[1] Palaeopleurosaurus fossils were discovered in Germany (Holzmaden and Kerkhofen) from the Lower Toarcian (Early Jurassic), Posidonia Shale, dated to about 182-180 million years ago.

[2] The study of a new specimen provided additional information, corroborating the existence of an early lineage of elongated sphenodontians, although with retained characters of terrestrial genera such as Kallimodon.

[4] It has similarities with other marine reptiles, such with members of Sauropterygia the presence of a defined suture between the centrum and the neural arch, along with reducted sternum.

[3] Recent studies suggest a shorter lifespan than modern Tuatara, based on irregular spacing of growth marks.

[1] Histology shows that the number of growth rings in Palaeopleurosaurus was smaller than the living tuatara, possibly indicating a shorter lifespan.