Monjurosuchidae
Encyclopedia
Monjurosuchidae is a family
of prehistoric reptile
s belonging to the order Choristodera
. Until the description of Philydrosaurus
in 2005, the only genus in the family was Monjurosuchus
. Both lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous
.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of prehistoric 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...
s belonging to the order Choristodera
Choristodera
Choristodera is an order of semi-aquatic diapsid reptiles which ranged from the Middle Jurassic, or possibly Late Triassic, to at least the early Miocene. Choristoderes have been found in North America, Asia, and Europe. The most common fossils are typically found from the Late Cretaceous to the...
. Until the description of Philydrosaurus
Philydrosaurus
Philydrosaurus is an extinct genus of choristoderan which existed in China during the Early Cretaceous. The type species P. proseilus was named in 2005. Philydrosaurus is closely related to the choristodere Monjurosuchus, and both have been placed in the same family Monjurosuchidae...
in 2005, the only genus in the family was Monjurosuchus
Monjurosuchus
Monjurosuchus is a genus of choristoderan reptile that lived in what is now China and Japan during the Early Cretaceous. It has large eyes, a rounded skull, robust legs with short claws, and a long, thin tail. Fossils have been found that preserve soft tissue, showing that it had soft skin and...
. Both lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous
The Early Cretaceous or the Lower Cretaceous , is the earlier or lower of the two major divisions of the Cretaceous...
.