In Depth
Albertonectes is one of the best preserved elasmosaurid plesiosaurs to be discovered in Canada, and has a total of 76 cervical (neck) vertebrae . Elasmosaurid pesiosaurs like Albertonectes are noted for having their long necks that are proportionately much longer than earlier plesiosaur types. This would have been a specialist feeding adaptation allowing for a longer reach when feeding upon fish.
The holotype specimen of Albertonectes shows signs of being scavenged, as evidenced by a tooth marked coracoid as well as two shed teeth believed to have come from the Sqaulicorax shark genus.
Further Reading
- Albertonectes vanderveldei, a new elasmosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Alberta, Tai Kubo, Mark T. Mitchell & Donald M. Henderson - 2012.
