Eogyrinus
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| Eogyrinus Temporal range: Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian epoch) |
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| Eogyrinus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Superclass: | Tetrapoda |
| Class: | Amphibia sensu lato |
| Superorder: | Reptiliomorpha |
| Order: | †Anthracosauria |
| Suborder: | †Embolomeri |
| Family: | †Eogyrinidae Watson, 1929 |
| Genus: | †Eogyrinus Watson, 1926 |
Eogyrinus (from Greek eos meaning dawn and gyrinos meaning Tadpole) was one of the largest Carboniferous tetrapods, and perhaps one of the largest of its family, Eogyrinidae, at 4.6 metres (15 ft) in length.[1]
Eogyrinus appears to have been a powerful swimmer that moved quickly through the water by swishing its long tail from side to side. It may have been a predator, lying in wait for prey in much the same way as a modern crocodile. Its lightly built 560 kilograms (1,200 lb) body might have allowed it to do a death-roll, like a crocodile[clarification needed]. Although probably better at hunting in the water, Eogyrinus could probably have also made a grab for prey passing close by on land.
Fossils of Eogyrinus are known from England.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 53. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
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