Marine reptiles from Nevada: Recovery of a Middle Triassic pregnant ichthyosaur and the first unequivocally Lower Triassic ichthyosaurs from North America

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Sander
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2014 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 264173172

The Triassic of Nevada is one of the richest and most important localities for fossil marine reptiles. In particular the Augusta Mountains in north-central Nevada have yielded numerous well-preserved fossils, in particular ichthyosaurs. We here apply for funding for the recovery and and subsequent study of a medium-sized pregnant ichthyosaur, representing one of the oldest evidences of live-bearing in marine reptiles, and 2) of three Lower Triassic ichthyosaurs, the oldest in-situ ichthyosaurs from North America. This work follows on the heals of description of several other important and unique finds from the Augusta Mountains by our group. The research will contribute to a better understanding of the intra- and interrelationships and evolution of ichthyosaurs as well as their rapid taxonomic and morphological diversification after the end-Permian extinction.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Luis M. Chiappe; Professor Dr. Lars Schmitz