Home Previous Random Next Search
meaning: "Cutting-toothed lizard"
Named By: Richard Lydekker in 1889
Time Period: Early Jurassic, Hettangian-Toarcian
Location: Europe including British Isles and Germany
Size: Up to 12 meters long
Diet: Cephalopods like ammonites
Fossil(s): Several specimens
Classification: | Chordata | Reptilia | Diapsida | Ichthyopterygia | Ichthyosauria | Temnodontosauridae |

Temnodontosaurus (Greek for "cutting-tooth lizard" - temno, meaning "to cut", odont meaning "tooth" and sauros meaning "lizard") is an extinct genus of Ichthyosaurs from the Early Jurassic, ranging between 200 and 175 million years ago (Hettangian - Toarcian), and known from Europe (England, France, Germany and Belgium). They lived in the deeper areas of the open ocean. University of Bristol paleontologist Jeremy Martin described the genus Temnodontosaurus as "one of the most ecologically disparate genera of Ichthyosaurs".

Temnodontosaurus are known for being gigantic Ichthyosaurs. According to the paleontologist Michael Maisch, species of Temnodontosaurus were large, exceeding 12 meters (39 ft) in length. There is a possibility that they reached a similar size to another giant Ichthyosaur, Shonisaurus popularis, which was previously considered the largest Ichthyosaur. There seems to be a general consensus between paleontologists that they could at least have reached 9m.

Temnodontosaurus are known for their incredibly large eyes. Their eyes are thought to be the largest of any animal ever known. Temnodontosaurus eyes were approximately 20 cm (8 in) in diameter making them some of the largest of any known vertebrate. They have a tail bend which is characteristic of Jurassic age Ichthyosaurs. and they have many conical teeth that fill their jaw and are set in a continuous groove.

Temnodontosaurus species are sometimes mistaken for dolphin relatives due to their similar overall morphology. However, the morphological traits are convergent. Temnodontosaurus were not mammals but were large marine reptiles and their ancestors were land dwelling reptiles. Temnodontosaurus do have morphological traits which differ from Cetacea also. Temnodontosaurus' tail would beat laterally side to side, instead of up and down. Temnodontosaurus skull's also have nostrils that are placed in front of the eyes instead of on the dorsal side of the head like Cetaceans. Though reptiles, Temnodontosaurus can also be mistaken for fish due to their fins and elongate undifferentiated body, but unlike fish Temnodontosaurus are air breathers and must go to the water's surface for air. Also Temnodontosaurus, like other Ichthyosaurs, are viviparous.

The number or names of Temnodontosaurus species have varied since their discovery. Christopher McGowan in 1992 said that there were around thirteen species in the genus Temnodontosaurus. Michael Maisch in 2000 listed T. platyodon, T. trigonodon, T. acutirostris, T. nuertingensis and T. eurychephalus as the valid species of Temnodontosaurus.

Read more about Temnodontosaurus at Wikipedia
PaleoCodex is a weekend hack by Saurav Mohapatra