phytosaur
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9.9
A large extinct reptile like a crocodile from the Triassic period
- noun
- /ˈfaɪtəˌsɔr/
- Specialized
:
fitosaurio
- This fossil locality contains the remains of a phytosaur—a reptile that looks like modern alligators and crocodiles but is only distantly related.
Examples
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Mike Getty works to extract phytosaur fossils after they've been strengthened with a coat of plaster-soaked burlap.
Blog text (34) -
Our discoveries aren't limited to phytosaur bones.
Blog text (34) -
During the Triassic period, the phytosaur roamed the Earth, resembling a crocodile in both size and shape.
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Researchers uncovered a phytosaur fossil that provides insight into the lifestyle of this ancient reptile.
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The paleontologist identified the phytosaur remains among a collection of other prehistoric fossils.
Surface Forms
phytosaur singular
phytosaurs plural
Etymology
Phytosaur comes from Greek parts phyto- 'plant' and -saur 'lizard', and the -saur part is the same as in dinosaur, so the name literally means 'plant-lizard'. So today phytosaur means a large, extinct, crocodile-like reptile, even though it probably did not eat plants.