| Scleromochlus Fossil range: Late Triassic (Carnian) | |
|---|---|
 Life restoration of Scleromochlus taylori | |
| Scientific classification
| |
|
Class |
|
|
Infraclass |
|
|
Order (Unranked) |
|
|
Family |
|
|
Genus |
Scleromochlus |
| |
Scleromochlus is an extinct genus of small ornithodiran from the Late Triassic period.
Description[]
Scleromochlus taylori was about 186 mm (about 4.3 inches) long, with long hind legs; it may have capable of four-legged and two-legged locomotion. Most recent studies about its gait suggest that it engaged in kangaroo- or springhare-like plantigrade hopping;[1][2][3] if Scleromochlus is indeed related to pterosaurs, this may offer insight as to how the latter evolved, since early pterosaurs also show adaptations for saltatorial locomotion.
Discovery[]
Its fossils have been found in a Carnian formation in Lossiemouth, Scotland.[citation needed] The holotype is BMNH R3556, a partial skeleton preserved as an impression in sandstone; part of the skull and tail are missing.[1]
Scleromochlus is a monotypic genus (single species), which is the type species S. taylori.
Classification[]
A lightly-built cursorial animal, its phylogenetic position within Ornithodira has been debated; as different analyses have found it to be either the basal-most ornithodiran or the sister-taxon to Pterosauria.
Gallery[]
References[]
- Benton, M.J. (1999). Scleromochlus taylori and the origin of the pterosaurs. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London, Series B 354: 1423-1446.
- Woodward, A.S. (1907). On a new dinosaurian reptile (Scleromochlus taylori, gen. et sp. nov.) from the Trias of Lossiemouth, Elgin. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 1907 63: 140-144.
| Archosauromorphs |
|---|
| Primitive Archosauromorphs — Euparkeriidae • Erythrosuchidae • Proterochampsidae • Proterosuchidae • Choristodera • Prolacertiformes • Rhynchosauria • Trilophosauria
Crurotarsi Archosaurs — Ornithosuchidae • Aetosauria • Phytosauria • Rauisuchia • Crocodylomorpha • Crocodilia Avemetatarsalia and Ornithodira Archosaurs — Scleromochlus • Pterosauria • Dinosauromorpha • Dinosauria • Ornithischia • Saurischia • Aves Avian Archosaurs — Avialae • Archaeopteryx • Confuciusornis • Ichthyornis • Enantiornithes • Hesperornithes • Neornithes • Paleognathae • Neognathae |
