Nothosaurus was a species of Sauropterygian reptiles that lived between 200-241 million years ago, in the Triassic era, featuring remains found from Northern Africa, Europe, and Asia. Their scientific name derives from the ancient Greek words “Nothos,” and “sauros” which means false lizard.
Most notably, since they retained their distinct land characteristics despite being well-suited to marine life, Nothosaurus is sometimes called the seal of the Triassic era. This would mean that it would reside along the coastline and be able to plunge into the water in pursuit of food.
Appearance
Around 13 feet in length, featuring long, bunched-up digits and maybe a tail section, Nothosaurus was a quasi-marine animal. The genus includes roughly 12 species, a few of which could reach twice the length. The skull was long and flat with large openings. Numerous sharp teeth were present along the margins of the long jaws.
The tight palate, divided the food tubes from the air passageways, was an adaptation that made it easier for them to consume prey when submerged in water.
Nothosaurus moved through the sea by using its tail with a fin, limbs, and webbed flippers, while the wide, flat cranium had long, needle-toothed molars that were likely used to catch fish and other aquatic life. They descended from terrestrial reptiles that were strongly linked to serpents and lizards, comparable to other sauropterygians.
Nothosaurs varied in size, with most species around 9 feet (3 metres) in length. Some larger species, like Lariosaurus, could reach lengths of up to 20 feet. Several other species of nothosaurus have been identified, including Cymatosaurus, Ceresiosaurus, and Pistosaurus, each with unique adaptations and characteristics.
Did you know…
Nothosaurs were among the most common and diverse marine reptiles during the Triassic period, thriving in various marine environments. They are considered an important link in the evolution of plesiosaurs, the iconic long-necked marine reptiles that dominated the Jurassic and Cretaceous seas.
Habitat
According to the fossils found, Nothosaurus is thought to have resided in present-day North Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the precise environment of these reptiles is unknown, they were thought to be quasi-oceanic reptiles and belonged to that group, suggesting that they may have lived in maritime settings.
Taking from other present-day semi-marine animals, they most likely would resort to habituating coastlines and protruding rock formations like seals do. In terms of ability to reach the depth or estimate the distance they could cover while being in the sea is currently unknown due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Diet
Nothosaurus were carnivores, and they preferred piscivore diets. Long, narrow canines protruded from their mouth while the animal’s jaws remained clenched and intertwined with one another.
These jaws created a reliable prey snare that could be used to capture fish and other slick creatures. Despite the widespread perception that it was a voracious fish consumer, it may be also taken on smaller and younger aquatic amphibians.
The discovery of young placodonts like Cyamodus inside the gut of the considerably lesser species provides evidence for this hypothesis.
Reproduction
It is believed that their subspecies from the Triassic era reproduced sexually, like other reptiles, and it is probable that they gave birth to live offspring. While Nothosaurus thrived on land, it is still unknown whether it laid eggs or gave birth to live offspring.
Live birth appears to be the norm in Ichthyosaurs and potentially the subsequent Plesiosaurs, which are believed to have descended from Nothosaurus, according to fossil evidence from some of the other families. Yet, it is still unclear when live births began to happen in aquatic reptiles.
Threats
It is thought that this species went extinct as a result of a widespread extinction event that occurred during the Triassic-Jurassic era. Changes in temperature affect the availability of food supply which in turn directly affects the thriving element of species. The supply of food may not have been enough to support this species.
It spent most of its existence on shore and certainly never far enough to lose track of both the water and land. By coming back to land, Nothosaurus could avoid marine adversaries like sharks and even Ichthyosaurs. Yet, if archosaur reptiles had been able to access the same coastal regions as they did, they might have been a danger, and the land could not have been completely secure.
4 More Facts about the Nothosaurus
- They are compared to today’s seals.
- Nothosaurus could isolate feeding tubes from breathing ones to eat underwater.
- Nothosaurus are distant relatives to modern-day reptiles such as snakes.
- These semi-oceanic animal would weigh anywhere around 170-300 lbs.
FAQs
Was Nothosaurus a social or solitary species?
As of this moment is yet to be determined if Nothosaurus were social or solitary species, but one thing is almost certain when it came to reproducing, Nothosaurus specimens would seek out one another in order to mate, and there is no clear evidence to claim either fact.
Could Nothosaurus walk on land?
The Nothosaurus, who descended from terrestrial animals, were fish predators. Some of them possessed clawed digits, indicating they could indeed move on land, indicating they weren’t entirely accustomed to aquatic life.
How mobile was the Nothosaurus on the sea and land?
Nothosaurus ranged anywhere between 13-23 ft and would weigh 170-300 lbs. Considering the anatomical composition, it is presumed that it wasn’t particularly fast either on land or at sea. While some species sacrifice the ability to shift environments to excel in one, the Nothosaurus was moderate in both environments.
Why did the Nothosaurus go extinct?
Sadly, Nothosaurus became extinct in the Late Triassic era, about 200 million years ago. Although the precise reason for its demise is uncertain, additional predators or a reduction in food availability are two possibilities. Like many that followed it, such as dinosaurs, the required resources to fulfill such needs were incompatible with what the environment could offer.
