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XINPUSAURUS
(zin-pu-sore-us)
meaning: "Xinpu lizard"
Named By: G. Z. Yin, X. G. Zhou, Z. T. Cao, Y. Y. Yu & Y. M. Luo in 2000
Time Period: Late Triassic, Carnian
Location: China, Guizhou Province - Xiaowa Formation
Size: Varies depending upon species. X. suni betweem 0.8 - 1 meter long, X. bamaolinensis between 1.4 - 1.5 meters long
Diet: Carnivore/Piscivore
Fossil(s): Remains of a few individuals
Classification: | Chordata | Reptilia | Thalattosauria | Thalattosauroidea |
About

Xinpusaurus is an extinct genus of thalattosaur from the Late Triassic of Guanling in Guizhou, China. Three species have been named since 2000: the type species X. suni and the species X. bamaolinensis and X. kohi. A recent study proposed that all three species are synonymous with each other, in which case X. suni would be the only valid species. Xinpusaurus is characterized by short legs, a long tail, and an upturned snout. It had robust, pointed teeth in the front of its jaws and broad crushing teeth in the back of its jaws, suggesting that it fed on hard-shelled prey.

Read more about Xinpusaurus at Wikipedia
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