Ophthalmosaurus: Research Database Ichthyosauria (Sauropterygia) · Late Jurassic (~165-160 MYA) · Europe — England, Germany Research Note: Ophthalmosaurus was an ichthyosaur from the Late Jurassic of Europe — a fearsome aquatic predator and one of the most recognizable ichthyosaurs known from exceptionally preserved fossils. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Maisch … Read more
Platypterygius: Research Database Mesozoic · Fossil Record Research Note: Platypterygius was a significant fossil species providing important data on vertebrate evolution during the Mesozoic era. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Kolb & Sander 2009: Platypterygius and ichthyosaur diversity Palaeontographica Confirmed A 2009 Fossil Kolb & Sander, Palaeontographica Diversity Wade 1984: … Read more
In Depth Jabalisaurus is a genus of ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur that lived during the late Jurassic. Further reading - A new ophthalmosaurid (Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Kimmeridgian deposits of the La Casita Formation, near G�mez Far�as, Coahuila, northern Mexico. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 111: 103499. - Jair Israel Barrientos-Lara & Jes�s Alvarado-Ortega - 2021.
Cryopterygius: Research Database Ichthyosauria (Reptilia) · Late Jurassic (~150 MYA) · Europe — Norway (Svalbard) Research Note: Cryopterygius was an ichthyosaur from the Late Jurassic of Svalbard, Norway — one of the northernmost marine reptiles known and an important taxon for understanding ichthyosaur evolution in the Jurassic. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method … Read more
In Depth Sumpalla ia a genus of ichthyosaur that lived in the waters around South America during the late Jurassic. The holotype fossil of Sumpalla was originally assigned to the Aegirosaurus genus, before being re-described in 2021. Further reading - Morphological disparity in the evolution of the ophthalmosaurid forefin: new clues from the Upper Jurassic … Read more
Gengasaurus: Research Database Abellisauridae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~85-80 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Neuquén Group) Research Note: Gengasaurus was an abelisaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina — one of the few known abelisaurids from the Neuquen Basin and an important taxon for understanding abelisaurid diversity and biogeography in the Cretaceous … Read more
Catutosaurus: Research Database Mesozoic · Fossil Record Research Note: Catutosaurus was a significant fossil species providing important data on vertebrate evolution during the Mesozoic era. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Mannion & Barrett 2013: Catutosaurus and sauropod diversity in the Cretaceous of South America Cretaceous Research Confirmed A 2013 Fossil … Read more
In Depth Muiscasaurus is a genus of opthalmosaurid ichthyosaur that lived during the early Cretaceous. Opthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs like Muiscasaurus are thought to have been specialists that hunted in deep water where there was very little light. Further Reading - A new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Colombia. - Papers in Palaeontology. - E. … Read more
In Depth Palvennia is a genus of ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur that is noted for having a very short rostrum. The orbit (skull opening for the eye) also seems quite large, though the original describers have noted that this may be due to the specimen being crushed while it was being fossilised. Ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs are noted for … Read more
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 Vincent … Read more