Globidens
Globidens ("Globe teeth") is an extinct genus of mosasaurid oceanic lizard classified as part of the Globidensini tribe in the Mosasaurinae subfamily. Globidens alabamaensis was the first species of Globidens described, in a publication by Charles W. Gilmore (1912). It is used as the type specimen for Globidens. Globidens belongs to the family Mosasauridae, which consists of several genera of predatory marine lizards of various sizes that were prevalent during the Late Cretaceous. Specimens of Globidens have been discovered in Syria, North America, Morocco, Angola. Among mosasaurs, Globidens is probably most well known for the highly rounded, globe-like teeth that give it its name. Description Globidens was a relatively medium-sized mosasaur, measuring about long. It was similar in appearance to other mosasaurs, with its streamlined body, flippers, a laterally flattened tail, and powerful jaws. The teeth of Globidens differed from those of other mosasaurs in being rounded or “globular”, giving rise to its generic name. Most mosasaurs had sharp teeth evolved to grab soft, slippery prey like fish, squid, plesiosaurs, and other mosasaurs. In some later mosasaur species, their teeth were modified to rend flesh as well. While many other mosasaurs were capable of crushing the shells of ammonites or