Xiphonectes
Xiphonectes is an extinct genus of ichthyosaur, marine reptiles that lived during the Middle Triassic epoch (Anisian age) in what is now the United States. It is known from a single species, Xiphonectes mutoni, which was described in 1996. Xiphonectes is distinguished by its unique elongated snout, a feature that gives it its name, which means “sword swimmer” in Greek.
Characteristics
Xiphonectes is classified as a member of the family Mixosauridae, known for their short necks and relatively long bodies. Its most notable feature is its long, slender snout, which is significantly longer than the skull. This snout is believed to have been used to capture small prey, possibly fish and cephalopods, in a similar manner to modern-day needlefish or billfish.
Other characteristics of Xiphonectes include a relatively small head, a streamlined body, and powerful flippers. Its tail was probably crescent-shaped, similar to other ichthyosaurs, which they used for propulsion. Like most ichthyosaurs, Xiphonectes likely had a dorsal fin to help stabilize its body during swimming.
Environment
Fossils of Xiphonectes have been found in the Fossil Hill Member of the Augusta Formation in Nevada, USA. The Augusta Formation dates back to the Anisian stage of the Middle Triassic, approximately 247 to 242 million years ago. This formation is known to have been a shallow marine environment, suggesting that Xiphonectes inhabited a coastal region.