Ranicipitidae

Ranicipitidae is a family of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Ichthyosauria. These reptiles lived during the Triassic period, specifically from the Anisian to the Ladinian stages, about 247 to 237 million years ago. They are known from fossil remains found in North America and Europe.

Common Names

Ranicipitidae members are commonly referred to as "frog-headed ichthyosaurs" due to their distinctive skull shape. However, there are no universally accepted common names for specific species within the family.

Characteristics

Ranicipitidae ichthyosaurs were characterized by:

  • A short, broad skull with a flattened snout.
  • Large, prominent eyes.
  • A relatively short neck.
  • A streamlined body with paddle-like limbs.
  • A dorsal fin and a tail fin.

Their teeth were adapted for catching and swallowing small fish and other marine creatures. The short snout and broad skull suggest that they were likely ambush predators, using their powerful jaws to snap up prey quickly.

Environments

Ranicipitidae ichthyosaurs inhabited marine environments, likely spending their entire lives at sea. Fossil evidence indicates they were found in a variety of settings, including open oceans and shallow coastal waters.

References

For more information about Ranicipitidae, you can consult the following resources: