First Plesiosaurian record (Diapsida; Sauropterygia) from the La Herradura formation, (Valanginian–Hauterivian), Morro Solar, Perú

Abstract

We report the first plesiosaur remains (Diapsida, Sauropterygia) from Peru, recovered from Lower Cretaceous rocks cropping out in Morro Solar, within Lima city (La Herradura Formation, Valanginian–Hauterivian). The material is restricted to an undetermined propodium, fragmentary vertebrae and ilium, being identified as a Plesiosauria, with putative affinities to Leptocleididae or Elasmosauridae. This record provides further data on the group in the Southeastern Pacific.