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2025-05-22 14:38:37 - Translate -

Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI [$, promoted]

Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI By Bart on May 22, 2025 3D News Redefine Concept Art with Animation and AI Guidance using Reallysion's iClone.Hello, I’m Jakub Kaźmierczak, a concept artist specializing in environment concept art and key frames. I have been in the industry for the past 7 years. In my professional career, I work mostly for movies and game cinematics. Some projects being: “Three Body Problem”, “Shōgun”, “Concord”, and “Call of Duty BO6 Libertyfalls”.Integrating iClone into Your Concept Art WorkflowAs a concept artist specializing in environments and keyframes, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can streamline my workflow and help me deliver high-quality work to my clients. One such tool that has become indispensable in my process is iClone, a powerful animation software that complements Character Creator. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I use iClone to create dynamic scenes, particularly for sequence keyframes, and how it integrates seamlessly with Blender to enhance my workflow. Bridging the Gap Between Concept and AnimationiClone is primarily known as an animation tool, but as a concept artist, I don’t consider myself an animator. So, why do I use it? The answer lies in the growing demand for sequence keyframes in my professional work. Sequence keyframes involve creating multiple shots within a single location, and traditionally, this required setting up multiple cameras and manually copying characters across the scene to match each shot. It was a tedious and inefficient process.With iClone, I can now set up simple animations, export them to Blender, and animate my camera to capture all the necessary shots. This allows me to deliver multiple shots to clients with ease, iterate quickly, and focus on the overall design without worrying about the characters’ movements. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert animator to use iClone. Reallusion has made the process so intuitive that anyone can integrate it into their workflow.AccuPOSE: AI-Powered Posing Made EasyOne of the standout features of iClone is AccuPOSE, a posing assistant that uses AI to help you pose characters quickly and efficiently. In the past, I had to pose characters in Blender by moving each bone individually or importing animations and adjusting them manually. With AccuPOSE, whenever I move a bone, the rest of the body reacts to the adjustments and eventually generates a naturally balanced pose.A subscription to AccuPOSE INFINITY offers tons of AI-trained pose presets across different themes that I can directly apply to my characters. This is especially useful for creating combat scenarios or other dynamic poses for keyframes. The result? A significant reduction in posing time, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture.Creating Animations with iCloneTo create animations in iClone, all I need to do is drag motion capture data from the content library onto my characters. I should also mention that Reallusion’s ActorCore offers a wide variety of motions to choose from, and they can all be further edited.If I need to include different animations for storytelling purposes, I can easily drag the next animation onto the timeline and blend the two together for smooth transitions. I can also break the animation and rotate it to change the direction, giving me full control over the scene’s dynamics.For sequence keyframes, precision isn’t always necessary. I’m not creating a full movie — I’m presenting an idea. This flexibility allows me to experiment with different animations and camera angles without getting bogged down in the details.Crowd Simulation: Bringing Scenes to LifeOne of the most impressive features of iClone is its crowd simulation capability. In the past, animating multiple characters was a daunting task that forced me to repeat the process for each character, leading to repetitive poses and a lack of variety in the scene.With iClone’s crowd simulation, I can generate a navmesh from a ground plane, select the characters I want to include, and assign animation sets to them automatically. This creates a dynamic, lifelike crowd without the need for manual adjustments. The result is a scene that feels alive and avoids the monotony of repeated poses.Seamless Integration with BlenderBlender Auto Setup has undergone a significant overhaul, making it easier than ever to link Character Creator with Blender. Gone are the days of exporting and reimporting files; Now, everything works as one cohesive system. With just a click, I can pose, edit, and dress my characters in CC and instantly see the changes reflected in Blender’s 3D viewport. This seamless integration has been a huge time-saver, allowing me to focus more on the creative aspects of my work.Like Character Creator, iClone uses the same plugin to link with Blender. This allows me to export all my animations and see how they fit within the broader scene. The workflow is seamless, significantly speeding up my process and enabling me to make creative changes on the fly. Once the character animations are in place, I can set up simple camera movements, record the scene, and send it to my client for feedback. This iterative process ensures that the final product aligns with the client’s vision.Refining and Delivering the Final ProductAfter setting up the scene and capturing the necessary shots, the next step is to refine the keyframes, render out the final images or short videos, and deliver them to the client. This streamlined process allows me to focus on the creative aspects of my work while ensuring that the technical details are handled efficiently.Conclusion: Expanding Your Skillset with iCloneIntegrating iClone into my workflow has been a game-changer. It has allowed me to experiment with new tools, expand my skillset, and deliver high-quality work to my clients more efficiently. As a freelancer, I don’t always have the luxury of sitting next to a director and discussing shots on the spot. Creating simple animations in iClone allows me to communicate my ideas more effectively, especially when working with clients in different time zones.I encourage you to explore iClone and see how it can enhance your own workflow. Whether you’re a concept artist, animator, or somewhere in between, the ability to experiment with different creative tools can open up new opportunities and take your work to the next level.I hope this article has given you some insight into how I use iClone in my workflow. For a more detailed walkthrough, please find the full article here. Happy creating!
#animate #concept #art #new #workflow

Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI [$, promoted]
Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI By Bart on May 22, 2025 3D News Redefine Concept Art with Animation and AI Guidance using Reallysion's iClone.Hello, I’m Jakub Kaźmierczak, a concept artist specializing in environment concept art and key frames. I have been in the industry for the past 7 years. In my professional career, I work mostly for movies and game cinematics. Some projects being: “Three Body Problem”, “Shōgun”, “Concord”, and “Call of Duty BO6 Libertyfalls”.Integrating iClone into Your Concept Art WorkflowAs a concept artist specializing in environments and keyframes, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can streamline my workflow and help me deliver high-quality work to my clients. One such tool that has become indispensable in my process is iClone, a powerful animation software that complements Character Creator. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I use iClone to create dynamic scenes, particularly for sequence keyframes, and how it integrates seamlessly with Blender to enhance my workflow. Bridging the Gap Between Concept and AnimationiClone is primarily known as an animation tool, but as a concept artist, I don’t consider myself an animator. So, why do I use it? The answer lies in the growing demand for sequence keyframes in my professional work. Sequence keyframes involve creating multiple shots within a single location, and traditionally, this required setting up multiple cameras and manually copying characters across the scene to match each shot. It was a tedious and inefficient process.With iClone, I can now set up simple animations, export them to Blender, and animate my camera to capture all the necessary shots. This allows me to deliver multiple shots to clients with ease, iterate quickly, and focus on the overall design without worrying about the characters’ movements. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert animator to use iClone. Reallusion has made the process so intuitive that anyone can integrate it into their workflow.AccuPOSE: AI-Powered Posing Made EasyOne of the standout features of iClone is AccuPOSE, a posing assistant that uses AI to help you pose characters quickly and efficiently. In the past, I had to pose characters in Blender by moving each bone individually or importing animations and adjusting them manually. With AccuPOSE, whenever I move a bone, the rest of the body reacts to the adjustments and eventually generates a naturally balanced pose.A subscription to AccuPOSE INFINITY offers tons of AI-trained pose presets across different themes that I can directly apply to my characters. This is especially useful for creating combat scenarios or other dynamic poses for keyframes. The result? A significant reduction in posing time, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture.Creating Animations with iCloneTo create animations in iClone, all I need to do is drag motion capture data from the content library onto my characters. I should also mention that Reallusion’s ActorCore offers a wide variety of motions to choose from, and they can all be further edited.If I need to include different animations for storytelling purposes, I can easily drag the next animation onto the timeline and blend the two together for smooth transitions. I can also break the animation and rotate it to change the direction, giving me full control over the scene’s dynamics.For sequence keyframes, precision isn’t always necessary. I’m not creating a full movie — I’m presenting an idea. This flexibility allows me to experiment with different animations and camera angles without getting bogged down in the details.Crowd Simulation: Bringing Scenes to LifeOne of the most impressive features of iClone is its crowd simulation capability. In the past, animating multiple characters was a daunting task that forced me to repeat the process for each character, leading to repetitive poses and a lack of variety in the scene.With iClone’s crowd simulation, I can generate a navmesh from a ground plane, select the characters I want to include, and assign animation sets to them automatically. This creates a dynamic, lifelike crowd without the need for manual adjustments. The result is a scene that feels alive and avoids the monotony of repeated poses.Seamless Integration with BlenderBlender Auto Setup has undergone a significant overhaul, making it easier than ever to link Character Creator with Blender. Gone are the days of exporting and reimporting files; Now, everything works as one cohesive system. With just a click, I can pose, edit, and dress my characters in CC and instantly see the changes reflected in Blender’s 3D viewport. This seamless integration has been a huge time-saver, allowing me to focus more on the creative aspects of my work.Like Character Creator, iClone uses the same plugin to link with Blender. This allows me to export all my animations and see how they fit within the broader scene. The workflow is seamless, significantly speeding up my process and enabling me to make creative changes on the fly. Once the character animations are in place, I can set up simple camera movements, record the scene, and send it to my client for feedback. This iterative process ensures that the final product aligns with the client’s vision.Refining and Delivering the Final ProductAfter setting up the scene and capturing the necessary shots, the next step is to refine the keyframes, render out the final images or short videos, and deliver them to the client. This streamlined process allows me to focus on the creative aspects of my work while ensuring that the technical details are handled efficiently.Conclusion: Expanding Your Skillset with iCloneIntegrating iClone into my workflow has been a game-changer. It has allowed me to experiment with new tools, expand my skillset, and deliver high-quality work to my clients more efficiently. As a freelancer, I don’t always have the luxury of sitting next to a director and discussing shots on the spot. Creating simple animations in iClone allows me to communicate my ideas more effectively, especially when working with clients in different time zones.I encourage you to explore iClone and see how it can enhance your own workflow. Whether you’re a concept artist, animator, or somewhere in between, the ability to experiment with different creative tools can open up new opportunities and take your work to the next level.I hope this article has given you some insight into how I use iClone in my workflow. For a more detailed walkthrough, please find the full article here. Happy creating! #animate #concept #art #new #workflow

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Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI [$, promoted]
Animate for Concept Art: The New Workflow Combining AI By Bart on May 22, 2025 3D News Redefine Concept Art with Animation and AI Guidance using Reallysion's iClone.Hello, I’m Jakub Kaźmierczak, a concept artist specializing in environment concept art and key frames. I have been in the industry for the past 7 years. In my professional career, I work mostly for movies and game cinematics. Some projects being: “Three Body Problem”, “Shōgun”, “Concord”, and “Call of Duty BO6 Libertyfalls”.Integrating iClone into Your Concept Art WorkflowAs a concept artist specializing in environments and keyframes, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can streamline my workflow and help me deliver high-quality work to my clients. One such tool that has become indispensable in my process is iClone, a powerful animation software that complements Character Creator (CC). In this article, I’ll walk you through how I use iClone to create dynamic scenes, particularly for sequence keyframes, and how it integrates seamlessly with Blender to enhance my workflow. Bridging the Gap Between Concept and AnimationiClone is primarily known as an animation tool, but as a concept artist, I don’t consider myself an animator. So, why do I use it? The answer lies in the growing demand for sequence keyframes in my professional work. Sequence keyframes involve creating multiple shots within a single location, and traditionally, this required setting up multiple cameras and manually copying characters across the scene to match each shot. It was a tedious and inefficient process.With iClone, I can now set up simple animations, export them to Blender, and animate my camera to capture all the necessary shots. This allows me to deliver multiple shots to clients with ease, iterate quickly, and focus on the overall design without worrying about the characters’ movements. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert animator to use iClone. Reallusion has made the process so intuitive that anyone can integrate it into their workflow.AccuPOSE: AI-Powered Posing Made EasyOne of the standout features of iClone is AccuPOSE, a posing assistant that uses AI to help you pose characters quickly and efficiently. In the past, I had to pose characters in Blender by moving each bone individually or importing animations and adjusting them manually. With AccuPOSE, whenever I move a bone, the rest of the body reacts to the adjustments and eventually generates a naturally balanced pose.A subscription to AccuPOSE INFINITY offers tons of AI-trained pose presets across different themes that I can directly apply to my characters. This is especially useful for creating combat scenarios or other dynamic poses for keyframes. The result? A significant reduction in posing time, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture.Creating Animations with iCloneTo create animations in iClone, all I need to do is drag motion capture data from the content library onto my characters. I should also mention that Reallusion’s ActorCore offers a wide variety of motions to choose from, and they can all be further edited.If I need to include different animations for storytelling purposes, I can easily drag the next animation onto the timeline and blend the two together for smooth transitions. I can also break the animation and rotate it to change the direction, giving me full control over the scene’s dynamics.For sequence keyframes, precision isn’t always necessary. I’m not creating a full movie — I’m presenting an idea. This flexibility allows me to experiment with different animations and camera angles without getting bogged down in the details.Crowd Simulation: Bringing Scenes to LifeOne of the most impressive features of iClone is its crowd simulation capability. In the past, animating multiple characters was a daunting task that forced me to repeat the process for each character, leading to repetitive poses and a lack of variety in the scene.With iClone’s crowd simulation, I can generate a navmesh from a ground plane, select the characters I want to include, and assign animation sets to them automatically. This creates a dynamic, lifelike crowd without the need for manual adjustments. The result is a scene that feels alive and avoids the monotony of repeated poses.Seamless Integration with BlenderBlender Auto Setup has undergone a significant overhaul, making it easier than ever to link Character Creator with Blender. Gone are the days of exporting and reimporting files; Now, everything works as one cohesive system. With just a click, I can pose, edit, and dress my characters in CC and instantly see the changes reflected in Blender’s 3D viewport. This seamless integration has been a huge time-saver, allowing me to focus more on the creative aspects of my work.Like Character Creator, iClone uses the same plugin to link with Blender. This allows me to export all my animations and see how they fit within the broader scene. The workflow is seamless, significantly speeding up my process and enabling me to make creative changes on the fly. Once the character animations are in place, I can set up simple camera movements, record the scene, and send it to my client for feedback. This iterative process ensures that the final product aligns with the client’s vision.Refining and Delivering the Final ProductAfter setting up the scene and capturing the necessary shots, the next step is to refine the keyframes, render out the final images or short videos, and deliver them to the client. This streamlined process allows me to focus on the creative aspects of my work while ensuring that the technical details are handled efficiently.Conclusion: Expanding Your Skillset with iCloneIntegrating iClone into my workflow has been a game-changer. It has allowed me to experiment with new tools, expand my skillset, and deliver high-quality work to my clients more efficiently. As a freelancer, I don’t always have the luxury of sitting next to a director and discussing shots on the spot. Creating simple animations in iClone allows me to communicate my ideas more effectively, especially when working with clients in different time zones.I encourage you to explore iClone and see how it can enhance your own workflow. Whether you’re a concept artist, animator, or somewhere in between, the ability to experiment with different creative tools can open up new opportunities and take your work to the next level.I hope this article has given you some insight into how I use iClone in my workflow. For a more detailed walkthrough, please find the full article here. Happy creating!

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Nintendo Life shared a link
2025-05-14 16:24:39 - Translate -

Fast Fusion Gets An Extra Dose Of F-Zero Goodness With Returning 'GX' Voice Actor

Image: Nintendo LifeOne of the Switch 2 titles that we are most looking forward to is Fast Fusion, the latest high-octane racer from Shin'en Multimedia that will be speeding onto the new hardware on launch day. Like the previous entries in the 'Fast' series, this one already boasted more than a few F-Zero stylings, but the dev has revealed that things are even more F-Zeroy than we thought.
That's because we today found out that voice actor Jack Merluzzi will once again be lending his vocal talents to the Shin'en joint, bringing a welcome pinch of F-Zero GX in the process. You see, Merluzzi voiced the likes of Black Shadow, Beastman, The Skull and the announcer in the 2003 GameCube racer — talk about synergy!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube812kWatch on YouTube
This isn't his first Fast rodeo, either. Merluzzi previously voiced the announcer in the Wii U's FAST Racing NEO, and his IMDb boasts even more big names like Mega Man X7, Tekken 5, Metal Gear Solid 3, Fitness Boxing and more.
"His talents bring our game to life," Shin'en stated in the reveal tweet:
Fast Fusion will arrive on the Switch 2 eShop on 5th June for £13.49 / €14.99 / For more info on the upcoming racer, be sure to check out our conversation with the devs, which you'll find in full below.

"This will make your hands sweaty!"

Cheap as chips

Will you be speeding onto Fast Fusion on Switch 2 launch day? Let us know in the comments.Related Games
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Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels, he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since.

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#fast #fusion #gets #extra #dose

Fast Fusion Gets An Extra Dose Of F-Zero Goodness With Returning 'GX' Voice Actor
Image: Nintendo LifeOne of the Switch 2 titles that we are most looking forward to is Fast Fusion, the latest high-octane racer from Shin'en Multimedia that will be speeding onto the new hardware on launch day. Like the previous entries in the 'Fast' series, this one already boasted more than a few F-Zero stylings, but the dev has revealed that things are even more F-Zeroy than we thought. That's because we today found out that voice actor Jack Merluzzi will once again be lending his vocal talents to the Shin'en joint, bringing a welcome pinch of F-Zero GX in the process. You see, Merluzzi voiced the likes of Black Shadow, Beastman, The Skull and the announcer in the 2003 GameCube racer — talk about synergy!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube812kWatch on YouTube This isn't his first Fast rodeo, either. Merluzzi previously voiced the announcer in the Wii U's FAST Racing NEO, and his IMDb boasts even more big names like Mega Man X7, Tekken 5, Metal Gear Solid 3, Fitness Boxing and more. "His talents bring our game to life," Shin'en stated in the reveal tweet: Fast Fusion will arrive on the Switch 2 eShop on 5th June for £13.49 / €14.99 / For more info on the upcoming racer, be sure to check out our conversation with the devs, which you'll find in full below. "This will make your hands sweaty!" Cheap as chips Will you be speeding onto Fast Fusion on Switch 2 launch day? Let us know in the comments.Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels, he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles PSA: My Nintendo Store Switch 2 Invites Are Starting To Roll Out Refresh that inbox Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Switch 2 Games And original Switch, of course Here's A Look At The Back Of Mario Kart World's Switch 2 Box Art The race begins next month Nintendo Shares More Footage Of Zelda: Wind Waker On Switch 2 Available via Nintendo Switch Online Tales Of The Shire Physical Release Announced For Switch, Pre-Orders Live Return to the Shire this July #fast #fusion #gets #extra #dose

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Fast Fusion Gets An Extra Dose Of F-Zero Goodness With Returning 'GX' Voice Actor
Image: Nintendo LifeOne of the Switch 2 titles that we are most looking forward to is Fast Fusion, the latest high-octane racer from Shin'en Multimedia that will be speeding onto the new hardware on launch day. Like the previous entries in the 'Fast' series, this one already boasted more than a few F-Zero stylings, but the dev has revealed that things are even more F-Zeroy than we thought. That's because we today found out that voice actor Jack Merluzzi will once again be lending his vocal talents to the Shin'en joint, bringing a welcome pinch of F-Zero GX in the process. You see, Merluzzi voiced the likes of Black Shadow, Beastman, The Skull and the announcer in the 2003 GameCube racer — talk about synergy!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube812kWatch on YouTube This isn't his first Fast rodeo, either. Merluzzi previously voiced the announcer in the Wii U's FAST Racing NEO, and his IMDb boasts even more big names like Mega Man X7, Tekken 5, Metal Gear Solid 3, Fitness Boxing and more. "His talents bring our game to life," Shin'en stated in the reveal tweet: Fast Fusion will arrive on the Switch 2 eShop on 5th June for £13.49 / €14.99 / $14.99. For more info on the upcoming racer, be sure to check out our conversation with the devs, which you'll find in full below. "This will make your hands sweaty!" Cheap as chips Will you be speeding onto Fast Fusion on Switch 2 launch day? Let us know in the comments. [source x.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles PSA: My Nintendo Store Switch 2 Invites Are Starting To Roll Out Refresh that inbox Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Switch 2 Games And original Switch, of course Here's A Look At The Back Of Mario Kart World's Switch 2 Box Art The race begins next month Nintendo Shares More Footage Of Zelda: Wind Waker On Switch 2 Available via Nintendo Switch Online Tales Of The Shire Physical Release Announced For Switch, Pre-Orders Live Return to the Shire this July

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Discover Magazine shared a link
2025-05-13 14:55:01 - Translate -

#333;">First Ever Pregnant Ichthyosaur from the Early Cretaceous Reveals Life in Prehistoric Seas
During an excavation, amidst the Patagonian winds and hard rock, a fossil began to turn green.
It was an unexpected reaction: the adhesive applied to protect the bones, fragile after millions of years beneath the ice, had interacted with plant matter trapped in the rock’s cracks.
This greenish hue earned the fossil the nickname Fiona, like the ogre from Shrek.But Fionais much more than a ogre-themed name.
It is the first complete ichthyosaur ever excavated in Chile and, even more remarkably, the only known pregnant female from the Hauterivian — a stage of the Early Cretaceous dating back 131 million years.
Her skeleton, discovered at the edge of the Tyndall Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park — an area increasingly exposed by glacial retreat — belongs to the species Myobradypterygius hauthali, originally described in Argentina from fragmentary remains.The discovery, led by Judith Pardo-Pérez, a researcher at the University of Magallanes and the Cabo de Hornos International Center (CHIC), and published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient marine life — from how these majestic reptiles reproduced to how they adapted to oceans vastly different from those of today.An Ichthyosaur Maternity Ward in Patagonia(Image Courtesy of Irene Viscor)So far, 88 ichthyosaurs have been found on the Tyndall Glacier.
Most of them are adults and newborns.
Two key facts stand out: food was abundant, and no other predators were competing with them.Fiona, who measures nearly 13 feet long, is still encased in five blocks of rock.
Despite the challenge, she was transported to a local clinic, where CT scans allowed researchers to study her skull and body.
Her species was identified thanks to one of her fins.
“There’s no other like it in the world,” says Pardo-Pérez.
The limbs were remarkably elongated, suggesting this animal was built for long-distance swimming.Inside her, there were more surprises.
One of them was her stomach contents, which revealed what may have been her last meal: tiny fish vertebrae.
But the most striking find was a fetus, about 20 inches long, already in a position to be born.“We believe these animals came to Magallanes — the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia — from time to time to give birth, because it was a safe refuge,” Pardo-Pérez says.
“We don't know how long they stayed, but we do know that mortality was high during the first few days of life.”One of the big unanswered questions is where they went next, as there are no records of Myobradypterygius hauthali, apart from a piece of fin found in Argentina.
The most abundant remains come from southern Germany, but those date back to the Jurassic period, meaning they’re older.Palaeontologist Erin Maxwell suggests, “In many modern ecosystems, species migrate to higher latitudes during the summer to take advantage of seasonally abundant resources and then move to lower latitudes in winter to avoid harsh conditions,” she explains.
“We believe Mesozoic marine reptiles may have followed similar seasonal patterns.”Sea Dragon GraveyardThe environment where Fiona was discovered — dubbed the "sea dragon graveyard" — also has much to reveal.According to geologist Matthew Malkowski of the University of Texas at Austin, the Hauterivian age is particularly intriguing because it coincided with major planetary changes: the breakup of continents, intense volcanic episodes, and phenomena known as "oceanic anoxic events," during which vast areas of the ocean were depleted of dissolved oxygen for hundreds of thousands of years.One such poorly understood event, the Pharaonic Anoxic Event, occurred around 131 million years ago, near the end of the Hauterivian, and still raises questions about its true impact on marine life.
“We don't have a firm grasp of how significant these events were for marine vertebrates, and geological records like that of the Tyndall Glacier allow us to explore the relationship between life, the environment, and Earth’s past conditions,” Malkowski notes.Evolution of IchthyosaursReconstruction of Fiona.
(Image Courtesy of Mauricio Álvarez)Don't be misled by their body shape.
“Ichthyosaurs are not related to dolphins,” clarifies Pardo-Pérez.
Although their hydrodynamic silhouettes may look nearly identical, the former were marine reptiles, while the latter are mammals.
This resemblance results from a phenomenon known as convergent evolution: when species from different lineages develop similar anatomical features to adapt to the same environment.Ichthyosaurs evolved from terrestrial reptiles that, in response to ecological and climatic changes, began spending more time in the water until they fully adapted to a marine lifestyle.
However, they retained traces of their land-dwelling ancestry, such as a pair of hind flippers — absent in dolphins — passed down from their walking forebears.
They lived and thrived in prehistoric oceans for about 180 million years, giving them ample time to refine a highly specialized body: their forelimbs and hindlimbs transformed into flippers; they developed a crescent-shaped tail for propulsion, a dorsal fin for stability, and a streamlined body to reduce drag in the water.
Remarkably, like whales and dolphins, “ichthyosaurs had a thick layer of blubber as insulation to maintain a higher body temperature than the surrounding seawater and gave birth to live young, which meant they didn’t need to leave the water to reproduce,” explains Maxwell.Whales and dolphins also descend from land-dwelling ancestors, but their transition happened over a comparatively short evolutionary timespan, especially when measured against the long reign of the ichthyosaurs.
“Their evolution hasn't had as much time as that of ichthyosaurs,” notes Pardo-Pérez.
“And yet, they look so similar.
That’s the wonderful thing about evolution.”Read More: Did a Swimming Reptile Predate the Dinosaurs?Fossils on the Verge of DisappearanceOne of the key factors behind the remarkable preservation of the fossils found in the Tyndall Glacier is the way they were buried.
According to Malkowski, Fiona and her contemporaries were either trapped or swiftly covered by underwater landslides and turbidity currents — geological processes that led to their sudden entombment.But the good fortune that protected them for millions of years may now be running out.
As the glacier retreats, exposing fossils that were once unreachable, those same remains are now vulnerable to wind, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles, which crack the surrounding rock.
As vegetation takes hold, roots accelerate erosion and eventually conceal the fossils once again.“While climate change has allowed these fossils to be studied, continued warming will also eventually lead to their loss,” Maxwell warns.
In Fiona’s story, scientists find not only a record of ancient life, but also a warning etched in stone and bone: what time reveals, climate can reclaim.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards.
Review the sources used below for this article:María de los Ángeles Orfila is a science journalist based in Montevideo, Uruguay, focusing on long-form storytelling.
Her work has appeared in Discover Magazine, Science, National Geographic, among other outlets, and in leading Uruguayan publications such as El País and El Observador.
She was a fellow in the 2023 Sharon Dunwoody Mentoring Program by The Open Notebook and often explores the intersections of science, culture, and Latin American identity.
#666;">المصدر: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/first-ever-pregnant-ichthyosaur-from-the-early-cretaceous-reveals-life-in" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration: none;">www.discovermagazine.com
#0066cc;">#first #ever #pregnant #ichthyosaur #from #the #early #cretaceous #reveals #life #prehistoric #seas #during #excavation #amidst #patagonian #winds #and #hard #rock #fossil #began #turn #greenit #was #unexpected #reaction #adhesive #applied #protect #bones #fragile #after #millions #years #beneath #ice #had #interacted #with #plant #matter #trapped #rocks #cracksthis #greenish #hue #earned #nickname #fiona #like #ogre #shrekbut #fionais #much #more #than #ogrethemed #nameit #complete #excavated #chile #even #remarkably #only #known #female #hauterivian #stage #dating #back #million #yearsher #skeleton #discovered #edge #tyndall #glacier #torres #del #paine #national #park #area #increasingly #exposed #glacial #retreat #belongs #species #myobradypterygius #hauthali #originally #described #argentina #fragmentary #remainsthe #discovery #led #judith #pardopérez #researcher #university #magallanes #cabo #hornos #international #center #chic #published #journal #vertebrate #paleontology #offers #unprecedented #glimpse #into #ancient #marine #how #these #majestic #reptiles #reproduced #they #adapted #oceans #vastly #different #those #todayan #maternity #ward #patagoniaimage #courtesy #irene #viscorso #far #ichthyosaurs #have #been #found #glaciermost #them #are #adults #newbornstwo #key #facts #stand #out #food #abundant #other #predators #were #competing #themfiona #who #measures #nearly #feet #long #still #encased #five #blocks #rockdespite #challenge #she #transported #local #clinic #where #scans #allowed #researchers #study #her #skull #bodyher #identified #thanks #one #finstheres #world #says #pardopérezthe #limbs #elongated #suggesting #this #animal #built #for #longdistance #swimminginside #there #surprisesone #stomach #contents #which #revealed #what #may #last #meal #tiny #fish #vertebraebut #most #striking #find #fetus #about #inches #already #position #bornwe #believe #animals #came #southern #tip #chilean #patagonia #time #give #birth #because #safe #refuge #sayswe #don039t #know #stayed #but #that #mortality #high #few #days #lifeone #big #unanswered #questions #went #next #records #apart #piece #fin #argentinathe #remains #come #germany #date #jurassic #period #meaning #theyre #olderpalaeontologist #erin #maxwell #suggests #many #modern #ecosystems #migrate #higher #latitudes #summer #take #advantage #seasonally #resources #then #move #lower #winter #avoid #harsh #conditions #explainswe #mesozoic #followed #similar #seasonal #patternssea #dragon #graveyardthe #environment #dubbed #quotsea #graveyardquot #also #has #revealaccording #geologist #matthew #malkowski #texas #austin #age #particularly #intriguing #coincided #major #planetary #changes #breakup #continents #intense #volcanic #episodes #phenomena #quotoceanic #anoxic #eventsquot #vast #areas #ocean #depleted #dissolved #oxygen #hundreds #thousands #yearsone #such #poorly #understood #event #pharaonic #occurred #around #ago #near #end #raises #its #true #impact #lifewe #firm #grasp #significant #events #vertebrates #geological #allow #explore #relationship #between #earths #past #notesevolution #ichthyosaursreconstruction #fionaimage #mauricio #Álvarezdon039t #misled #their #body #shapeichthyosaurs #not #related #dolphins #clarifies #pardopérezalthough #hydrodynamic #silhouettes #look #identical #former #while #latter #mammalsthis #resemblance #results #phenomenon #convergent #evolution #when #lineages #develop #anatomical #features #adapt #same #environmentichthyosaurs #evolved #terrestrial #response #ecological #climatic #spending #water #until #fully #lifestylehowever #retained #traces #landdwelling #ancestry #pair #hind #flippers #absent #passed #down #walking #forebearsthey #lived #thrived #giving #ample #refine #highly #specialized #forelimbs #hindlimbs #transformed #developed #crescentshaped #tail #propulsion #dorsal #stability #streamlined #reduce #drag #waterremarkably #whales #thick #layer #blubber #insulation #maintain #temperature #surrounding #seawater #gave #live #young #meant #didnt #need #leave #reproduce #explains #maxwellwhales #descend #ancestors #transition #happened #over #comparatively #short #evolutionary #timespan #especially #measured #against #reign #ichthyosaurstheir #hasn039t #notes #pardopérezand #yet #similarthats #wonderful #thing #evolutionread #did #swimming #reptile #predate #dinosaursfossils #verge #disappearanceone #factors #behind #remarkable #preservation #fossils #way #buriedaccording #contemporaries #either #swiftly #covered #underwater #landslides #turbidity #currents #processes #sudden #entombmentbut #good #fortune #protected #now #running #outas #retreats #exposing #once #unreachable #vulnerable #wind #rain #freezethaw #cycles #crack #rockas #vegetation #takes #hold #roots #accelerate #erosion #eventually #conceal #againwhile #climate #change #studied #continued #warming #will #lead #loss #warnsin #fionas #story #scientists #record #warning #etched #stone #bone #can #reclaimarticle #sourcesour #writers #discovermagazinecom #use #peerreviewed #studies #highquality #sources #our #articles #editors #review #scientific #accuracy #editorial #standardsreview #used #below #articlemaría #los #Ángeles #orfila #science #journalist #based #montevideo #uruguay #focusing #longform #storytellingher #work #appeared #discover #magazine #geographic #among #outlets #leading #uruguayan #publications #país #observadorshe #fellow #sharon #dunwoody #mentoring #program #open #notebook #often #explores #intersections #culture #latin #american #identity

First Ever Pregnant Ichthyosaur from the Early Cretaceous Reveals Life in Prehistoric Seas
During an excavation, amidst the Patagonian winds and hard rock, a fossil began to turn green. It was an unexpected reaction: the adhesive applied to protect the bones, fragile after millions of years beneath the ice, had interacted with plant matter trapped in the rock’s cracks. This greenish hue earned the fossil the nickname Fiona, like the ogre from Shrek.But Fionais much more than a ogre-themed name. It is the first complete ichthyosaur ever excavated in Chile and, even more remarkably, the only known pregnant female from the Hauterivian — a stage of the Early Cretaceous dating back 131 million years. Her skeleton, discovered at the edge of the Tyndall Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park — an area increasingly exposed by glacial retreat — belongs to the species Myobradypterygius hauthali, originally described in Argentina from fragmentary remains.The discovery, led by Judith Pardo-Pérez, a researcher at the University of Magallanes and the Cabo de Hornos International Center (CHIC), and published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient marine life — from how these majestic reptiles reproduced to how they adapted to oceans vastly different from those of today.An Ichthyosaur Maternity Ward in Patagonia(Image Courtesy of Irene Viscor)So far, 88 ichthyosaurs have been found on the Tyndall Glacier. Most of them are adults and newborns. Two key facts stand out: food was abundant, and no other predators were competing with them.Fiona, who measures nearly 13 feet long, is still encased in five blocks of rock. Despite the challenge, she was transported to a local clinic, where CT scans allowed researchers to study her skull and body. Her species was identified thanks to one of her fins. “There’s no other like it in the world,” says Pardo-Pérez. The limbs were remarkably elongated, suggesting this animal was built for long-distance swimming.Inside her, there were more surprises. One of them was her stomach contents, which revealed what may have been her last meal: tiny fish vertebrae. But the most striking find was a fetus, about 20 inches long, already in a position to be born.“We believe these animals came to Magallanes — the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia — from time to time to give birth, because it was a safe refuge,” Pardo-Pérez says. “We don't know how long they stayed, but we do know that mortality was high during the first few days of life.”One of the big unanswered questions is where they went next, as there are no records of Myobradypterygius hauthali, apart from a piece of fin found in Argentina. The most abundant remains come from southern Germany, but those date back to the Jurassic period, meaning they’re older.Palaeontologist Erin Maxwell suggests, “In many modern ecosystems, species migrate to higher latitudes during the summer to take advantage of seasonally abundant resources and then move to lower latitudes in winter to avoid harsh conditions,” she explains. “We believe Mesozoic marine reptiles may have followed similar seasonal patterns.”Sea Dragon GraveyardThe environment where Fiona was discovered — dubbed the "sea dragon graveyard" — also has much to reveal.According to geologist Matthew Malkowski of the University of Texas at Austin, the Hauterivian age is particularly intriguing because it coincided with major planetary changes: the breakup of continents, intense volcanic episodes, and phenomena known as "oceanic anoxic events," during which vast areas of the ocean were depleted of dissolved oxygen for hundreds of thousands of years.One such poorly understood event, the Pharaonic Anoxic Event, occurred around 131 million years ago, near the end of the Hauterivian, and still raises questions about its true impact on marine life. “We don't have a firm grasp of how significant these events were for marine vertebrates, and geological records like that of the Tyndall Glacier allow us to explore the relationship between life, the environment, and Earth’s past conditions,” Malkowski notes.Evolution of IchthyosaursReconstruction of Fiona. (Image Courtesy of Mauricio Álvarez)Don't be misled by their body shape. “Ichthyosaurs are not related to dolphins,” clarifies Pardo-Pérez. Although their hydrodynamic silhouettes may look nearly identical, the former were marine reptiles, while the latter are mammals. This resemblance results from a phenomenon known as convergent evolution: when species from different lineages develop similar anatomical features to adapt to the same environment.Ichthyosaurs evolved from terrestrial reptiles that, in response to ecological and climatic changes, began spending more time in the water until they fully adapted to a marine lifestyle. However, they retained traces of their land-dwelling ancestry, such as a pair of hind flippers — absent in dolphins — passed down from their walking forebears. They lived and thrived in prehistoric oceans for about 180 million years, giving them ample time to refine a highly specialized body: their forelimbs and hindlimbs transformed into flippers; they developed a crescent-shaped tail for propulsion, a dorsal fin for stability, and a streamlined body to reduce drag in the water. Remarkably, like whales and dolphins, “ichthyosaurs had a thick layer of blubber as insulation to maintain a higher body temperature than the surrounding seawater and gave birth to live young, which meant they didn’t need to leave the water to reproduce,” explains Maxwell.Whales and dolphins also descend from land-dwelling ancestors, but their transition happened over a comparatively short evolutionary timespan, especially when measured against the long reign of the ichthyosaurs. “Their evolution hasn't had as much time as that of ichthyosaurs,” notes Pardo-Pérez. “And yet, they look so similar. That’s the wonderful thing about evolution.”Read More: Did a Swimming Reptile Predate the Dinosaurs?Fossils on the Verge of DisappearanceOne of the key factors behind the remarkable preservation of the fossils found in the Tyndall Glacier is the way they were buried. According to Malkowski, Fiona and her contemporaries were either trapped or swiftly covered by underwater landslides and turbidity currents — geological processes that led to their sudden entombment.But the good fortune that protected them for millions of years may now be running out. As the glacier retreats, exposing fossils that were once unreachable, those same remains are now vulnerable to wind, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles, which crack the surrounding rock. As vegetation takes hold, roots accelerate erosion and eventually conceal the fossils once again.“While climate change has allowed these fossils to be studied, continued warming will also eventually lead to their loss,” Maxwell warns. In Fiona’s story, scientists find not only a record of ancient life, but also a warning etched in stone and bone: what time reveals, climate can reclaim.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:María de los Ángeles Orfila is a science journalist based in Montevideo, Uruguay, focusing on long-form storytelling. Her work has appeared in Discover Magazine, Science, National Geographic, among other outlets, and in leading Uruguayan publications such as El País and El Observador. She was a fellow in the 2023 Sharon Dunwoody Mentoring Program by The Open Notebook and often explores the intersections of science, culture, and Latin American identity.
المصدر: www.discovermagazine.com
#first #ever #pregnant #ichthyosaur #from #the #early #cretaceous #reveals #life #prehistoric #seas #during #excavation #amidst #patagonian #winds #and #hard #rock #fossil #began #turn #greenit #was #unexpected #reaction #adhesive #applied #protect #bones #fragile #after #millions #years #beneath #ice #had #interacted #with #plant #matter #trapped #rocks #cracksthis #greenish #hue #earned #nickname #fiona #like #ogre #shrekbut #fionais #much #more #than #ogrethemed #nameit #complete #excavated #chile #even #remarkably #only #known #female #hauterivian #stage #dating #back #million #yearsher #skeleton #discovered #edge #tyndall #glacier #torres #del #paine #national #park #area #increasingly #exposed #glacial #retreat #belongs #species #myobradypterygius #hauthali #originally #described #argentina #fragmentary #remainsthe #discovery #led #judith #pardopérez #researcher #university #magallanes #cabo #hornos #international #center #chic #published #journal #vertebrate #paleontology #offers #unprecedented #glimpse #into #ancient #marine #how #these #majestic #reptiles #reproduced #they #adapted #oceans #vastly #different #those #todayan #maternity #ward #patagoniaimage #courtesy #irene #viscorso #far #ichthyosaurs #have #been #found #glaciermost #them #are #adults #newbornstwo #key #facts #stand #out #food #abundant #other #predators #were #competing #themfiona #who #measures #nearly #feet #long #still #encased #five #blocks #rockdespite #challenge #she #transported #local #clinic #where #scans #allowed #researchers #study #her #skull #bodyher #identified #thanks #one #finstheres #world #says #pardopérezthe #limbs #elongated #suggesting #this #animal #built #for #longdistance #swimminginside #there #surprisesone #stomach #contents #which #revealed #what #may #last #meal #tiny #fish #vertebraebut #most #striking #find #fetus #about #inches #already #position #bornwe #believe #animals #came #southern #tip #chilean #patagonia #time #give #birth #because #safe #refuge #sayswe #don039t #know #stayed #but #that #mortality #high #few #days #lifeone #big #unanswered #questions #went #next #records #apart #piece #fin #argentinathe #remains #come #germany #date #jurassic #period #meaning #theyre #olderpalaeontologist #erin #maxwell #suggests #many #modern #ecosystems #migrate #higher #latitudes #summer #take #advantage #seasonally #resources #then #move #lower #winter #avoid #harsh #conditions #explainswe #mesozoic #followed #similar #seasonal #patternssea #dragon #graveyardthe #environment #dubbed #quotsea #graveyardquot #also #has #revealaccording #geologist #matthew #malkowski #texas #austin #age #particularly #intriguing #coincided #major #planetary #changes #breakup #continents #intense #volcanic #episodes #phenomena #quotoceanic #anoxic #eventsquot #vast #areas #ocean #depleted #dissolved #oxygen #hundreds #thousands #yearsone #such #poorly #understood #event #pharaonic #occurred #around #ago #near #end #raises #its #true #impact #lifewe #firm #grasp #significant #events #vertebrates #geological #allow #explore #relationship #between #earths #past #notesevolution #ichthyosaursreconstruction #fionaimage #mauricio #Álvarezdon039t #misled #their #body #shapeichthyosaurs #not #related #dolphins #clarifies #pardopérezalthough #hydrodynamic #silhouettes #look #identical #former #while #latter #mammalsthis #resemblance #results #phenomenon #convergent #evolution #when #lineages #develop #anatomical #features #adapt #same #environmentichthyosaurs #evolved #terrestrial #response #ecological #climatic #spending #water #until #fully #lifestylehowever #retained #traces #landdwelling #ancestry #pair #hind #flippers #absent #passed #down #walking #forebearsthey #lived #thrived #giving #ample #refine #highly #specialized #forelimbs #hindlimbs #transformed #developed #crescentshaped #tail #propulsion #dorsal #stability #streamlined #reduce #drag #waterremarkably #whales #thick #layer #blubber #insulation #maintain #temperature #surrounding #seawater #gave #live #young #meant #didnt #need #leave #reproduce #explains #maxwellwhales #descend #ancestors #transition #happened #over #comparatively #short #evolutionary #timespan #especially #measured #against #reign #ichthyosaurstheir #hasn039t #notes #pardopérezand #yet #similarthats #wonderful #thing #evolutionread #did #swimming #reptile #predate #dinosaursfossils #verge #disappearanceone #factors #behind #remarkable #preservation #fossils #way #buriedaccording #contemporaries #either #swiftly #covered #underwater #landslides #turbidity #currents #processes #sudden #entombmentbut #good #fortune #protected #now #running #outas #retreats #exposing #once #unreachable #vulnerable #wind #rain #freezethaw #cycles #crack #rockas #vegetation #takes #hold #roots #accelerate #erosion #eventually #conceal #againwhile #climate #change #studied #continued #warming #will #lead #loss #warnsin #fionas #story #scientists #record #warning #etched #stone #bone #can #reclaimarticle #sourcesour #writers #discovermagazinecom #use #peerreviewed #studies #highquality #sources #our #articles #editors #review #scientific #accuracy #editorial #standardsreview #used #below #articlemaría #los #Ángeles #orfila #science #journalist #based #montevideo #uruguay #focusing #longform #storytellingher #work #appeared #discover #magazine #geographic #among #outlets #leading #uruguayan #publications #país #observadorshe #fellow #sharon #dunwoody #mentoring #program #open #notebook #often #explores #intersections #culture #latin #american #identity

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First Ever Pregnant Ichthyosaur from the Early Cretaceous Reveals Life in Prehistoric Seas
During an excavation, amidst the Patagonian winds and hard rock, a fossil began to turn green. It was an unexpected reaction: the adhesive applied to protect the bones, fragile after millions of years beneath the ice, had interacted with plant matter trapped in the rock’s cracks. This greenish hue earned the fossil the nickname Fiona, like the ogre from Shrek.But Fionais much more than a ogre-themed name. It is the first complete ichthyosaur ever excavated in Chile and, even more remarkably, the only known pregnant female from the Hauterivian — a stage of the Early Cretaceous dating back 131 million years. Her skeleton, discovered at the edge of the Tyndall Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park — an area increasingly exposed by glacial retreat — belongs to the species Myobradypterygius hauthali, originally described in Argentina from fragmentary remains.The discovery, led by Judith Pardo-Pérez, a researcher at the University of Magallanes and the Cabo de Hornos International Center (CHIC), and published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient marine life — from how these majestic reptiles reproduced to how they adapted to oceans vastly different from those of today.An Ichthyosaur Maternity Ward in Patagonia(Image Courtesy of Irene Viscor)So far, 88 ichthyosaurs have been found on the Tyndall Glacier. Most of them are adults and newborns. Two key facts stand out: food was abundant, and no other predators were competing with them.Fiona, who measures nearly 13 feet long, is still encased in five blocks of rock. Despite the challenge, she was transported to a local clinic, where CT scans allowed researchers to study her skull and body. Her species was identified thanks to one of her fins. “There’s no other like it in the world,” says Pardo-Pérez. The limbs were remarkably elongated, suggesting this animal was built for long-distance swimming.Inside her, there were more surprises. One of them was her stomach contents, which revealed what may have been her last meal: tiny fish vertebrae. But the most striking find was a fetus, about 20 inches long, already in a position to be born.“We believe these animals came to Magallanes — the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia — from time to time to give birth, because it was a safe refuge,” Pardo-Pérez says. “We don't know how long they stayed, but we do know that mortality was high during the first few days of life.”One of the big unanswered questions is where they went next, as there are no records of Myobradypterygius hauthali, apart from a piece of fin found in Argentina. The most abundant remains come from southern Germany, but those date back to the Jurassic period, meaning they’re older.Palaeontologist Erin Maxwell suggests, “In many modern ecosystems, species migrate to higher latitudes during the summer to take advantage of seasonally abundant resources and then move to lower latitudes in winter to avoid harsh conditions,” she explains. “We believe Mesozoic marine reptiles may have followed similar seasonal patterns.”Sea Dragon GraveyardThe environment where Fiona was discovered — dubbed the "sea dragon graveyard" — also has much to reveal.According to geologist Matthew Malkowski of the University of Texas at Austin, the Hauterivian age is particularly intriguing because it coincided with major planetary changes: the breakup of continents, intense volcanic episodes, and phenomena known as "oceanic anoxic events," during which vast areas of the ocean were depleted of dissolved oxygen for hundreds of thousands of years.One such poorly understood event, the Pharaonic Anoxic Event, occurred around 131 million years ago, near the end of the Hauterivian, and still raises questions about its true impact on marine life. “We don't have a firm grasp of how significant these events were for marine vertebrates, and geological records like that of the Tyndall Glacier allow us to explore the relationship between life, the environment, and Earth’s past conditions,” Malkowski notes.Evolution of IchthyosaursReconstruction of Fiona. (Image Courtesy of Mauricio Álvarez)Don't be misled by their body shape. “Ichthyosaurs are not related to dolphins,” clarifies Pardo-Pérez. Although their hydrodynamic silhouettes may look nearly identical, the former were marine reptiles, while the latter are mammals. This resemblance results from a phenomenon known as convergent evolution: when species from different lineages develop similar anatomical features to adapt to the same environment.Ichthyosaurs evolved from terrestrial reptiles that, in response to ecological and climatic changes, began spending more time in the water until they fully adapted to a marine lifestyle. However, they retained traces of their land-dwelling ancestry, such as a pair of hind flippers — absent in dolphins — passed down from their walking forebears. They lived and thrived in prehistoric oceans for about 180 million years, giving them ample time to refine a highly specialized body: their forelimbs and hindlimbs transformed into flippers; they developed a crescent-shaped tail for propulsion, a dorsal fin for stability, and a streamlined body to reduce drag in the water. Remarkably, like whales and dolphins, “ichthyosaurs had a thick layer of blubber as insulation to maintain a higher body temperature than the surrounding seawater and gave birth to live young, which meant they didn’t need to leave the water to reproduce,” explains Maxwell.Whales and dolphins also descend from land-dwelling ancestors, but their transition happened over a comparatively short evolutionary timespan, especially when measured against the long reign of the ichthyosaurs. “Their evolution hasn't had as much time as that of ichthyosaurs,” notes Pardo-Pérez. “And yet, they look so similar. That’s the wonderful thing about evolution.”Read More: Did a Swimming Reptile Predate the Dinosaurs?Fossils on the Verge of DisappearanceOne of the key factors behind the remarkable preservation of the fossils found in the Tyndall Glacier is the way they were buried. According to Malkowski, Fiona and her contemporaries were either trapped or swiftly covered by underwater landslides and turbidity currents — geological processes that led to their sudden entombment.But the good fortune that protected them for millions of years may now be running out. As the glacier retreats, exposing fossils that were once unreachable, those same remains are now vulnerable to wind, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles, which crack the surrounding rock. As vegetation takes hold, roots accelerate erosion and eventually conceal the fossils once again.“While climate change has allowed these fossils to be studied, continued warming will also eventually lead to their loss,” Maxwell warns. In Fiona’s story, scientists find not only a record of ancient life, but also a warning etched in stone and bone: what time reveals, climate can reclaim.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:María de los Ángeles Orfila is a science journalist based in Montevideo, Uruguay, focusing on long-form storytelling. Her work has appeared in Discover Magazine, Science, National Geographic, among other outlets, and in leading Uruguayan publications such as El País and El Observador. She was a fellow in the 2023 Sharon Dunwoody Mentoring Program by The Open Notebook and often explores the intersections of science, culture, and Latin American identity.

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