- Keichousaurus
Taxobox
name = "Keichousaurus"
fossil_range =Triassic
image_caption = "Keichousaurus" fossil
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
superordo =Sauropterygia
ordo =Nothosauroidea
subordo =Pachypleurosaur
genus = "Keichosaurus"
subdivision_ranks =Species
subdivision =
*"Keichousaurus hui "
*"Keichousaurus lusiensis "
*"Keichousaurus yuananensis""Keichousaurus" is a
genus of marinereptile in thepachypleurosaur family which wentextinct at the close of theTriassic in theTriassic-Jurassic extinction event . The name derives from Kweichow (nowGuizhou Province ) inChina where the firstfossil specimen was discovered in 1957. They are among the most commonsauropterygian fossils recovered and are often found as nearly complete, articulated skeletons, making them popular among collectors. "Keichousaurs", and the pachypleurosaur family broadly, are sometimes classified withinNothosauroidea , but are otherwise listed as a separate, more primitive lineage within Sauropterygia.Description
"Keichousaurs", like all sauropterygians, were highly adapted to the aquatic environment. They ranged from 15 - 30 cm. in length, had both long necks and long tails, with elongated, five-toed feet. The pointed head and sharp teeth in this genus also indicate that they were aquatic,fish -eaters. Some recovered specimens feature an especially developedulna suggesting they may have spent some time on land or in marshes.In addition fossil evidence suggest also a pair of fossilized pregnant marine reptiles called "Keichousaurus hui", show they had a moveable pelvis to give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
References
* [http://www.geocities.com/sea_saur/keichousaurus.html Geocities.com/keichousaurus]
* [http://www.peripatus.gen.nz/Taxa/Chordata/Keichousaurus.html peripstus.com/Keichousaurus]
* [http://hkras.org/eng/herpnews/?record=39 Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society]
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