Dolichosaurus

Dol-le-ko-sore-us.
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Maeve Foster

Paleoclimatologist

Maeve Foster explores the Earth's climatic past to understand the forces that shaped life on our planet. Her research into ancient climate events provides valuable context for current environmental challenges.

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Name

Dolichosaurus ‭(‬Long snouted lizard‭)‬.

Phonetic

Dol-le-ko-sore-us.

Named By

Richard Owen‭ ‬-‭ ‬1851.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Squamata,‭ ‬Scleroglossa,‭ ‬Dolichosauridae.

Diet

Carnivore/Piscivore.

Species

D.‭ ‬longicollis‭

Size

Around‭ ‬1.5‭ ‬meters long.

Known locations

England.

Time Period

Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Partial remains.

In Depth

       Related to the mosasaurs,‭ ‬the exact classification of Dolichosaurus is a little uncertain with‭ ‬its exact closeness to the Mosasauridae a little uncertain.‭ ‬Dolichosaurus is noted for having‭ ‬a long thin build and is speculated to have been a weak swimmer.‭ ‬This in turn has led to past speculation that it may have been semi aquatic,‭ ‬occasionally returning to the land like the much earlier nothosaurs of the Triassic.

Further Reading

– Monograph on the fossil Reptilia of the Cretaceous Formations. Part I. Chelonia (Lacertilia, etc.). – The Palaeontographical Society, London 1851:1-118. – Richard Owen – 1851. – On The Aquatic Squamate Dolichosaurus longicollis Owen, 1850 (Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous), and the Evolution of Elongate Necks in Squamates. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20 (4), p720-735. – Michael W. Caldwell – 2000.

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