Lagerpetidae
| Lagerpetidae Temporal range: Triassic, 237–210 Ma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dromomeron gregorii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauromorpha |
| Family: | †Lagerpetidae Arcucci, 1986 |
| Genera | |
The Lagerpetidae (LAJ•er•pet•ih•DÆ, originally Lagerpetonidae) is a family of basal dinosauromorphs. Members of the family are known from Middle to Late Triassic (Ladinian to Norian) of Argentina, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.[1]
Description
Lagerpetids 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 lagerpetids were relatives of the dinosaurs, being a branch of the group Dinosauromorpha. The clade was named in a phylogenetic study by S. J. Nesbitt and colleagues in 2009.[1]
References
- 1 2 The Paleobiology Database: Lagerpetonidae}
- 1 2 3 Arcucci, Andrea (1986). "New materials and reinterpretation of Lagerpeton chanarensis Romer (Thecodontia, Lagerpetonidae nov.) from the Middle Triassic of La Rioja, Argentina" (PDF): 3. Retrieved 2010-04-28.