Maresaurus

Mare-sore-us.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Maresaurus

Phonetic

Mare-sore-us.

Named By

Gasparini‭ ‬-‭ ‬1997.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Sauropterygia,‭ ‬Plesiosauria,‭ ‬Rhomaleos

Diet

Piscivore/Carnivore.

Species

M.‭ ‬coccai‭

Size

Uncertain.

Known locations

Argentina,‭ ‬Los Molles Formation.

Time Period

Bajocian of the Jurassic.

Fossil representation

Complete skull and mandible‭ (‬lower jaw‭) ‬and some cervical‭ (‬neck‭) ‬vertebrae.

In Depth

       Maresaurus is one of the rhomaleosaurid‭ ‬pliosaurs,‭ ‬a group‭ ‬that seem to be between the long necked plesiosaurs and short necked pliosaurs in form.‭ ‬Additionally the fact that Maresaurus comes from South America combined with the presence‭ ‬of Yuzhoupliosaurus in China,‭ ‬produces a picture of the rhomaleosaurid pliosaurs having a global distribution.‭ ‬Other and older members of the group such as Macroplata and Rhomaleosaurus are so far only known from Europe where the largest number and most complete remains are known.

Further Reading

– A new pliosaur from the Bajocian of the Neuquen Basin, Argentina. Palaeontology 40(1):135-147. – Z. Gasparini – 1997.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT