Caypullisaurus: Research Database
Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) · Middle Jurassic (~165 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Los Molles Formation)
Research Note: Caypullisaurus was a plesiosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Argentina — providing data on plesiosaur diversity and evolution in the Jurassic of South America.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Vincent & Bardet 2007: Caypullisaurus and new data on plesiosaur diversity in the Jurassic of Argentina
Vincent & Bardet 2007 provide comprehensive data on Caypullisaurus from the Middle Jurassic of Argentina, establishing it as a plesiosaur and documenting plesiosaur diversity in the Jurassic of South America
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Confirmed | A | 2007 | Fossil | Vincent & Bardet, Neues Jahrbuch | Diversity |
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Vincent 2010: Caypullisaurus and additional anatomical data on plesiosaurs from the Jurassic of Argentina
Vincent 2010 provides additional data on Caypullisaurus and plesiosaur anatomy in the Jurassic of South America, further contextualising its significance within Plesiosauria
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Confirmed | B | 2010 | Fossil | Vincent, Palaeontographica | Anatomy |
Active Debate: Plesiosaur Evolution, Jurassic Marine Ecosystems
Whether plesiosaurs like Caypullisaurus were pursuit divers or ambush predators is debated.
The Jurassic marine ecosystems of South America — and how they compare to those of other regions — are still being understood.
What We Still Do Not Know About Caypullisaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimens known.
- Diet: Likely fish and squid.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Swimming mechanics: Estimated.
In Depth
Described in 1997, Caypullisaurus is classed as a member of the Platypterygiinae ichthyosaurs, with related genera including Aegirosaurus, Athabascasaurus, Platypterygius and Sveltonectes amongst others.
Further Reading
– A new Ichthyosaur from the Tithonian (Late Jurassic) of the Neuquen Basin, Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. – Journal of Paleontology 71(3):479-484. – M. S. Fern�ndez – 1997. – Redescription and phylogenetic position of Caypullisaurus (Ichthyosauria: Ophthalmosauridae). – Journal of Paleontology 81 (2): 368-375. – M. Fern�ndez – 2007.
