Sauropterygia
Group of Mesozoic aquatic reptiles / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Not to be confused with Sarcopterygii.
Sauropterygia ("lizard flippers") is an extinct taxon of diverse, aquatic reptiles that developed from terrestrial ancestors soon after the end-Permian extinction and flourished during the Triassic before all except for the Plesiosauria became extinct at the end of that period. The plesiosaurs would continue to diversify until the end of the Mesozoic. Sauropterygians are united by a radical adaptation of their pectoral girdle, adapted to support powerful flipper strokes. Some later sauropterygians, such as the pliosaurs, developed a similar mechanism in their pelvis.
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Subgroups ...
Sauropterygians | |
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Sauropterygia diversity. Clockwise from top left: Ceresiosaurus calcagnii (Nothosauroidea), Henodus chelyops (Placodontia), Brachauchenius lucasi, Aristonectes parvidens (Plesiosauria). | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Clade: | Neodiapsida |
Superorder: | †Sauropterygia Owen, 1860 |
Subgroups | |
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