Psephoderma alpinum By NTamura Watch

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Psephoderma alpinum Meyer, 1858



Systematics: Sauropterygia Placodontia Placochelyidae

Size: 1.8 m long

Type Horizon and Locality: Late Triassic, Kössen Formation (Rhaetian) Bayern, Germany

Type Specimen: BSP AS I 8, dermal shield



Placodonts form a group of marine shell-eating reptiles related to plesiosaurs. They are characterized by their large flat teeth ideal for crushing the shells of mollusks and brachiopods. Some members of the group evolved to look superficially like sea turtle. Psephoderma had a two-piece carapace and fossils of this animal have been found in the Latest Triassic rocks of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and England. Two species have been described: P. alpinum and P. anglicum.



February 29, 2020



References :

Neenan, J. M., & Scheyer, T. M. (2014). New specimen of Psephoderma alpinum (Sauropterygia, Placodontia) from the Late Triassic of Schesaplana Mountain, Graubünden, Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, 107(2-3), 349-357.

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