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Sinocyamodus xinpuensis, placodont skeleton

placodont skeleton
This is an excellent complete skeletal replica of this rare Chinese fossil placodont, a primitive sauropterygian reptile from the Triassic of China. S. xinpuensis is known from some complete skeletons of small size, and rarely exceeds 50 cm in length. It had a flattened rounded body, covered with a shell composed of bony elements fused together (osteoderms). The skull was broad and flat, with short rounded beak, similar to that of other placodonti such as Cyamodus. The orbits were elongated and each premascella still had three bulbous teeth. The shell did not come to cover the pectoral and pelvic girdle. Osteoderms covered the paws and tail. The shape of the body vaguely resembles that of a turtle.