Cymbospondylus

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Cymbospondylus Fossil range: Mid Triassic
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Subclass: Diapsida Superorder: Ichthyopterygia Order: Ichthyosauria Family: Shastasauridae Genus: Cymbospondylus Species: C. natans, C. germanicus, C. nevadanus, C. parvus, C. piscosus, C. grandis, C. petrinus, C. buchseri

Cymbospondylus was an early Ichthyosaur that lived in the middle of the Triassic period. Despite its primitive nature, it was also one of the largest Ichthyosaurs, and fossils range from 18 ft (6 meters) up to 30 ft long (10 meters). It was one of the least fish-like of the Ichthyosaurus, lacking a dorsal fin and fluked tail. It did, however, have an elongated snout like other Ichthyosaurs; although still classified as an Ichthyosaur of the primitive shastasaurid group, its eel-like resemblance have led to speculation as to whether Cymbospondylus was a true Ichthyosaur.

The eel-like tail of Cymbospondylus made up almost half the total body length, and it is possible that the tail was used as a primary swimming mechanism, with the paddle-like limbs serving use primarily as underwater stabilizers.

Cymbospondylus fossils have been found in both Germany and Nevada, and the first species was named by Joseph Leidy in 1868.

[edit] In popular culture

Cymbospondylus appeared in Sea Monsters, a spin off to Walking With Dinosaurs. It is portrayed as the top predator in the sixth most deadly sea of all time. It repeatedly strikes at Nigel Marven, the attack ending with the Cymbospondylus still circling Nigel. What happened after that is highly speculative, though it is most likely that Nigel escaped, as he appears later in the Devonian.

[edit] References

Dixon, Dougal. "The Complete Book of Dinosaurs." Hermes House, 2006.