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Mosasauridae
Mosasauridae (mosasaurs; order Squamata, suborder Sauria) A family of marine lizards, fossils of which have been found in Upper Cretaceous rocks throughout the world. They evolved into many types but all of them became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. Mosasaurs were large, some reaching 9 m in length, with a long, slim body, short neck, and long head. The tail was used for swimming and the limbs for steering; the digits may have been webbed. The teeth were set in pits rather than being fused to the jaws. Most mosasaurs fed on fish, although some are believed to have fed on molluscs.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Mosasauridae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Mosasauridae.html |
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Mosasauridae
Mosasauridae (mosasaurs; order Squamata, suborder Sauria) A family of marine lizards, fossils of which have been found in Upper Cretaceous rocks throughout the world. They evolved into many types but all became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. Mosasaurs were large, some reaching 9 m in length, with a long, slim body, short neck, and long head. The tail was used for swimming and the limbs for steering; the digits may have been webbed. The teeth were set in pits rather than being fused to the jaws. Most mosasaurs fed on fish, although some are believed to have fed on molluscs.
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Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Mosasauridae.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Mosasauridae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Mosasauridae.html |
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