Franconiasaurus

Franconiasaurus lived about 175 million years ago, during a time called the late Toarcian stage of the Jurassic period.2

Its name 'brevispinus' means 'short spine', because the neural spines on its neck and back bones were low.1

Two nearly complete, three-dimensionally preserved skeletons were found, which is very rare for plesiosaurs.1

Franconiasaurus is considered a 'transitional' plesiosaur, meaning it had features of both early and later plesiosaurs, helping scientists understand how they evolved.2

It was a close relative of a group called Cryptoclidia, which includes many later plesiosaurs that lived in oceans around the world.2

The fossils were found in the Jurensismergel Formation, which is a layer of rock from the Jurassic period.1