A photo from the discovery of the fossil in 1916. (Submitted by Jordan Mallon)
A Fernie fossil discovered more than a century ago in the Elk River as been identified as a new species of marine reptile, providing fresh insight into prehistoric life before the age of the dinosaurs. Fernie’s prehistoric past has been uncovering the ancient mysteries of our world!
The fossil, dating back approximately 190 million years, has been identified as Fernatator prenticei, a new species of ichthyosaur—a marine predator that resembled a dolphin. This groundbreaking discovery was made by paleontologists at the Canadian Museum of Nature after the fossil sat in their collection for over 100 years.
The Fernatator prenticei was originally found in 1916 by Tom Prentice, an avid fisherman, who stumbled upon the fossil while fishing in the Elk River, about 12 kilometers south of Fernie. Recognizing the significance of his find, Prentice contacted a local coal company, which facilitated the fossil’s extraction and eventual donation to the Geological Survey of Canada. This donation led the fossil to become part of the Canadian Museum of Nature’s collection.
Jordan Mallon, left, and Shyong En Pan study dinosaurs at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa.
Jordan Mallon, a paleontologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, has spent over a decade studying the fossil. When he first encountered it, the specimen immediately caught his attention. “It sat on the shelves for a long time before I started working at the museum. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was something special,” Mallon told CBC News.
The Fernatator prenticei was a marine predator from the early Jurassic period, predating the rise of dinosaurs. With its streamlined body and powerful tail, the ichthyosaur was well-adapted for life in the water, much like modern-day dolphins. The fossil’s identification provides valuable information about the diversity of marine life during the Triassic period.
This discovery is a reminder of the importance of past fossil finds, as many specimens hold valuable insights into Earth’s distant past. The Fernatator prenticei represents a significant link in the evolutionary chain, offering a deeper understanding of the creatures that once roamed the ancient oceans.
For Fernie, this discovery also highlights the town’s connection to a rich prehistoric past that continues to intrigue and inspire both scientists and the local community.
Titanites occidentalis
That connection includes an ammonite discovery that took place in 1947, when a field crew mapping coal outcrops in Coal Creek made an astonishing find.
The Fernie ammonite is a giant from the Jurassic seas. Titanites occidentalis, a 1.4-meter cephalopod fossil from the late Jurassic period, was discovered in the Coal Creek drainage.
Find out more the ammonite and its discovery here.
This ongoing exploration of Fernie’s prehistoric past ensures that the town remains a key site for uncovering the ancient mysteries of our world.
Source: CBC News
