User:Ryan shell/Dactylosaurus
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| Dactylosaurus Fossil range: Middle Triassic (Anisian?) |
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Dactylosaurus is a genus of Nothosaur in the family, Pachypleurosauridae.
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[edit] Etymology
The first part of Dactylosaurs' comes fomr the Greek word daktulos (δακτυλοσ), meaning "fingers". The second part comes from the Greek sauros (σαυρος), meaning "lizard" or "reptile."
[edit] Description
[edit] D. gracilis
The holotype specimen of D. gracilis was only a partial skeleton consisting of only the anterior end[1] . The one limb that was found (a left forelimb) , was noted to have a slimmer radius and ulna than Neusticosaurus[1], a similar nothosaur from Europe[1]. D. gracilis is the smallest known species in its family[1], which includes the much more recognized Keichousaurus, a nothosaur often remembered for its small size[2] . The original holotype of D. gracilis is considered a juvenile[3]. however the size a nothosaur is when its bones harden is used to show size, making the estimate as smallest member of it's family still valid[1].
[edit] Distribution
Dactylosaurs lived in the Middle Triassic period during the Anisian faunal stage, of central Europe[4] . In terms of geology, they are found in the lowest Muschelkalk layers, in and around the Gogolin Formation[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e paleos.com entry on Dactylosaurus. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
- ^ peripatus.gen.nz entry on Keichousaurus. Retrieved on 2008-06-12.
- ^ Rieppel, O & L Kebang (1995), Pachypleurosaurs (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk, and a review of the Pachypleurosauroidea. Fieldiana Geol. N.S. 32: 1-44.
- ^ a b plesiosauria.com entry on Dactylosaurus. Retrieved on 2008-06-13.
