The Plesiosaur Site - Reference
Wahl, William; 2006; A Juvenile Plesiosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) Assemblage from the Sundance Formation (Jurassic), Natrona County, Wyoming; Paludicila; 5(4) pp.255-261
The predominance of juveniles from one taxon is rarely found in faunal studies. However, the presence of seven juveniles in a sample of ten cryptocleidoid plesiosaurs from the Redwater Shale Member of the Sundance Formation of Natrona County, Wyoming may be such a paleocommunity. Juvenile characters are recognized by the lack of facets and ossification on the distal ends of the propodials and by cross-sections of the limbs. Juveniles have dense pachyosteosclerotic bone structures whereas adults have more spongy, osteoprotic bone. The dense bone of the juveniles suggests a difference in environmental preference between juvenile and adult plesiosaurs.
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