Athabascasaurus

Af-a-nas-ka-sore-us.
By Nisha Yadav
Published on

Nisha Yadav

Physicist

Nisha Yadav is a dedicated physicist whose work bridges the gap between physics and paleontology. With a deep interest in the processes that preserve ancient life, she explores how physical principles govern fossilization and the preservation of extinct species.

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Yadav, N. (2012, May 3). Athabascasaurus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/athabascasaurus/

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Name

Athabascasaurus ‭(‬Athabasca lizard‭ ‬-‭ ‬after the Athabasca River‭)‬.

Phonetic

Af-a-nas-ka-sore-us.

Named By

Druckenmiller‭ & ‬Maxwell‭ ‬-‭ ‬2010.‭

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Ichthyosauria,‭ ‬Ophthalmosauridae,‭ ‬Platypterygiinae.

Diet

Piscivore/Carnivore.

Species

A.‭ ‬bitumineus

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

Canada,‭ ‬Alberta,‭ ‬Clearwater Formation.

Time Period

Albian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Almost complete specimen.

In Depth

       Athabascasaurus is a member of the Platypterygiinae,‭ ‬a wide ranging group of ichthyosaurs that were active in both hemispheres.‭ ‬Other similar ichthyosaurs include Sveltonectes,‭ ‬Aegirosaurus,‭ ‬Platypterygius and Caypullisaurus amongst others.

Further Reading

– A new Lower Cretaceous (lower Albian) ichthyosaur genus from the Clearwater Formation, Alberta, Canada. – Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 47:1037-1053. – P. S. Druckenmiller & E. E. Maxwell – 2010.

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