A large Rhomaleosaurid Pliosaur from the Upper Lias of Rutland

The fragmentary remains of a very large rhomaleosaurid pliosaur were retrieved during building works at Barnsdale Hall, Rutland. The limited material prevents clear identification at specific level, though on the basis of similarities of ratios of dimensions it shows closer affinity to Rhomaleosaurus arcuatus and R.victor than to R.cramptoni. Although scaling up from such fragmentary material is unreliable, the estimated length of this animal at 7.5 to 8 metres makes it possibly the largest Rhomaleosaurid pliosaur described to date.