Deep blue

Well, here is an underwater scene from the Early-Triassic of Spitsbergen. It features Omphalosaurus, a primitive ichthyopterygian (probably), although this is a very speculative reconstruction. In this image I really did my best on the light, an the result is quite satisfying, to my thoughts. It is the first part of a series I'm planning on primitive marine reptiles.

Omphalosaurus was, just as most of the primitive ichthyopterygians, already quite adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Although it was an ichthyopterygian, and thus probably a hupehsuchid, gripiid and ichthyosaur relative, it fulfilled the ecological niche of placodonts, which was apparently popular during the Triassic. Just like placodonts it had blunt and sphere-shaped teeth with which it probably cracked the shells of molluscs.

As most other primitive ichthyosaur-relatives were rarely larger than one meter, it is quite surprising estimates of the size of Omphalosaurus reach up to 2.8 meters. The fossils of Omphalosaurus weren't only found in Spitsbergen. In fact it seems to have been a relatively common animal as fossils have also been found in Nevada and Germany. This drawing features an Omphalosaurus-individual which reaches up to the surface to breathe, in a crystal clear deep blue lake in Early-Triassic Spitsbergen (although Omphalosaurus continued to live in the Middle-Triassic as well).

For this drawing I'd like to thank Matt Feifarek for the beautiful picture of the rocks. If you have any comments, feedback, requests or suggestions for other drawings, please don't hesitate to share them! Now, I wish you all a good day (24 hours ) and regards!