Abstract
We report here a new elasmosaurid from the early Maastrichtian at Bentiaba, southern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon as the sister taxon to Styxosaurus snowii, and that clade as the sister of a clade composed of (Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae (Libonectes morgani + Elasmosaurus platyurus)). The new taxon has a reduced dorsal blade of the scapula, a feature unique amongst elasmosaurids, but convergent with cryptoclidid plesiosaurs, and indicates a longitudinal protraction-retraction limb cycle rowing style with simple pitch rotation at the glenohumeral articulation. Morphometric phylogenetic analysis of the coracoids of 40 eosauropterygian taxa suggests that there was a broad range of swimming styles within the clade.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 109-120 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Netherlands Journal of Geosciences = Geologie en Mijnbouw |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Jul 2014 |
Keywords
- Elasmosauridae
- locomotion
- marine reptiles
- pectoral girdle
- Plesiosauria