A new Eurhinosaurus (Ichthyosauria) species from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Mistelgau (Bavaria, Southern Germany)

Eurhinosaurus is a European Lower Jurassic longirostrine ichthyosaur, characterized by its remarkable overbite. Despite the long history of the genus, the taxonomy of Eurhinosaurus is still under debate, and its morphology is poorly understood. Over the past two decades, three specimens of Eurhinosaurus have been discovered in the Mistelgau clay pit in Bavaria, southern Germany, from Upper Toarcian layers.

This makes these specimens the youngest stratigraphic occurrence of the genus Eurhinosaurus. The examined specimens include two nearly complete skeletons and a partial snout, preserved three-dimensionally in a semi-articulated state, with elements exposed in multiple orientations. The Mistelgau specimens exhibit clear morphological similarities to known Eurhinosaurus, confirming their affiliation to the genus based on numerous characteristics.

However, the Eurhinosaurus specimens from Mistelgau exhibit notable differences in the basioccipital and rib morphology compared to known species. While not significant at the genus level, these distinctions allow recognition as a new species: Eurhinosaurus mistelgauensis sp. nov. These well-preserved fossils from Mistelgau further provide valuable insights into Eurhinosaurus morphology and significantly contribute to our understanding of this historically important ichthyosaur.