Question

Ancient alligator-like fossil reptile with a long tail that was found on multiple continents but was unlikely able to swim large distances.

a) Mosasaur
b) Dimetrodon
c) Ichthyosaur
d) Phytosaur

Answer 1

The ancient alligator-like fossil reptile with a long tail unable to swim large distances is the Phytosaur. Phytosaurs were semi-aquatic and related to Archosauromorpha, including modern alligators.

Step-by-step explanation:

While the description might superficially resemble the aquatic mosasaurs, Phytosaurs are more closely related to the Archosauromorpha group, which includes modern crocodiles and alligators. Unlike true aquatic reptiles such as mosasaurs or ichthyosaurs who were adept swimmers, phytosaurs were semi-aquatic and are not believed to have been capable of long-distance swimming. They lived during the Late Triassic period and had limbs that enabled them to walk on land, with a lifestyle and habitats that suggest they were not open-ocean swimmers.