Mosasaur babies

[Mike Everhart <mike@oceansofkansas.com>]

Sorry to wander in late on this thread:

> I believe Gordon Bell published a few similar papers in the past.

Yes, Bell, et al (1996) reported the first actual discovery of fetal
material in a mosasaur.  The citation is below: 

Bell, G. L. Jr., M. A. Sheldon, J. P. Lamb and J. E. Martin, 1996. The
first direct evidence of live birth in Mosasauridae (Squamata):
Exceptional preservation in Cretaceous Pierre Shale of South Dakota.
16(suppl. to 3):21A. 

The remains of 3-4 babies were found in the pelvic region of a large
Plioplatecarpus in the DeGrey Member of the Pierre Shale, not far from
the Missouri River, north of Chamberlain, South Dakota. 

It is interesting that live birth evolved in at least three seperate
marine reptile lineages (Ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and mosasaurs) at
somewhat different times.  All three lineages were very successful in
their return to the sea.... maybe being able to give live birth was a
critical step in their success.....

Regards,

Mike