Ichthyosaurus
genus of reptiles (fossil) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ichthyosaurus was an extinct marine reptile from the Lower Jurassic. It was the first member of the order Ichthyosauria to be discovered. The first complete skeleton was discovered in the early 19th century (1810/11) by Mary Anning in the Dorset Jurassic Coast. Many more specimens were found in Europe, especially from the limestone quarries in Holzmaden, southern Germany.
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Ichthyosaurus | |
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Fossil specimen of I. communis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | †Ichthyosauria |
Family: | †Ichthyosauridae |
Genus: | †Ichthyosaurus De la Beche & Conybeare, 1821 |
Type species | |
†Ichthyosaurus communis De la Beche & Conybeare, 1822 | |
Other species | |
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Ichthyosaurus lived from about 199 to 189 million years ago (mya). This sleek animal could perhaps swim at speeds up to 25 mph (40 kph).