Lariosaurus

Taxobox
name = "Lariosaurus"
fossil_range = Mid Triassic

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Lariosaurus balsami"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Nothosauria
familia = Nothosauridae
genus = "Lariosaurus"
species = "L. balsamii,"
"L. valceresii,"
"L. curioni,"
"L. xingyiensis"
subdivision_ranks = Synonyms
subdivision =
*"Eupodosaurus"

"Lariosaurus" is an extinct genus of sauropterygian reptile from the Triassic period, belonging to the nothosaur order. With a length of 60 cm (2 ft), it was one of the smallest representatives of the group. It was named in 1847 by Curioni, its name meaning "Lizard [from Lake] Lario".

For a nothosaur, "Lariosaurus" was primitive, possessing a short neck and small flippers in comparison to its relatives. It is presumed to have spent lots of time on dry land, or hunting in shallows. The nothosaur "Eupodosaurus", initially classified as a stegosaurian dinosaur, is now considered synonymous with "Lariosaurus".

"Lariosaurus" is unique among nothosaurs because of its front legs being adapted into paddles, while the back legs remained five-toed. Further, based on skeletal findings of immature lariosaurs inside the adults, "Lariosaurus" is believed by many to be viviparous, or able to bear live young. Another "Lariosaur" skeleton was found with two juvenile placodonts of the "Cyamodus" genus in its stomach, giving an indication of the small nothosaur diet.

References

*cite book|last=Dixon|first=Dougal|year=2006|title=The Complete Book of Dinosaurs|publisher=Hermes House