Dalinghosaurus
Encyclopedia
Dalinghosaurus is an extinct genus
of lizards, first described in 1998 by S.A. Ji of the Peking University Department of Geology. The type species
is Dalinghosaurus longidigitus.
Although it lived during the Early Cretaceous, A 2005 study found that Dalinghosaurus was related to several modern-day lizards in the family Xenosauridae
, the knob-scaled lizards. Its relatives include the modern Chinese crocodile lizard
(Shinisaurus) of southern China, Xenosaurus
of Mexico, the extinct Exostinus of Montana and Wyoming, and the extinct Carusia of Mongolia. It is differentiated from Carusia by having fewer, more conical shaped teeth. Differences in skull and mandible shape separate it from Shinisaurus.
Eleven specimens of Dalinghosaurus are held by the IVPP in Beijing. One fossil skeleton contains the skeletons of ten or more juveniles.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of lizards, first described in 1998 by S.A. Ji of the Peking University Department of Geology. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
is Dalinghosaurus longidigitus.
Although it lived during the Early Cretaceous, A 2005 study found that Dalinghosaurus was related to several modern-day lizards in the family Xenosauridae
Xenosauridae
The Xenosauridae is a family of lizards native to Central America and China. Also known as knob-scaled lizards, they have rounded, bumpy scales and osteoderms. Most species prefer moist or semi-aquatic habitats, although they are widespread within their native regions, with some even inhabiting...
, the knob-scaled lizards. Its relatives include the modern Chinese crocodile lizard
Chinese crocodile lizard
The Chinese crocodile lizard is a semi-aquatic lizard found only in cool forests in the Hunan, Guangxi Zhuang, and Guizhou provinces of China. The Chinese crocodile lizard spends much of its time in shallow water or in overhanging branches and vegetation, where it hunts its prey of fish, tadpoles,...
(Shinisaurus) of southern China, Xenosaurus
Xenosaurus
Xenosaurus is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Xenosauridae.-Classification:Genus Xenosaurus*Xenosaurus grandis*Xenosaurus newmanorum*Xenosaurus penai*Xenosaurus phalaroantheron*Xenosaurus platyceps...
of Mexico, the extinct Exostinus of Montana and Wyoming, and the extinct Carusia of Mongolia. It is differentiated from Carusia by having fewer, more conical shaped teeth. Differences in skull and mandible shape separate it from Shinisaurus.