BETA TEST - Fossil data and pages are very much experimental and under development. Please report any problems
Mosasauridae ✝
Description | Mosasaurs (from Latin Mosa meaning the 'Meuse river', and Greek σαύρος sauros meaning 'lizard') comprise a group of extinct, large marine reptiles containing 38 genera in total. Their first fossil remains were discovered in a limestone quarry at Maastricht on the Meuse in 1764. Mosasaurs probably evolved from an extinct group of aquatic lizards known as aigialosaurs in the Earliest Late Cretaceous. During the last 20 million years of the Cretaceous period (Turonian-Maastrichtian ages), with the extinction of the ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs, mosasaurs became the dominant marine predators. They became extinct as a result of the K-Pg event at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. From Wikipedia article at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosasauridae, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source Data |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank | family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxonomy (GBIF,PBDB) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Reptilia : Squamata : Mosasauridae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxonomic Status (GBIF) | accepted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification (PBDB,GBIF) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Name | mosasaur | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scientific Name | Mosasauridae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opinions (PBDB) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status (PBDB) | extinct | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxon Size (PBDB) | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Recorded Appearance | 156 - 151 Ma Jurassic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Recorded Appearance | 70.6 - 61.6 Ma Phanerozoic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Environment | terrestrial (based on Diapsida) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Motility | actively mobile (based on Osteichthyes) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vision | well-developed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diet | carnivore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reproduction | ovoviviparous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taphonomy | phosphatic (based on Vertebrata) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primary Reference (PBDB) | P. Gervais. 1852. Zoologie et Paléontologie Françaises (Animaux Vertébrés) ou Nouvelles Recherches sur les Animaux Vivants et Fossiles de la France [French Zoology and Paleontology (Vertebrate Animals) or New Research on the Living and Fossil Animals of France] 1–3:1-274+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Name(s) | Mosasaur | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosasauridae |
Fossil Distribution
Subtaxa
Name | Status | Common Name(s) | Fossil Occurrences | Oldest | Youngest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Globidentinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | ||||
Mosasaurinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 261 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Platecarpinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | ||||
Yaguarasaurinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 9 | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 89.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Natantia ✝ tribe | listed (PBDB) | ||||
Amphekepubis ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 89.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 89.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Angolasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 89.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Carinodens ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Clidastes ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 30 | 93.9 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Dallasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Ectenosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 89.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 85.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Eonatator ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 4 | 83.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Eremiasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Globidens ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 28 | 89.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Goronyosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Haasiasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 99.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 99.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Hainosaurus genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Halisaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 26 | 86.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Igdamanosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Kourisodon ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 85.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Latoplatecarpus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 4 | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Leptosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 156 Ma Jurassic | 151 Ma Late Jurassic | |
Mosasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 101 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Pannoniasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 86.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 86.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Phosphorosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Platecarpus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 57 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Plesiotylosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Plioplatecarpus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 20 | 99.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Plotosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Pluridens ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 72.1 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Polygonodon ✝ genus | doubtful (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | ||||
Prognathodon ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 73 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Prognathosaurus ✝ genus | listed (PBDB) | ||||
Romeosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 89.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Russellosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Selmasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 85.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 85.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Taniwhasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 7 | 85.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 83.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Tylosaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 73 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Yaguarasaurus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 5 | 93.5 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 89.3 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Halisaurinae ✝ unranked clade | listed (PBDB) | 10 | 89.8 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | |
Halisauromorpha ✝ unranked clade | listed (PBDB) | ||||
Russellosaurina ✝ unranked clade | listed (PBDB) | 203 | 101 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous | 70.6 Ma Late/Upper Cretaceous |
Obsolete Names
Synonymy List
Year | Name and Author |
---|---|
1830 | Geosaurus mitchilli DeKay |
1841 | Leiodon anceps Owen |
1846 | Liodon anceps Agassiz |
1851 | Amphorosteus brumbyi Gibbes p. 11 |
1851 | Leiodon anceps Owen p. 42 figs. plate 9, A |
1852 | Mosasauridae Gervais p. 261 |
1868 | Clidastes iguanavus Cope pp. 233 |
1869 | Clidastes iguanavus Cope p. 258 |
1869 | Clidastidae Cope p. 258 |
1869 | Mosasauridae Cope p. 258 |
1869 | Mosasaurus mitchillii Cope p. 262 |
1869 | Mosasaurus brumbyi Cope p. 264 |
1870 | Mosasauridae Cope p. 183 |
1870 | Liodon congrops Cope p. 206 |
1870 | Clidastes iguanavus Cope p. 220 |
1870 | Liodon congrops Cope pp. 271-272 |
1870 | Mosasaurus crassidens Marsh p. 2 |
1871 | Clidastidae Cope p. 237 |
1871 | Mosasauridae Cope p. 237 |
1873 | Clidastes iguanavus Leidy p. 281 |
1873 | Mosasaurus platyodon Sauvage p. 385 |
1875 | Mosasauridae Cope p. 20 |
1875 | Liodon mitchillii Cope p. 270 |
1876 | Edestosauridae Marsh p. 59 |
1890 | Mosasauridae Baur p. 262 |
1890 | Mosasauridae Zittel p. 620 |
1899 | Mosasauridae Osborn p. 188 |
1902 | Mosasauridae Hay p. 464 |
1902 | Mosasaurus brumbyi Hay p. 465 |
1902 | Mosasaurus crassidens Hay p. 465 |
Year | Name and Author |
---|---|
1902 | Clidastes iguanavus Hay p. 467 |
1902 | Macrosaurus mitchillii Hay p. 471 |
1902 | Tylosaurus congrops Hay p. 472 |
1924 | Globidensidae Dollo p. 188 |
1946 | Globidentidae Kuhn p. 61 |
1946 | Mosasauridae Kuhn p. 61 |
1954 | Mosasauridae McDowell and Bogert p. 132 |
1964 | Mosasauridae Antunes p. 137 |
1964 | Mosasauridae Russell p. 167 |
1966 | Mosasauridae Kuhn p. 59 |
1967 | Mosasauridae Miller p. 227 |
1975 | Mosasauridae Seiffert p. 10 |
1981 | Mosasauridae Thurmond and Jones p. 148 |
1988 | Mosasauridae Carroll |
1988 | Mosasauridae Wright and Shannon p. 102 |
1995 | Mosasauridae Lingham-Soliar |
2000 | Mosasauridae Lee and Caldwell |
2002 | Mosasauridae Lindgren and Siverson |
2002 | Mosasauridae Nicholls and Meckert p. 1593 |
2005 | Mosasauridae Bardet et al. |
2005 | Mosasauridae Bell and Polcyn p. 178 |
2007 | Mosasauridae Buchy et al. |
2007 | Mosasauridae Cuthbertson et al. |
2008 | Mosasauridae Polcyn and Everhart p. 14 |
2008 | Mosasauridae Schulp et al. p. 1 |
2010 | Mosasauridae Konishi et al. |
2012 | Mosasauridae Karl and Nyhuis |
2012 | Mosasauridae Konishi et al. |
2015 | Mosasauridae Reeder et al. |
2017 | Mosasauridae Otero et al. |
References
Data courtesy of: PBDB: The Paleobiology Database, Creative Commons CC-BY licenced. , GBIF: the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, various licences, iDigBio, various licences, and EOL: The Encyclopedia of Life (Open Data Public Domain). Because fossils are made of minerals too!
Khouribga Province, Béni Mellal-Khénifra Region, Morocco