Later nineteenth century finds Ichthyosaur

a typical holzmaden fossil: stenopterygius quadriscissus complete tail fin, dorsal fin , juvenile

during nineteenth century, number of described ichthyosaur genera gradually increased. new finds allowed better understanding of anatomy. owen had noted many fossils showed downward bend in rear tail. @ first, explained post mortem effect, tendon pulling tail end downwards after death. however, after article on subject philip grey egerton, owen considered possibility oblique section have supported lower lobe of tail fin. hypothesis confirmed new finds germany. in posidonia shale @ holzmaden, dating jurassic, in nineteenth century, first ichthyosaur skeletons had been found. during latter half of century, rate of discovery increased few hundred each year. ultimately, on 4 thousand uncovered, forming bulk of ichthyosaur specimens displayed today. sites konservat-lagerstätte, meaning not quantity, quality exceptional. skeletons complete , preserved soft tissues, including tail , dorsal fins. additionally, female individuals discovered embryos.