Prehistoric Marine Reptile Remains Discovered on São Jacinto Beach, Portuga
Recent field investigations along São, have yielded the exceptional discovery of a nearly complete marine reptile skeleton exposed by coastal erosion. The specimen, measuring over 15 meters in length, presents a well-preserved cranial structure with dentition indicative of a predatory lifestyle. Preliminary morphological assessment suggests affinities with the Plesiosauria, a clade of large marine reptiles that dominated the Mesozoic seas approximately 200–65 million years ago.
The skeletal integrity, with articulated vertebrae extending along the intertidal zone, provides a rare opportunity for systematic study. Osteological analysis of the maxilla and dentary reveals robust teeth, supporting hypotheses of piscivorous behavior and trophic dominance within its paleoenvironment. Sediment samples collected from surrounding strata will undergo stratigraphic and isotopic analysis to establish a more precise chronological framework and paleoecological context.
This find not only enriches our understanding of prehistoric marine ecosystems along the Atlantic margin of Iberia but also contributes to broader discussions concerning faunal dispersal during the Mesozoic. Furthermore, the striking exposure of the specimen in a coastal setting underscores the significance of shoreline monitoring for paleontological resources, where natural erosion processes may reveal fossils of considera