Puneet Varma (Editor)

Paracyclotosaurus

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Kingdom
  
Superfamily
  
Capitosauroidea

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Class
  
Family
  
Capitosauridae

Rank
  
Genus

Paracyclotosaurus Paracyclotosaurus Goes to Washingtonwell sorta Rick Sardinha

Similar
  
Wetlugasaurus, Temnospondyli, Cyclotosaurus, Cherninia, Parotosuchus

Paracyclotosaurus sculpt1 5


Paracyclotosaurus (Near Wheeled Lizard) is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian, which would have appeared similar to today's salamander – but much larger, at up to 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) long. It lived in the Middle Triassic period, about 235 million years ago, and fossils have been found in Australia, India, and South Africa.

Contents

Paracyclotosaurus Paracyclotosaurus davidi by Vladislav Egorov at Coroflotcom

Although they could live on dry land, Paracyclotosaurus probably spent most of its time in water. They had flattened bodies and elongated heads, almost 60 centimetres (2 ft) long, that vaguely resembled those of modern crocodiles.

Paracyclotosaurus httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

A fish-eater, it might have lain in wait for prey, just below the surface of the water. When an unsuspecting fish came within reach of its jaws, Paracyclotosaurus lifted its massive head, its mouth opened wide and the fish was sucked inside. Modern predators, such as crocodiles, use this technique to catch some of their prey.

Paracyclotosaurus FileParacyclotosaurus davidi at NHM 01jpg Wikimedia Commons

The species P. davidi is only known from one complete specimen recovered from Australia. It was discovered by quarry miners in a brick pit in St. Peters in Sydney, New South Wales. The creature was probably killed by a tree crushing the back of its head.

Paracyclotosaurus FileParacyclotosaurus davidi at NHM 04jpg Wikimedia Commons

Paracyclotosaurus sculpt1 1


Paracyclotosaurus Paracyclotosaurus davidi by LockedBox on DeviantArt

References

Paracyclotosaurus Wikipedia


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