Ankylosphenodon

Ankylosphenodon
Temporal range:
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Rhynchocephalia
Suborder: Sphenodontia
Infraorder: Eusphenodontia
Clade: Neosphenodontia
Family: Sphenodontidae
Genus: Ankylosphenodon
Reynoso, 2000
Species
  • A. pachyostosus Reynoso, 2000

Ankylosphenodon is an extinct genus of sphenodontian known from multiple specimens recovered from the Early Cretaceous deposits of the Tlayúa Formation, near Tepexi de Rodriguez, Mexico. It is likely part of a sphenodontid lineage that also includes Eilenodon and Toxolophosaurus, though has similarities to the sapheosaur clade. Its skeleton is pachyostotic (thickened) skeleton, believed to be an adaptation for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its teeth appear to have grown continuously, like in rodents.