Komensaurus

Ko-men-sore-us.
Published on

John Stewart

Paleoecologist

John Stewart is a distinguished paleoecologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems. With over two decades dedicated to unearthing fossils across Asia and Africa

Cite Feedback Print

Name

Komensaurus ‭(‬Komen lizard‭)‬.

Phonetic

Ko-men-sore-us.

Named By

M.‭ ‬W.‭ ‬Caldwell‭ & ‬A.‭ ‬Palci‭ ‬-‭ ‬2007.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Squamata,‭ ‬Mosasauroidea.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

K.‭ ‬carrolli‭

Size

Approximately‭ ‬1‭ ‬meter long.

Known locations

Slovenia,‭ ‬Komen.

Time Period

Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Partial skull and post cranial skeleton.

In Depth

       Komensaurus was a basal mosasaur that was similar to other primitive forms such as Dallasaurus and Vallecillosaurus which are currently known from North America.‭ ‬Together these mosasaurs show that while they were primitive in form,‭ ‬the first mosasaurs were still capable of crossing wide expanses of ocean to spread out into new locations.

Further Reading

– A new basal mosasauroid from the Cenomanian (U. Cretaceous) of Slovenia with a review of mosasauroid phylogeny and evolution. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27(4):863-880. – M. W. Caldwell & A. Palci – 2007.

Adopt A Species
prehistoric-wildlife new logo

Love this species?

Adopt it today!

(UPDATED!)

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT