A large new mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous of The Netherlands

  • Rudi W. Dortangs Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, PO Box 882, NL 6200 AW Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Anne S. Schulp Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, PO Box 882, NL 6200 AW Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Eric W.A. Mulder Museum Natura Docet, Oldenzaalsestraat 39, NL 7591 GL Denekamp, The Netherlands.
  • John W.M. Jagt Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, PO Box 882, NL 6200 AW Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Hans H.G. Peeters Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, PO Box 882, NL 6200 AW Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Douwe Th. de Graaf Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, PO Box 882, NL 6200 AW Maastricht, The Netherlands.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016774600020515
Keywords: Mosasaurs, Prognathodon, Maastrichtian, Upper Cretaceous, The Netherlands

Abstract

We report the discovery of a new species of marine reptile, a mosasaur, from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of The Netherlands. Prognathodon saturator sp. nov. is represented by an almost complete skull and much of the postcranial skeleton, and is one of the largest mosasaurs discovered to date. The stout skull and extremely massive jaws are more powerfully built than in any other known mosasaur. Bite marks, the partial disarticulation and scattering of the skeleton, and the presence of associated teeth of Squalicorax and Plicatoscyllium suggest extensive scavenging by sharks.

Published
2002-03-01
How to Cite
Rudi W. Dortangs, Anne S. Schulp, Eric W.A. Mulder, John W.M. Jagt, Hans H.G. Peeters, & Douwe Th. de Graaf. (2002). A large new mosasaur from the Upper Cretaceous of The Netherlands. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences, 81, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016774600020515
Issue
Volume 81 - 2002
Section
Regular paper
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