Des scientifiques identifient un prédateur marin géant, le Tylosaurus rex, à partir de fossiles texans

23 mai 2026

Rapporté par l'IA

Une nouvelle espèce de reptile marin massif, le Tylosaurus rex, a été décrite à partir de fossiles mis au jour dans le nord du Texas. Ce mosasaure de 13 mètres de long a vécu il y a environ 80 millions d'années et figure parmi les plus grands de son espèce. Les chercheurs ont publié leurs conclusions le 21 mai 2026.

La découverte a été menée par des scientifiques de l'American Museum of Natural History, du Perot Museum of Nature and Science de Dallas et de la Southern Methodist University. L'auteure principale, Amelia Zietlow, a déclaré que les fossiles avaient été initialement mal identifiés comme appartenant à une autre espèce avant que des comparaisons détaillées ne révèlent des traits distincts, notamment une taille plus importante et des dents finement dentelées. Le spécimen holotype, trouvé en 1979 près d'un réservoir en périphérie de Dallas, est désormais exposé au Perot Museum.

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mardi 23 juin 2026 06h56