15 research outputs found
The oldest elasmosaurs (Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria) from Antarctica, Santa Marta Formation (upper Coniacian? Santonianâupper Campanian) and Snow Hill Island Formation (upper Campanianâlower Maastrichtian), James Ross Island
Elasmosaurs are recorded for the first time in the Lachman Crags Member (Beta Member) of the Santa Marta Formation (lower Campanian) and in the Herbert Sound Member of the Snow Hill Island Formation (upper Campanian). These are the first elasmosaurids from James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. These records greatly improve our knowledge of the taxonomic diversity of plesiosaurs of the Santa Marta Formation and Herbert Sound Member of the Snow Hill Island Formation, and extend the lower limit of the record of Elasmosauridae in Antarctica to the lower Campanian, making this the oldest record of an Antarctic elasmosaur