Askeptosaurus
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| Askeptosaurus Temporal range: Middle Triassic |
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| Askeptosaurus italicus fossil | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Thalattosauria |
| Family: | Askeptosauridae |
| Genus: | Askeptosaurus |
| Species | |
Askeptosaurus is an extinct genus of aquatic reptile related to the thalattosaurian group. Their remains have been found in Italy and Switzerland.
Askeptosaurus was a very thin, elongated creature, that probably swam like an eel. Its tail was very long, accounting for around half of the animal's total length of 2 metres (6.6 ft), and its webbed feet would have been well suited for steering itself through the water. Judging from its long jaws, it primarily ate fish.[1]
Askeptosaurus probably hunted in deep waters, because it had large eyes suited to conditions of low light. Like ichthyosaurs, it also had a protective bony ring around the eyes, which would have prevented them from collapsing under the immense water pressure of great depths.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 83. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
[edit] External links
- The anatomy of Askeptosaurus italicus from the Middle Triassic of Monte San Giorgio and the interrelationships of thalattosaurs (Reptilia, Diapsida) [1]
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