Named By: G. L. Bell Jr & M. J. Polcyn - 2005. Classification:
Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Mosasauridae, Mosasaurinae.
Species: D. turneri (type). Size: Up to 1 meter long. Known
locations: USA, Texas, Dallas County - Kamp Ranch Limestone.
Time period: Turonian of the Cretaceous. Fossil representation:
2 partial specimens, together represented by a partial skull and
disarticulated post cranial remains. was a fascinating
discovery, especially for lovers of the marine reptiles that
swam the Mesozoic oceans, more particularly the mosasaurs of the
Cretaceous. The skeletal features of Dallasaurus have helped to
further cement the theory that the mosasaurs evolved from
terrestrial (land living) reptiles like monitor lizards during
the early/mid Cretaceous. A counter theory to this is that the
mosasaurs evolved from primitive snakes, but this idea has
gradually waned in acceptance with the advent of new fossil
discoveries for both early mosasaurs and Cretaceous snakes. Also
of interest is that while other well-kno