US EditionNew 183 Million-Year-Old Marine Reptile Identified in Germany Is Oldest Known in the Area
BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG, GERMANY, AUG 4 – Plesionectes longicollum, with 43 neck vertebrae, is the earliest and one of the largest plesiosaurs found in the Posidonia Shale, researchers report.
- Palaeontologists described Plesionectes longicollum, a new marine reptile species discovered in 1978 in the Posidonia Shale of southwest Germany dating to 183 million years ago.
- The fossil's unique anatomy remained overlooked for decades until a detailed study revealed features distinguishing it from all known plesiosaurs, reflecting Early Jurassic marine diversity.
- The nearly complete specimen is an immature individual about 3.2 meters long with a notably long neck containing at least 43 vertebrae, making it one of the larger plesiosaurs from the formation.
- Lead author Sven Sachs noted that earlier research did not thoroughly examine the specimen's unique anatomical features, while Daniel Madzia emphasized that this finding contributes important insights into the evolution of marine ecosystems during a pivotal period in Earth's history.
- Plesionectes longicollum enhances the Posidonia Shale’s significance as a key Jurassic marine fossil site and sheds light on marine life during a major early Toarcian environmental event.
13 Articles
13 Articles
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New ancient marine reptile species discovered in famous German fossil site
Germany’s Posidonia Shale, a fossil rich formation dating to the Early Jurassic period, is world-renowned for its well-preserved marine animals including fish, marine reptiles, crustaceans and even soft-bodied organisms like squid. Posidonia Shale fossils have been studied for nearly 500 years. The formation has now offered up a fresh treat with palaeontologists describing a new marine reptile, Plesionectes longicollum, in a paper published in P…
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