Phosphorosaurus

''Phosphorosaurus'' ("phosphate lizard") is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. ''Phosphorosaurus'' is classified within the Halisaurinae subfamily alongside the genera '' Pluridens'', ''Eonatator'' and ''Halisaurus''.

Stratigraphically, ''Phosphorosaurus'' only occurs in the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous. Although treated as synonymous with ''Halisaurus'' in the past, recent studies recognize it as valid. Two species are known, ''Phosphorosaurus ortliebi'' from the Craie de Ciply Formation in Belgium, and ''P. ponpetelegans'' from the Hakobuchi Formation of Hokkaido in Japan. ''P. ponpetelegans'' is only known from the very earliest Maastrichtian, whilst ''P. ortliebi'' occurs throughout the Maastrichtian.

Description

With a length of around 3 m (10 ft), ''Phosphorosaurus'' was small compared to most other mosasaurs, but rather standard in size for a halisaurine. Analysis of ''Phosphorosaurus'' biology suggests that this mosasaur was a deep-water or nocturnal hunter, potentially preying on animals such as squid and bioluminescent fish similar to the modern lanternfish present in the same areas. The large eyes of ''Phosphorosaurus'' had overlapping fields of vision, giving it depth perception, which would have given it an advantage when chasing such animals in poorly-lit conditions. Studies also indicate that the animal was likely an ambush predator that would lie in wait for prey, as it was not as efficient a swimmer as larger mosasaurs, much like other halisaurines.

Konishi et al. 2015 listed the following unambiguous character states for the genus: "Dorsal exposure of prefrontal confined to preorbital segment of frontal; preorbital segment of frontal narrow, sloping anteroventrally; frontal preorbital borders subparallel with each other; interorbital emargination present; frontal lateral border forming a step-like junction between preorbital and interorbital segments; apex of posterodorsal triangular plateau on frontal reaching level of interorbital constriction; frontal articulation facet for postorbitofrontal squareshaped in outline; parietal postorbital process dorsally not separated by ridge from parietal table; and stapedial meatus parallel-sided".

Classification

Belgian palaeontologist Louis Dollo defined the genus in 1889, with the description of ''Phosphorosaurus ortliebi'' from the upper Maastrichtian ‘‘Craie phosphateé’’ of Ciply in Belgium. The holotype is a fragmented and incomplete skull that is estimated to have been around 42 cm long. It was reclassified as ''Halisaurus ortliebi'' in 1996, but this was not taken up by later authorities due to differences in the cranium.

Below is a cladogram following an analysis by Takuya Konishi and colleagues (2015) done during the description of ''P. ponpetelegans'', which showcases the internal relationships within the Halisaurinae. The analysis excluded the dubious '' Halisaurus onchognathus'' and the genus '' Pluridens''.

Species

Two species are known, ''P. ortliebi'' and ''P. ponpetelegans'', the latter from the oldest Maastrichtian beds located in Hokkaido, Japan. The skull of the latter species is thought to be around 50 cm long. The etymology of ''P. ponpetelegans'' derives from the words "''ponpet''", which means "creek" in Ainu (language of the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido), and "''elegans''", Latin for "elegant", referencing the exceptional preservation of the holotype specimen of the species and the clean Pankerusano-sawa Creek where the fossil was discovered.

''P. ortliebi'' and ''P. ponpetelgans'' can be distinguished from each other by several fossil characters. For instance, the prefrontal postnarial medial lamina are smaller in ''P. ponpetelgans'' than in ''P. ortliebi'' and the development of prefrontal supraorbital tuberosity is minimal compared to ''P. ortliebi''. In ''P. ponpetelgans'' the median dorsal ridge of the frontal becomes weak posterior to the orbits, which does not occur in ''P. ortliebi''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21686494

Russellosaurins
Mosasaurs of Europe
Fossil taxa described in 1889
Fossils of Japan
Taxa named by Louis Dollo
Fossils of Belgium
Mosasaurs of Asia
Maastrichtian genera