Tanytrachelos is an extinct genus of tanystropheid archosauromorph reptile from the Late Triassic of the eastern United States. It is known from several hundred fossil specimens preserved in the Solite Quarry in Cascade, Virginia. The closest the state of Virginia has ever gotten to an actual dinosaur fossil, Tanytrachelos was a tiny, long-necked reptile of the middle Triassic period, about 225 million years ago.
Tanytrachelos was equally comfortable moving about in water or on land, and it probably subsisted on insects and small marine creatures. The Virginia Museum of Natural History houses over 350 specimens of Tanytrachelos, which is more specimens than almost any other fossil reptile known. Tanytrachelos ahynis, a small (21 cm long) aquatic protorosaur from the Upper Triassic sediments in the Cow Branch Formation of the Newark Supergroup, has been briefly described in 1979 by P. E. Olsen.
Taxonomy and Classification
Family and Genus
Tanytrachelos is an extinct genus of tanystropheid archosauromorph reptile from the Late Triassic of the eastern United States. It belongs to the family Tanystropheidae, which includes other reptiles such as Amotosaurus and Macrocnemus. Tanystropheids are known for their elongated necks and small heads, making them resemble modern-day snakes.
Species Discovery
Tanytrachelos ahynis is the only known species in the genus Tanytrachelos. It was first discovered in the Solite Quarry in Cascade, Virginia, and described by P. E. Olsen in 1979. The species is small, measuring only about 21 cm in length, and is believed to have been an aquatic protorosaur. Nearly 200 specimens of Tanytrachelos ahynis have been found in the Upper Triassic sediments in the Cow Branch Formation of the Newark Supergroup.
According to the Paleobiology Database, Tanytrachelos ahynis belongs to the genus Tanytrachelos, and the family Tanystropheidae. The taxonomy and classification of Tanytrachelos have been refined over time, with various researchers proposing different classifications. However, the current consensus is that Tanytrachelos is a member of the Tanystropheidae family and is closely related to other tanystropheids.
Physical Description
Anatomy
Tanytrachelos was an extinct genus of tanystropheid archosauromorph reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period. The genus contained a single species, Tanytrachelos ahynis, which is known from several hundred fossil specimens preserved in the Solite Quarry in Cascade, Virginia. The anatomy of Tanytrachelos was characterized by its large orbits, a fused axis and atlas, a tail that spans half the vertebral length, and paired curved heterotopic bones in some specimens, which is a sign of sexual dimorphism. The posterior cervical ribs had large heads that kept the rods far from each centrum.
Size and Proportions
Tanytrachelos was a relatively small reptile, with an estimated length of only 30-40 cm. The skull of Tanytrachelos was relatively small and narrow, with a length of about 4.5 cm. The orbits of Tanytrachelos were relatively large, with a diameter of about 1 cm. The cervical vertebrae of Tanytrachelos were relatively short and stout, with a length of about 2 cm. The tail of Tanytrachelos was relatively long, with a length of about 15-20 cm. Overall, Tanytrachelos had a relatively elongate body shape, with a total length of about 30-40 cm.
Paleobiology
Diet and Feeding Habits
Tanytrachelos is believed to have been an omnivorous reptile, consuming both plant and animal matter. Fossils of this genus have been found with small, sharp teeth that suggest they were capable of eating insects and other small prey. Additionally, the shape of their jaws and teeth indicate that they were also capable of consuming plant material such as leaves and stems.
Locomotion
Tanytrachelos was a quadrupedal reptile, meaning that it walked on all four legs. The structure of their limbs and joints suggest that they were capable of moving both on land and in water. Their long necks and tails likely aided in balance and maneuverability while swimming.
Habitat Preferences
Tanytrachelos fossils have been found in the Late Triassic sediments of the eastern United States, specifically in the Solite Quarry in Cascade, Virginia. This suggests that they preferred aquatic habitats such as rivers and lakes. The presence of plant material in their fossilized stomach contents also suggests that they may have lived in or near areas with abundant vegetation.
Fossil Record
Geological Period
Tanytrachelos was a long-necked reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 million years ago. It existed during the time when the supercontinent Pangaea was beginning to break apart, and the climate was generally hot and dry. The Late Triassic period was marked by a major extinction event that wiped out many species, including most of the large land animals. However, Tanytrachelos was one of the few species that survived and continued to thrive.
Fossil Sites
Abundant fossils of Tanytrachelos have been found in lakebed sediments that were deposited over the course of about 350 thousand years. These sediments were formed in a lake that existed approximately 230 million years ago. Some fossils are very well-preserved and include the remains of soft tissues. Fossils of Tanytrachelos have been found in various locations around the world, including North America, Europe, and South America.
The fossil record of Tanytrachelos provides important insights into the evolution and ecology of this species. The fossils show that Tanytrachelos was a long-necked reptile that likely lived in or near water. The long neck would have allowed it to reach food sources that were farther away, such as fish or aquatic plants. Additionally, the fossils suggest that Tanytrachelos may have been a social animal, as many fossils have been found together in groups. Overall, the fossil record of Tanytrachelos provides valuable information about this unique and fascinating species.
Scientific Significance
Evolutionary Importance
Tanytrachelos is an extinct genus of tanystropheid archosauromorph reptile from the Late Triassic of the eastern United States. It is known from several hundred fossil specimens preserved in the Solite Quarry in Cascade, Virginia. This species is of great significance to the study of reptilian evolution, as it provides insight into the early stages of the evolution of archosauromorphs. Tanytrachelos is a small aquatic protorosaur, and its unique morphology suggests that it may have been an early relative of the crocodilians.
Research History
Tanytrachelos was first described in 1979 by P. E. Olsen. Since then, hundreds of additional specimens have been collected from the Solite Quarry, making it one of the most well-studied reptilian species from the Triassic period. The Virginia Museum of Natural History houses over 350 specimens of Tanytrachelos, which is more specimens than almost any other fossil reptile known. Researchers have used these specimens to study the morphology, behavior, and ecology of this species, shedding light on the early evolution of archosauromorphs.