A new specimen of Plesiopterys wildi reveals the diversification of cryptoclidian precursors and possible endemism within European Early Jurassic plesiosaur assemblages
A virtually complete and articulated plesiosaur skeleton (MH 7) is described from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) Posidonienschiefer Formation near Holzmaden in southern Germany. Plesiosaur remains are rare in this rock unit compared to those of other marine reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs and thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs. The new specimen offers an opportunity to assess the biodiversity of Early
