Ben Creisler
A new paper in open access:
Free pdf:
https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/pdfs/1038.pdfTanystropheus represents one of the most characteristic genera of Triassic reptiles and is typified by easily recognizable, hyperelongate cervical vertebrae. First described in 1852, isolated cervical vertebrae and other remains have been referred to the genus and various species have been erected and rejected based on this material. This has resulted in a complicated and convoluted taxonomic history of the genus and confusion as to the validity of species and the referral of specimens. With the exception of the well-represented T. longobardicus, the five other species of Tanystropheus are known from isolated elements or a single, partial specimen. Here, we provide a complete overview of the taxonomic history and a revision of the genus based on first hand observations of the type material of most of the species. From this, we conclude that T. conspicuus and T. haasi should be considered nomina dubia and that T. meridensis constitutes a junior synonym to T. longobardicus. Furthermore, T. longobardicus can be subdivided into two discrete morphotypes that might represent separate species. However, a more detailed study is required to test this hypothesis. Finally, T. fossai is considered distinctly different from the other Tanystropheus taxa and is therefore referred to a separate genus, Sclerostropheus.
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[Type species T. conspicuus is made a nomen dubium but genus name Tanystropheus is considered valid... Hmmm....Â
"Nevertheless it remains the type species as the first named species of the genus, and it is diagnostic on the genus level based on the characteristic cervical vertebrae of the type material that are unique to the genus Tanystropheus."Â ]