant to classify a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. However, the discovery of a well-preserved partial skeleton enabled the international team of scientists to eventually identify the new genus and species. The genus name Traskasaura was bestowed in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, the location of the original fossil discovery. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the research team who initially identified the fossils in 2002.
This fascinating discovery closes a long-standing mystery about the distinctive marine reptile fossils found in British Columbia. Officially recognized in 2023 as the province's fossil emblem, these fossils are now on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia. The official naming and description of Traskasaura sandrae were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Systematic Paleontology in 2025.
Researchers have recognized Traskasaura sandrae, a unique plesiosaur discovered in Canada, as an addition to the international database of prehistoric marine creatures. The space of science, specifically technology and analysis, has allowed for further advancements in the understanding of medical-conditions and environmental factors during the prehistoric era, as seen through the discovery of this long-lost species.
