Himalayasaurus is an extinct genus of ichthyosaur from the Late TriassicQulonggongba Formation of Tibet. The type species Himalayasaurus tibetensis was described in 1972 on the basis of fragmentary remains, including teeth, limb bones, and vertebrae. The entire body length of Himalayasaurus is estimated to have been over 15 metres (49 ft) in length. Himalayasaurushas since been considered a nomen dubium or "dubious name" because of the lack of features that set it apart from other ichthyosaurs, 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 recently described ichthyosaur Thalattoarchon from the western United States). Himalayasaurus belongs to the family Shastasauridae, which includes other large-bodied Triassic ichthyosaurs like Shonisaurus.
| Himalayasaurus
| |
|---|---|
| Life reconstruction of Himalayasaurus tibetensis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | †Ichthyosauria |
| Family: | †Shastasauridae |
| Genus: | †Himalayasaurus
Dong, 1972 |
| Type species | |
| †Himalayasaurus tibetensis
Dong, 1972 | |