Hainosaurus is a highly dubious extinct genus of tylosaurine mosasaur. It was potentially one of the largest mosasaurs, though its size has been revised more than once. Currently only one species has been attributed to the genus, being H. boubker. The genus has generally been considered a junior synonym of Tylosaurus, but potentially can still be valid.
Description[]
At first it was estimated to be 17 meters (56 ft), and the largest mosasaurid. During the 1990s, its size was revised to 15 meters (49 ft) long. More recently, Johan Lindgren estimated that it reached lengths of up to 12.2 metres (40 ft). It was one of the top marine predators of the Late Cretaceous. Like other giant mosasaurs, this giant predator preyed on turtles, plesiosaurs, pterosaurs, cephalopods, sharks, fish, and smaller mosasaurs. It had more vertebrae from the neck to the part of the tail with chevrons (53) than other species of Tylosaurus. Hainosaurus's tail has less chevron-bearing vertebrae, making it shorter than that of other species. It is unique among mosasaurids in possessing blade-like teeth that are laterally compressed, encircled by enamel facets, and differentiated along the dental margin. The discovery of this new taxon in the Maastrichtian of Morocco is remarkable as it represents both the youngest species of Tylosaurinae and the first occurrence in North Africa.
Classification[]
Hainosaurus was a member of the subfamily Tylosaurinae in the Mosasauridae family.
Validity[]
The validity of the genus Hainosaurus has been under much debate since its inception in the 1800s. Originally two other species were attributed to the genus, being H. bernardi and H. pembinensis, which have now been attributed to Tylosaurus. Up until recently with the discovery of H. boubker, the genus was considered a junior synonym. Much debate is on the validity of the genus, but this new species lives in a different time than most other Tylosaurus species, which can potentially mean a new genus.
Appearance in other media[]
Jurassic Park[]
- Hainosaurus made an appearance in the popular game Jurassic Park: Builder.
- Hainosaurus also makes an appearance in Jurassic World: The Game.
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Read more Hainosaurus on Jurassic Park Wiki |
References[]
Introducing Hainosaurus boubker, Last of the Great Tylosaurs. - Fossil News - The Fossil Forum