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The forgotten remains of a leptocleidid plesiosaur (Sauropterygia: Plesiosauroidea) from the Early Cretaceous of Gronau (Münsterland, Westphalia, Germany)

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Abstract

Gronausaurus wegneri n. gen. n. sp. represents a newly discovered leptocleidid sauropterygian based on one individual from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) of Gronau in Westphalia, Germany. The holotype and only known specimen consists of a skeleton, which lacks most of the dermal skull bones, a large number of cervical vertebrae and distal limb elements. Gronausaurus wegneri is unique in having distinct cavities, the subdiapophyseal fossae, below the transverse processes of the pectoral and anterior dorsal vertebrae, that probably stabilised the bones against tensile forces of the rotator and levator muscles in the living animal.

Kurzfassung

Gronausaurus wegneri n. gen. n. sp. ist ein neu entdeckter leptocleidider Sauropterygier aus der frühen Kreide (Berriasium) von Gronau in Westfalen, Deutschland. Holotypus und einzig bekanntes Individuum besteht aus einem Skelett, dem die meisten dermalen Cranialelemente, eine größere Anzahl von Cervicalwirbeln sowie distale Extremitätenknochen fehlen. Einzigartig für Gronausaurus wegneri sind die sich unterhalb der Transversalfortsätze der Pectoral- und vorderen Dorsalwirbel befindlichen ausgeprägten Gruben, die Fossae subdiapophysealis, welche wahrscheinlich eine höhere Stabilität gegen Zugkräfte der Mm. rotatores et levatores im lebenden Tier gewährleisteten.

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Acknowledgments

First of all I would like to thank Markus Bertling, Münster, who kindly supported all activities concerning the scientific review including the loan of parts of the Gronausaurus skeleton to Berlin. I am indebted to Markus Brinkmann, Berlin, for additional preparation and stabilisation and to Sandra Golze, Berlin, for taking detailed measurements of the specimen and some parts of the description. Lennart Schleicher, Gronau, provided additional information around the Gronausaurus finds and Martin Hiß, Krefeld, the local stratigraphy. Jan Müller-Edzards, Berlin, produced the drawings of the fossil remains except the teeth and Elke Siebert, Berlin, cordially redrew the cladogram. I am also grateful to Sandra Chapman, London, Rolf-Bernhard Hauff, Holzmaden, Georg Heumann, Bonn, and Dennis Nieweg, Enschede, for giving access to relevant collections. Finally, I am thankful to Gerhard Maier, Calgary, for improving the English and to Roger Benson, Oxford, and an anonymous reviewer who helped to enhance the manuscript with valuable suggestions.

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    Oliver Hampe

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Hampe, O. The forgotten remains of a leptocleidid plesiosaur (Sauropterygia: Plesiosauroidea) from the Early Cretaceous of Gronau (Münsterland, Westphalia, Germany). Paläontol Z 87, 473–491 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-013-0175-3

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