Keichousaurus is a genus of very small nothosauroid marine reptiles. Fossil remains have been found in Mongolia and China, and date to the Norian stage of the Late Triassic period. Keichousaurus is the smallest known fossil marine reptile found to date. The genus Keichousaurus consists of three species: K. hui, K. lusiensis, and K. yuananensis. Size variations and slight morphological differences separate the three species; however, some authors have proposed that such variations represent different stages of growth, rather than separate species.
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| - Keichousaurus is a genus of very small nothosauroid marine reptiles. Fossil remains have been found in Mongolia and China, and date to the Norian stage of the Late Triassic period. Keichousaurus is the smallest known fossil marine reptile found to date. The genus Keichousaurus consists of three species: K. hui, K. lusiensis, and K. yuananensis. Size variations and slight morphological differences separate the three species; however, some authors have proposed that such variations represent different stages of growth, rather than separate species.
- Keichousaurus, like all sauropterygians, was highly adapted to the aquatic environment. individuals of this genus ranged from 15 - 30 cm in length, and had both long necks and long tails, with elongated, five-toed feet. The pointed head and sharp teeth in this genus also indicate that they were fish-eaters. Some recovered specimens feature an especially developed ulna suggesting they may have spent some time on land or in marshes.
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| - Keichousaurus hui
Keichousaurus lusiensis
Keichousaurus yuananensis
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| - Keichousaurus is a genus of very small nothosauroid marine reptiles. Fossil remains have been found in Mongolia and China, and date to the Norian stage of the Late Triassic period. Keichousaurus is the smallest known fossil marine reptile found to date. The genus Keichousaurus consists of three species: K. hui, K. lusiensis, and K. yuananensis. Size variations and slight morphological differences separate the three species; however, some authors have proposed that such variations represent different stages of growth, rather than separate species. While it is the smallest marine reptile known, Keichousaurus is highly variable in terms of size. The smallest specimens, which likely represent juveniles, are around 20 centimetres in length; the larger specimens being well over twice the size of the smallest.
- Keichousaurus, like all sauropterygians, was highly adapted to the aquatic environment. individuals of this genus ranged from 15 - 30 cm in length, and had both long necks and long tails, with elongated, five-toed feet. The pointed head and sharp teeth in this genus also indicate that they were fish-eaters. Some recovered specimens feature an especially developed ulna suggesting they may have spent some time on land or in marshes. In addition fossil evidence suggest also a pair of fossilized pregnant marine reptiles called Keichousaurus hui, show they had a mobile pelvis to give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
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