Nanchangosaurus
Nanchangosaurus Temporal range: Middle Triassic,
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Holotype specimen
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | †Hupehsuchia |
Family: | †Nanchangosauridae |
Genus: | †Nanchangosaurus Wang, 1959 |
Type species | |
†Nanchangosaurus suni Wang, 1959
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Nanchangosaurus is an
Description
Nanchangosaurus resembled a cross between an
Classification
Nanchangosaurus is a member of the Hupehsuchia, a group that includes the very similar Hupehsuchus. In fact, the two may be congeneric. A few differences between the two species are seen. Hupehsuchus had heavier armor and more divided ridge spines than the two. Other than Hupehsuchus, little else is known about Nanchangosaurus relatives. They have sometimes been referred to as ancestors of the ichthyosaurs, because of their streamlined shape, long jaws, and paddle-like hands, as well as the discovery of polydactyly in the fins of Hupehsuchus, just like the ichthyosaurs. However, a gap in the skulls suggests that they may be related to archosaurs, instead. Some people even put them in the Eosuchia, a group of early diapsid reptiles.[2]
See also
- List of ichthyosaurs
- Timeline of ichthyosaur research
References
- The World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures by Dougal Dixon