The Tail of a Mosasaur - A Window on the Tempo and Mode of Evolution in Aquatic Tetrapods
Explore the evolutionary journey of mosasaurs in this 57-minute Royal Tyrrell Museum Speaker Series lecture. Delve into the fascinating world of aquatic tetrapods as paleontologist Takuya Konishi examines the tail anatomy of Platecarpus tympaniticus. Learn about micro and macroevolution, rates of evolutionary change, and the significance of squamation in marine reptiles. Discover how the bent tail structure of mosasaurs challenges previous straight-tail reconstructions and gain insights into the feeding habits, internal organs, and reproductive strategies of these ancient marine predators. Compare mosasaur anatomy with modern monitor lizards and cetaceans, and understand how this research contributes to our understanding of evolutionary adaptations in aquatic environments during the Late Cretaceous period.