Wahlisaurus Temporal range: Early Jurassic, Hettangian–Hettangian |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | †Ichthyosauria |
Family: | †Leptonectidae |
Genus: |
†Wahlisaurus Lomax 2016 |
Type species | |
†Wahlisaurus massare Lomax, 2016 |
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Species | |
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Wahlisaurus massare is a small ichthyosaur species of the family Leptonectidae of the United Kingdom.It was found in Nottinghamshire previous to the year 1951 and described for the first time only in 2016 by Dean Lomax .
The so far only preserved specimen comprises a skull and an incomplete skeleton. It shares features, such as a slender and long snout with other leptonectids of that time (e.g. Eurhinosaurus, Excalibosaurus, etc.). The extent of the overbite is minor compared to that of Eurhinosaurus. Differences can be found in Wahlisaurus` shoulder girdle. In fact both the coracoid and the contact between the coracoid and the scapula possess a foramen.
LEICT G454.1951.5 was named in honour of William Wahl and Professor Judy Massare, both specialist in mesozoic marine reptiles.