The taxonomic status of the Upper Liassic ichthyosaur Eurhinosaurus longirostris
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The swordfish-like ichthyosaur Eurhinosaurus, primarily from the German Upper Liassic, is generally considered to be monotypic. The authority of the type species, E. longirostris, has usually been given as Jaeger, 1856, but it is shown that Mantell, 1851 is the correct authority. The subject of Mantell's description (BMNH 14566) is from the Upper Liassic of Yorkshire. Recent preparation confirms the presence of an abbreviated mandible, confirming its eurhinosaurian status. E. longirostris (Mantell 1851) is thus unequivocall; the type species of Eurhinosaurus, and BMNH 14566 is the holotype. Eurhinosaurus huenei Swinton, 1930, is shown to be a junior synonym of E. longirostris.
Palaeontology - Volume 37 Part 4 Pages 747-753Palaeontology - Volume 37 Part 4 Pages 747-753
Citations
MCGOWAN, C. 1995. The taxonomic status of the Upper Liassic ichthyosaur Eurhinosaurus longirostris. Palaeontology, 37, 4, 747–753.