title: Taxonomy ofPlatypterygius campylodonand the diversity of the last ichthyosaurs.
abstract: A complex and confusing taxonomy has concealed the diversity dynamics of Cretaceous ichthyosaurs (Reptilia) for decades. The near totality of Albian-Cenomanian remains from Eurasia has been assigned, by default, to the loosely defined entityPlatypterygius campylodon, whose holotype was supposed to be lost. By thoroughly examining the Cenomanian ichthyosaur collections from the UK, I redescribe the syntypic series ofPlatypterygius campylodon. This material, along with a handful of other coeval remains, is diagnostic and seemingly differs from the vast majority of Cretaceous remains previously assigned to this taxon. A lectotype forPlatypterygius campylodonis designated and I reassign this species toPervushovisaurus campylodonnov. comb. The feeding ecology of this species is assessed and conforms to the scenario of an early Cenomanian diversity drop prior to the latest Cenomanian final extinction.
authors: UR Geology, Université de Liège , Liège , Belgium.
authors: Valentin
authors: V
authors: Fischer
keywords: Biodiversity; Cretaceous; Extinction; Feeding ecology; Ichthyosauria; Marine reptiles; Ophthalmosauridae; Platypterygiinae