Argentinonectes fossil map
Where fossils of Argentinonectes have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 66 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 66 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Plesiosaurs & kin |
|---|---|
| Lived | 72.2–66 million years ago (Maastrichtian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Elasmosauridae |
| Named by | Novas et al. 2026 |
| Fossil records | 1 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Argentina |
| Rock formations | Calafate |
About Argentinonectes
Argentinonectes (lit. 'Lake Argentino swimmer') is an extinct genus of elasmosaurid plesiosaur in the group Weddellonectia, known from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian age) Calafate Formation of Argentina. The genus contains a single species, Argentinonectes calafatensis, named and described in 2026 based on a partial articulated skeleton that was discovered in 2009. This specimen was found under 50 cm (20 in) of water in Lake Argentino, which complicated its excavation. It includes most of the vertebral column, parts of the pectoral and pelvic girdles, one forelimb, and both hindlimbs, making it the most complete plesiosaur fossil known from Argentina. The articulated rib cage and gastralia indicate the torso would have been very rigid in life. Tooth scratches on some of the bones and tooth fossils found nearby indicate the carcass was scavenged by sharks before it was buried.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Argentinonectes (revision 1374565346), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q140179541.
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