Metriorhynchidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ?Metriorhynchidae Conservation status: Fossil |
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| Metriorhynchidae | |
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| Type | marine crocodylian |
| Length | 1.6-6 m |
| Movement | swimming |
| Diet | carnivore |
| Environment | ocean |
| Distribution | England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and Chile |
Metriorhynchids were a group of aquatic crocodilians that lived in seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Their fore-legs were reduced and paddle-like, and unlike their living cousins they lost their osteoderms ("armour scutes"). Their body shape maximised hydrodynamy, as did having a tail that had a fish-like fin.
Metriorhynchids were the only group of archosaurs to become adapted to the marine realm.
[edit] Genera
The type genus for Metiorhynchidae is Metriorhynchus from the Middle to Late Jurassic. Other genera included within this family are Teleidosaurus, Geosaurus, Dakosaurus and Enaliosuchus. Genera considered nomen dubium within this family are Aggiosaurus and Neustosaurus.
