Kronosaurus Longman, 1924
Due to its large size and ferocious appearance, Kronosaurus is one of the most famous plesiosaurs. The iconic skeleton referred to Kronosaurus on display in the Museum of Comparative Anatomy in Harvard is nicknamed 'plasterosaurus' because much of it is reconstructed in plaster. About 1/3 of the skeleton is plaster and there are at least seven vertebrae too manyin the dorsal region of the vertebral column. As mounted, the specimen measures 42 feet (12.8m), but the length was probably considerably less in reality . Kronosaurus was named after the mythical Kronos who, according to Greek mythology, swallowed his five children as they were born.
There are presently two known species of Kronosaurus. Kronosaurus queenslandicus Longman, 1924 (the type species), and Kronosaurus boyacensis Hampe, 1992.
Classification
Sauropterygia --> Eosauropterygia --> Eusauropterygia --> Pistosauroidea --> Plesiosauria --> Pliosauroidea --> Pliosauridae or Brachauchenidae
Kronosaurus queenslandicus Longman, 1924
Material
Type material: Queensland Museum (unspecified).
Referred material: Referred material includes the famous Harvard skeleton MCZ 1285, an incomplete skeleton; and MCZ 1284, a rostrum with teeth.
Age and Location
Albian (Lower Cretaceous); 'Army Downs', the Hughenden district (north of Richmond), Queensland, Australia
Kronosaurus boyacensis boyacensis (Hampe, 1992)
Material
Type material: ???
Age and Location
Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Boyaca region, Northern Colombia
Kronosaurus images
Referred specimen of Kronosaurus queenslandicus on display in the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ 1285). Photo by H. E. Rivera, used with permission.
