Thalattosaurus alexandrae Merriam, 1904
Systematics: Diapsida Neodiapsida Thalattosauria Thalattosauridae
Size: 2 m long
Type Horizon and Locality: Late Triassic, Hosselkus Limestone Formation (Carnian) Shasta County, California, US
Type Specimen: UCMP 9085, a skull and postcranial elements
This aquatic reptile had a streamlined body with a flattened tail. The jaws had a distinctive downturn near the tip. It was probably a shell-eater. The other two species from California described by Merrian, T. perrini and T. shastensis are considered to be the same as T. alexandrae. The only other valid species is the smaller T. borealis from the Early Triassic of British Columbia.
September 24, 2017
References:
Rieppel, O., Müller, J., & Liu, J. (2005). Rostral structure in Thalattosauria (Reptilia, Diapsida). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 42(12), 2081-2086.
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