Karaurus is a salamander from Jurassic Kazakhstan. It is one of the oldest known salamanders.
Description[]
The only known skeleton of Karaurus (which is likely a juvenile) is about 20 centimeters long. It is heavily built, with a broad head.[1]
Classification[]
Karaurus belongs to its own family, Karauridae, along with the genus Kokartus.[2]
Discovery[]
Karaurus was found in Karatau Ridge in Kazakhstan[3], which was once a lake bed. It was described in 1978 by Mikhael Ivachnenko.[4]
Paleobiology[]
Karaurus probably fed on freshwater crustaceans and insects.[5]
References[]
- ↑ DK LTD. Prehistoric Life: The Definitive Visual History of Life on Earth. New York: DK Publishing, 2009. Print.
- ↑ L. A. Nessov. 1988. Late Mesozoic amphibians and lizards of Soviet Middle Asia. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia 31(14):475-486 [E. Fara/E. Fara]
- ↑ http://www.mathematical.com/dinokaraurus.html
- ↑ http://www.mathematical.com/dinoivachnenko.html
- ↑ Palmer, D., ed (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 57. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.