Claudiosaurus

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Claudiosaurus
Fossil range: Late Permian
Claudiosaurus germaini from the Upper Permian of Madagascar
Claudiosaurus germaini from the Upper Permian of Madagascar
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Subclass: Diapsida
(unranked) Neodiapsida
Genus: Claudiosaurus

Claudiosaurus is an extinct genus of diapsid reptile from the Permian period. It was about 60 cm (2 ft) long.

Claudiosaurus was one of the first members of the Neodiapsida, a group of diapsid containing most diapsids except the primitive Araeoscelidia. It had a relatively long body (especially the neck was longer than average) and is presumed to have been partially oceanic, living its life in a way similar to the modern marine iguana. The main reason for this theory is the abundancy of cartilage in Claudiosaurus's body, indicating it had trouble supporting its weight on land. The sternum was poorly developed and lacked real bone.