Pleurosaurus is an
extinct genus of
diapsid reptiles belonging to the group
Sphenodontia, extinct relatives of the modern
tuatara.
Pleurosaurus fossils were discovered in the
Solnhofen limestone formation of
Bavaria,
Germany and
Canjuers,
France. It contains two species,
P. goldfussi and
P. ginsburgi.
Pleurosaurus is one of the few known
aquatic sphenodontians. Its body was approximately long, and elongated for
hydrodynamic streamlining, with comparatively short limbs and a powerful tail. It would have been able to swim rapidly, by undulating its slender body in a
snake-like fashion. It had only small limbs, which probably did not aid in swimming, and nostrils placed far back on the head, close to the eyes.
