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{{Short description|Extinct genus of reptiles}}
{{Automatic taxobox
{{Speciesbox
|name = ''Libonectes''
|fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]], {{fossilrange|93}}
|fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]], {{fossilrange|93}}
|image = Libonectes_BW.jpg
|image = Libonectes atlasense skull.jpg
⚫
|image_caption = Skull SMNK PAL 3978
|image_size = 250px
⚫
|image_caption = Artist's restoration
|parent_authority = Carpenter, 1997
|parent_authority = Carpenter, 1997
|authority = (Welles, 1949)<br/>[originally ''Elasmosaurus'']
|authority = (Welles, 1949)<br/>[originally ''Elasmosaurus'']
|taxon = Libonectes morgani
|taxon = Libonectes morgani
| synonyms =
|synonyms =
* ''[[Elasmosaurus]] morgani'' <small>Welles, 1949</small>
* ''[[Elasmosaurus]] morgani'' <small>Welles, 1949</small>
* ''Libonectes atlasense'' <small>Buchy, 2005</small>
}}
}}
[[File:Libonectes skull.jpg|thumb|Holotype skull of ''Libonectes morgani'']]
'''''Libonectes''''' (meaning "southwest swimmer") is an extinct genus of [[sauropterygia]]n reptile belonging to the plesiosaur order. It is known from a single fossil specimen found in the [[Britton Formation]] of [[Texas]], USA, dated to the lower [[Turonian]] stage of the late [[Cretaceous]] period.
'''''Libonectes''''' is an extinct genus of [[sauropterygia]]n reptile belonging to the plesiosaur order. It is known from specimens found in the [[Britton Formation]] of [[Texas]] (USA) and the [[Akrabou Formation]] of [[Morocco]], which have been dated to the lower [[Turonian]] stage of the late [[Cretaceous]] period.<ref name=carpenter1999/>


== Nomenclature ==
The animal was very similar to the related ''[[Thalassomedon]]'', though the structure of the neck vertebrae were different, with taller neural spines and longer supporting processes of the bone, and its nostrils were slightly closer to the tip of the skull. The skull of the [[type specimen]] is the best preserved elasmosaurid skull known. The specimen consists of the skull and neck, as well as [[gastroliths]] found along with the fossil. A shoulder girdle and flipper were also found but were apparently discarded at some point in the past.<ref name=carpenter1999>Carpenter, K. (1999). "Revision of North American elasmosaurs from the Cretaceous of the western interior." ''Paludicola'', '''2'''(2): 148-173.</ref>
[[File:New Libonectes.jpg|thumb|Life restoration |left]]The [[prefix]] "''libo''" comes from [[Greek language|Greek]] (''lips''), and means "southern (wind)," translated to [[English language|English]]. "''Nectes''," the [[suffix]], is also from Greek (''nektes''), and translates to "swimmer." In its entirety, ''Libonectes'' can be interpreted as "southern swimmer."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Libonectes dinosaur|url=http://www.dinosaurfact.net/Marine/Libonectes.php|access-date=2021-07-03|website=www.dinosaurfact.net}}</ref> ''Libonectes'' was an elasmosaurid [[Plesiosaurus|plesiosaur]], with many specimens unearthed in southern parts of North America<ref>{{Cite web|title=Libonectes morgani|url=https://www.sachspal.de/libonectes/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Sachs Vertebrate Palaeontology|language=en-US}}</ref>- as a result, it was labeled with such a name as described in the preceding sentence. Charles Gill Morgan is credited with the acquiring and preparation of the first ''Libonectes'' fossils, found by tenant farmer T.W. Tidwell in the late 1930s, and it was for this reason that ''morgani'' was chosen as the specific name part of its [[Binomial nomenclature|binomial name]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Welles|first=Samuel|date=1949|title=A new elasmosaur from the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas|url=https://sites.smu.edu/shulermuseum/publication_pdfs/fondren_sci/v1-Welles1949.pdf|journal=Fondren Science Series}}</ref>


==Description==
The specimen was originally named ''Elasmosaurus morgani'' by Welles in 1949, but it was reclassified in its own genus by Carpenter in 1997.<ref name=carpenter1999/>
''Libonectes'' was a medium-sized plesiosaur, with the complete specimen (SMNK-PAL 3978) measuring {{convert|7.2|m|ft}} long.<ref name="atlas2017"/> The type specimen belonged to an individual with a neck measuring {{convert|5.06|m}} long.<ref name="gorman2016">{{cite journal | first1 = J.P. | last1 = O'Gorman | title = A Small Body Sized Non-Aristonectine Elasmosaurid (Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia with Comments on the Relationships of the Patagonian and Antarctic Elasmosaurids | journal = Ameghiniana | volume = 53 | issue = 3 | pages = 245–268 | doi = 10.5710/AMGH.29.11.2015.2928 | year = 2016| s2cid = 133139689 | url = http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/108247 | hdl = 11336/54311 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> The animal was very similar to the related ''[[Thalassomedon]]'', though the structure of the neck vertebrae was different, with taller neural spines and longer supporting processes of the bone, and its nostrils were slightly closer to the tip of the skull. The [[type specimen]] of ''L. morgani'' contains the best preserved elasmosaurid skull known as well as [[gastrolith]]s. A shoulder girdle and flippers were also found but were apparently discarded at some point atter 1962,<ref name=carpenter1999>Carpenter, K. (1999). "Revision of North American elasmosaurs from the Cretaceous of the western interior." ''Paludicola'', '''2'''(2): 148-173.</ref> along with the rear fourteen neck vertebrae of which only forty-eight remain.

The specimen was originally named ''Elasmosaurus morgani'' by Welles in 1949, but it was reclassified to its own genus by Carpenter in 1997.<ref name=carpenter1999/> A second species, ''L. atlasense'', was named in 2005 from deposits in [[Morocco]], but a 2017 redescription of the material recognized it as a junior synonym of ''L. morgani''.<ref name="atlas2017">{{cite journal | last1 = Sachs | first1 = S. | last2 = Kear | first2 = B.P. | title = Redescription of the elasmosaurid plesiosaurian ''Libonectes atlasense'' from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco | journal = Cretaceous Research | volume = 74 | pages = 205–222 | date = 2017 | doi = 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.02.017 | bibcode = 2017CrRes..74..205S }}</ref>

== Feeding Habits ==
The possible [[Carnivore|carnivorous]] nature of ''Libonectes'' is suggested by its dental layout, however, the presence of [[Gastrolith|gastroliths]] inside some known fossils feasibly indicates an [[Omnivore|omnivorous]] lifestyle (though [[Paleontology|paleontological]] investigation notes that plesiosaurs may have used gastroliths in buoyancy control<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-22|title=Diet and senses|url=https://plesiosauria.com/diet/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Plesiosaur Directory|language=en-US}}</ref>). The presence of these gastroliths could also point to the possibility that ''Libonectes'' swallowed prey items whole. ''Libonectes'' most likely hunted in deep waters, perhaps eating small fish and [[Ammonoidea|ammonites]], as it is thought that its bulk prevented the creature from frequenting shallow waters.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Araújo|first1=Ricardo|last2=Polcyn|first2=Michael J.|date=2013-04-22|title=A biomechanical analysis of the skull and adductor chamber muscles in the Late Cretaceous Plesiosaur Libonectes|url=https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2013/418-plesiosaur-mastication|journal=Palaeontologia Electronica|language=English|volume=16|issue=2|pages=1–25|doi=10.26879/287|issn=1094-8074|doi-access=free}}</ref> This reptile is also suspected to have used its large size to trap prey, as a result of its slow swimming speed.


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
{{Portal|paleontology}}
* [[List of plesiosaur genera]]
*[[List of plesiosaur genera]]
* [[Timeline of plesiosaur research]]
* [[Timeline of plesiosaur research]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.sachspal.de/libonectes/ Libonectes morgani]. Sachs Vertebrate Palaeontology Research.

⚫
{{Plesiosauria|Plesiosauroidea}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3240957}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:Late Cretaceous plesiosaurs of North America]]
⚫
{{portal|paleontology}}
[[Category:Elasmosaurids]]
⚫
{{Plesiosauria}}
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1997]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Kenneth Carpenter]]
[[Category:Sauropterygian genera]]


[[Category:Late Cretaceous plesiosaurs]]
⚫
[[Category:Late Cretaceous reptiles of North America]]


{{plesiosaur-stub}}
{{plesiosaur-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:19, 6 November 2024

Libonectes
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 93 Ma
↓
Skull SMNK PAL 3978
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Superorder: †Sauropterygia
Order: †Plesiosauria
Family: †Elasmosauridae
Genus: †Libonectes
Carpenter, 1997
Species:
†L. morgani
Binomial name
†Libonectes morgani
(Welles, 1949)
[originally Elasmosaurus]
Synonyms
  • Elasmosaurus morgani Welles, 1949
  • Libonectes atlasense Buchy, 2005
Holotype skull of Libonectes morgani

Libonectes is an extinct genus of sauropterygian reptile belonging to the plesiosaur order. It is known from specimens found in the Britton Formation of Texas (USA) and the Akrabou Formation of Morocco, which have been dated to the lower Turonian stage of the late Cretaceous period.[1]

Nomenclature

[edit]
Life restoration

The prefix "libo" comes from Greek (lips), and means "southern (wind)," translated to English. "Nectes," the suffix, is also from Greek (nektes), and translates to "swimmer." In its entirety, Libonectes can be interpreted as "southern swimmer."[2] Libonectes was an elasmosaurid plesiosaur, with many specimens unearthed in southern parts of North America[3]- as a result, it was labeled with such a name as described in the preceding sentence. Charles Gill Morgan is credited with the acquiring and preparation of the first Libonectes fossils, found by tenant farmer T.W. Tidwell in the late 1930s, and it was for this reason that morgani was chosen as the specific name part of its binomial name.[4]

Description

[edit]

Libonectes was a medium-sized plesiosaur, with the complete specimen (SMNK-PAL 3978) measuring 7.2 metres (24 ft) long.[5] The type specimen belonged to an individual with a neck measuring 5.06 metres (16.6 ft) long.[6] The animal was very similar to the related Thalassomedon, though the structure of the neck vertebrae was different, with taller neural spines and longer supporting processes of the bone, and its nostrils were slightly closer to the tip of the skull. The type specimen of L. morgani contains the best preserved elasmosaurid skull known as well as gastroliths. A shoulder girdle and flippers were also found but were apparently discarded at some point atter 1962,[1] along with the rear fourteen neck vertebrae of which only forty-eight remain.

The specimen was originally named Elasmosaurus morgani by Welles in 1949, but it was reclassified to its own genus by Carpenter in 1997.[1] A second species, L. atlasense, was named in 2005 from deposits in Morocco, but a 2017 redescription of the material recognized it as a junior synonym of L. morgani.[5]

Feeding Habits

[edit]

The possible carnivorous nature of Libonectes is suggested by its dental layout, however, the presence of gastroliths inside some known fossils feasibly indicates an omnivorous lifestyle (though paleontological investigation notes that plesiosaurs may have used gastroliths in buoyancy control[7]). The presence of these gastroliths could also point to the possibility that Libonectes swallowed prey items whole. Libonectes most likely hunted in deep waters, perhaps eating small fish and ammonites, as it is thought that its bulk prevented the creature from frequenting shallow waters.[8] This reptile is also suspected to have used its large size to trap prey, as a result of its slow swimming speed.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Carpenter, K. (1999). "Revision of North American elasmosaurs from the Cretaceous of the western interior." Paludicola, 2(2): 148-173.
  2. ^ "Libonectes dinosaur". www.dinosaurfact.net. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  3. ^ "Libonectes morgani". Sachs Vertebrate Palaeontology. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  4. ^ Welles, Samuel (1949). "A new elasmosaur from the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas" (PDF). Fondren Science Series.
  5. ^ a b Sachs, S.; Kear, B.P. (2017). "Redescription of the elasmosaurid plesiosaurian Libonectes atlasense from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco". Cretaceous Research. 74: 205–222. Bibcode:2017CrRes..74..205S. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2017.02.017.
  6. ^ O'Gorman, J.P. (2016). "A Small Body Sized Non-Aristonectine Elasmosaurid (Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia with Comments on the Relationships of the Patagonian and Antarctic Elasmosaurids". Ameghiniana. 53 (3): 245–268. doi:10.5710/AMGH.29.11.2015.2928. hdl:11336/54311. S2CID 133139689.
  7. ^ "Diet and senses". Plesiosaur Directory. 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  8. ^ Araújo, Ricardo; Polcyn, Michael J. (2013-04-22). "A biomechanical analysis of the skull and adductor chamber muscles in the Late Cretaceous Plesiosaur Libonectes". Palaeontologia Electronica. 16 (2): 1–25. doi:10.26879/287. ISSN 1094-8074.
[edit]


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