New highly pachyostotic nothosauroid interpreted as a filter-feeding Triassic marine reptile

Biol Lett. 2018 Aug;14(8):20180130. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0130.

Abstract

Two well-preserved specimens of a new eosauropterygian from the Upper Triassic of Central Spain are attributed to a new taxon, Paludidraco multidentatus gen. et sp. nov. It is a member of Simosauridae that presents several exclusive characters suggesting a highly specialized trophic adaptation. This discovery increases the already high ecological disparity of the Triassic marine reptiles.

Keywords: Keuper; Sauropterygia; Simosauridae; Spain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquatic Organisms / classification*
  • Fossils*
  • Reptiles / anatomy & histology
  • Reptiles / classification*
  • Spain
  • Species Specificity