Placodont remains (Sauropsida, Sauropterygia) from the Triassic of Hungary (Transdanubian Range and Villány Mountains)

New placodont fossils from the Triassic of Hungary reveal significant insights into the distribution and diversity of these marine reptiles. The study describes remains from two tectonic units: the Transdanubian Range, including a maxilla fragment identified as Paraplacodus broilii from the Anisian stage (similar in age to Monte San Giorgio), and a Carnian dentary fragment and teeth assigned to Placochelys placodonta. Additionally, a Rhaetian tooth fragment was found in the Keszthely Mountains. The most notable discovery is a rich Ladinian assemblage from the Villány Mountains, featuring cranial elements and teeth attributed to Cyamodus sp., marking one of the last occurrences of this genus in Europe's Triassic sedimentary basins. This study highlights Hungary as a critical gap locality for understanding placodont evolution during the Late Triassic.

Gere, K., Scheyer, T. M., Makádi, L., & Ősi, A. (2020). Placodont remains (Sauropsida, Sauropterygia) from the Triassic of Hungary (Transdanubian Range and Villány Mountains). Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 100(4), 1047–1063. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-020-00432-5