Fossil shows an ancient reptile in the act of being born

[unhappycamper]

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-icthyosaur-fossil-embryo-20140214,0,7887343.story



A fossil slab showing the live birth of the marine reptile icthyosaur more than 200 million years ago.

Fossil shows an ancient reptile in the act of being born
By Deborah Netburn
February 14, 2014, 5:35 p.m.

Scientists have discovered the fossil remains of an ancient marine reptile in the act of being born.

As you can see in the image above, the little icthyosaur was just starting to swim headfirst out of its mother's body at the time of its death.

Two other icthyosaur embryos, whose bones are rendered in orange and yellow in the graphic above, were still awaiting their own birth experience.

The rare fossil was discovered in what was once an inland sea that split China in two. Today, the site lies 150 miles east of Shanghai near the city of Chaohu in the Anhui province. Scientists believe the embryos and their mother were buried in a landslide.