Archaeonectrus
Genus:
Archaeonectrus
Author:
Novozhilov, 1964
Classification:
Sauropterygia
Eosauropterygia
Eusauropterygia
Pistosauria
Plesiosauria
Pliosauroidea
Rhomaleosauridae
Age:
Sinemurian, Early Jurassic
Location:
Charmouth, Dorset, England
Referred material (sp.):
To compile
Type species:
Species:
A. rostratus
Author:
(Owen, 1865)
Type specimen:
BMNH 38525, a complete articulated skeleton including skull preserved in dorsal view
Age:
Sinemurian, Early Jurassic
Horizon:
Charmouth Mudstone Formation?, Lias Group, Lower Jurassic
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.
