Abstract
Four indeterminate pliosaurid remains from the Cenomanian and Turonian of the Yezo Group in Hokkaido, northern Japan, are described/re-described. Although their fragmentary nature does not allow identification to lower taxonomic levels, two specimens represent large individuals whose skull size approaches that of Megacephalosaurus from North America. The late Turonian age of the youngest specimen indicates that the Pliosauridae survived in the northwestern Pacific to least the time when the entire clade was nearing extinction. Along with the known stratigraphic distributions of the Elasmosauridae and Polycotylidae in the Japanese Cretaceous, the described pliosaurid specimens demonstrate that all three major plesiosaurian clades of the Late Cretaceous crossed the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary at least in this region.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.