Name: Karaurus
(head tail).
Phonetic: Kah-row-rus.
Named By: M. F. Ivachnenko - 1978.
Classification: Chordata, Amphibia, Caudata,
Karauridae.
Species: K. sharovi (type).
Diet: Insectivore.
Size: About 20 centimetres long.
Known locations: Russian Federation.
Time period: Kimmeridgian of the Jurassic.
Fossil representation: Complete individual.
Karaurus has been hailed as one of the earliest known true salamanders to appear. This is based upon the striking similarity of the Karaurus holotype to modern forms, and it is quite likely that Karaurus lived in a similar manner hunting for small invertebrates in the water.
Further reading
- Urodelans from the Triassic and Jurassic of Soviet Central Asia.
- Paleontological Journal, vol 12, no 3, p362-368. -
M. F. Ivachnenko - 1978.
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