Heptasuchus
Encyclopedia
Heptasuchus is an extinct genus
of rauisuchian (a carnivorous reptile) from the Carnian
stage of the Popo Agie Formation
of Wyoming
. It was named by Dawley et al. in 1979. The type species
is H. clarki.
No complete rauisuchid skull is known, but reconstructions of Heptasuchus indicate this carnivorous animal had unusually large teeth, even for a rauisuchid. Some sources (including Wrobleski (1997)) indicate Heptasuchus may have been a chimera
, a fossil reconstructed with parts from different animals.
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 rauisuchian (a carnivorous reptile) from the Carnian
Carnian
The Carnian is the lowermost stage of the Upper Triassic series . It lasted from about 228.7 till 216.5 million years ago . The Carnian is preceded by the Ladinian and is followed by the Norian...
stage of the Popo Agie Formation
Popo Agie Formation
The Popo Agie Formation is a Mesozoic geologic formation. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus.-See also:* List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations...
of Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. It was named by Dawley et al. in 1979. 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 H. clarki.
No complete rauisuchid skull is known, but reconstructions of Heptasuchus indicate this carnivorous animal had unusually large teeth, even for a rauisuchid. Some sources (including Wrobleski (1997)) indicate Heptasuchus may have been a chimera
Chimera (paleontology)
In paleontology, a chimera is a fossil which was reconstructed with elements coming from more than a single species of animal. A now classic example of chimera is Protoavis.-List of paleontological chimeras:*Brontosaurus*Lametasaurus...
, a fossil reconstructed with parts from different animals.
External links
- Heptasuchus in the Paleobiology DatabasePaleobiology Database' is an online resource for information on the distribution and classification of fossil animals, plants, and microorganisms.-History:The Paleobiology Database was founded in 2000. It has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council...