Prehistoric Marine Reptile Belonging to the Dinosaur Era
In the heart of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, a new marine reptile has been discovered, adding another piece to the puzzle of the evolutionary history of marine ecosystems during a crucial phase in Earth's history. The marine reptile, classified as a new species named Plesionectes longicollum, has unique skeletal features that distinguish it from all previously known Plesiosauria.
Plesionectes longicollum, meaning "earlier swimmer" with "long neck", was an intriguing marine reptile. With a skeleton measuring 295 centimeters, it had a neck length of 125 centimeters and a tail length of 81 centimeters. One of its most distinctive features was its extremely long neck, which accounted for nearly half of its total skeleton length.
This newly classified marine reptile lived during the time of the dinosaurs, around 183 million years ago, and went extinct along with the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago. The well-preserved fossil of Plesionectes longicollum was discovered decades ago in Holzmaden, Germany, but it has only recently been thoroughly analyzed.
Researchers had previously considered the marine reptile too young to determine its species. However, recent advancements in understanding growth changes in Plesiosauria skeletons have allowed for a more accurate classification. The marine reptile likely measured around 3.5 meters in life length, with a neck length longer than many known plesiosaurs.
The discovery of Plesionectes longicollum is significant due to its unique skeletal features and its contribution to our understanding of Plesiosauria evolution. This marine reptile was an excellent swimmer and likely fed on fish. Its unusual combination of skeletal features suggests that ancient marine reptiles were likely easy prey for larger predators.
The marine reptile discovery adds another piece to the puzzle of the evolutionary history of marine ecosystems during the Jurassic period. Many fossils of Plesiosauria species have been found in the shale region of Holzmaden, Germany, making it a rich source of information about these ancient marine creatures.
The fossil of Plesionectes longicollum has been in the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart for decades but is not currently on display. The museum houses a nearly complete and well-preserved skeleton (cataloged as SMNS 51945), although the skull is incomplete and not well preserved.
This discovery sheds new light on plesiosaur diversity and evolution in the Jurassic marine ecosystems of the Holzmaden region. It underscores the importance of continued research and advancements in understanding growth changes in Plesiosauria skeletons for accurate species classification. The study of Plesionectes longicollum will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the evolution and ecology of these fascinating marine reptiles.
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