Derasmosaurus

Derasmosaurus
Temporal range:
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Rhynchocephalia
Suborder: Sphenodontia
Genus: Derasmosaurus
Barbera and Macuglia, 1988
Type species
Derasmosaurus pietrarojae
Barbera and Macuglia, 1988

Derasmosaurus is an extinct species of rhynchocephalian known from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) aged Pietraroja Plattenkalk of Italy. It was originally considered to be a specimen of Lacerta brevicauda by Costa in 1866, it was later considered a specimen of the lizard Chometokadmon fitzingeri by D'Erasmo in 1915. It was described as a distinct rhynchocephalian genus in 1988. It is distinct from other indeterminate rhychocephalians found in the Plattenkalk. It is considered to be aquatically adapted, and possibly a member of the Pleurosauridae.

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