Icarosaurus

Taxobox
name = "Icarosaurus"
fossil_range = Late Triassic
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordates
classis = Sauropsida
infraclassis = Lepidosauromorpha
ordo = Eolacertilia
familia = Kuehneosauridae
genus = "Icarosaurus"
genus_authority = Colbert, 1966
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
* "I. siefkeri"

"Icarosaurus" is an extinct genus of reptile from the Late Triassic-age Lockatong Formation of New Jersey, closely related to lizards and the tuatara. Based on a partial skeleton missing part of the tail, some ribs, a hand, and parts of the legs, it was a small animal, about 10 centimeters (4 in) long from the skull to the hips. Like its relative "Kuehneosuchus", it was able to glide short distances using 'wings' consisting of highly elongated ribs covered with skin, with the upper surface convex and the lower surface concave, thus creating a simple airfoil structure well-suited to gliding.cite journal |last=Colbert |first=Edwin H. |authorlink=Edwin Harris Colbert |year=1966 |title=A gliding reptile from the Triassic of New Jersey |journal=American Museum Novitates |url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/3282/1/N2246.pdf |accessdate=2007-08-01 |format=pdf |volume=2246 |pages=1–23 ] This method of gliding is also seen in "Coelurosauravus" and the modern "Draco", both of which are not closely related to "Icarosaurus".

In popular culture

It is featured in "When Dinosaurs Roamed America", escaping from a "Coelophysis" via gliding.

References