Saurosphargis

Sore-roe-far-gis.
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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

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Name

Saurosphargis

Phonetic

Sore-roe-far-gis.

Named By

Friedrich von Huene‭ ‬-1936.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Sauropterygia,‭ ‬Placodontia.

Diet

Shellfish.

Species

S.‭ ‬volzi‭

Size

Uncertain.

Known locations

Europe.

Time Period

Ansian of the Triassic.

Fossil representation

Partial post cranial skeleton,‭ ‬Skull is unknown.

In Depth

       Saurosphargis is a little known placodont who’s only known collection of remains were destroyed in World War Two.‭ ‬Although this means that the original fossils are no longer available for study,‭ ‬the original description did mention that the rib structure of Saurosphargis was very similar to that of the Paraplacodus.‭ ‬This indicates that Saurosphargis was more like this form that the armoured placodonts like Henodus that resemble turtles.

Further Reading

– A new Triassic marine reptile from southwestern China. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 31 (2): 303–312. – Chun Li, Olivier Rieppel, Xiao-Chun Wu, Li-Jun Zhao & Li-Ting Wang – 2011.

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