Temnodontosaurus
| Temnodontosaurus Temporal range: Early Jurassic |
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| Mounted fossil of Temnodontosaurus trigonodon, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | †Ichthyosauria |
| Family: | †Temnodontosauridae |
| Genus: | †Temnodontosaurus Lydekker, 1889 |
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Temnodontosaurus is an extinct genus of ichthyosaurs from the Early Jurassic, ranging between 198 and 185 million years ago (Hettangian - Toarcian), and known from Europe (England and Germany). Species of Temnodontosaurus were large, exceeding 12 meters (40 ft) in length.[1]
Classification
It is the only genus in the family Temnodontosauridae.[2]T. risor was found to be a juvenile of T. platyodon.[3]
Palaeobiology
Temnodontosaurus eyes were approximately 20 cm (8 in) in diameter making them some of the largest of any known vertebrate. Despite the impressive size of their eyes, temnodontosaurus had blind spots directly above their head due to the angle at which their eyes were pointed. They were powerful swimmers with great stamina and could descend into the deepest areas in the Jurassic sea to catch their prey.
References
- ^ Maisch MW, Matzke AT. 2000. The Ichthyosauria. Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde Serie B (Geologie und Paläontologie) 298: 1-159
- ^ HIERARCHICAL TAXONOMY OF THE CLASS EODIAPSIDA. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
- ^ McGowan, C. (1995). "Temnodontosaurus risor Is a Juvenile of T. platyodon (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 14 (4): 472–479. Unknown parameter
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