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This is a list of stratigraphic units from which mosasaur body fossils have been recovered. Units listed are all either formation rank or higher (e.g. group). Units listed are all either formation rank or higher (e.g. group).
Instead, they primarily relied on stratigraphic associations and Cuvier's 1808 research on the holotype skull. Thus, in-depth research on the placement of Mosasaurus was not undertaken until the discovery of more complete mosasaur fossils during the late 19th century, which reignited research on the placement of mosasaurs among squamates. [8]
English: Size comparison of the mosasaurin mosasaurine mosasaurid mosasauroid Mosasaurus. Mosasaurus hoffmannii is the largest species of this genus. The specimen catalogued as CCMGE 10/2469 (also known as the "Penza specimen") is among the largest known specimens of this species, with an estimated length of around 1.7 m (5.6 ft).
Mosasaurus was a type of derived mosasaur, or a latecoming member with advanced evolutionary traits such as a fully aquatic lifestyle. As such, it had a streamlined body, an elongated tail ending with a downturn supporting a two-lobed fin, and two pairs of flippers.
MNHN 9587 was originally assessed as 'Ichtyosaurus missouriensis', [7] while RFWUIP 1327 was described as 'Mosasaurus maximiliani'. [8] Later both specimens were confirmed to belong to the same individual and the species name was established. Skull of Mosasaurus missouriensis holotype RFWUIP 1327 with a cast of MNHN 9587. Sarabosaurus dahli ...
Skeleton of Clidastes liodontus mounted as if pursuing a fossil sea turtle. Russell (1967, pp. 123–124) [6] defined the Mosasaurinae as differing from all other mosasaurs as follows: "Small rostrum present or absent anterior to premaxillary teeth.
The smaller mosasaurs may have spent some time in fresh water, hunting for food. The largest mosasaur Mosasaurus hoffmannii was the apex predator of the Late Cretaceous oceans, reaching more than 11 metres (36 ft) in length and weighing up to 10 metric tons (11 short tons) in body mass. [14]
Mosasauroidea is a superfamily of extinct marine lizards that existed during the Late Cretaceous.Basal members of this group consist of small semiaquatic forms with terrestrial limbs ("plesiopedal"), while laters members include larger fully aquatic paddle-limbed ("hydropedal") forms commonly known as mosasaurs. [3]