"Ber", the type specimen of Prognathodon saturator recently acquired by the Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht from a nearby quarry.
Prognathodon ('forejaw tooth') is an extinct genus of marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. its fossil remains have been found in the U.S.A (South Dakota and Colorado), Belgium, and New Zealand. Its teeth are similar to those of some Triassic placodonts so it may have lived a similar lifestyle, feeding on shellfish. A very large specimen was found in Israel but is now regarded as a distinct genus, with description in press.
Description[]
It had protective bony rings surrounding its eye sockets, indicating it lived in deep water. Its teeth are similar to those of some Triassic placodonts, so it may have lived a similar lifestyle, feeding on shellfish, large fish, and sea turtles.
Discovery[]
Prognathodon solvayi
Species[]
- P. giganteus
- P. overtoni
- P. rapax
- P. saturator
- P. solvayi
- P. stadtmani
- P. waiparaensis
- ?P. curri