An unexpected archaic fossil unearthed in southwestern China of a pregnant long-necked marine reptile that lived millions of year prior to the dinosaurs with a developing embryo, has baffled scientists all over the world as it indicated that the creature gave birth to live babies in lieu of laying eggs.
The unusual fish-eating reptile called Dinocephalosaurus, which lived approximately 245 million years ago in an era called Triassic Period, now changes our understanding of the evolution of vertebrate reproductive systems.
Mammals as always are known to and some reptiles inclusive of certain snakes and lizards are viviparous, in other words are able to give birth to live young.
Dinocephalosaurus, is now the first member of a broad vertebrate class called archosauromorphs which includes birds, crocodilians, dinosaurs and some extinct flying reptiles known as pterosaurs; all of which were known to give birth in the same fashion.
is the first member of a broad vertebrate group called archosauromorphs that includes birds, crocodilians, dinosaurs and extinct flying reptiles known as pterosaurs known to give birth this way, paleontologist Jun Liu of Chinas Hefei University of Technology said.
The animal was discovered in the Yunnan Province of China and was about 4m long with a slender neck 1,7m in length. Jun Liu, a paleontologist at the Chinas Hefei University of Technology said, It had paddle-like flippers, a small head and a mouth with teeth including large canines, perfect for snaring fish.
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