Edgarosaurus

Edgarosaurus is a genus of polycotylid plesiosaur from the Thermopolis Shale, containing one species, E. muddi.[1] The type specimen was found in Early Cretaceous (late Albian) rocks in the state of Montana in the United States.[1] At the time, this location was covered by part of the Western Interior Seaway. Edgarosaurus was one of the first polycotylids that evolved to become native to the Western Interior Seaway.

Edgarosaurus
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous,
Type specimen of Edgarosaurus muddi on display in the Museum of the Rockies
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Sauropsida
Superorder:
†Sauropterygia
Order:
†Plesiosauria
Suborder:
†Plesiosauroidea
Family:
†Polycotylidae
Genus:
†Edgarosaurus

Druckenmiller, 2002
Species:
†E. muddi
Binomial name
†Edgarosaurus muddi
Druckenmiller, 2002
Restoration

The holotype (which is currently the only known specimen) consists of the skull, neck, parts of the spine and the left front flipper.[1]

History of study

The well-preserved holotype specimen of Edgarosaurus (MOR 751) was found in the Shell Creek Member, the uppermost of the three members of the Thermopolis Shale, during the spring of 1993. The specimen's skull is complete and was preserved in articulation with a series 25 cervical (neck) vertebrae. An additional cervical vertebra, three pectoral (shoulder) vertebrae, and two dorsal (back) vertebrae were found isolated at the site, but articulate to form a series with the other 25 cervical vertebrae. Three other dorsal vertebrae were also recovered, though they do not seem to belong to this string of vertebrae. An almost complete front paddle is also known. Edgarosaurus muddi was named in 2002 by Pat S. Druckenmiller. The generic name refers to the nearby location of Edgar, Montana, while the specific name honors Kevin Mudd.[1]

See also

Sources
  1. Druckenmiller, PS, 2002. "Osteology of a new plesiosaur from the lower Cretaceous (Albian) Thermopolis Shale of Montana". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22: 29-42. (Abstract)


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