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Metriorhynchidae
Metriorhynchidae
is an
extinct
family
of
metriorhynchoid
crocodyliforms
from the
Middle Jurassic
to the
Early Cretaceous
period (
Bajocian
-
Valanginian
stages) of
Europe
,
North America
and
South America
. Metriorhynchids are fully aquatic
crocodyliforms
. Their forelimbs were small and paddle-like, and unlike living
crocodilians
, they lost their
osteoderms
("armour scutes"). Their body shape maximised
hydrodynamy
(swimming efficiency), as did having a shark-like tail fin.
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