Phytosaurus
Encyclopedia
Phytosaurus is a dubious
genus of phytosaur
(an extinct group of superficially crocodile
-like archosaur
s), and also the first phytosaur to be described, by G. Jaeger in 1828. It had a crocodile-like body structure, but its nostrils were on its forehead, not the tip of its snout. The name Phytosaurus means "plant lizard" (though it is now known to have been a carnivore), and the type species is P. cylindricodon.
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...
genus of phytosaur
Phytosaur
Phytosaurs are an extinct group of large semi-aquatic Late Triassic archosaurs. Phytosaurs belong to the family Phytosauridae and the order Phytosauria. They were long-snouted and heavily armoured, bearing a remarkable resemblance to modern crocodiles in size, appearance, and lifestyle, an example...
(an extinct group of superficially crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
-like archosaur
Archosaur
Archosaurs are a group of diapsid amniotes whose living representatives consist of modern birds and crocodilians. This group also includes all extinct non-avian dinosaurs, many extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosauria, the archosaur clade, is a crown group that includes the most...
s), and also the first phytosaur to be described, by G. Jaeger in 1828. It had a crocodile-like body structure, but its nostrils were on its forehead, not the tip of its snout. The name Phytosaurus means "plant lizard" (though it is now known to have been a carnivore), and the type species is P. cylindricodon.