Akidostropheus
| Akidostropheus | |
|---|---|
| Reconstructed skeleton | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | Archosauromorpha |
| Clade: | †Tanysauria |
| Family: | †Tanystropheidae |
| Genus: | †Akidostropheus Schubul, Marsh & Kligman, 2025 |
| Species: | †A. oligos
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Akidostropheus oligos Schubul, Marsh & Kligman, 2025
| |
Akidostropheus (meaning "spike joint") is an extinct genus of tanystropheid archosauromorph reptiles known from the Late Triassic of what is now Arizona, United States. The genus contains a single species, Akidostropheus oligos, discovered in the early 21st century and named in 2025. It is known from several isolated vertebrae found in the Chinle Formation, which dates to the Norian age.
Akidostropheus is a small-bodied animal. Its vertebrae are very unique, as the neural spines bear elongated spikes. These would have formed a row of pointed spines running along the animal's neck, back, and tail. They may have served a defensive function to deter predators. Akidostropheus may be closely related to Tanytrachelos.