Elasmosauridae

Post author:Adam S. Smith
Post published:22/07/2018
Post category:Elasmosauridae

Skeleton of Hydrotherosaurus in lateral view, from Welles (1943).

Thalassomedon (AMNH 29878), American Museum of Natural History, New York The Elasmosauridae is a group of very long-necked plesiosaurs. They form a major component of Late Cretaceous plesiosaur assemblages. The definition of Elasmosauridae has changed in recent years as our understanding of plesiosaur evolution has improved. Older definitions included many Jurassic long-necked…

Elasmosaurus

Post author:Adam S. Smith
Post published:22/07/2018
Post category:Elasmosauridae Elasmosaurus Genus page Plesiosauria Plesiosauroidea

Skeleton of Elasmosaurus from Cope (1869, revised version)

Elasmosaurus is one of the most widely recognised plesiosaur names and has become a stereotype for all elasmosaurids. However, it is relatively poorly known. The type and only known specimen of Elasmosaurus platyurus (ANSP 10081) includes the tip of the snout, occipital condyle, and the majority of the vertebral column. It is…