TEXAS CRETACEOUS ICHTHYOSAURS: A GLIMPSE OF THEIR LAST DAYS IN THE EARLY-LATE CRETACEOUS

During the Early-Late Cretaceous (Albian–Cenomanian) of the Western Interior Seaway, ophthalomosaurid ichthyosaurs were in a significant decline due to the various paleoecological pressures, such as faunal shifting and the changing environment. During this interval, ichthyosaurs were represented by just a single genus, Platypterygius. These robust, medium sized, derived ichthyosaurs have been reported globally in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Platypterygius has mostly been known from fragmentary remains such as isolated vertebrae, skull material, and teeth which have been found broadly in North American sediments with a couple incomplete skeletons. However, North American occurrences have been understudied. This project will bring to light new occurrences for the North American fossil record which assists in reconstructing their last days throughout the Early-Late Cretaceous. Historical and scientific emphasis on Texas occurrences, taxonomic summary, reconstruction and identification based on various morphological characteristics along with interpretation on their days leading up to their extinction are herein discussed.