Mosasaurinae

Mosasaurinae
Live reconstruction of Mosasaurus beaugei
Temporal occurrence
Upper Cretaceous ( Cenomanian to Maastrichtian )
100.5 to 66 million years
Locations
worldwide
Systematics
Scale reptiles (Squamata) Toxicofera Sneaky (Anguimorpha) Mosasauroidea Mosasaur (Mosasauridae) Mosasaurinae
Scientific name
Mosasaurinae
Gervais , 1853

The Mosasaurinae are a subfamily of the Mosasaurs. They had a particularly long torso, with 42 to 45 vertebrae in front of the cross vertebrae. In some forms the tail ended in a caudal fin supported by the enlarged caudal vertebrae ( Clidastes , Plotosaurus ). Zygapophyses (long bone rods that connected the individual vertebral elements ) were present in most of the taxa. The hemal arches on the underside of the caudal spine were fused with the vertebral centers.

The limbs were often heavily modified and formed narrow, elongated fins with additional toe bones ( hyperphalangia ). The radius and ulna were broad and short. The subfamily includes some of the advanced and highly specialized Mosasaur genera ( Mosasaurus , Plotosaurus , Globidens ). The skull of these forms was not kinetic (immobile).

Systematics

• Mosasaurinae
  • Amphekepubis
  • Moanasaurus
  • Liodon
  • Clidastes
  • Globidensini
    • Carinodens
    • Globidens
    • Prognathodon  ?
    • Plesiotylosaurus  ?
  • Plotosaurini
    • Mosasaurus
    • Plotosaurus

source

• Ben Creisler: Mosasauridae Translation and Pronunciation Guide ( Memento of October 13, 2011 in the Internet Archive )