| Dactylosaurus Temporal range:
Early-
Middle Triassic,
| |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Superorder: | † Sauropterygia |
| Family: | † Pachypleurosauridae |
| Genus: | †
Dactylosaurus Gürich, 1884 |
| Type species | |
|
†Dactylosaurus gracilis Gürich, 1884
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dactylosaurus is a genus of nothosaur in the family Pachypleurosauridae. Along with Anarosaurus, Dactylosaurus was one of the earliest known pachypleurosaurs to come from Europe. [1]
Etymology
Dactylosaurus comes from the Greek daktulos (δακτυλος), " finger" and sauros (σαυρος), meaning " lizard" or " reptile."
Description
Dactylosaurus was a small reptile measuring up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) long. [2] The nasal bones of Dactylosaurus meet and are broadly structured. [3] The upper temporal fenestra is large and kidney-shaped. [3] There are 17 cervical vertebrae [3] and the cervical ribs have anterior processes. [3] The maxillae of Dactylosaurus extended broadly up the side of the snout. [1]
D. gracilis
The holotype specimen ( MGUWR WR 3871s) of D. gracilis was only a partial skeleton, consisting of the anterior end alone. [1] Because it differed slightly from the fossils of D. gracilis, it was first thought to belong to the species D. schroederi, [1] which is now considered a junior synonym for juvenile D. gracilis. [3] Once this was established, the juvenile fossil, which was found before the adult fossils, became the holotype. The one limb that was found (a left forelimb), was noted to have a slimmer radius and ulna than Neusticosaurus, [1] a similar nothosaur from Europe. [1] D. gracilis is the smallest known species in its family, [1] which includes the much more recognized Keichousaurus, a nothosaur often remembered for its small size. [4] The original holotype of D. gracilis is considered a juvenile, [3] however the size of a nothosaur when its bones harden is used to show size, making the estimate as smallest member of its family still valid. [1]
Distribution
Dactylosaurus lived in the Early and Middle Triassic period during the Late Olenekian and Anisian [3] faunal stage, of central Europe. [5]
In terms of geology, they are found: 1) in the uppermost Röt (uppermost Buntsandstein; Lower Triassic): e.g. Michałkowice (Siemianowice Śląskie) and Kamień Śląski, S Poland, [3] (the second location is not sure because Röt is not exposed there), 2) in the lowermost Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic), inter alia in the Gogolin Formation - Gogolin and its vicinity, S Poland. [5] [6]
In 2012, the new Röt site (~ 247 Ma; Lower Triassic; the latest Olenekian) with abundant disarticulated remains of Dactylosaurus was found in Gogolin. Presently, this in the only site where Dactylosaurus remains are accessible to collect. [7] [8] [9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lepidosauromorpha: Pachypleurosauridae: Dactylosaurus & Anarosaurus Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine Palaeos.com. Last accessed 2008-07-04.
- ^ Klein, N.; Griebeler, E.M. (2018). "Growth patterns, sexual dimorphism, and maturation modeled in Pachypleurosauria from Middle Triassic of central Europe (Diapsida: Sauropterygia)". Fossil Record. 21 (1): 137–157. doi: 10.5194/fr-21-137-2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rieppel, O & L Kebang (1995), "Pachypleurosaurs (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk, and a review of the Pachypleurosauroidea." Fieldiana Geol. N.S. 32: 1-44.
- ^ "peripatus.gen.nz entry on Keichousaurus". Archived from the original on 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ a b "plesiosauria.com entry on Dactylosaurus". Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
- ^ Sues H-D., Carroll R.L. 1985. The pachypleurosaurid Dactylosaurus schroederi (Diapsida: Sauropterygia). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 22(11): 1602-1608
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2012a. Warstwy kościonośne z Dactylosaurus (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) z retu (trias dolny, olenek) Opolszczyzny Bonebeds with Dactylosaurus (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Röt (Lower Triassic, Olenekian) in the Opole Silesia region (S Poland). Przegląd Geologiczny 60 (12): 646–649
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2012b. New findings of vertebrate remains from the Röt (Lower Triassic, Olenekian) in the vicinity of Gogolin (Opole Silesia, S Poland). [W:] Krasiejów - inspiracje paleontologiczne / Krasiejów - paleontological inspirations. E. Jagt-Yazykova, J. Jagt, A. Bodzioch, D. Konietzko-Meier (red.). Zakład Poligraficzno-Wydawniczy "Plik", Bytom: 70-80. ISBN 978-83-916841-8-4
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2017. Genesis of the Lower Triassic bonebeds from Gogolin (S Poland): The impact of microbial mats on trapping of vertebrate remains. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 466, 38–58
External links
- Pachypleurosauridae from Palaeos.com (technical)
- Dactylosaurus from the Plesiosaur Directory
- http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/e85-169
- Kowal-Linka & Bodzioch 2012a
- Kowal-Linka & Bodzioch 2012b
.png)
| Dactylosaurus Temporal range:
Early-
Middle Triassic,
| |
|---|---|
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Superorder: | † Sauropterygia |
| Family: | † Pachypleurosauridae |
| Genus: | †
Dactylosaurus Gürich, 1884 |
| Type species | |
|
†Dactylosaurus gracilis Gürich, 1884
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dactylosaurus is a genus of nothosaur in the family Pachypleurosauridae. Along with Anarosaurus, Dactylosaurus was one of the earliest known pachypleurosaurs to come from Europe. [1]
Etymology
Dactylosaurus comes from the Greek daktulos (δακτυλος), " finger" and sauros (σαυρος), meaning " lizard" or " reptile."
Description
Dactylosaurus was a small reptile measuring up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) long. [2] The nasal bones of Dactylosaurus meet and are broadly structured. [3] The upper temporal fenestra is large and kidney-shaped. [3] There are 17 cervical vertebrae [3] and the cervical ribs have anterior processes. [3] The maxillae of Dactylosaurus extended broadly up the side of the snout. [1]
D. gracilis
The holotype specimen ( MGUWR WR 3871s) of D. gracilis was only a partial skeleton, consisting of the anterior end alone. [1] Because it differed slightly from the fossils of D. gracilis, it was first thought to belong to the species D. schroederi, [1] which is now considered a junior synonym for juvenile D. gracilis. [3] Once this was established, the juvenile fossil, which was found before the adult fossils, became the holotype. The one limb that was found (a left forelimb), was noted to have a slimmer radius and ulna than Neusticosaurus, [1] a similar nothosaur from Europe. [1] D. gracilis is the smallest known species in its family, [1] which includes the much more recognized Keichousaurus, a nothosaur often remembered for its small size. [4] The original holotype of D. gracilis is considered a juvenile, [3] however the size of a nothosaur when its bones harden is used to show size, making the estimate as smallest member of its family still valid. [1]
Distribution
Dactylosaurus lived in the Early and Middle Triassic period during the Late Olenekian and Anisian [3] faunal stage, of central Europe. [5]
In terms of geology, they are found: 1) in the uppermost Röt (uppermost Buntsandstein; Lower Triassic): e.g. Michałkowice (Siemianowice Śląskie) and Kamień Śląski, S Poland, [3] (the second location is not sure because Röt is not exposed there), 2) in the lowermost Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic), inter alia in the Gogolin Formation - Gogolin and its vicinity, S Poland. [5] [6]
In 2012, the new Röt site (~ 247 Ma; Lower Triassic; the latest Olenekian) with abundant disarticulated remains of Dactylosaurus was found in Gogolin. Presently, this in the only site where Dactylosaurus remains are accessible to collect. [7] [8] [9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lepidosauromorpha: Pachypleurosauridae: Dactylosaurus & Anarosaurus Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine Palaeos.com. Last accessed 2008-07-04.
- ^ Klein, N.; Griebeler, E.M. (2018). "Growth patterns, sexual dimorphism, and maturation modeled in Pachypleurosauria from Middle Triassic of central Europe (Diapsida: Sauropterygia)". Fossil Record. 21 (1): 137–157. doi: 10.5194/fr-21-137-2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rieppel, O & L Kebang (1995), "Pachypleurosaurs (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk, and a review of the Pachypleurosauroidea." Fieldiana Geol. N.S. 32: 1-44.
- ^ "peripatus.gen.nz entry on Keichousaurus". Archived from the original on 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ a b "plesiosauria.com entry on Dactylosaurus". Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
- ^ Sues H-D., Carroll R.L. 1985. The pachypleurosaurid Dactylosaurus schroederi (Diapsida: Sauropterygia). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 22(11): 1602-1608
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2012a. Warstwy kościonośne z Dactylosaurus (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) z retu (trias dolny, olenek) Opolszczyzny Bonebeds with Dactylosaurus (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Röt (Lower Triassic, Olenekian) in the Opole Silesia region (S Poland). Przegląd Geologiczny 60 (12): 646–649
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2012b. New findings of vertebrate remains from the Röt (Lower Triassic, Olenekian) in the vicinity of Gogolin (Opole Silesia, S Poland). [W:] Krasiejów - inspiracje paleontologiczne / Krasiejów - paleontological inspirations. E. Jagt-Yazykova, J. Jagt, A. Bodzioch, D. Konietzko-Meier (red.). Zakład Poligraficzno-Wydawniczy "Plik", Bytom: 70-80. ISBN 978-83-916841-8-4
- ^ Kowal-Linka M., Bodzioch A. 2017. Genesis of the Lower Triassic bonebeds from Gogolin (S Poland): The impact of microbial mats on trapping of vertebrate remains. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 466, 38–58
External links
- Pachypleurosauridae from Palaeos.com (technical)
- Dactylosaurus from the Plesiosaur Directory
- http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/e85-169
- Kowal-Linka & Bodzioch 2012a
- Kowal-Linka & Bodzioch 2012b
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