A remarkable revelation has emerged from the fossil-rich terrains of British Columbia, as a newly identified elasmosaur genus reshapes our understanding of marine reptile evolution during the Late Cretaceous. The genus, formally designated Traskasaura sandrae, embodies an extraordinary mixture of primitive and advanced anatomical traits that defy previous categorizations of these ancient aquatic predators. This groundbreaking identification, recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, represents a pivotal advance in paleontological research, spotlighting the Pacific Northwest as a cradle of unique mesozoic marine biodiversity.
Traskasaura sandrae was a sizable elasmosaur, with an impressive length reaching approximately 12 meters. Unlike the typical slender-teethed plesiosaurs, this species exhibited heavily built, sharp, and robust dentition, specialized for shell crushing. Such dental adaptations imply a dietary preference that likely extended to hard-shelled prey such as ammonites—common cephalopods inhabiting the Late Cretaceous seas of the northern Pacific. This feeding strategy signals an ecological niche perhaps previously unrecognized among long-necked plesiosaurs, revealing a key evolutionary innovation.
The fossils, dating back roughly 85 million years to the Santonian stage of the Late Cretaceous, have fascinated paleontologists since their initial discovery in the late 1980s. Unearthed along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, the type specimen was accompanied by additional remains, including an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton encompassing portions of the thorax, shoulder girdle, and limbs. These assemblages, belonging to at least three individuals and extracted from the Haslam Formation, collectively underscore a distinct species with diagnostic features that warranted the establishment of this new taxonomic entity.
Earlier scientific scrutiny had hesitated to bestow a new genus upon these specimens, primarily due to the fragmentary nature of the available fossils and the modest number of unambiguous morphological characteristics identified at the time. However, recent discoveries of more complete and finely preserved material have provided critical anatomical insights. Through meticulous comparative analyses conducted by an international consortium of paleontologists from Canada, Chile, and the United States, the research has conclusively demonstrated that Traskasaura is unlike any other recorded elasmosaur.
One of the defining anatomical features of Traskasaura lies in its shoulder morphology, which exhibits an unusual configuration not observed in known plesiosaur taxa. This, coupled with an exceptionally long neck — as evidenced by at least 36 well-preserved cervical vertebrae in the specimens studied — accounts for an estimated neck comprising upwards of 50 vertebrae. Such a specialized skeletal design likely facilitated distinctive locomotor and hunting capabilities, as suggested by the peculiar arrangement of limb and girdle bones indicating proficiency in downward swimming maneuvers.
This inferred hunting strategy is particularly compelling. The combination of a long, flexible neck with powerful crushing teeth suggests a predation style where Traskasaura may have ambushed prey from above, descending rapidly through the water column onto ammonites and possibly other small marine organisms. This ecological behavior aligns with its heavily reinforced dental structure, adapted to withstand the mechanical stresses of breaching hard shells.
The species’ scientific name honors significant contributors to its discovery and legacy. The genus Traskasaura pays tribute to Michael and Heather Trask from Courtenay, British Columbia, the individuals who uncovered the original holotype material along the Puntledge River. The specific epithet sandrae commemorates Sandra Lee O’Keefe, a figure recognized for her bravery against breast cancer and closely associated with one of the pioneering scientists who first studied these fossils.
In a notable cultural milestone, Traskasaura sandrae was proclaimed the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia in 2023, a testament to its importance both scientifically and symbolically. This designation followed extensive public engagement, including a five-year advocacy campaign and a province-wide poll in which the elasmosaur received nearly half the votes. The fossil specimens are currently exhibited at The Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre, allowing the public direct insight into British Columbia’s unique prehistoric maritime heritage.
The discovery of Traskasaura not only enriches our understanding of elasmosaur diversity but also challenges long-standing phylogenetic assumptions regarding plesiosaur evolution. Its combination of ancestral and derived traits exemplifies convergent evolution and highlights the complex adaptive pathways marine reptiles pursued during the Mesozoic. These insights underscore the continually expanding narrative of life’s history in the world’s ancient oceans.
The research team’s international composition further reflects the collaborative spirit essential in decoding Earth’s deep past. Close cooperation, comparative morphology, and advanced analytical techniques were instrumental in resolving taxonomic ambiguities and fleshing out the evolutionary context of this enigmatic creature. The team’s findings herald new questions about elasmosaur biogeography, functional morphology, and paleoecology in Western Canada’s Late Cretaceous seas.
Professor F. Robin O’Keefe, lead author and marine reptile expert based at Marshall University, highlighted the significance of these fossils, remarking on the unique shoulder structure and the broader implications for plesiosaur functional anatomy. The distinctiveness of Traskasaura offers a vivid example of the surprises the fossil record perpetually holds, emphasizing the importance of continued excavation and multidisciplinary study in paleontological sciences.
In conclusion, Traskasaura sandrae emerges as a beacon of scientific discovery, uniting public fascination with rigorous academic inquiry. Its designation as the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia not only immortalizes a remarkable genus but also inspires appreciation for the ancient marine ecosystems that shaped the biodiversity of today’s Pacific Northwest. As further studies unfold, this strange elasmosaur taxon promises to deepen our understanding of evolution’s complexities during one of Earth’s most dynamic geological periods.
Subject of Research: Identification and analysis of a new elasmosaur genus and species (Traskasaura sandrae) from the Late Cretaceous Santonian of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Article Title: A name for the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia: a strange new elasmosaur taxon from the Santonian of Vancouver Island
News Publication Date: 23-May-2025
Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2025.2489938
http://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14772019.2025.2489938
Image Credits: Robert O. Clark
Keywords: Traskasaura sandrae, elasmosaur, Late Cretaceous, plesiosaur, Vancouver Island, marine reptiles, paleontology, Santonian, Haslam Formation, ammonite predation, fossil discovery, Provincial Fossil of British Columbia
