Lagerpetonidae

Lagerpetonidae
Temporal range: Ladinian–Late Triassic, 228–203.6 Ma
Dromomeron
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Branch: Dinosauromorpha
Family: †Lagerpetonidae
Arcucci, 1986
Genera

The Lagerpetonidae (LAJ•er•pet•ON•ih•DÆ) is a family of basal dinosauromorphs. Members of the family are known from the Late Triassic of Argentina, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.[1]

Contents

Description

Lagerpetonids are defined as being rather small (length of one hind limb being 25 centimetres (9.8 in)), with "very marked locomotor specializations", final presacral and anteriorly oriented vertebrae, a sacral including two vertebrae, a closed acetabulum, and an up facing ilium".[2] They had a short and wide pubis, and had an ischium with extensive ventral lamina.[2] In relation to the genus Lagosuchus, the genera had shorter thigh bones than shins.[2]

Classification and systematics

The lagerpetonids were relatives of the dinosaurs, being a branch of the group Dinosauromorpha. They were assigned by S. J. Nesbitt et al. 2009.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b The Paleobiology Database: Lagerpetonidae}
  2. ^ a b c Arcucci, Andrea (1986) (PDF). New materials and reinterpretation of Lagerpeton chanarensis Romer (Thecodontia, Lagerpetonidae nov.) from the Middle Triassic of La Rioja, Argentina. p. 3. http://www.paleoglot.net/files/Arcucci_86.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-28. 

Further reading