Hubbry Logo
search
search button
Sign in
Historyarrow-down
starMorearrow-down
Hubbry Logo
search
search button
Sign in
2015 in reptile paleontology
Community hub for the Wikipedia article
logoWikipedian hub
Welcome to the community hub built on top of the 2015 in reptile paleontology Wikipedia article. Here, you can discuss, collect, and organize anything related to 2015 in reptile paleontology. The purpose of the hub is to connect people, foster deeper knowledge, and help improve the root Wikipedia article.
Add your contribution
Inside this hub
2015 in reptile paleontology

This list of fossil reptiles described in 2015 is a list of new taxa of fossil reptiles that were described during the year 2015, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to reptile paleontology that occurred in 2015.

Ichthyosauromorphs

[edit]

Research

[edit]

New taxa

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Cartorhynchus[3]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Motani et al.

Early Triassic (Olenekian)

Nanlinghu Formation

China

A relative of ichthyopterygians. The type species is Cartorhynchus lenticarpus.

Dearcmhara[4]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Brusatte et al.

Jurassic (Toarcian–Bajocian)

United Kingdom

A basal member of Neoichthyosauria. The type species is Dearcmhara shawcrossi.

Eretmorhipis[5]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Chen et al.

Early Triassic (late Spathian)

Jialingjiang Formation

China

A hupehsuchian. The type species is Eretmorhipis carrolldongi.

Ichthyosaurus anningae[6]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lomax & Massare

Early Jurassic (Hettangian/Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)

United Kingdom

A species of Ichthyosaurus.

Muiscasaurus[7]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Maxwell et al.

Early Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian)

Paja Formation

Colombia

A member of Ophthalmosauridae. The type species is Muiscasaurus catheti.

Sauropterygians

[edit]

Research

[edit]

New taxa

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Anguanax[11]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Cau & Fanti

Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)

Rosso Ammonitico Veronese Formation

Italy

A pliosaurid. The type species is Anguanax zignoi.

Atychodracon[12]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Smith

Early Jurassic

United Kingdom

A rhomaleosaurid plesiosaur; a new genus for "Plesiosaurus" megacephalus Stutchbury (1846).

Cardiocorax[13]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Araújo et al.

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Mocuio Formation

Angola

An elasmosaurid plesiosaur. The type species is Cardiocorax mukulu.

Dianmeisaurus[14]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Shang & Li

Middle Triassic (Anisian)

Guangling Formation

China

A member of Eosauropterygia of uncertain phylogenetic placement, more closely related to nothosaurs than to plesiosaurs. The type species is Dianmeisaurus gracilis.

Makhaira[15]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Fischer et al.

Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian)

Russia

A pliosaurid. The type species is Makhaira rossica.

Vegasaurus[16]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

O'Gorman et al.

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Snow Hill Island Formation

Antarctica (Vega Island)

An elasmosaurid plesiosaur. The type species is Vegasaurus molyi.

Wangosaurus[17]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Ma et al.

Middle Triassic (Ladinian)

Falang Formation

China

A pistosauroid. The type species is Wangosaurus brevirostris.

Lepidosaurs

[edit]

Research

[edit]
  • A phylogenetic analysis of living and fossil squamate relationships, based on morphological and molecular data, is published by Reeder et al. (2015).[18]
  • Miocene anoles from the Dominican amber, showing the habitat specializations also present in the extant Caribbean anoles, are described by Sherratt et al. (2015).[19]

New taxa

[edit]

Rhynchocephalians

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Clevosaurus sectumsemper[20]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klein et al.

Late Triassic (Rhaetian)

United Kingdom

A clevosaurid sphenodontian, a species of Clevosaurus.

Lizards

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Archaerhineura[21]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Longrich et al.

Late Palaeocene

Polecat Bench Formation

United States

A rhineurid amphisbaenian. The type species is Archaerhineura mephitis.

Asagaolacerta[22]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Kuwajima Formation

Japan

A lizard of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Asagaolacerta tricuspidens.

Asprosaurus[23]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Park, Evans & Huh

Late Cretaceous

South Korea

A member of Anguimorpha, probably a member of Monstersauria. The type species is Asprosaurus bibongriensis.

Babibasiliscus[24]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Conrad

Eocene (approximately 48 Ma)

Bridger Formation

United States

A member of Corytophanidae. The type species is Babibasiliscus alxi.

Barbatteius[25]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Venczel & Codrea

Late Cretaceous (early Maastrichtian)

Haţeg Basin

Romania

Originally assigned to the family Teiidae, but subsequently transferred to the separate family Barbatteiidae within the group Teiioidea.[26] The type species is Barbatteius vremiri.

Cadurcogekko verus[27]

Sp. nov

Valid

Bolet et al.

Eocene

France

A gekkotan lizard, a species of Cadurcogekko.

Chromatogenys[28]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Makádi & Nydam

Late Cretaceous (Santonian)

Hungary

A member of Scincomorpha of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Chromatogenys tiliquoides.

Chthonophis[21]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Longrich et al.

Probably early Palaeocene

Bug Creek Anthills, Fort Union Formation

United States

An amphisbaenian, the only member of the new family Chthonophidae. The type species is Chthonophis subterraneus.

Cuvieribaena[29]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Čerňanský, Augéc & Rage

Eocene (Bartonian)

France

A blanid amphisbaenian. The type species is Cuvieribaena carlgansi.

Dryadissector[30]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Wick, Lehman & Brink

Late Cretaceous (early Campanian)

Aguja Formation

United States

A member of Varanoidea. The type species is Dryadissector shilleri.

Gekkomimus[27]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Bolet et al.

Eocene

France

A skink; a new genus for "Cadurcogekko" rugosus Augé (2005).

Gueragama[31]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Simões et al.

Late Cretaceous (Turonian-Campanian)

Goio-Erê Formation

Brazil

The first member of Acrodonta (a relative of agamids and chameleons) described from South America. The type species is Gueragama sulamericana.

Hakuseps[22]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Japan

A squamate of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Hakuseps imberis.

Kuroyuriella[22]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Evans & Matsumoto

Early Cretaceous

Kuwajima Formation

Japan

A lizard of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Kuroyuriella mikikoi.

Norellius[32]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Conrad & Daza

Early Cretaceous (probably approximately 130 Mya)

Öösh Basin

Mongolia

A member of Gekkonomorpha of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is Norellius nyctisaurops.

Ophisaurus holeci[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klembara

Miocene

Czech Republic
Germany[34][35]

A glass lizard.

Pachygenys adachii[36]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ikeda, Ota & Saegusa

Early Cretaceous

Sasayama Group

Japan

A squamate of uncertain phylogenetic placement, a species of Pachygenys.

Phosphorosaurus ponpetelegans[37]

Sp. nov

Valid

Konishi et al.

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Japan

A halisaurine mosasaur, a species of Phosphorosaurus.

Plioplatecarpus peckensis[38]

Sp. nov

Valid

Cuthbertson & Holmes

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Bearpaw Formation

United States

A mosasaur, a species of Plioplatecarpus.

Pseudopus rugosus[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Klembara

Early Miocene

Czech Republic

A relative of the sheltopusik.

Tetrapodophis[39]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Martill, Tischlinger & Longrich

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Crato Formation

Brazil

A squamate reptile of uncertain phylogenetic placement; originally classified as an early, four-legged snake,[39] but subsequently argued to be a dolichosaurid.[40][41] The type species is Tetrapodophis amplectus.

Snakes

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Diablophis[42]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Late Jurassic

Morrison Formation

United States

A basal snake; a new genus for "Parviraptor" gilmorei Evans (1996).

Eophis[42]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Middle Jurassic (Bathonian)

Forest Marble

United Kingdom

A basal snake. The type species is Eophis underwoodi.

Portugalophis[42]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Caldwell et al.

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)

Camadas de Guimarota

Portugal

A basal snake. The type species is Portugalophis lignites.

Renenutet[43]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Mccartney & Seiffert

Eocene (Priabonian)

Egypt

A member of Colubroidea. The type species is Renenutet enmerwer.

Turtles

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Adocus sengokuensis[44]

Sp. nov

Valid

Sonoda et al.

Early Cretaceous

Sengoku Formation

Japan

A species of Adocus.

Arvinachelys[45]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae. The type species is Arvinachelys goldeni.

Bairdemys thalassica[46]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ferreira et al.

Miocene

Capadare Formation

Venezuela

A podocnemidid belonging to the clade Stereogenyina, a species of Bairdemys.

Baltemys velogastros[47]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lichtig & Lucas

Eocene (early Bridgerian)

Huerfano Formation

United States

A member of Kinosternidae, a species of Baltemys.

Corsochelys bentleyi[48]

Sp. nov

Valid

Schwimmer et al.

Late Cretaceous

United States

A member of Dermochelyidae, a species of Corsochelys.

Desmatochelys padillai[49]

Sp. nov

Valid

Cadena & Parham

Early Cretaceous (late Barremian-early Aptian)

Paja Formation

Colombia

A member of Protostegidae, species of Desmatochelys.

Desmatochelys padillai

Gaffneylania[50]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Sterli, de la Fuente & Krause

Middle Eocene

Sarmiento Formation

Argentina

A member of Meiolaniidae. The type species is Gaffneylania auricularis.

Gobiapalone palaeocenica[51]

Sp. nov

Valid

Danilov et al.

Paleocene

Bugin Tsav Basin

Mongolia

A member of Trionychidae, a species of Gobiapalone. The genus Gobiapalone was considered to be a junior synonym of the genus Kuhnemys by Georgalis & Joyce (2017), though the authors maintained G. palaeocenica as a distinct species within the latter genus.[52]

Gomphochelys[53]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Bourque et al.

Early Wasatchian

Willwood Formation

United States

A member of Dermatemydidae. The type species is Gomphochelys nanus.

Judithemys russelli[54]

Sp. nov

Valid

Brinkman

Late Cretaceous

Canada

A member of (likely non-monophyletic) Macrobaenidae, a species of Judithemys.

Jurassichelon[55]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Pérez-García

Late Jurassic (early Tithonian)

France

A basal member of Eucryptodira. The type species is Jurassichelon oleronensis.

Khunnuchelys lophorhothon[56]

Sp. nov

Valid

Danilov et al.

Late Cretaceous (Santonian or early Campanian)

Bostobe Formation

Kazakhstan

A trionychine trionychid, a species of Khunnuchelys.

Kimurachelys[57]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Brinkman et al.

Late Cretaceous (late Campanian)

Dinosaur Park Formation

Canada

A chelonioid turtle. The type species is Kimurachelys slobodae.

Leyvachelys[58]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Cadena

Early Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian)

Glen Rose Formation
Paja Formation

Colombia
United States

A member of Pan-Cryptodira belonging to the family Sandownidae. The type species is Leyvachelys cipadi.

Mauremys oshiroi[59]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Takahashi et al.

Late Pleistocene

Tomori Amaga Cave

Japan

A pond turtle.

Neurankylus hutchisoni[60]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae, a species of Neurankylus.

Neurankylus utahensis[60]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lively

Late Cretaceous (Campanian)

Kaiparowits Formation

United States

A member of Baenidae, a species of Neurankylus.

Perochelys[61]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Li, Joyce & Liu

Early Cretaceous (Aptian)

Jiufotang Formation

China

A soft-shelled turtle of uncertain phylogenetic placement; it might be a stem- or a crown-trionychid. The type species is Perochelys lamadongensis.

Phunoichelys[62]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Tong et al.

Late Jurassic

Phu Kradung Formation

Thailand

A xinjiangchelyid eucryptodiran. The type species is Phunoichelys thirakhupti.

Portlandemys gracilis[63]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Anquetin, Püntener & Billon-Bruyat

Late Jurassic (late Kimmeridgian)

Reuchenette Formation

 Switzerland

A plesiochelyid eucryptodiran, a species of Portlandemys.

Sternotherus bonevalleyensis[64]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Bourque & Schubert

Late Hemphillian

United States

A musk turtle.

Sternotherus palaeodorus[64]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Bourque & Schubert

Late Hemphillian

United States

A musk turtle.

Taraschelon[65]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Pérez-García

Early Oligocene

France

A tortoise; a new genus for "Testudo" gigas Bravard (1844).

Testudo brevitesta[66]

Sp. nov

Valid

Vlachos & Tsoukala

Late Pliocene (early Villafranchian)

Greece

A tortoise, a species of Testudo.

Thalassemys bruntrutana[67]

Sp. nov

Valid

Püntener, Anquetin & Billon-Bruyat

Late Jurassic (late Kimmeridgian)

Reuchenette Formation

 Switzerland

A basal member of Pancryptodira, a species of Thalassemys.

Toremys[68]

Gen. et sp. nov.

Valid

Pérez-García et al.

Early Cretaceous (early Albian)

Spain

A pleurosternid paracryptodiran. The type species is Toremys cassiopeia.

"Trionyx" jixiensis[69]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Li et al.

Early Cretaceous

Chengzihe Formation

China

A member of Trionychinae of uncertain phylogenetic placement.

Xiaochelys[70]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Zhou & Rabi

Early Cretaceous (Barremian-early Aptian)

Yixian Formation

China

A member of Sinemydidae. The type species is Xiaochelys ningchengensis.

Archosauriformes

[edit]

Archosaurs

[edit]

Other

[edit]

Other reptiles

[edit]
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Eohyosaurus[72]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Butler et al.

Middle Triassic (early Anisian)

Burgersdorp Formation

South Africa

A basal rhynchosaur. The type species is Eohyosaurus wolvaardti.

Erpetonyx[73]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Modesto et al.

Carboniferous (Gzhelian)

Egmont Bay Formation

Canada

A relative of bolosaurids. The type species is Erpetonyx arsenaultorum.

Glaurung[74]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Bulanov & Sennikov

Late Permian

Germany

A member of Weigeltisauridae. The type species is Glaurung schneideri.

Opisthodontosaurus[75]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Reisz et al.

Early Permian

Garber Formation

United States

A member of Captorhinidae. The type species is Opisthodontosaurus carrolli.

Pappochelys[76]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Schoch & Sues

Middle Triassic (Ladinian)

Erfurt Formation

Germany

A stem-turtle. The type species is Pappochelys rosinae.

Pappochelys

"Thalassodromeus" sebesensis[77]

Sp. nov

Valid

Grellet-Tinner & Codrea

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)

Romania

A reptile of uncertain phylogenetic placement; initially classified as a pterosaur and a species of Thalassodromeus,[77] but subsequently argued to be a turtle and a junior synonym of Kallokibotion bajazidi.[78]

References

[edit]
Add your contribution
Related Hubs