Habrosaurus

Habrosaurus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Family: Sirenidae
Genus: Habrosaurus

Habrosaurus is an extinct genus of prehistoric salamanders, and the oldest known member of the family Sirenidae. Two species are known, H. prodilatus from the Campanian of Alberta, and H. dilatus from the late Maastrichtian and Paleocene of western North America. It is relatively common in the Lance Formation of Wyoming, and less common in the Hell Creek of Montana. Habrosaurus was one of the largest lissamphibians of all time, comparable to modern giant salamanders at about 1.6 meters.[1] The palate is specialized for crushing, with a series of blunt teeth arranged in rows, suggesting that Habrosaurus may have fed on hard-bodied prey such as crayfish or snails.

References

  1. Bonett, R. M., Trujano-Alvarez, A. L., Williams, M. J. & Timpe, E. K. 2013. Biogeography and body size shuffling of aquatic salamander communities on a shifting refuge. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 280, 20130200.

See also

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