Mecistotrachelos
Extinct genus of reptiles / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mecistotrachelos is an extinct genus of gliding reptile from the Late Triassic of Virginia. It is generally interpreted as an archosauromorph, distantly related to crocodylians and dinosaurs. The type and only known species is M. apeoros. This specific name translates to "soaring longest neck", in reference to its gliding habits and long neck. This superficially lizard-like animal was able to spread its lengthened ribs and glide on wing-like membranes. Mecistotrachelos had a much longer neck than other gliding reptiles of the Triassic such as Icarosaurus and Kuehneosaurus. It was probably an arboreal insectivore.
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Mecistotrachelos | |
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Slabs and CT scans of Mecistotrachelos specimens VMNH 3649 (A-B) and 3650 (C-D) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Clade: | Archosauromorpha (?) |
Genus: | †Mecistotrachelos Fraser et al., 2007 |
Type species | |
†Mecistotrachelos apeoros Fraser et al., 2007 |
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