Dactylosaurus Gurich, 1884

Sauropterygia > Eosauropterygia > Pachypleurosauria

Species

Distribution

Lowermost Muschelkalk, Gogolin Formation, Middle Triassic (Anisian), Western Tethyan Province (central Europe),Crorny Slask.

Images

Cranium of Dactylosaurus in dorsal view

Discussion

The adult humerus is approx. 3.5cm long. Synapomorphies of Dactylosaurus include a distinct deltopectoral crest, clearly defined articular condyles and a prominent entepicondyle, all characters of the humerus (Rieppel, 1993). In addition there is a reduced number of bones in the manus (hands) and pes (feet). The type and only known specimen of D. gracilis is missing making it difficult to determine relationships between two species of Dactylosaurus, thus Rieppel (1993) expressed some concern that these species may simply be a reflection of different growth stages in the same species. Indeed, Rieppel (2000) now recognises only one species, D. gracilis.