Named By: | S. L. Brusatte, M. T. Young, T. J. Challands, N. D. L. Clark, V. Fischer, N. C. Fraser, J. J. Liston, C. C. J. MacFayden, D. A. Ross, S. Walsh & M. Wilkinson in 2015 |
Time Period: | Jurassic, 183.0-168.4 Ma[1] |
Location: | Scotland, Isle of Skye - Bearreraig Sandstone Formation |
Size: | Roughly estimated at 4.3 meters long |
Diet: | Carnivore/Piscivore |
Fossil(s): | Partial post cranial remains including elements of the tail, back and fin |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Ichthyosauria | Parvipelvia | Neoichthyosauria | |
Dearcmhara (pronounced like "jark vara"; Scottish Gaelic: "marine lizard") is a genus of marine reptile from the early to mid-Jurassic period around 170 million years ago, known from fossil remains found on the island of Skye in Scotland. The type species is Dearcmhara shawcrossi. Fragmentary fossil remains of the animal were discovered by an amateur fossil hunter in 1959 and were subsequently donated to a museum, but it was not until 2014 that a scientific research project determined that the fossils were of a previously unknown species.