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Middle Triassic

Geological interval

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Life restoration of the large, Middle Triassic Nevadan ichthyosaur Cymbopsondylus petrinus. This illustration is primarily based on specimen UCMP 9950, with much of the tail restored following UCMP 9947. The size of the eye was reconstructed based on UCMP 9954 and UCMP 9913. The unknown distal portions of the flippers, as well as some of the tail, was reconstructed after the related genus Xinminosaurus. References Merriam, J. C. (1908) Triassic Ichthyosauria: With special reference to the American forms, Berkley, California: Berkley: The University Press Klein, N.; Schmitz, L.; Wintrich, T.; Sander, P. M. (2020). "A new cymbospondylid ichthyosaur (Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic (Anisian) of the Augusta Mountains, Nevada, USA". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 18 (14): 1167-1191. DOI:10.1080/14772019.2020.1748132. Jiang, D.; Motani, R.; Hao, W.; Schmitz, L.; Rieppel, O.; Sun, Y.; Sun, Z. (2008). "New primitive ichthyosaurian (Reptilia, Diapsida) from the Middle Triassic of Panxian, Guizhou, southwestern China and its position in the Triassic biotic recovery". Progress in Natural Science 18 (10): 1315. DOI:10.1016/j.pnsc.2008.01.039.
Taxa Xinminosaurus

Life restoration of the large, Middle Triassic Nevadan ichthyosaur Cymbopsondylus petrinus. This illustration is primarily based on specimen UCMP 9950, with much of the tail restored following UCMP 9947. The size of the eye was reconstructed based on UCMP 9954 and UCMP 9913. The unknown distal portions of the flippers, as well as some of the tail, was reconstructed after the related genus Xinminosaurus. References Merriam, J. C. (1908) Triassic Ichthyosauria: With special reference to the American forms, Berkley, California: Berkley: The University Press Klein, N.; Schmitz, L.; Wintrich, T.; Sander, P. M. (2020). "A new cymbospondylid ichthyosaur (Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic (Anisian) of the Augusta Mountains, Nevada, USA". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 18 (14): 1167-1191. DOI:10.1080/14772019.2020.1748132. Jiang, D.; Motani, R.; Hao, W.; Schmitz, L.; Rieppel, O.; Sun, Y.; Sun, Z. (2008). "New primitive ichthyosaurian (Reptilia, Diapsida) from the Middle Triassic of Panxian, Guizhou, southwestern China and its position in the Triassic biotic recovery". Progress in Natural Science 18 (10): 1315. DOI:10.1016/j.pnsc.2008.01.039.

China United States Anisian Middle Triassic +6
Figure description from paper: "Figure 23: Early and Middle Triassic ichthyopterygian heads possessing longirostry. Simplified outlines of four different Early and Middle Triassic ichthyopterygian heads possessing a long and slender rostrum. Specimens are at the same scale. (A) Utatsusaurus hataii (UHR 30691, Motani, Minoura & Ando, 1998); (B) Grippia longirostris (PMU R445, Motani, 2000); (C) Mixosaurus cornalianus (BES SC 1000, Renesto et al., 2020); (D) Besanosaurus leptorhynchus (PIMUZ T 4847, this paper); (E) Cymbospondylus buchseri (PIMUZ T 4351, Sander, 1989). Scale bar represents 10 cm." References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

Figure description from paper: "Figure 23: Early and Middle Triassic ichthyopterygian heads possessing longirostry. Simplified outlines of four different Early and Middle Triassic ichthyopterygian heads possessing a long and slender rostrum. Specimens are at the same scale. (A) Utatsusaurus hataii (UHR 30691, Motani, Minoura & Ando, 1998); (B) Grippia longirostris (PMU R445, Motani, 2000); (C) Mixosaurus cornalianus (BES SC 1000, Renesto et al., 2020); (D) Besanosaurus leptorhynchus (PIMUZ T 4847, this paper); (E) Cymbospondylus buchseri (PIMUZ T 4351, Sander, 1989). Scale bar represents 10 cm." References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

scale description Italy Switzerland +12
Besanosaurus leptorhynchus referred specimen PIMUZ T 4376, preserved on the same slab as a specimen of the smaller Mixosaurus. Scale bar represents 50 cm (1.6 ft). Figure 3C of Bindellini et al. (2021). References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

Besanosaurus leptorhynchus referred specimen PIMUZ T 4376, preserved on the same slab as a specimen of the smaller Mixosaurus. Scale bar represents 50 cm (1.6 ft). Figure 3C of Bindellini et al. (2021). References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

scale Italy Switzerland Middle Triassic +8
Modified version of figure 23 of Bindellini et al. (2021) showing just the ichthyosaurs from the Besano Formation: Besanosaurus leptorhynchus (A), Mixosaurus cornalianus (B), and Cymbospondylus buchseri (C). The original figure was uploaded unmodified here: File:Early to Middle Triassic Longirostrine Ichthyopterygians.png References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

Modified version of figure 23 of Bindellini et al. (2021) showing just the ichthyosaurs from the Besano Formation: Besanosaurus leptorhynchus (A), Mixosaurus cornalianus (B), and Cymbospondylus buchseri (C). The original figure was uploaded unmodified here: File:Early to Middle Triassic Longirostrine Ichthyopterygians.png References: Bindellini, G.; Wolniewicz, A.S.; Miedema, F.; Scheyer, T.M.; Dal Sasso, C. (2021). "Cranial anatomy of Besanosaurus leptorhynchus Dal Sasso & Pinna, 1996 (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, Italy/Switzerland: Taxonomic and palaeobiological implications". PeerJ 9: e11179. DOI:10.7717/peerj.11179.

Italy Switzerland Middle Triassic Triassic +7
Augustasaurus hagdorni, a pistosaur from the Middle Triassic of nevada. Digital.
Taxa Pistosauria

Augustasaurus hagdorni, a pistosaur from the Middle Triassic of nevada. Digital.

Middle Triassic Triassic Augustasaurus Pistosauria +2
Skull of the Middle Triassic North-American ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus petrinus, preserved in three dimensions. This specimen is cataloged under the number UCMP 9913. More information is available from the source link.
Taxa Hueneosauria

Skull of the Middle Triassic North-American ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus petrinus, preserved in three dimensions. This specimen is cataloged under the number UCMP 9913. More information is available from the source link.

museum Middle Triassic Triassic specimen +5
Skull of the Middle Triassic North-American ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus petrinus, preserved in three dimensions. This specimen is cataloged under the number UCMP 9913. More information is available from the source link.
Taxa Longipinnati

Skull of the Middle Triassic North-American ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus petrinus, preserved in three dimensions. This specimen is cataloged under the number UCMP 9913. More information is available from the source link.

museum Middle Triassic Triassic specimen +5
Holotype specimen (PIMUZ A/III 1274) of Prosantosaurus scheffoldi gen. et spec. nov. from the upper Prosanto Formation (Early Ladinian, Middle Triassic) of Ducanfurgga locality no. 4, southwest of Davos, Canton of Grisons, south-eastern Switzerland. A Nearly complete specimen as prepared in dorsal view. The posterior part of the tail was lost prior to burial. Both forearms are not visible but lie below the trunk region, pointing in an anteromedial direction (see Additional file 1: Fig. S3A). B Detail of skull and anterior neck region. C Outline sketch of skull sutures. D Detail of shoulder girdle (claviculae, scapulae) and anterior dorsal vertebrae and ribs. E Detail of right humerus. F Detail of posterior dorsal vertebrae and ribs, sacral vertebrae and ribs, and anterior caudal vertebrae and ribs. G Detail of left ilium and hindlimb. ar articular; as astragalus; bo basioccipital; cal calcaneus; cl clavicula; co coracoid; d dentary; en external naris; eo exoccipital; fe femur; fi fibula; fr frontal; hu humerus; il ilium; in internal naris; is ischium; j jugal; mx maxilla; na naris; o orbit; pa parietal; pl palatine; pmx premaxilla; pof postfrontal; po postorbital; prf prefrontal; pt pterygoid; pu pubis; q quadrate; qj quadratojugal; ti tibia; sacr sacral rib; sc scapula; so supraoccipital; sp splenial; sq squamosal; su surangular; utf upper temporal fenestra; v vomer
Taxa Prosantosaurus

Holotype specimen (PIMUZ A/III 1274) of Prosantosaurus scheffoldi gen. et spec. nov. from the upper Prosanto Formation (Early Ladinian, Middle Triassic) of Ducanfurgga locality no. 4, southwest of Davos, Canton of Grisons, south-eastern Switzerland. A Nearly complete specimen as prepared in dorsal view. The posterior part of the tail was lost prior to burial. Both forearms are not visible but lie below the trunk region, pointing in an anteromedial direction (see Additional file 1: Fig. S3A). B Detail of skull and anterior neck region. C Outline sketch of skull sutures. D Detail of shoulder girdle (claviculae, scapulae) and anterior dorsal vertebrae and ribs. E Detail of right humerus. F Detail of posterior dorsal vertebrae and ribs, sacral vertebrae and ribs, and anterior caudal vertebrae and ribs. G Detail of left ilium and hindlimb. ar articular; as astragalus; bo basioccipital; cal calcaneus; cl clavicula; co coracoid; d dentary; en external naris; eo exoccipital; fe femur; fi fibula; fr frontal; hu humerus; il ilium; in internal naris; is ischium; j jugal; mx maxilla; na naris; o orbit; pa parietal; pl palatine; pmx premaxilla; pof postfrontal; po postorbital; prf prefrontal; pt pterygoid; pu pubis; q quadrate; qj quadratojugal; ti tibia; sacr sacral rib; sc scapula; so supraoccipital; sp splenial; sq squamosal; su surangular; utf upper temporal fenestra; v vomer

humerus Switzerland Ladinian Middle Triassic +6
Rendition of possible appearance of the dinosaur genus Nyasasaurus from the Middle Triassic, possibly the earliest known dinosaur. Black portions represent the partial skeletal fragments (a humerus and six vertebrae) from one specimen blue portions represent fragments from a second specimen (three cervical vertebrae) on which the current likely form of the animal is based.

Rendition of possible appearance of the dinosaur genus Nyasasaurus from the Middle Triassic, possibly the earliest known dinosaur. Black portions represent the partial skeletal fragments (a humerus and six vertebrae) from one specimen blue portions represent fragments from a second specimen (three cervical vertebrae) on which the current likely form of the animal is based.

humerus Middle Triassic Triassic specimen +3
Figure description from the paper: "The segmented model of right lateral side of the skull of mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi (Merriam, 1910) PMO 235.393, from the Botneheia Formation, Middle Triassic of the Isfjorden area in Spitsbergen, Svalbard." References: Roberts, A.J.; Engelschiøn, V.S.; Hurum, J.H. (2022). "First three-dimensional skull of the Middle Triassic mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from Svalbard, Norway". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67 (1): 51–62. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00915.2021.
Taxa Phalarodon

Figure description from the paper: "The segmented model of right lateral side of the skull of mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi (Merriam, 1910) PMO 235.393, from the Botneheia Formation, Middle Triassic of the Isfjorden area in Spitsbergen, Svalbard." References: Roberts, A.J.; Engelschiøn, V.S.; Hurum, J.H. (2022). "First three-dimensional skull of the Middle Triassic mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from Svalbard, Norway". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67 (1): 51–62. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00915.2021.

description Norway Middle Triassic Triassic +7
Figure description from the paper: "The segmented model of right lateral side of the skull of mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi (Merriam, 1910) PMO 235.393, from the Botneheia Formation, Middle Triassic of the Isfjorden area in Spitsbergen, Svalbard." References: Roberts, A.J.; Engelschiøn, V.S.; Hurum, J.H. (2022). "First three-dimensional skull of the Middle Triassic mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from Svalbard, Norway". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67 (1): 51–62. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00915.2021.
Taxa Contectopalatus

Figure description from the paper: "The segmented model of right lateral side of the skull of mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi (Merriam, 1910) PMO 235.393, from the Botneheia Formation, Middle Triassic of the Isfjorden area in Spitsbergen, Svalbard." References: Roberts, A.J.; Engelschiøn, V.S.; Hurum, J.H. (2022). "First three-dimensional skull of the Middle Triassic mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from Svalbard, Norway". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67 (1): 51–62. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00915.2021.

description Norway Middle Triassic Triassic +7