English: Psephoderma alpinum Meyer, 1858

Systematics: Sauropterygia Placodontia Placochelyidae Size: 1.8 m long Type Horizon and Locality: Late Triassic, Kössen Formation (Rhaetian) Bayern, Germany Type Specimen: BSP AS I 8, dermal shield

Placodonts form a group of marine shell-eating reptiles related to plesiosaurs. They are characterized by their large flat teeth ideal for crushing the shells of mollusks and brachiopods. Some members of the group evolved to look superficially like sea turtle. Psephoderma had a two-piece carapace and fossils of this animal have been found in the Latest Triassic rocks of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and England. Two species have been described: P. alpinum and P. anglicum.

February 29, 2020

References:

Neenan, J. M., & Scheyer, T. M. (2014). New specimen of Psephoderma alpinum (Sauropterygia, Placodontia) from the Late Triassic of Schesaplana Mountain, Graubünden, Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, 107(2-3), 349-357.

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