In Depth Sveltonectes is a member of the Platypterygiinae ichthyosaurs due to is resemblance to others of this group such as Platyptergius. This group is nested within the Ophthalmosauridae which is typified by the genus Ophthalmosaurus. Sveltonectes stands out from its relatives for its even more streamlined, lightweight build, as well as possessing differently formed … Read more
In Depth Brachypterygius initially started out as a species of Ichthyosaurus, I. extremus, but in 1922 palaeontologist Friedrich von Huene renamed the species as a distinct genus. This is actually a reflection of how the Ichthyosaurus genus was once used as a wastebasket taxon with almost any ichthyosaur remains being referred to it upon the … Read more
In Depth Undorosaurus is a genus of ichthyosaur which lived in the late Jurassic seas of what is now Russia. For a time Undorosaurus was speculated to be synonymous with Ophthalmosaurus, but today Undorosaurus is regarded by all to be a distinct genus, though one that is related to Ophthalmosaurus. Further Reading - A new … Read more
In Depth Although named in 1999, Mollesaurus got declared as a synonym to Ophthalmosaurus in the following year by a review of the Ophthalmosaurus genus by palaeontologists Michael W. Maisch and Andreas T. Matzke in 2000. This conclusion remained for about ten years until 2010 when a further study by Patrick S. Druckenmiller and Erin … Read more
In Depth Parrassaurus is a genus of ichthyosaur that lived in waters around Mexico during the late Jurassic. Further reading - A new Tithonian ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from Coahuila in northeastern Mexico. - Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology.. - Jair Israel Barrientos & Jes�s Alvarado-Ortega - 2021.
In Depth Originally described as a species of Ophthalmosaurus (O. chrisorum) a 2010 study saw the specimens elevated to the level of a distinct genus of ichthyosaur. Arthropterygius was also considered to be similar to Caypullisaurus, but not all researchers have followed this and instead treat Arthropterygius as a basal (primitive) member of the Ophthalmosauridae. … Read more
In Depth Acuetzpalin is a genus of ichthyosaur that lived in waters around what is now central America during the late Jurassic. Further Reading - Acuetzpalin carranzai gen et sp. nov. A new ophthalmosauridae (Ichthyosauria) from the Upper Jurassic of Durango, North Mexico. - Journal of South American Earth Sciences. - J. I. Barrientos-Lara, J. … Read more
In Depth Originally named as a species of Icthyosaurus by Wagner in 1853, Aegirosaurus was raised as a distinct genus by Bardet & Fernandez some one hundred and forty-seven years later. This is in part down to the wastebasket taxon effect, a common practice in the nineteenth century that saw similar prehistoric animals grouped together … Read more
In Depth Sisteronia is a genus of ophtahlmosaurid ichthyosaur that lived in European seas during the end of the early Cretaceous to perhaps into the early part of the late Cretaceous. Further Reading - High diversity in Cretaceous ichthyosaurs from Europe prior to their extinction. - PLoS ONE 9(1):e84709. - V. Fischer, N. Bardet, M. … Read more
In Depth Keilhauia is a genus of opthalmosaurid ichthyosaur that lived during the early Cretaceous. Though only known from partial remains, Keilhauia shares many similarities to the genera Cryopterygius and Caypullisaurus. Further Reading - A new ophthalmosaurid (Ichthyosauria) from Svalbard, Norway, and evolution of the ichthyopterygian pelvic girdle. - PLoS ONE 12(1):e0169971. - L. L. … Read more