Cynosphenodon
Encyclopedia
Cynosphenodon is an extinct genus of the family Sphenodontidae from the Middle Jurassic
La Boca Formation
of Tamaulipas
, Mexico
. Growth patterns in the teeth of Cynosphenodon suggest its close relationship with the modern tuatara
.
Middle Jurassic
The Middle Jurassic is the second epoch of the Jurassic Period. It lasted from 176-161 million years ago. In European lithostratigraphy, rocks of this Middle Jurassic age are called the Dogger....
La Boca Formation
La Boca Formation
The La Boca Formation is a geological formation in Mexico. It dates back to the Middle Jurassic.-Vertebrate fauna:-See also:* List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations* List of pterosaur-bearing stratigraphic units...
of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Growth patterns in the teeth of Cynosphenodon suggest its close relationship with the modern tuatara
Tuatara
The tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand which, though it resembles most lizards, is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodontia. The two species of tuatara are the only surviving members of its order, which flourished around 200 million years ago. Their most recent common...
.