Are mosasaurs more closely related to snakes or monitor lizards? Various morphological characteristics such as features in the skull point to at least in-between, or closer to snakes. Having seen a fossil of Tylosaurus myself, while it looked indoubtedly snakelike, I also recognized that it had common featues with modern monitors. Anyone is welcome to discuss their various homologies with snakes and monitors or where they fit in that particular family tree.

Unfortunately, AFIAK, right now this is one of those Contentious Issues which have no clear answer. On one hand, there *are* a lot of similarities. On the other, it's possible that many of them are convergent and some recent work I've heard indicates they aren't *quite* as similar as they seem. I'll try to dig up that work, if I can (I left the book in my office).

 

Mokele

On the other, it's possible that many of them are convergent and some recent work I've heard indicates they aren't *quite* as similar as they seem. I'll try to dig up that work, if I can (I left the book in my office).

 

Thanks. I have read lots of conjecture about mosasaurs being intermediates to some degree, but any new, up to date info in more then welcome.

Dammit, I left the book in my office. I'll get it on monday, really!

Dammit, I left the book in my office. I'll get it on monday, really!

 

Perfectly okay, no rush.