Taxonomy of Platypterygius campylodon and the diversity of the last ichthyosaurs

[en] A complex and confusing taxonomy has concealed the diversity dynamics of Cretaceous ichthyosaurs (Reptilia) for decades. The near totality of Albian-Cenomanian remains from Eurasia has been assigned, by default, to the loosely defined entity Platypterygius campylodon, whose holotype was supposed to be lost. By thoroughly examining the Cenomanian ichthyosaur collections from the UK, I redescribe the syntypic series of Platypterygius campylodon. This material, along with a handful of other coeval remains, is diagnostic and seemingly differs from the vast majority of Cretaceous remains previously assigned to this taxon. A lectotype for Platypterygius campylodon is designated and I reassign this species to Pervushovisaurus campylodon nov. comb. The feeding ecology of this species is assessed and conforms to the scenario of an early Cenomanian diversity drop prior to the latest Cenomanian final extinction.

Disciplines :

Zoology
Earth sciences & physical geography

Author, co-author :

Fischer, Valentin ; Université de Liège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab

Language :

English

Title :

Taxonomy of Platypterygius campylodon and the diversity of the last ichthyosaurs

Publication date :

2016

Journal title :

PeerJ

eISSN :

2167-8359

Publisher :

PeerJ, San Francisco, United States - California

Volume :

Issue :

e2604

Pages :

1-21

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 20 October 2016

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