Wantzosaurus fossil map
Where fossils of Wantzosaurus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 252 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 252 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early tetrapods & amphibians |
|---|---|
| Lived | 251.902–248.6 million years ago |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Family | Trematosauridae |
| Named by | Lehman 1961 |
| Fossil records | 3 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Madagascar |
| Rock formations | Middle Sakamena |
About Wantzosaurus
Wantzosaurus is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian of the Trematosauridae family. Fossils have been found in the Early Triassic Middle Sakamena Formation (Sakamena Group) of what is now Madagascar. It showed adaptations for an almost completely aquatic lifestyle, having the ability to swim by lateral undulation. A pelagic lifestyle for this animal has been proposed.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Wantzosaurus (revision 1350232904), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q7968192.
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