Foi publicado recentemente um novo elasmosaurídeo do Maastrichtiano (Cretácico Superior) de Angola. Este trabalho é publicado no âmbito do ProjectoPaleoAngola enfocado na paleontologia de Angola e no qual tem participado o Museu da Lourinhã. Este trabalho foi liderado pelo paleontólogo português Ricardo Araújo da Southern Methodist University (Dallas, USA).
"Abstract: We report here a new elasmosaurid from the early Maastrichtian at Bentiaba, southern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon as the sistertaxon to Styxosaurus snowii, and that clade as the sister of a clade composed of (Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae (Libonectes morgani+Elasmosaurus platyurus)). The new taxon has a reduced dorsal blade of the scapula, a feature unique amongst elasmosaurids, but convergent with cryptoclidid plesiosaurs, and indicatesalongitudinal protraction-retraction limb cycle rowing style with simple pitch rotation at the glenohumeral articulation. Morphometric phylogenetic analysis of the coracoids of 40 eosauropterygian taxa suggests that there was a broad range of swimming styles within the clade."
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