| Redondasaurus Fossil range: Late Triassic | |
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Redondasaurus | |
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Redondasaurus is a genus of phytosaur from the Late Triassic of North America. Translated, the name Redondasaurus means "Redonda lizard," referring to the Redonda Formation of east-central New Mexico, USA.[1] It was first named by Hunt & Lucas in 1993, and contains one species, R. gregorii. It is the youngest and most evolutionarily-advanced of the phytosaurs.[2]
Redondasaurus was a carnivore and measured from 10 to 12 meters in length, 1.5 meters of which made up the length of the head, and 1.5 meters in height.[3] They could reach a weight of up to 26,000 lbs.[3] It likely spent most of its time in lakes and rivers, and ambushed its prey, which consisted of fish, small reptiles, and possibly dinosaurs.[3] There is little columnar enamel in the teeth of Redondasaurus.[4]
Etymology[]
The genus name Redondasaurus (pron: ruh-don-duh-SORE-us) is derived from the its location of discovery (Mesa Redonda near Tucumcari, New Mexico) and the Greek word "saurus," meaning reptile.
Description[]
Redondasaurus had a long snout, compromising 81% of the length of the skull in the largest known specimen, a single 80 cm (31 in) long skull[3] from the Upper Chinle Formation, New Mexico.[4] It likely spent most of its time in lakes and rivers, and ambushed its prey, which consisted of fish, small reptiles, and possibly dinosaurs.[5] The enamel in the teeth of Redondasaurus has a columnar microstructure.
A recent phylogenetic analysis found that the genera Pseudopalatus, Mystriosuchus, Redondasaurus and Nicrosaurus were pseudopalatines.[5]
Classification[]
References[]
- ^ Creisler, Ben (1996-01-01). "Phytosauria Translation and Pronunciaton Guide". Dinosauria.com. http://www.dinosauria.com/dml/names/phyto.htm#R. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ Late Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic Circum-Pacific Events and their Global Correlation (World and Regional Geology); page 219. By J. M. Dickins, Yang Zunyi, Yin Hongfu, and S. G. Lucas. Published 1997, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521471753 Retrieved on 2008-04-24
- ^ a b c "Dinos Alive official website's page on Redondasaurus". www.dinosalive.com. http://www.dinosalive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=34. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
- ^ "Tooth Enamel Microstructure of Selected Archosaurs Reptilia: Archosauria from the Upper Triassic Chinle Group, Western USA: Taxonomic and Evolutionary Significance". Andrew B. Heckert and Jessica Camp; Dept. of Geology, Appalachian State University. 2007-10-31. http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007AM/finalprogram/abstract_127709.htm. Retrieved on 2008-07-13.
- ^ Hungerbühler A. 2002. The Late Triassic phytosaur Mystriosuchus westphali, with a revision of the genus. Palaeontology 45 (2): 377-418
Further reading[]
- The Great Rift Valleys of Pangea in Eastern North America By Peter M. LeTourneau, Paul Eric Olsen. Published 2003, Columbia University Press. ISBN 023112676X
- Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology By Elsevier Science (Firm) Published 1998, Elsevier. v. 143. Original from the University of California.
External links[]
