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Halisaurus arambourgi

Reptilia - Mosasauridae

Taxonomy
Halisaurus arambourgi was named by Bardet et al. (2005). Its type specimen is MNHN PMC 14, a partial skeleton (Incomplete skeleton including a disarticulated skull and 27 associated articulated vertebrae (seven cervicals, 18 dorsals, two distal caudals)), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Grand Daoui area [upper Couche III], which is in a Maastrichtian marine phosphorite/marl in the Couche III Formation of Morocco.

Synonymy list
YearName and author
2005Halisaurus arambourgi Bardet et al. p. 449
2012Halisaurus arambourgi Polcyn et al.
2019Halisaurus arambourgi Driscoll et al.

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
Bilateria
EubilateriaAx 1987
Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
Tetrapoda
Reptiliomorpha
RankNameAuthor
Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
Cotylosauria()
Amniota
Sauropsida
classReptilia
Squamata()
familyMosasauridae
Halisaurinae
Halisaurini
genusHalisaurusMarsh 1869
speciesarambourgi

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Halisaurus arambourgi Bardet et al. 2005
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Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
N. Bardet et al. 2005Small mosasaurid (adult total length 3–4 m). External nares extend from 6th to 12th maxillary teeth, V-shaped anteriorly and U-shaped posteriorly; prefrontal contributes moderately to margin of naris and possesses small anterior supraorbital ridge; frontal with median dorsal ridge extending on two-thirds of the bone length, and two anterior oblique ridges; parietal with triangular table ornamented by transverse undulated ridges and a lenticular foramen, the anterior end of which is located half its length from the frontal suture; quadrate with a vertical oval stapedial notch; pterygoid with short palatine process at about 45 degrees relative to the ectopterygoid process; dental formula: 2 premaxillary, at least 16 maxillary and 12 pterygoid teeth, 19 dentary teeth; teeth very fine and sharp, abruptly posteriorly recurved, with a circular basal cross-section, two carinae and enamel ornamented by minute ridges; estimated vertebral formula: 7 cervicals, at least 20 dorsals and pygals, more than 29 median and 45 distal caudals; humerus length approximately 1.6 times distal width; femur length approximately 1.5 times distal width.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: terrestrialuc
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: aquaticf
Diet: carnivoref
Vision: well-developedf
Reproduction: ovoviviparousf
Created: 2018-01-05 16:32:54
Modified: 2018-01-05 16:32:54
Source: f = family, c = class, subp = subphylum, uc = unranked clade
References: Hendy et al. 2009, Carroll 1988, Gervais 1852

Age range: Late/Upper Maastrichtian or 70.60000 to 66.00000 Ma

Collections (7 total)


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Early/Lower Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0Morocco Halisaurus arambourgi (116902 116903)
Late/Upper Maastrichtian70.6 - 66.0Morocco Halisaurus arambourgi (99627 type locality: 118067 123268 213665 213666)