Utatsusaurus

Utatsusaurus

Utatsusaurus
Temporal range: Early Triassic, 248–245 Ma
↓
Fossil
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Superorder: †Ichthyopterygia
Family: †Utatsusauridae
McGowan & Motani, 2003
Genus: †Utatsusaurus
Shikama et al., 1978
Type species
†Utatsusaurus hataii
Shikama et al., 1978

Utatsusaurus is the earliest-known form of an ichthyopterygian. It lived in the earliest Lower Triassic period, about 250–245 millions years ago. It is nearly 3m (about 9 feet) long with a slender body.[1]

The name Utatsusaurus was given after the city Utatsu-cho where the first specimen was found.[2] The fossils have been found in the Lower Triassic of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan and British Columbia, Canada.[3]

Utatsusaurus is one of the most primitive (basal) types of ichthyosaur.[4][5] It has transitional features between its ancestral land-dwelling forms and the more derived ichthyosaurs. Unlike the more advanced ichthyosaurs, Utatsusaurus has no dorsal fin and has a broad skull. The snout gently tapers, compared to the more rounded one of more derived ichthyopterygians.[6] The tail had a long low fin, quite different from the tail shape of later forms. This suggests that the animal swam by undulation, waving its body to & fro, rather than using its paddles and tail.

Fossil of Utatsusaurus in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo

The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami destroyed the local museum, but fortunately the specimens were not there at the time.

References

  1. ↑ Motani R; Minoura N. and Ando T. 1998. Ichthyosaurian relationships illuminated by new primitive skeletons from Japan. Nature. 393 (6682): 255-257. doi:10.1038/30473
  2. ↑ Shikama T; Kamei T. and Murata M. 1977. Early Triassic ichthyosaur, Utatsusaurus hataii gen. et sp. nov., from the Kitakami Massif, Northeast Japan. Science Reports of the Tohoku University Second Series (Geology). 48 (1-2): 77-97.
  3. ↑ Motani R. 1999. Phylogeny of the Ichthyopterygia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 19 (3): 473-496.
  4. ↑ Motani R. 1997. New information on the forefin of Utatsusaurus hataii (Ichthyosauria). Journal of Paleontology. 71 (3):475-479.
  5. ↑ Motani R. 2005. Evolution of fish-shaped reptiles (Reptilia : Ichthyopterygia) in their physical environments and constraints. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 33: 395-420. doi:10.1146/annurev.earth.33.092203.122707
  6. ↑ Cuthbertson R.S; Russell A.P. and Anderson J.S. 2013. Reinterpretation of the cranial morphology of Utatsusaurus hataii (Ichthyopterygia) (Osawa Formation, Lower Triassic, Miyagi, Japan) and its systematic implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 33(4): 817-830. doi:10.1080/02724634.2013.756495

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.