Himalayasaurus is an extinct
genus of
ichthyosaur from the
Late TriassicQulonggongba Formation of
Tibet. The
type speciesHimalayasaurus tibetensis was described in 1972 on the basis of fragmentary remains, including teeth, limb bones, and vertebrae.[2] The entire body length of Himalayasaurus is estimated to have been over 15 metres (49 ft) in length.[3]Himalayasaurus has since been considered a nomen dubium or "dubious name" because of the lack of features that set it apart from other ichthyosaurs,[4] although the presence of distinct cutting edges on its teeth have more recently been proposed as a unique feature of the genus (cutting edges have also been found in the ichthyosaur Thalattoarchon from the western United States).[5]Himalayasaurus belongs to the family
Shastasauridae, which includes other large-bodied Triassic ichthyosaurs like Shonisaurus.[3]
^Lucas, S.G.; González-León, C.M. (1995). "Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic of Sonora and the biochronology of Triassic ichthyosaurs". Geological Society of America Special Papers. 301: 17–20.
