Traskasaurus: Scientists have described a new species of dinosaur

The remains of an ancient marine lizard, Elasmosaurus, have been found on Vancouver Island in Canada for many years. It became such a public favourite that in 2023 it was declared the official fossil symbol of British Columbia. And now scientists have finally figured out exactly who he is: it's not just one of the known species, but an entirely new genus of ancient predator - Traskasaura sandrae.

The discovery is published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, and it is a real sensation for palaeontologists.

Details: A name for the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia: a strange new elasmosaur taxon from the Santonian of Vancouver Island, Journal of Systematic Palaeontology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2489938

🦴 Who are you, the enigmatic Traskazaurus?

The first skeleton of this creature was found back in 1988 - and since then, no one has really understood what species it belongs to. It was "too strange": a long neck (at least 50 vertebrae!), massive teeth, a shoulder joint unlike any other Elasmosaurus.

According to the study's lead author, Professor Robin O'Keefe, this lizard was "both primitive and advanced at the same time". It combined features of the oldest marine reptiles with evolutionary innovations.

Strange anatomy and unexpected discoveries

Traskasaura sandrae was up to 12 metres long. Its neck included at least 50 vertebrae, a typical feature of elasmosaurids. However, the anatomy of its shoulder girdle and teeth distinguished it from other representatives of the group.

This structure, according to the researchers, may indicate a special hunting strategy: Traskasaura probably dived downwards, attacking prey from above - an unusual approach for marine reptiles of its time. Its powerful, thick teeth appear to have been adapted for crushing - for example - the shells of ammonites, the numerous molluscs then living in the oceans.

From regional emblem to scientific discovery

These fossils have already become part of British Columbia's cultural history. In 2023, they were officially recognised as a "provincial fossil emblem". Until recently, however, they didn't have a scientific name: experts weren't sure if there was enough material to distinguish a new genus. That all changed after the discovery of a new, perfectly preserved skeleton of a young animal.

The genus name Traskasaura was given in honour of the couple Michael and Heather Trask, who discovered the first find, and the species name sandrae was given in memory of Sandra Lee O'Keefe, the wife of one of the authors of the paper, who died of cancer.