L. B. H. Tarlo

Academic paper

XVth International Congress of Zoology

Sect.V

Paper 9

WORK on Pliosaurs is being undertaken in many parts of the world. Naturally it is often impossible for workers in this field to visit Britain, to examine personally the numerous type and figured specimens housed in this country, in particular those of Upper Jurassic age, of which we have the monopoly.
Most of the short-necked Plesiosaurians (of which these Upper 'Jurassic Pliosaurs form the central group) were quite inadequately described in the nineteeth century. Besides this, there was no agreement among the different authors on what characters were of diagnostic value, and few authors attempted to compare their material with previously described specimens. Often, isolated fragments of indifferent material were honoured with their own specific names; indeed some specific distinctions were effected on size alone. Consequently, workers in other countries who have to rely solely on the literature, are placed in a very difficult position. It is imperative therefore that this confusion be cleared up at the earliest possible moment, so that they can have a sound basis for the consideration of earlier and later forms.

English