Microcleidus

Read more about the article <i>Microcleidus</i>
Skeleton (lectotype specimen NHMUK PV OR 36184) of the Microcleidus homalospondylus. Lithograph from Owen (1865).

Microcleidus is a medium (4.27 m) to large (5.03 m) plesiosauroid with a small head and a long neck containing 38–39 cervical vertebrae. Watson (1909) erected Microcleidus to accommodate fossil material belonging to 'P.' homalospondylus and 'P.' macropterus (Watson 1911). Both species were considered valid by Seeley (1865), Blake (1876) and Watson (1911) on…

Continue ReadingMicrocleidus

Westphaliasaurus

Read more about the article <i>Westphaliasaurus</i>
Skeleton of Westphaliasaurus. The central slab of the skeleton was awaiting preparation at the time of this photograph, but was subsequently prepared. From Schwermann & Sander (2011).

Under construction Skeleton of Westphaliasaurus. The central slab of the skeleton was awaiting preparation at the time of this photograph, but was subsequently prepared. From Schwermann & Sander (2011).

Continue ReadingWestphaliasaurus

Occitanosaurus

Read more about the article <i>Occitanosaurus</i>
Mounted skeleton of 'Occitanosaurus'. From a postcard.

'Occitanosaurus' was described by Sciau et al. (1990) and Bardet et al. (1999). The genus name was erected for 'Plesiosaurus' tournemirensis by Bardet et al. (1999). The taxon was originally regarded as an early elasmosaurid but is now considered a member of the Microcleididae. 'Occitanosaurus' was approximately 3.9 meters long. The type…

Continue ReadingOccitanosaurus