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Produced
by the Population Genetics and Evolution class, Furman University |
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Produced
by the Population Genetics and Evolution class, Furman University |
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The
Triassic: Ornithosuchus |
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| Ornithosuchus,
named by Huxley in 1877, literally means “bird crocodile”
(Col 2009). This name is very fitting, as this creature bears a resemblance
to the crocodile (Zaurolandia 2006). The very first fossils of Ornithosuchus
were found in Scotland, and they used to be thought of as dinosaurs. Now
they are considered to be archosaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs (Col
2009). These creatures were typically about 3-4 meters long and were thought
to be one of the top predators in their environment. They were capable
of walking on their two longer hind legs, but they probably spent most
time walking on all four legs (White 2004). Ornithosuchus had
5 claws on each digit, as well as a long snout, a long tail, and sharp
teeth (Col 2009). In fact, one of their most distinguishable characteristics
is that their teeth grew in sockets in their jaw. They also had a skull
similar to that of Tyrannosaurus rex (Zaurolandia 2006). These
creatures had other primitive features as well, such as the double row
of bony plates that ran down their back (White 2004).
Page by Lindsay Gerzel |
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| Ornithosuchus longidens. Picture
from: zaurolandia.com
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White AT. 2004. Archosauromorpha: Rauisuchiformes: Ornithosuchus. N.d. Palaeos: the Vertebrates. Accessed March 24, 2010. Col J. 2009. Dinosaur and paleontology dictionary- Ornithosuchus. Enchanted Learning. Accessed March 24, 2010. Zaurolandia. 2006. Ornithosuchus- Ornithosuchus longidens. Zaurolandia.com. Accessed March 24, 2010 from: |