In Depth Stratesaurus represents a genus of rhomaleosaurid plesiosaur, a type of plesiosaur noted for having a shorter neck and proportionately larger head than other plesiosaurs, though not to the extent of pliosaurs. The discovery of Stratesaurus in Hettangian aged rocks means that individual Stratesaurus were swimming in European waters near the Triassic/Jurassic boundary, which … Read more
Aristonectes: Research Database Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) · Late Cretaceous (~70-66 MYA) · Antarctica & South America — Antarctica, Argentina Research Note: Aristonectes was a plesiosaur from the Latest Cretaceous of Antarctica and Argentina — one of the last known plesiosaurs before the end-Cretaceous extinction and an important taxon for understanding plesiosaur diversity and biogeography in … Read more
In Depth Palmulasaurus was initially named as Palmula when first described in 2007, but it was soon realised that Palmula was actually preoccupied by a genus of foraminifer (an amoeboid protist), hence the later addition of the Ancient Greek ‘saurus’ which means ‘lizard’. In 2007 Albright, Gillette and Titus also named of polycotylid plesiosaur from … Read more
In Depth Anningasaura was named in honour of Mary Anning. Mary Anning lived in the early nineteenth century, and spent a lifetime collecting fossils on the shorelines of Dorset, many of which were sold in her families shop in Lyme Regis. Anning’s discoveries and contributions to science would eventually lead to worldwide recognition of her … Read more
Mauisaurus: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Mauisaurus was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Hiller O’Gorman Otero 2017: Mauisaurus and related taxa New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics Confirmed B … Read more
Thalassomedon: Research Database Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) · Late Cretaceous (~95–90 MYA) · North America — USA, Colorado (Mancos Shale) Research Note: Thalassomedon was a large plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of North America, notable for its extremely long neck — comprising over half its total body length. As one of the best-known … Read more
Henodus: Research Database Placodontia (Sauropterygia) · Middle Triassic (~235 MYA) ·> Europe — Germany (Baden-Württemberg) Research Note: Henodus was a placodont from the Middle Triassic of Germany. As a member of Placodontia, it provides important data on the diversification of marine reptiles in the Triassic and the evolutionary relationships of sauropterygians. Research Finding … Read more
Fresnosaurus: Research Database Mesozoic · Fossil Record Research Note: Fresnosaurus was a significant fossil species providing important data on vertebrate evolution. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Bastiaans & Kroll 2020: Fresnosaurus and mosasaur diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research Confirmed A 2020 Fossil Bastiaans & Kroll, Cretaceous Research Diversity O’Gorman … Read more
Colymbosaurus: Research Database Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) · Late Jurassic (~160–155 MYA) ·> Europe — England (Kimmeridge Clay) Research Note: Colymbosaurus was a plesiosaurian marine reptile from the Late Jurassic of Europe. As a member of the plesiosaur radiation, it provides important data on marine reptile diversity in the Jurassic seas. Research Finding Status Grade … Read more
Albertonectes: Research Database Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · North America — Canada (Alberta) Research Note: Albertonectes was a long-necked plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada — known for its extraordinarily long neck and an important taxon for understanding plesiosaur evolution. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact … Read more