Eremiasaurus

Eh-ree-my-ah-sore-us.
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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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Name

Eremiasaurus.

Phonetic

Eh-ree-my-ah-sore-us.

Named By

Aaron R.‭ ‬H.‭ ‬Leblanc,‭ ‬Michael W.‭ ‬Cladwell and Nathalie Bardet‭ ‬-‭ ‬2012.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Squamata,‭ ‬Mosasauridae,‭ ‬Mosasaurinae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

E.‭ ‬heterodontus‭

Size

Uncertain.

Known locations

Morocco.

Time Period

Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Two individual specimens,‭ ‬both of partial skulls and vertebrae.

In Depth

       A kind of mosasaur known from North Africa, the species name of E.‭ ‬heterodontus means different-toothed and is in reference to the different kinds of teeth that are present in the jaws of known Eremiasaurus specimens.‭ ‬This is taken to indicate that Eremiasaurus‭ ‬may have been a generalist carnivore that was not especially selective about what prey it went after.‭ ‬In depth Study of Eremiasaurus fossil material has led to it being thought to be similar to Prognathodon,‭ ‬a mosasaur better suited to feeding upon armoured prey like ammonites and turtles,‭ ‬but is also known to have taken prey like fish.‭ ‬Eremiasaurus is also noted as having a large number of pygal vertebrae‭ (‬vertebrae from the hip region‭)‬.

Further Reading

A new mosasaurine from the Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) phosphates of Morocco and its implications for mosasaurine systematics – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32 (1): 82–104. – A.R.H. Leblanc, M. W. Caldwell & N. Bardet – 2012.

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