New long-necked polycotylid plesiosaur discovered in Wyoming

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

A new polycotylid plesiosaur has been recovered from the upper half of the upper member of the lower Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) Pierre Shale Formation of Wyoming: Serpentisuchops pfisterae, the snake-like crocodile face. The interesting aspect to this new discovery is that this polycotylid, contrary to most other known members of this clade (that is, all with the exception of the Turonian Thililua longicollis and Manemergus anguirostris from Morocco), has a elongated neck, convergent on those of elasmosauridae.

 

 

The pertinent article can be found here: Scott Persons IV, Street and Kelley, 2022. A long-snouted and long-necked polycotylid plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous of North America.