Dolichosaurus
Temporal range: Upper Cretaceous
Fossil
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: †Dolichosauridae
Genus: †Dolichosaurus
Owen, 1850
Species
  • D. longicollis Owen, 1850 (type)

Dolichosaurus (meaning "long lizard") is an extinct genus of marine squamate of the Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian chalk deposits of England. It is a member of the family Dolichosauridae.[1] It was a small reptile measuring 0.5–1 m (1.6–3.3 ft) long.[2] It had an elongate neck resulting from an increased number of cervical vertebrae.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Michael W. Caldwell. On the aquatic squamate Dolichosaurus longicollis Owen, 1850 (Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous), and the evolution of elongate necks in squamates. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20(4):720-735. 2000. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0720:OTASDL]2.0.CO;2
  2. ^ Bardet, Nathalie (2008). "The Cenomanian-Turonian (late Cretaceous) radiation of marine squamates (Reptilia): the role of the Mediterranean Tethys". Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France. 179 (6): 605–623. doi:10.2113/gssgfbull.179.6.605.


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