Smok

Smok; Temporal range: Late Triassic PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
	Smok wawelski reconstruction from Museum of Lisowice
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
clade:	Archosauria
Genus:	†Smok; Niedźwiedzki, Sulej & Dzik, 2012
Species:	†S. wawelski
Binomial name
	†Smok wawelski; Niedźwiedzki, Sulej & Dzik, 2012

Smok (meaning "dragon" in Polish, named after the Wawel Dragon) is a large archosaur from the late Triassic of Poland. It has been estimated to be about 5 to 6 metres long, meaning that it would be the largest carnivorous archosaur of it's time. It would have weighed around 1000 to nearly 2016 kilograms. The type species is Smok wawelski.

Discovery and Naming[]

The holotype (ZPAL V.3/35) was found in a locality near Lisowice Village in 2007. In 2008, it was described as a theropod based on the features in its braincase and frontal bone. the referred specimens (such as ZPAL V.33/16-56) were found in Lipie Śląskie clay-pit Formation and represent a single individual. the generic name is named after the mythological dragon, while the specific name is named after Wawel Hill.

Description[]

It was the largest carnivorous archosaur at the time it lived. It was larger than any known theropods or pseudosuchians in the Late Triassic. The braincase includes many derived features. It has several features that are shared with both dinosaurs and crocodile-line archosaurs. the premaxilla & maxilla of the upper jaw attach closely to each other. Similarities with rauisuchians include a triangular antorbital fenestra. Similarities with dinosaurs include groove on the ilium bone of the hip.

Classification[]

The classification is difficult because it shares features with both dinosaurs and other archosaurs. It might be classified as a member of archosauria.

Paleobiology[]

Smok was the largest predator in its environment. Other large predatory archosaurs included the dinosaur Liliensternus and the rauisuchids Polonosuchus and Teratosaurus, but these animals were much smaller. It was one of the largest archosaurs in the world during the Late Triassic. Smok lived alongside small carnivorous dinosauromorphs, poposauroid archosaurs and large herbivorous dicynodonts.

Gallery[]

Other Wikis[]

https://prehistoric-wiki.fandom.com/wiki/Smok