Metoposaurus
| Metoposaurus Temporal range: Late Triassic
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| File:Metoposaurus BW.jpg | |
| Metoposaurus diagnosticus | |
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| Genus: | Metoposaurus Lydekker, 1890
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M. diagnosticus | |
Metoposaurus is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian, known from the Late Triassic of Europe and North America[1]. This mostly aquatic animal possessed small, weak limbs, had sharp teeth and a large flat head[2]. The main diet of this highly flattened creature was fish which it captured with its wide jaws lined with needle teeth. Metoposaurus was up to 3 m (10 feet) long, weighed 454 kg (1,000 pounds)[3], and was one of the last large amphibians. Still, the much larger Koolasuchus survived far into the Cretaceous. A lot of Metoposaurus mass graves have been found, probably from creatures that grouped together in drying pools during drought.
In Popular Culture
Metoposaurus was shown in the "Dawn of the Dinos" episode of Paleoworld. It was also shown in a book version of Walking with Dinosaurs.
Gallery
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Metoposaurus fossils, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris -
Metoposaurus bakeri - Late Triassic of Texas -
Metoposaurus diagnosticus krasiejowensis from Poland -
Dorsal view of Metoposaurus skull cast, UALVP -
Ventral view of Metoposaurus skull cast, UALVP -
Posterior view of Metoposaurus skull cast, UALVP -
Anterior view of Metoposaurus skull cast, UALVP
References
- ^ T. Sulej, "Species discrimination of the Late Triassic temnospondyl amphibian Metoposaurus diagnosticus", Acta Paleontologica Polonica, 47, 535-546 (2002)
- ^ Gaines, Richard M. (2001). Coelophysis. ABDO Publishing Company. p. 16. ISBN 1-57765-488-9.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Gaines, Richard M. (2001). Coelophysis. ABDO Publishing Company. p. 16. ISBN 1-57765-488-9.
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External links
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