Occitanosaurus

Genus

Occitanosaurus

Author

Sciau, Crochet and Mattei, 1990

Classification

Sauropterygia
Eosauropterygia
Eusauropterygia
Pistosauroidea
Pistosauria
Plesiosauria
Plesiosauroidea
Microcleididae

Age

Late Toarcian, Early Jurassic

Location

Tournemire, Aveyron Department, southern France

Type species

O. tournemirensis

Other species

None

Referred material

None

‘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 material (MMM J. T. 86-100), in the Musée Municipal de Millau, Aveyron, is a nearly complete skeleton including the skull, vertebral series from the atlas-axis to the sacrum, associated ribs, complete pectoral and pelvic girdles, right forelimb, and both hind limbs.

Benson et al. (2012) made ‘Occitanosaurus’ a junior synonym of Microcleidus when they created the new name combination Microcleidus tournemirensis, which is why the genus ‘Occitanosaurus’ is now considered invalid.

Part of the holotype specimen of Occitanosaurus (from Bardet et al. 1999)
Skull of Occitanosaurus in dorsal view. From Bardet et al. (1999).
Part of the holotype specimen of Occitanosaurus (from Bardet et al. 1999)
Part of the holotype specimen of Occitanosaurus (from Bardet et al. 1999)
Part of the holotype specimen of Occitanosaurus (from Bardet et al. 1999)
Pectoral and pelvic girdles of Occitanosaurus in dorsal view. From Bardet et al. (1999).