Palaeopleurosaurus

Palaeopleurosaurus
Temporal range: Late Jurassic, 183 Ma
↓
Fossil specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Rhynchocephalia
Family:†Pleurosauridae
Genus:†Palaeopleurosaurus
Carroll, 1985
Species: †P. posidoniae
Binomial name
Palaeopleurosaurus posidoniae
Carroll, 1985

Palaeopleurosaurus is an extinct genus of diapsid reptiles belonging to the group Sphenodontia.[1]

Fossil
Model

Palaeoleurosaurus fossils were discovered in Bavaria, Germany from Toarcian (Early Jurassic) deposits,[2] dated to about 183 million years ago.[3] It is one of the few known aquatic sphenodontians,[1] a lifestyle supported by increased bone density in its gastralia.[4] However, the lack of increase in rib and femur bone density suggests that the lineage of Palaeopleurosaurus became gradually adapted to aquatic lifestyles. Histology shows that the number of growth rings in Palaeopleurosaurus was smaller than the living tuatara, possibly indicating a shorter lifespan.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Dupret, V. (2004). The pleurosaurs: anatomy and phylogeny. Revue de Paléobiologie, 9: 61-80.
  2. ↑ R. L. Carroll, R. L. (1985). A pleurosaur from the Lower Jurassic and the taxonomic position of the Sphenodontida. Palaeontographica Abteilung A, 1985. Volume 189. Pages 1-28.
  3. ↑ Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 Klein, N.; Scheyer, T.M. (2017). "Microanatomy and life history in Palaeopleurosaurus (Rhynchocephalia: Pleurosauridae) from the Early Jurassic of Germany". The Science of Nature. 104 (4). doi:10.1007/s00114-016-1427-3.


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