Futabasaurus has been estimated over 6 metres (20 ft) in length,[1] possibly within the range of 6.4–9.2 metres (21–30 ft).[2] It can be distinguished from other elasmosaurids by the following characteristics: there is a long distance between the eye sockets and nostrils; the interclavicles and clavicles are fused, and the anterior edge is bent; the humerus is relatively long; and the femora are slim and show prominent muscle scars.[1]
Futabasaurus is the first elasmosaurid found in Japan. It was originally known as either "Wellesisaurus sudzuki" or "Futaba-ryu" before publication. The type specimen of Futabasaurus was found in the Irimazawa Member of the Tamayama Formation, in the Futaba Group of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The rocks in which it were found date to the Inoceramus amakusensis zone of the early Santonian. The fossils were found by Tadashi Suzuki, then a high school student.[1] Many of the bones of the type specimen show signs of apparent scavenging or predation by sharks,[1] specifically Cretalamna.[3]
The genus Futabasaurus was named after the Futaba Group, in which it was discovered; the specific name is derived from the family name of its discoverer, Suzuki.[1]
Pre-2006 skeletal mount which is informally labelled as "Wellesisaurus sudzuki" (with a large stone containing crinoids and ammonites in the background)
The following cladogram shows the placement of Futabasaurus within Elasmosauridae following an analysis by Rodrigo A. Otero, 2016:[5]
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