Cyclotosaurus buechneri: A new giant amphibian from the Triassic of Bielefeld

[sauroid]

http://www.naturkundemuseum.berlin/en/press/press-releases/new-giant-amphibian-triassic-bielefeld#.VxqDpyd8FL0.twitter

[Halichoeres]

Cool! Thanks for posting.

[Flaffy]

More... MORE AMPHIBIANS!!!! 

[stoneage]

   I wonder if Bullyland will make this figure?

[E.D.G.E. (PainterRex)]

Another Monstrum Pluteum (Shelf Monster)? Cool! Can't wait to see what else is found in the shelves!

[SBell]

Awesome.

[Megalosaurus]

I love it but...
If it is an amphibian... why name it "...saurus"?

[sauroid]

there's another prehistoric amphibian with the suffix saurus in its name: Mastodonsaurus.

[Newt]

Lots of temnospondyls have -saurus names, as the group was initially considered reptilian, and even after their anamniote status was realized, the traditions of giving them -saurus names continued.

[SBell]

Lots of temnospondyls have -saurus names, as the group was initially considered reptilian, and even after their anamniote status was realized, the traditions of giving them -saurus names continued.

Some also use -suchus (like Prionosuchus). It may often be based on what the discoverer/namer is reminded of, versus its actual taxonomic affinity. We get what they are saying!

Other amphibians are tagged with things like 'ophis' (snake') or 'ichthys' fish. It all just depends on what the namer thought it looked like!

[Megalosaurus]

Thanks to all repliers.

Lots of temnospondyls have -saurus names, as the group was initially considered reptilian, and even after their anamniote status was realized, the traditions of giving them -saurus names continued.

Some also use -suchus (like Prionosuchus). It may often be based on what the discoverer/namer is reminded of, versus its actual taxonomic affinity. We get what they are saying!

Other amphibians are tagged with things like 'ophis' (snake') or 'ichthys' fish. It all just depends on what the namer thought it looked like!

It makes sense. Of course "Basilosaurus" come to my mind. But why to continue that wrong "tradition"?

How about name it "Cyclotobatrachus"? or something similar?

By the way. I found this reconstruction based on the paper:

[Halichoeres]

Well, the genus Cyclotosaurus has been around for like 100 years. This is just a new species within that genus, so they weren't really at liberty to discontinue it.