Biology:Pamizinsaurus

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Short description: Extinct genus of reptiles


Pamizinsaurus
Temporal range: Albian
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Rhynchocephalia
Family: Sphenodontidae
Genus: Pamizinsaurus
Reynoso, 1997
Type species
Pamizinsaurus tlayuaensis
Reynoso, 1997

Pamizinisaurus is a genus of sphenodontian reptile known from Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Tlayúa Formation of central Mexico.[1] It was named Pamizinsaurus tlayuaensis by Reynoso in 1997, after Tlayua Quarry were it was found. It is known from the crushed skeleton of a juvenile individual, with a skull length of around 16 millimetres (0.63 in), and a total length of about 77 millimetres (3.0 in).[2] The fossil was covered in small round osteoscutes, unique among known sphenodontians but similar to those of helodermatid lizards like the Gila monster, which probably served to protect it from predators.[1]

Relatives

Reynoso (1997) argued that Pamizinsaurus was a genus of the subfamily Sphenodontinae; grouping it with the modern Sphenodon (better known as the Tuatara), Zapatadon, Cynosphenodon, Homoeosaurus, Sapheosaurus, and Ankylosphenodon.[1]

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q784750 entry