Enaliosuchus
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 restoration of Enaliosuchus macrospondylus
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Extinct (fossil)
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Enaliosuchus was a genus of marine crocodiliform within Metriorhynchidae that lived during the Valanginian age of the Early Cretaceous. Enaliosuchus was a carnivore that spent much, if not all, its life out at sea. No Enaliosuchus eggs or nest have been discovered, so little is known of the reptile's lifecycle, unlike other large marine reptiles of the Mesozoic, such as plesiosaurs or ichthyosaurs which are known to give birth to live young out at sea. Where Enaliosuchus mated, whether on land or at sea, is currently unknown.
[edit] Species
There is only one currently valid species within Enaliosuchus, the type species E. macrospondylus, from France and Germany.
[edit] Closely related species
Other genera included in this within the metriorhynchid family are: Teleidosaurus, Metriorhynchus, Dakosaurus and Geosaurus. The genera within Metiorhynchidae considered to be nomina dubia are Aggiosaurus and Neustosaurus.
[edit] References
- Hua, S., Vignaud, P., Atrops, F. & Clément, A. (2000). Enaliosuchus macrospondylus Koken, 1883 (Crocodylia, Metriorhynchidae) du Valanginien de Barret-le-Bas (Hautes Alpes, France): un cas unique de remontée des narines externes parmi les crocodiliens. G 33: 467-474
