Home Previous Random Next Search
NICROSAURUS
(nek-roe-sore-us)
meaning: "Neckar lizard - after the Neckar river"
Nicrosaurus
Named By: Fraas in 1866
Time Period: Late Triassic, 228-201.3 Ma
Location: Germany
Size: Uncertain but estimated around 2.5 meters long
Diet: Carnivore
Fossil(s): Several specimens
Classification: | Chordata | Reptilia | Archosauria | Phytosauria | Phytosauridae |
Also known as: | Belodon kappfi |
About

Nicrosaurus (/nekroU'soras/) is an extinct genus of phytosaur reptile existing during the Late Triassic period. It was of medium size, probably about 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Although it looked like a crocodile (and probably lived like the more terrestrial crocodylomorphs), it was not closely related to these creatures, instead being an example of parallel evolution. The main difference between Nicrosaurus (and all other phytosaurs) and modern crocodiles is the position of the nostrils - Nicrosaurus's nostrils, or external nares, were placed directly in front of the forehead, whereas in crocodiles, the nostrils are positioned on the end of the snout. A 2013 study has also found that illium of Nicrosaurus is quite distinctive from all other phytosaurs.

The genus was named by German paleontologist, Dr. Eberhard Fraas, in 1866, possibly after the Neckar river of southwestern Germany, near which it was found.

Read more about Nicrosaurus at Wikipedia
PaleoCodex is a weekend hack by Saurav Mohapatra