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1 November 2010 The Australian Cretaceous Ichthyosaur Platypterygius australis: A Description and Review of Postcranial Remains
Maria Zammit, Rachel M. Norris, Benjamin P. Kear
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Abstract

Australian Cretaceous ichthyosaur material is amongst the most complete in the world. This study describes postcranial remains referred to the upper Albian species Platypterygius australis, including the first record of pelvic and hind limb elements for this taxon. A combination of phylogenetically significant traits such as lack of fusion between the atlas-axis complex and third cervical centrum, the presence of three distal facets on both the humerus/femur for accommodation of the anterior zeugopodial elements plus the radius/tibia and ulna/fibula, concave preaxial accessory facet surfaces on both the humerus and the femur, and complete fusion of the ischiopubis with closure of the obturator foramen, are considered diagnostic for the species and (in conjunction with other previously identified cranial/postcranial features) may serve to distinguish P. australis from the other paleogeographically disparate Platypterygius spp.

© 2010 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Maria Zammit, Rachel M. Norris, and Benjamin P. Kear "The Australian Cretaceous Ichthyosaur Platypterygius australis: A Description and Review of Postcranial Remains," Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(6), 1726-1735, (1 November 2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2010.521930
Received: 28 January 2010; Accepted: 1 August 2010; Published: 1 November 2010
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