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Metoposaurus algarvensis
Metoposaurus algarvensis
General information
Universe Real Life
Aliases Metoposaurus
Classification Metoposaurus algarvensis
Species type Metoposaur
Homeworld Earth
Environment Iberian Peninsula, Portugal
Intelligence Non-sapient
Biochemistry Carbon-based lifeform
Biological information
Average length 2m
Locomotion Quadrupedal crawling
Feeding behavior Piscivorous
Prey Fish
Lineage information
Subspecies M. azerouali, M. diagnosticus, M. d. diagnosticus, M. d. krasiejowensi, M. fraasi, M. heimi, M. jonesi, M. maleriensis, M. santaecruci, M. stuttgartiensis, M. latum
Cultural information
Alignment Neutral
Sociocultral characteristics
Scientific taxonomy
Planet Earth
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Animalia
Subkingdom Eumetazoa
Infrakingdom Bilateria
Superphylum Deuterostomia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Infraphylum Gnathostomata
Superclass Tetrapoda
Class Amphibia
Subclass Labyrinthodontia
Order Temnospondyli
Suborder Stereospondyli
Infraorder Trematosauria
Superfamily Metoposauroidea
Family Metoposauridae
Genus Metoposaurus
Species algarvensis
Other information
Status Extinct

Metoposaurus algarvensis was a species of crocodile-like but also giant salamander-like amphibians that was considered among the Earth's apex predators 220-230 million years ago indigenous to southern Portugal. They lived in lakes and rivers of the Late Triassic Period, filling a niche similar to today's crocodiles and consisting of a diet primarily of fish.

Growing up to 2 meters in length -- as long as a small car -- m. algarvensis had hundreds of sharp teeth within a large, flat head, which looked similar to a toilet seat when its jaws snapped shut. It was part of a wider collection of primitive amphibians that could be found in lower latitude zones, which formed a part of the ancestral stock that grew into modern amphibians such as frogs and newts, and are considered distant relatives to modern salamanders. This primitive group could be found as widespread as Africa, Europe, India, and North America, though m. algarvensis itself could be found in the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal.

They may have gone extinct when the lake in which they inhabited apparently dried up. Most others of their group were wiped out during a mass extinction 201 million years ago during the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, which helped lead to the domination of the dinosaurs.

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