Nanchangosaurus
Encyclopedia
Nanchangosaurus was a large aquatic reptile native to the middle Triassic
of China
. It was named after the area in China, Nanchang
, where it was found. It was about three feet (one meter) in length, and probably fed on fish or used its long jaws to probe for aquatic invertebrates. It resembled the ichthyosaurs in build, and may be related to them.
and a crocodilian. It had a fusiform body, similar to a dolphin or an ichthyosaur, paddle-like limbs; with forelimbs being larger than hindlimbs, and a crocodilian-like tail for swimming through the water. It had bony scutes on its back, like an alligator, but had a long snout filled with teeth, like an ichthyosaur or a river dolphin.
, a group that includes the very similar Hupehsuchus
. In fact, the two may be congeneric. There are a few differences between the two species. Hupehsuchus had heavier armor and more divided ridge spines than the two. Other than Hupehsuchus, there is little else known about Nanchangosaurus relatives. They have sometimes been referred to as ancestors of the ichthyosaurs, because of their streamlined shape, long jaws, and paddle-like hands, as well as the discovery of polydactyly in the fins of Hupehsuchus; just like the ichthyosaurs. However, a gap in the skulls suggests that they may be related to archosaurs instead. Some people even put them in the Eosuchia
, a group of early diapsid reptiles.
Middle Triassic
In the geologic timescale, the Middle Triassic is the second of three epochs of the Triassic period or the middle of three series in which the Triassic system is divided. It spans the time between 245 ± 1.5 Ma and 228 ± 2 Ma...
of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It was named after the area in China, Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, where it was found. It was about three feet (one meter) in length, and probably fed on fish or used its long jaws to probe for aquatic invertebrates. It resembled the ichthyosaurs in build, and may be related to them.
Anatomy
Nanchangosaurus resembled a cross between an ichthyosaurIchthyosaur
Ichthyosaurs were giant marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins...
and a crocodilian. It had a fusiform body, similar to a dolphin or an ichthyosaur, paddle-like limbs; with forelimbs being larger than hindlimbs, and a crocodilian-like tail for swimming through the water. It had bony scutes on its back, like an alligator, but had a long snout filled with teeth, like an ichthyosaur or a river dolphin.
Classification
Nanchangosaurus is a member of the HupehsuchiaHupehsuchia
Hupehsuchia is an order of diapsid reptiles, of which Nanchangosauridae is the only family. The order was short-lasting, with a temporal range restricted to the Spathian age of the late Olenekian, spanning only a few million years of the Early Triassic...
, a group that includes the very similar Hupehsuchus
Hupehsuchus
Hupehsuchus was a small genus of marine reptile, about 1 meter long. It was found in the area of Hubei in China. This marine reptile lived in the Olenekian stage of the Early Triassic period. Hupehsuchus was similar to its close cousin, Nanchangosaurus, but differed from it in a number of ways...
. In fact, the two may be congeneric. There are a few differences between the two species. Hupehsuchus had heavier armor and more divided ridge spines than the two. Other than Hupehsuchus, there is little else known about Nanchangosaurus relatives. They have sometimes been referred to as ancestors of the ichthyosaurs, because of their streamlined shape, long jaws, and paddle-like hands, as well as the discovery of polydactyly in the fins of Hupehsuchus; just like the ichthyosaurs. However, a gap in the skulls suggests that they may be related to archosaurs instead. Some people even put them in the Eosuchia
Eosuchia
Eosuchians are an extinct order of diapsid reptiles. Depending on which taxa are included the order may have ranged from the late Carboniferous to the Eocene but the consensus is that eosuchians are confined to the Permian and Triassic....
, a group of early diapsid reptiles.