July 2018 PMID 29630618

A giant Late Triassic ichthyosaur from the UK and a reinterpretation of the Aust Cliff 'dinosaurian' bones.

Dean R Lomax, Paul De la Salle, Judy A Massare, Ramues Gallois

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Mentions

350
Peak: 20 in Nov 2020
across 6 sources since Apr 2018

Extended reach

1,397,254
potential audience

Total likes

27,582

Video views

1,133,862

Mentions per month

Apr 2018 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News251 articles
  • X / Twitter72 posts
  • Blogs18 articles
  • Facebook6 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Participants consistently express interest through mentions of jaw sizes, fossil locations, and the implications for understanding Late Triassic marine reptiles, with tone ranging from supportive to inquisitive. For instance, phrases like 'approaching the size of a blue whale' and 'our research suggested' reveal enthusiasm and engagement with the research, which collectively emphasize the potential impact of this reinterpretation on paleontological knowledge.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the significance of the new findings related to giant ichthyosaurs and their interpretations.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with many referencing specific fossils, jawbones, and the potential size of these ancient marine reptiles.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many comments delve into specifics, such as measurements, fossil locations, and comparisons to whales, indicating thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

These discussions highlight the importance of fossil reinterpretation in paleontology, though mostly focused on scientific curiosity rather than broad societal impact.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing. our paper on the larger Somerset discovery (and larger still Aust specimen): https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR https://t.co/wqPiWv5xwv https://t.co/MwvW7KWu5O

Nov 12, 2020 · 94 likes · 19 shares · 431 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 47 likes · 14 shares · 21,488 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @DebsHutchinson indicates an ichthyosaur 35 m long. If anyone has found or finds anything similar please let us know! OA paper: https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR https://t.co/suWvN0naYC https://t.co/fxbwNUcwFv

Feb 19, 2022 · 21 likes · 8 shares · 431 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

2028 study here: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb 2024 study here: https://t.co/kCQ89UyE8C

Apr 19, 2024 · 14 likes · 21,488 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

@srgtmalarki @MarkWitton Yeah. Our research suggested an estimate of up to 26 m for one large jaw bone and 30+ for other giant jaw bones... BUT dealing with such fragmentary remains you have to be very careful. Here's our study: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Nov 12, 2020 · 9 likes · 1 share · 21,488 followers View post →
Leelan Lampkins
@LeelanLampkins · X

I just finished sculpting my interpretation of a Lilstock Shastasaurus in 1/24 scale. Lilly lived in the Late Triassic (~235–200 million years ago): https://t.co/kZzTxigFr0 https://t.co/P6CBmqv6bw

Aug 7, 2019 · 8 likes · 1 share · 34 followers View post →

All mentions

Deform 2025
@Deform2022 · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Oct 24, 2025 · 8 shares · 155 followers View post →
Mars Pioneer
@MarsPioneer · X

A giant Late Triassic ichthyosaur from the UK and a reinterpretation of the Aust Cliff ‘dinosaurian’ bones | PLOS One https://t.co/utY2rqpsC3

Aug 28, 2025 · 1,484 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Very like a whale: announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of biggest animal ever, blue whale. https://t.co/RigVDUCqa2

Mar 16, 2025 · 925 followers View post →
Andrej Spiridonov
@AndrejSpiridon4 · X

Does anyone know what is the current conventional interpretation of this Tr-J boundary layer? 10.1371/journal.pone.0194742 Is there a support for asteroid impact, or regular giant landslide-related tsunami, or of tectonic or volcanic explosion-related tsunami/ies? 2/2 https://t.co/Q18kBUa4Up

May 12, 2024 · 6 likes · 1,773 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

2028 study here: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb 2024 study here: https://t.co/kCQ89UyE8C

Apr 19, 2024 · 14 likes · 21,488 followers View post →
Darius Nau
@darius_nau · X

@NioCriste @Apexzious @Evoincarnate I don’t know any more than what is stated in the description: https://t.co/ZMfsrl5C1r By and large, it is described as morphologically quite similar to S. sikanniensis. https://t.co/dTUbEUo39Y

Aug 8, 2023 · 275 followers View post →
Glave (glavenychus.bsky.social)
@glavenych · X

RT @TM9380: @DrSpooksArt @DanPalaeon1 @glavenych https://t.co/E5oY4Smkmz

Jul 3, 2023 · 1 share · 1,600 followers View post →
Taylor McCoy
@TM9380 · X

@DrSpooksArt @DanPalaeon1 @glavenych https://t.co/E5oY4Smkmz

Jul 3, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 12,355 followers View post →
Jrexon
@jrexicanzilla · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Jul 3, 2023 · 14 shares · 234 followers View post →
Jason Gilchrist
@jgilchrist13 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 13, 2023 · 14 shares · 2,676 followers View post →
Lindsey
@lindseydraws_27 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 13, 2023 · 14 shares · 559 followers View post →
Marcos K. Pinheiro / "Marcos Wyvern" (Marcosaurus)
@BongMarcosaurus · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 12, 2023 · 14 shares · 1,004 followers View post →
sls_io
@slz731 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 11, 2023 · 14 shares · 78 followers View post →
Kabir Chatterjee
@Logicoraptor · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 11, 2023 · 14 shares · 141 followers View post →
Bobby (Just Being Me)
@Dilophosaur13 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 11, 2023 · 14 shares · 1,233 followers View post →
Maya_Moo13
@Maya_Moo13 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 11, 2023 · 14 shares · 817 followers View post →
Matt Salusbury
@MattSalusbury · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 14 shares · 469 followers View post →
Fang ( Commissions Open)
@Fang83768513 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 14 shares · 1,575 followers View post →
Richard_Carr
@EmuLarge · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 14 shares · 1,851 followers View post →
Jonathan
@Sontar22 · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 14 shares · 364 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Apr 10, 2023 · 47 likes · 14 shares · 21,488 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Very like a whale: announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of a blue whale. https://t.co/RigVDUCqa2

Mar 16, 2023 · 2 likes · 925 followers View post →
El Alebrije_Prehistorico
@SamuelN_Tlacoyo · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Sep 10, 2022 · 19 shares · 17 followers View post →
Cetology Hub
@CetologyH · X

RT @LeelanLampkins: I just finished sculpting my interpretation of a Lilstock Shastasaurus in 1/24 scale. Lilly lived in the Late Triassic…

May 28, 2022 · 1 share · 712 followers View post →
じゃむおじさん
@9Nm8BpJ7pL0OdBN · X

RT @PaleoLabTcu: Lilstock mandible ~26 m https://t.co/ssri2DLjGQ Shastasaurus (Shonisaurus) sikanniensis ~22 m https://t.co/3OVX29zuxz Cy…

Apr 28, 2022 · 4 shares · 1,952 followers View post →
チョココロネ【ありふぁむ】
@choco__cornet · X

RT @PaleoLabTcu: Lilstock mandible ~26 m https://t.co/ssri2DLjGQ Shastasaurus (Shonisaurus) sikanniensis ~22 m https://t.co/3OVX29zuxz Cy…

Apr 28, 2022 · 4 shares · 833 followers View post →
ガイス
@shitake_reverse · X

RT @PaleoLabTcu: Lilstock mandible ~26 m https://t.co/ssri2DLjGQ Shastasaurus (Shonisaurus) sikanniensis ~22 m https://t.co/3OVX29zuxz Cy…

Apr 28, 2022 · 4 shares · 3,471 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

RT @PaleoLabTcu: Lilstock mandible ~26 m https://t.co/ssri2DLjGQ Shastasaurus (Shonisaurus) sikanniensis ~22 m https://t.co/3OVX29zuxz Cy…

Apr 28, 2022 · 4 shares · 17,603 followers View post →
都市大古生物研
@PaleoLabTcu · X

Lilstock mandible ~26 m https://t.co/ssri2DLjGQ Shastasaurus (Shonisaurus) sikanniensis ~22 m https://t.co/3OVX29zuxz Cymbospondylus youngorum ~18 m https://t.co/s6hg8ay1Od Idaho humerus ~11 m https://t.co/QSNjaHvait Primorye humerus ~5 m <NEW!! https://t.co/PRJISNynT7

Apr 28, 2022 · 7 likes · 4 shares · 1,766 followers View post →
Khôi Nguyễn (pseudoryx.bsky.social)
@AK_Balaur · X

@UtahraptorB @Orribec Forgot to include the link: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194742

Apr 11, 2022 · 1 like · 419 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Very like a whale: announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of a blue whale. https://t.co/RigVDUkgVU

Mar 16, 2022 · 925 followers View post →
Geologists' Assoc
@GeolAssoc · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 20, 2022 · 8 shares · 5,112 followers View post →
WGCG
@WGCG_UK · X

A giant Late Triassic ichthyosaur from the UK and a reinterpretation of the Aust Cliff ‘dinosaurian’ bones https://t.co/8URU7YumEe

Feb 20, 2022 · 1 like · 2,408 followers View post →
Christy
@checkerkitty · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 19, 2022 · 8 shares · 122 followers View post →
paBol
@ArgudoPablo · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 19, 2022 · 8 shares · 121 followers View post →
Cameron Muskelly (Explorer of Deep Time)
@PaleoCameron · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 19, 2022 · 8 shares · 11,841 followers View post →
JazzySid
@JazzySid · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 19, 2022 · 8 shares · 2,728 followers View post →
Brontops
@Brontops_ · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @D…

Feb 19, 2022 · 8 shares · 542 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

Have cleaned up the giant #ichthyosaur rib. The Aust specimen surangular bone, which @Dean_R_Lomax is seen holding at @DebsHutchinson indicates an ichthyosaur 35 m long. If anyone has found or finds anything similar please let us know! OA paper: https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR https://t.co/suWvN0naYC https://t.co/fxbwNUcwFv

Feb 19, 2022 · 21 likes · 8 shares · 431 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

@MeBeSoHi @LandWaterAir @Dean_R_Lomax @WryCritic @theAliceRoberts @MrIchthyosaurus @MarkoPalaeo @RutlandWaterNR @AnglianWater @PPCasting @RareTelevision @Dr_EmmaNicholls Thanks for your comments. Just so ... Here's the paper. There are more revelations to come. If you read the paper you will see that the Aust specimen suggests an animal at least 33 metres long! https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR

Jan 12, 2022 · 3 likes · 431 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

@LMoucheu @csscomader @Dean_R_Lomax @MrIchthyosaurus @MarkoPalaeo @Dr_EmmaNicholls @EmilyJSwaby @ThinkSee3D @pborogeopaleo @AnglianWater @RutlandWaterNR @LeicsWildlife Yes 26 to 33m long see: https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR

Jan 12, 2022 · 431 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

@Yara_Haridy Not necessarily see: https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR

Aug 12, 2021 · 431 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of a blue whale. https://t.co/RigVDUkgVU

Mar 16, 2021 · 925 followers View post →
ビクーピー
@B47197246 · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 21, 2020 · 19 shares · 1,903 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

@leneliebe @EAVPalaeo @PyensonLab They are in my private collection but can be transferred to an accredited museum if essential, as happened with my Lilstock find, see https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR

Nov 18, 2020 · 431 followers View post →
⛧ Comrade
@discoscientist · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 14, 2020 · 19 shares · 689 followers View post →
Gunnar Tribelhorn
@OctoPhid · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 76 followers View post →
Phoenix Stone
@Traveling_Birb · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 226 followers View post →
Avatar of Voyeuristic Terror
@Weeburdoodles · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 1,083 followers View post →
Tricaudae Studio (Stephanie Dziezyk)
@TricaudaeStudio · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 3,062 followers View post →
Earonn
@EaronnScot · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 1,833 followers View post →
Hunor Deak
@Hunor10 · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 976 followers View post →
Fossil Locator
@FossilLocator · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 17,745 followers View post →
Nicole
@Dog_Insight · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 13, 2020 · 19 shares · 208 followers View post →
Cameron Muskelly (Explorer of Deep Time)
@PaleoCameron · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 11,841 followers View post →
Labiti.Lab
@LabitiL · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 472 followers View post →
Richard_Carr
@EmuLarge · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 1,851 followers View post →
FrecklesXX20
@FrecklesXX20 · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 6,490 followers View post →
Dr Muiz Murad
@drmuizmurad · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 2,782 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing…

Nov 12, 2020 · 19 shares · 21,488 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

This is Dean with the actual Shonisaurus skull (not the cast which is on display), the front portion of which is missing. our paper on the larger Somerset discovery (and larger still Aust specimen): https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR https://t.co/wqPiWv5xwv https://t.co/MwvW7KWu5O

Nov 12, 2020 · 94 likes · 19 shares · 431 followers View post →
Pierre / Malarki
@srgtmalarki · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: @srgtmalarki @MarkWitton Yeah. Our research suggested an estimate of up to 26 m for one large jaw bone and 30+ for other…

Nov 12, 2020 · 1 share · 330 followers View post →
Dr Dean Lomax
@Dean_R_Lomax · X

@srgtmalarki @MarkWitton Yeah. Our research suggested an estimate of up to 26 m for one large jaw bone and 30+ for other giant jaw bones... BUT dealing with such fragmentary remains you have to be very careful. Here's our study: https://t.co/y4DWPw9shb

Nov 12, 2020 · 9 likes · 1 share · 21,488 followers View post →
Mark Witton (Bluesky: @markwitton.bsky.social)
@MarkWitton · X

@fishboy86164577 The Lilstock ichthyosaur hasn't been placed in a genus, it's too fragmentary. It's thought to be among the largest known shastasaurids - maybe 20 m or more in length. Check out the paper here: https://t.co/W4dCYibdYF

Apr 14, 2020 · 1 like · 33,187 followers View post →
Charlie Blanton Nature Leylines.
@CharlesBlanto12 · X

@CAWnithologist @MarkWitton https://t.co/JENjrWdWe9 lilstock article.

Apr 6, 2020 · 1 like · 68 followers View post →
ガイス
@shitake_reverse · X

RT @Dean_R_Lomax: Giant ichthyosaurs from the UK! A jaw bone found recently in Somerset belongs to an ichthyosaur approaching the size of…

Apr 3, 2020 · 173 shares · 3,471 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of a blue whale. https://t.co/RigVDUkgVU

Mar 16, 2020 · 925 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

@FabioAleRomero @TetZoo You appear to have missed out the giant late triassic ichthyosaurs from the UK see: https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR

Dec 12, 2019 · 1 like · 431 followers View post →
Leelan Lampkins
@LeelanLampkins · X

I just finished sculpting my interpretation of a Lilstock Shastasaurus in 1/24 scale. Lilly lived in the Late Triassic (~235–200 million years ago): https://t.co/kZzTxigFr0 https://t.co/P6CBmqv6bw

Aug 7, 2019 · 8 likes · 1 share · 34 followers View post →
Colin Morley
@wessexougs · X

RT @PauldelaSalle: Here is a short video which zooms in on the site in where I found the giant ichthyosaur jaw bone in 2018 https://t.co/h…

Apr 5, 2019 · 1 share · 247 followers View post →
Paul de la Salle
@PauldelaSalle · X

Here is a short video which zooms in on the site in where I found the giant ichthyosaur jaw bone in 2018 https://t.co/hiZvmA9ZjR https://t.co/Lr84WW4kVX

Apr 4, 2019 · 1 share · 431 followers View post →
Doug Jones
@logarithmic_h · X

205 Mya. Announced in 2018, jawbone from giant ichthyosaur close to the size of a blue whale..https://t.co/RigVDUkgVU

Mar 16, 2019 · 1 like · 925 followers View post →
Jérôme OLLIER
@jeromeollier.bsky.social · Bluesky

A giant Late Triassic ichthyosaur from the UK and a reinterpretation of the Aust Cliff 'dinosaurian' bones - @PLOSONE https://ift.tt/2JyJfrR

Apr 10, 2018 View post →