Abstract - A taphonomic model is erected for a dataset of 19
Steneosaurus (Mesoeucrocodylia; Thalattosuchia) from the
Toarcian Posidonienschiefer Formation (Lower Jurassic) of
Germany. These were deposited in a quiet-water, marine,
basin. Their taphonomy is compared with that of an additional
seven thalattosuchians from other Jurassic localities
(Peterborough and Yorkshire, UK; Nusplingen, Germany).
The skeletal taphonomy of the specimens is assessed in
terms of the articulation and completeness of nine skeletal
units. Steneosaurus from the Posidonienschiefer Formation
exhibit variable levels of articulation in the nine units.
Completeness also varies but the head, neck and dorsal units
are complete in all specimens. Carcasses reached the sediment–
water interface shortly after death. Loss of fidelity occurred
primarily as individuals lay on the sediment, and
disarticulated elements tended to remain in the vicinity of
the carcass. Those elements absent from specimens are the
smaller, more distal, bones of the limbs and tail; these
were removed preferentially by weak bottom currents. Smaller
specimens are consistently less complete. Specimens from
other localities broadly follow the same taphonomic pathway,
suggesting a consistent pattern for the skeletal taphonomy
of the carcasses of marine crocodiles. Loss of completeness
in some specimens is more exacerbated, the result of
stronger current activity at the sediment–water interface.
Palaeobiodiversity and palaeoenvironments, 92, 83-98. 2012.