Ichthyosaurus

Taxobox
name = "Ichthyosaurus"
fossil_range = Early Jurassic

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image_caption = A pair of "Ichthyosaurus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Ichthyosauria
familia = Ichthyosauridae
familia_authority = De la Beche & Conybeare, 1821
genus = "Ichthyosaurus"
genus_authority = De la Beche & Conybeare, 1821
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"I. communis" Conybeare, 1822 (type)
*"I. breviceps" Owen, 1881
*"I. conybeari" Lydekker, 1888
*"I. intermedius" Conybeare, 1822

"Ichthyosaurus" (derived from Greek "ιχθυς"/"ichthyos" meaning 'fish' and "σαυρος"/"sauros" meaning 'lizard') is an extinct genus of ichthyosaur from the Early Jurassic (Hettangian - Sinemurian) of Europe (Belgium, England and Germany). It is among the best known ichthyosaur genera, with the Order Ichthyosauria being named after it.Maisch MW, Matzke AT. 2000. The Ichthyosauria. "Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde Serie B (Geologie und Paläontologie)" 298: 1-159] "Ichthyosaurus" was the first complete fossil to be discovered in the early 1800's by Mary Anning in England. [Essesials of Anthropology 6th addition]

Palaeobiology

"Ichthyosaurus" was smaller than most of its relatives, measuring 2 m (6 ft 8 inches) in length. Hundreds of incredibly well-preserved, fossilised skeletons have been found in Jurassic rock at Holzmaden, Germany. Some of the bones were still articulated. Some fossils still had baby specimens inside them, indicating that "Ichthyosaurus" (and other ichthyosaurs) were viviparous. Similar finds in the related "Stenopterygius" also show this. The German fossils also featured the outline of "Ichthyosaurus"'s skin, revealing that it had a fleshy dorsal fin on its back and a large caudal fin. Other ichthyosaur fossils showed this feature was not limited to "Ichthyosaurus".

"Ichthyosaurus" ear bones were solid, probably transferring water vibrations to the inner ear. Still, hunting by sight was the creature's main feeding activity; it had huge, sensitive eyes, protected by bony shields. Coprolites of "Ichthyosaurus" reveal that its diet consisted of fish and squid Fact|date=April 2008.

It was initially believed that "Ichthyosaurus" laid eggs on land, but fossil evidence shows that in fact the females gave birth to live young. As such, they were well-adapted to life as fully pelagic organisms (i.e. they never came onto land). The babies were born tail first to prevent them from drowning in the water Fact|date=June 2008.

References