Long-necked Triassic reptile from Poland

PUBLICATION — Rytel, A. 2026. Tanystropheus still conspicuous—an osteological redescription of the first tanystropheid. Palaeontologia Polonica 68: 1–74, Supplement to Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 71 (3).  https://doi.org/10.4202/app.01314.2025

Figure: Life reconstruction of Tanystropheus (author: Marcin Ambrozik).

The Triassic was a period in which many extant reptile groups originated, but it also gave rise to forms that exhibited unique anatomical features. Tanystropheus was characterised by an extremely elongate neck, which could have reached around half of its total body length. Due to the scarcity of three-dimensionally preserved remains, many aspects of its biology remained disputed. The new palaeontological site in Miedary (Upper Silesia, Poland) has yielded rich material of this animal, enabling a detailed reconstruction of its skeleton and lifestyle. Tanystropheus conspicuus was an aquatic ambush predator that could grow to up to seven meters in length – one of the longest Middle Triassic reptiles.

After a ten-year hiatus, Palaeontologia Polonica – a series published since 1929, and since 1955 by the Institute of Paleobiology of the Polish Academy of Sciences – is making a comeback. In its new format, Palaeontologia Polonica is published as a supplement to Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

Figure: Skeletal reconstruction of a large individual of Tanystropheus conspicuus (author: Adam Rytel).