- Feb 5, 2002
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In Norse Mythology 101, there would certainly be a section on the Midgard Serpent, known as Jormungandr, which encircles the Earth and holds up the oceans by fitting its tail in its mouth.
It was in honor of that mythical beast that a new species of Mosasaur, a huge and terrifying ancient marine reptile, entered a key place in the fossil record as Jormungandr walhallaensis.
This new species has traits similar to two widely found and well-researched Mosasaurid genera, one of which, Clidastes lived in the early Cretaceous and grew to lengths between 6 and 14 feet, while the second, Mosasaurus, grew to be about 40 feet longer than that, and lived in the late Cretaceous.
Norse mythology enthusiasts will note that the species name, walhallaensis, sounds conspicuously like Valhalla, the great hall of Odin where half of all fallen warriors go to dwell. In reality, it’s named after the town in North Dakota where the fossil was discovered.
The fossil itself is an impressive specimen consisting of a nearly complete skull, jaws, and spine.
Continued below.
www.goodnewsnetwork.org
It was in honor of that mythical beast that a new species of Mosasaur, a huge and terrifying ancient marine reptile, entered a key place in the fossil record as Jormungandr walhallaensis.
This new species has traits similar to two widely found and well-researched Mosasaurid genera, one of which, Clidastes lived in the early Cretaceous and grew to lengths between 6 and 14 feet, while the second, Mosasaurus, grew to be about 40 feet longer than that, and lived in the late Cretaceous.
Norse mythology enthusiasts will note that the species name, walhallaensis, sounds conspicuously like Valhalla, the great hall of Odin where half of all fallen warriors go to dwell. In reality, it’s named after the town in North Dakota where the fossil was discovered.
The fossil itself is an impressive specimen consisting of a nearly complete skull, jaws, and spine.
Continued below.
New Species of Mosasaur Discovered–Proves Key Fossil Link, Named for Mythical Norse Serpent
This new species has traits similar to two widely found and well-researched Mosasaurid genera, and could help answer important questions.
www.goodnewsnetwork.org
