Archaeonectrus
Genus:
Archaeonectrus
Genus author:
Novozhilov, 1964
Classification:
Sauropterygia
Eosauropterygia
Eusauropterygia
Pistosauria
Plesiosauria
Pliosauroidea
Rhomaleosauridae
Age:
Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic
Location:
Charmouth, Dorset, England
Referred material (sp.):
To compile
Type species:
Species:
A. rostratus
Species author:
(Owen, 1865)
Type specimen:
BMNH 38525, a complete articulated skeleton including skull preserved in dorsal view
Age:
Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic
Geological formation:
Charmouth Mudstone Formation?
Type location:
Charmouth, Dorset, England
Referred material:
-
The genus Archaeonectrus was proposed by Novozhilov (1964) for ‘Plesiosaurus’ rostratus, a species named by Owen (1865). By modern standards, Owen’s (1865) original description is rather inadequate. One notable characteristic of Archaeonectrus rostratus is the relatively small size of the limbs relative to its body. It has been classified as a pliosauroid, sometimes within the Rhomaleosauridae. Archaeonectrus rostratus is the type and only species of this genus.