Australian Ichthyosaur fossil

A partial reconstruction of the 7 metre long fossilised Australian Ichthyosaur (Platypterygius longmani), based on several individuals from the 110 million year old Darwin Formation fossil beds and Queensland localities. Ichthyosaurs were air-breathing marine reptiles that resembled both modern fish and dolphins and gave birth to live young. They thrived in the inland sea that covered vast areas of Australia during the Cretaceous period, some 120-90 million years ago.