Evolutionary Tree Showing Relationship Between Sauropterygians and other Reptiles (IMAGE)

University of Oxford

Evolutionary Tree Showing Relationship Between Sauropterygians and other Reptiles

Caption

Sauropterygians had inner ears that closely resembled members of the crocodile family (green) or sea turtles (blue), which also share similar lifestyles and swimming modes. Semi-aquatic sauropterygians with jointed limbs had similar lifestyles to crocodiles. The fully-aquatic plesiosaurs had flippers, much like sea turtles, and have similar shaped inner ears.

Credit

James Neenan

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