Journal article
A new neosuchian crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Holly Creek Formation of southwest Arkansas and its implications on the relationships of Goniopholididae
Journal of vertebrate paleontology, Vol.45(2), e2536843
2025
DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2536843
Abstract
A new species of neosuchian crocodyliform, Paarthurnax holliensis gen. et sp. nov., is herein described based on a nearly complete skull from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Holly Creek Formation of southwest Arkansas. This locality contains a wide array of semiaquatic, aquatic, and terrestrial vertebrate body and trace fossils. This new taxon is notable for having a ventrally offset premaxillary tooth row, maxillary groove, transverse interorbital crest, elongate anterolateral process of the postorbital, transversely flattened postorbital bar, large sub-rectangular transverse ellipsoid supratemporal fenestrae, and a laterally opened cranioquadrate passage. Its overall morphology is similar to that of the putative goniopholidid Denazinosuchus kirtlandicus from the Campanian Kirtland Formation of New Mexico, though unlike D. kirtlandicus the new form bears a palatal premaxilla-maxilla suture posteromedially directed on its lateral half and anteromedially directed along its medial region, a more tapered anterior projection of the frontal, and transverse sub-rectangular supratemporal fenestrae. It shares features typically associated with goniopholidids, such as a transverse interorbital crest and a perinarial crest. However, it also shares anterior and posterior rami of jugal comparable in depth, a rod-shaped jugal, and a frontal separated medially from the orbital margin with paluxysuchids. Phylogenetic analyses recover Paarthurnax holliensis as sister to D. kirtlandicus, both falling out as derived goniopholidids. Intriguingly, paluxysuchids are recovered in a derived position within Goniopholididae. This tree topology challenges long-held assumptions about the status and distribution of Goniopholididae, which may have a more expansive distribution in the Cretaceous of North America than previously believed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A new neosuchian crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Holly Creek Formation of southwest Arkansas and its implications on the relationships of Goniopholididae
- Creators
- Nathan C. Platt - University of IowaThomas L. AdamsChristopher A. Brochu - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of vertebrate paleontology, Vol.45(2), e2536843
- DOI
- 10.1080/02724634.2025.2536843
- ISSN
- 0272-4634
- eISSN
- 1937-2809
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- University of Iowa Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
We thank C. Sagebiel and K. Bader at the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory, University of Texas, for access to research collections and assistance on collections visits. Thank you, C. Suarez and M. Suter at the University of Arkansas, for assistance with the loan. We gratefully acknowledge advice and input from S. Drumheller, C. Parrelly, and D. Leaphart. We thank the Editors and anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments that helped improve this manuscript. Funding for this project was provided by the University of Iowa Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/15/2025
- Date published
- 2025
- Academic Unit
- University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984964237402771
Metrics
13 Record Views