A new pachypleurosaur from the Early Ladinian Prosanto Formation in the Eastern Alps of Switzerland

Researchers have identified a new species of pachypleurosaur, Prosantosaurus scheffoldi, from the Early Ladinian Prosanto Formation in eastern Switzerland. This discovery challenges previous migration and diversification models for European pachypleurosaurs, suggesting a more complex evolutionary history within the South Alpine realm. The study, based on six complete skeletons and additional fossil remains, also provides the first detailed description of tooth replacement patterns in a European pachypleurosaur, supporting the monophyly of Sauropterygia. Exceptional fossil preservation enabled comprehensive analysis, including phylogenetic relationships and palaeogeographic distribution mapping.

Klein, N., Furrer, H., Ehrbar, I., Torres Ladeira, M., Richter, H., & Scheyer, T. M. (2022). A new pachypleurosaur from the Early Ladinian Prosanto Formation in the Eastern Alps of Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, 141(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-022-00254-2