| Baisesaurus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | †Ichthyosauromorpha |
| Genus: | †Baisesaurus Renet al.,2022 |
| Species: | †B. robustus |
| Binomial name | |
| †Baisesaurus robustus Renet al., 2022 | |
Baisesaurus (meaning "Baise lizard") is an extinct genus ofichthyosauromorph from the earlyTriassic (Spathian)Luolou Formation ofGuangxi,China. The genus contains a single species,B. robustus, known from a partialpostcranial skeleton.[1]
TheBaisesaurusholotype specimen,CUGW VH107, was discovered in 2018 in a layer of the Luolou Formation in theNanpanjiang Basin ofZhebao Township,Longlin County,Baise,Guangxi region, China. The specimen consists of assortedribs,gastralia, a limb element (likely aradius), 12vertebral centra, and sevenneural arches.
In 2022, Renet al.describedBaisesaurus robustus, a new genus and species ofbasalichthyosauromorph. Thegeneric name, "Baisesaurus", combines a reference to the type locality inBaise, China, with theGreek "saurus", meaning "lizard". Thespecific name, "robustus", means "robust".[1]
Baisesaurus was likely at least 3 m (9.8 ft) long. It was more similar toUtatsusaurus than to any other ichthyosauromorph, with similar size and anatomical traits. It can be inferred from related animals thatBaisesaurus was a strong swimmer with long, compactforelimb bones.[1]
Baisesaurus likely represents abasal member of the clade Ichthyosauromorpha. The describing authors explain that it may represent a member of theIchthyopterygia. However, such a classification is highly tentative.[1]
