Atopodentatus

Atopodentatus unicus, a basal sauropterygian from the Middle Triassic of China. With a bizarre hammer-shaped snout, this animal fed on algae and is the oldest known marine herbivore. At the broad front of the mouth, numerous chisel-shaped teeth would be used to tear plants from the seafloor, while needle-shaped posterior teeth formed a "comb" that filtered the water and kept the food inside the mouth.

Cold porcelain, 1:8 scale.