DISCOVERY OF A PRIMITIVE SAUROPTERYGIAN FROM THE LOWER TRIASSIC OF THE DONSKAYA LUKA (DON BASIN) AND THE RANGE OF TRIASSIC MARINE REPTILES IN RUSSIA

Abstract

A new primitive sauropterygian from the Donskaya Luka locality (Don River, European Russia) is described as a new genus and species of the family Cymatosauridae, Tanaisosaurus kalandadzei gen. et sp. nov. This is the first member of this group from the Early Triassic of Russia. The origin and early evolution of sauropterygians are considered. Triassic marine reptiles from Russia are reviewed.