Actiosaurus
Encyclopedia
Actiosaurus is an extinct genus
of reptile
first described by Henri Sauvage in 1883. Little is known of it, and it is considered a nomen dubium
. Originally described as a dinosaur
, it is now widely considered to be an ichthyosaur
. The type species
is A. gaudryi (commonly misspelled A. gaudrii after Boulenger).
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
first described by Henri Sauvage in 1883. Little is known of it, and it is considered a nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...
. Originally described as a dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
, it is now widely considered to be an ichthyosaur
Ichthyosaur
Ichthyosaurs were giant marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins...
. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
is A. gaudryi (commonly misspelled A. gaudrii after Boulenger).