Andina

Biologists find plesiosaur fossil remains in Peru

14:01 | Lima, Oct. 11.

A team of biologists at San Marcos University (UNMSM) and National University of La Plata (Argentina) reported the discovery of plesiosaur fossil remains at Morro Solar in Lima's Chorrillos district, UNMSM informed.

According to the educational institution, the fossil material includes a propodium (femur or humerus), three vertebrae and an ilium (pelvis bone), which were donated by biologist Ivan Meza to the Vertebrate Paleontology Department at UNMSM Museum of Natural History

This is the first record of a plesiosaur in Peru and the second of an Early Cretaceous species in the Pacific coast of South America. 

Therefore, Peruvian paleontology makes a new contribution to the knowledge of the past of life on Earth.

Both Meza and Jose O'Gorman —of La Plata Museum, part of University of La Plata— announced this important discovery in the scientific magazine Cretaceous Research

Plesiosaurs were marine reptiles of the Mesozoic and were recorded on all continents including Antarctica.

(END) NDP/LIT/DTK/RMB

Publicado: 11/10/2019