Post by DinosaurMichael on Feb 24, 2012 20:39:43 GMT -5
Kronosaurus - Kronosaurus queenslandicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Superorder: Sauropterygia
Order: Plesiosauria
Suborder: Pliosauroidea
Family: Pliosauridae
Genus: Kronosaurus
Fossil range: Early Cretaceous, 125–99 Ma
Kronosaurus ( /ˌkrɒnoʊˈsɔrəs/ kron-o-sawr-əs; meaning "lizard of Kronos") is an extinct genus of short-necked pliosaur. It was among the largest pliosaurs, and is named after the leader of the Greek Titans, Cronus.
Discovery and species
Kronosaurus lived in the Early Cretaceous Period (Aptian-Albian).
The holotype specimen of the species K. queenslandicus was described by Longman in 1924, and is currently in the Queensland Museum. Hampe described a second species, K. boyacensis, in 1992 from Colombia.
Palaeobiology
Size issues
Body-length estimates had previously put the total length of Kronosaurus at 12.8 meters (43 feet). However, a recent study comparing fossil specimens of Kronosaurus to other pliosaurs suggests that the previous estimate was an exaggeration, with the true length probably being only 9–10 meters (30–33 feet).
Teeth
The teeth of Kronosaurus are large in length (exceeding 7 cm - the largest up to 30 cm long with 12 cm crowns). However, they lack carinae (cutting edges) and the distinct trihedral (three facets) of Pliosaurus and Liopleurodon teeth. The combination of large size, conical shape and lack of cutting edges allows for easy identification of Kronosaurus teeth in Cretaceous deposits from Australia.
Diet
Large, round bite-marks have been found on the skull of an Albian-age Australian elasmosaurid (Eromangasaurus) that could be from a Kronosaurus attack.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Superorder: Sauropterygia
Order: Plesiosauria
Suborder: Pliosauroidea
Family: Pliosauridae
Genus: Kronosaurus
Fossil range: Early Cretaceous, 125–99 Ma
Kronosaurus ( /ˌkrɒnoʊˈsɔrəs/ kron-o-sawr-əs; meaning "lizard of Kronos") is an extinct genus of short-necked pliosaur. It was among the largest pliosaurs, and is named after the leader of the Greek Titans, Cronus.
Discovery and species
Kronosaurus lived in the Early Cretaceous Period (Aptian-Albian).
The holotype specimen of the species K. queenslandicus was described by Longman in 1924, and is currently in the Queensland Museum. Hampe described a second species, K. boyacensis, in 1992 from Colombia.
Palaeobiology
Size issues
Body-length estimates had previously put the total length of Kronosaurus at 12.8 meters (43 feet). However, a recent study comparing fossil specimens of Kronosaurus to other pliosaurs suggests that the previous estimate was an exaggeration, with the true length probably being only 9–10 meters (30–33 feet).
Teeth
The teeth of Kronosaurus are large in length (exceeding 7 cm - the largest up to 30 cm long with 12 cm crowns). However, they lack carinae (cutting edges) and the distinct trihedral (three facets) of Pliosaurus and Liopleurodon teeth. The combination of large size, conical shape and lack of cutting edges allows for easy identification of Kronosaurus teeth in Cretaceous deposits from Australia.
Diet
Large, round bite-marks have been found on the skull of an Albian-age Australian elasmosaurid (Eromangasaurus) that could be from a Kronosaurus attack.
