| Cryonectes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Holotype | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Superorder: | †Sauropterygia |
| Order: | †Plesiosauria |
| Suborder: | †Pliosauroidea |
| Family: | †Pliosauridae |
| Genus: | †Cryonectes Vincent, Bardet & Mattioli,2012 |
| Type species | |
| †Cryonectes neustriacus Vincent, Bardet & Mattioli, 2012 | |
Cryonectes is anextinctgenus ofpliosauridplesiosaurian known from theEarly Jurassic ofNormandy, northernFrance.[1]
Cryonectes is known only from theholotypeMAE 2007.1.1(J), a partialskull and articulatedmandible, and ten associatedvertebrae. It was collected in the 1980s from theCalcaire à Bélemnites Formation ofNormandy, dating to the latestPliensbachian stage of the lateEarly Jurassic, about 185-183million years ago. It was found in the Roche-Blain quarry, located in the commune of Fresney-le-Puceux near the city ofLaize-la-Ville, south ofCaen. In 2007, it was accessioned in the collection of theMusée de l’Agglomération d’Elbeuff atElbeuf−sur−Seine.[1]
Cryonectes is a moderate-sized pliosaurid, as its skull has a length of 47 cm (19 in).[1] The specimen when discovered was prepared first withacid, which damaged some parts, especially the teeth, which are now broken and lackenamel. The completemandible and the skull are in occlusion with teethin situ and one separated and almost completetooth is also known. Thepremaxillae andmaxillae are partially preserved and the most important part of the palate is preserved separate from the skull. The ten associated vertebrae are preserved in a non-natural sequence, nine beingcervical, while the last one is indeterminable. Distinct neurocentral sutures are visible on all vertebrae preserving neural arches, except on the ninth vertebra, which presents a closed suture. Therefore,Cryonectes is at a relatively early stage in ontogenetic development. The ninth vertebra suggests that it was probably a subadult individual.[1]
Cryonectes is characterized by a unique combination of characters including a very slight constriction between premaxillae and maxillae, its snout is greatly elongated and the mandible has a long symphysis bearing seven tooth position and retaining a ventral mandibular ridge.[1]
Acladistic analysis performed by Peggy Vincent, Nathalie Bardet and Emanuela Mattioli found it to be basal toPliosaurus,Peloneustes and other pliosaurids.[1]
Cryonectes was first named by Peggy Vincent, Nathalie Bardet and Emanuela Mattioli in2012 and thetype species isCryonectes neustriacus. Thegeneric name is derived fromkryos,Greek for "cold", andnektris (nektes), for "swimmer", and refers to the cool climatic conditions that prevailed during the uppermost Pliensbachian. Thespecific name is derived from theFrank kingdom of Neustrie which covered northwest France, created after the death ofClovis I.[1]
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