Water Reptiles of the Past and Present

Name: Water Reptiles of the Past and Present
Author: Williston, Samuel Wendell

Williston, Samuel Wendell

Aquatic reptiles; Aquatic reptiles, Fossil

Order =SQUAMATA=
        A single, upper temporal vacuity, or, secondarily none;
        quadrate loosely articulated with cranium; teeth on palate;
        intercentra more or less persistent; a single coracoid; ribs
        single-headed, central.
        Suborder =Lacertilia=  Trias to recent.
                 =Mosasauria=  Upper Cretaceous, cosmopolitan.
                 =Ophidia=     Upper Cretaceous to recent.

    ⃰Order =THALATTOSAURIA=
        Aquatic reptiles; two (?) temporal vacuities; ribs
        single-headed, attached to centrum; single coracoid; no
        intercentra. Trias, California.

    Order =RHYNCHOCEPHALIA=
        Two temporal vacuities on each side; palate with teeth;
        intercentra persistent; a single coracoid; teeth acrodont;
        ribs articulating with centrum and arch.
        Suborder =Rhynchosauria= Triassic, Europe.
                 =Sphenodontia=  Triassic to recent.
                 =Choristodera=  Uppermost Cretaceous, lowermost
                                        Eocene, North America, Europe.

    Order =PARASUCHIA=
        Subaquatic reptiles, with two temporal vacuities; an
        antorbital vacuity; no false palate; pubis entering
        acetabulum; ribs double-headed, diapophysial.
        Suborder =Phytosauria=  Upper Trias, cosmopolitan.
                 =Pelycosimia=  Trias, Africa.
                 =Pseudosuchia= Trias, Europe, North America.

    Order =CROCODILIA=
        Two temporal vacuities; teeth thecodont; a false palate;
        pubis excluded from acetabulum; single coracoid; ribs
        double-headed, diapophysial; subaquatic or aquatic.
        Suborder =Eusuchia=       Jurassic to recent.
                 =Thalattosuchia= Upper Jurassic, Europe.

    Order =DINOSAURIA=
        Ambulatory reptiles, with two temporal vacuities; no false
        palate; pubis entering acetabulum; ribs double-headed,
        diapophysial.
        Suborder =Theropoda=  Upper Trias to close of Cretaceous,
                                                      cosmopolitan.
                 =Orthopoda=  Close of Trias to close of Cretaceous,
                                                      cosmopolitan.
                 =Sauropoda=  Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous,
                                                      cosmopolitan.

    Order =PTEROSAURIA=
        Volant reptiles; fourth finger greatly elongated to support
        patagium; neck vertebrae elongated; bones hollow; ribs
        double-headed, diapophysial; a single coracoid; no clavicles
        or interclavicle; two temporal vacuities.
        Suborder =Pterodermata=    Jurassic, Europe.
                 =Pterodactyloidea= Upper Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous,
                                              Europe, North America.




CHAPTER III

THE SKELETON OF REPTILES

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Water Reptiles of the Past and Present

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