A Late Jurassic plesiosaur in Antarctica: Evidence of the dispersion of marine fauna through the Trans-Erythraean Seaway?

• Main Authors: O'Gorman, J.P., Gouiric-Cavalli, S., Scasso, R.A., Reguero, M., Moly, J.J., Acosta-Burlaille, L.
• Format: Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Ameghino Formation; Plesiosauria; Tithonian; Trans-Erythraean Seaway; dispersal; fauna; Gondwana; invertebrate; Jurassic; marine environment; Tethys; type specimen; vertebrate; Africa; Antarctic Peninsula; Antarctica; Atlantic Ocean; Caribbean Sea; India; Madagascar; North America; South America; West Antarctica; Invertebrata; Vertebrata; Antarc*; Antarctic
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_16310683_v17_n3_p158_OGorman

During the Jurassic two main marine pathways might act as dispersion routes for vertebrates and invertebrates between Laurasia and Gondwana: the Caribbean Seaway (between North and South America) and the Trans-Erythraean Seaway (splitting Africa from India, Madagascar). The former has proven to be of relevance as a dispersion route for marine vertebrates and invertebrates between the Tethys and Pacific margin of Gondwana. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of the Trans-Erythraean Seaway as a vertebrate dispersion pathway. The Trans-Erythraean Seaway divides the eastern and western South of Gondwana landmasses in the so-called break-up of Gondwana and connects the Tethys Sea with the Palaeo-Pacific. We describe a newly recovered plesiosaur specimen from the Ameghino (= Nordensköld) Formation, Antarctic Peninsula, the first Jurassic plesiosaur from Antarctica. We discuss the importance of this record regarding the hypothesis of marine vertebrate dispersion through the Trans-Erythraean Seaway. © 2017 Académie des sciences