Muraenosaurus

Muraenosaurus
Muraenosaurus
Temporal range: Middle Jurassic, Callovian
Muraenosaurus leedsi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Plesiosauria
Superfamily: Plesiosauroidea
Family: Cryptoclididae
Genus: Muraenosaurus

Muraenosaurus ('moray eel lizard') is an extinct genus of sauropterygian reptile, from the Middle Jurassic of Europe. Fossils have been found in England and France.

Muraenosaurus grew to around 6 metres (20 ft) long, with around half of that length being taken up by the animal's neck, which possessed 44 vertebrae. Behind the neck, Muraenosaurus had a short, relatively inflexible body and powerful flippers. The head was remarkably small compared to the overall size of the animal, being only around 37 centimetres (15 in) long.[1][2][3]

Media

References

  1. ^ Palmer, D., ed (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 75. ISBN 1-84028-152-9. 
  2. ^ Seeley, HG. 1874. On Murænosaurus Leedsii, a Plesiosaurian from the Oxford Clay. Part I. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 30: 197-208.
  3. ^ Andrews, CW. 1913. A descriptive catalogue of the Marine Reptiles of the Oxford Clay, Part II. British Museum (Natural History). pp.205pp.