{{Short description|Extinct genus of reptiles}} {{Speciesbox | fossil_range = Late Triassic, {{Fossil range|235.0|221.5}} | image = Thalattosauridae.jpg | image_caption = ''Thalattosaurus alexandrae'' (left) and ''Nectosaurus halius'' (right) of Late Triassic California | display_parents = 4 | taxon = Nectosaurus halius | authority = Merriam 1905 }}
'''''Nectosaurus''''' is a genus of thalattosaur (marine diapsid reptiles) which lived during the Late Triassic in what is now California. The type and only known species, '''''Nectosaurus halius''''', was found in the Hosselkus Limestone and described by John C. Merriam in 1905, making it one of the first thalattosaurians known (along with ''Thalattosaurus'').<ref name="Sepkoski">Sepkoski, J.J. (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". ''Bulletins of American Paleontology'' 363: 1-560.</ref>
== Discovery == ''Nectosaurus'' is known from fragmentary remains. The holotype, UCMP 9124, is an incomplete skeleton including vertebrae, a humerus, coracoid, ulna, radius, and partial skull and mandibles.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Nicholls|first=Elizabeth|date=1999|title=A reexamination of Thalattosaurus and Nectosaurus and the relationships of the Thalattosauria (Reptilia: Diapsida)|url=https://docubase.berkeley.edu/cgi/pl_dochome?query_src=pl_search&collection=PaleoBios+Archive+Public&id=132|journal=PaleoBios|archive-date=2023-11-15|access-date=2017-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115170106/https://docubase.berkeley.edu/cgi/pl_dochome?query_src=pl_search&collection=PaleoBios%20Archive%20Public&id=132|url-status=live}}</ref>
Many isolated bones from other localities were referred to the genus by Merriam in 1908. In addition, a partial skull from the same locality, UCMP 9120, was referred to the genus as ''Nectosaurus sp.'' in 1905. This specimen is much larger than any specimen of ''Nectosaurus halius'' but is otherwise similar to several referred specimens. UCMP 9120 may represent an adult specimen, making the holotype a juvenile specimen, a hypothesis supported by the fact that the holotype has unfused dermal bones and incomplete ossification on certain long bones.<ref name=":1" />
== Description == thumb|left|Known skull elements of Nectosaurus specimens.Based on the position of the vomers, the general shape of the premaxillae was inferred to be that of a dramatically downward hooking rostrum, descending at a vertical angle. This trait is also known in ''Hescheleria'' as well as a specimen referred to ''Paralonectes'' in 1993.<ref name=":0" />''Nectosaurus'' also had pointed, needle-like teeth (particularly in the front of the maxilla) and a mandible with a very high and pointed coronoid process. Like other thalattosauroids, the vomers and pterygoid also had teeth.<ref name=":1" />
==Classification== ''Nectosaurus'' was a member of a group of marine reptiles known as thalattosaurs, characterized by their long, paddle-like tails and short legs with independently movable digits. Most thalattosaurs had extended premaxillae, forming a rostrum. Thalattosaurs with downward curving, hook-like premaxillae (such as ''Nectosaurus'') are known as thalattosauroids.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237169317|title=Rostral structure in Thalattosauria (Reptilia, Diapsida) (PDF Download Available)|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref>
Although a 2001 analysis considered it a close relative of ''Xinpusaurus'' and ''Paralonectes'' because it was interpreted as having an upward-curving maxilla, further inquiry has shown that this was mistaken.<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{portal|Paleontology}} {{Thalattosauria|N.}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q2712533}}
Category:Thalattosauria Category:Late Triassic reptiles of North America Category:Taxa named by John Campbell Merriam Category:Fossil taxa described in 1905 Category:Prehistoric reptile genera