Journal article
New specimens of Mourasuchus (Alligatoroidea, Caimaninae) from the Miocene of Brazil and Bolivia and their taxonomic and morphological implications
Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, Vol.43(2), pp.261-278
2019
DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2019.1566495
Abstract
Cidade, G.M., Souza-Filho, J.P., Hsiou, A.S., Brochu, C.A., & Riff, D., 18 March 2019. New specimens of Mourasuchus (Alligatoroidea, Caimaninae) from the Miocene of Brazil and Bolivia and their taxonomic and anatomic implications. Alcheringa 43, 261–278. ISSN 0311-5518.
Mourasuchus is one of the most peculiar crocodylians of all time, showing an unusual ‘duck-faced’ rostrum with thin, gracile mandibles. It includes four species restricted to the South American Miocene. Here, we describe ten late Miocene specimens of Mourasuchus, nine from the Solimões Formation of Brazil and one from Bolivia. All specimens are assigned to M. arendsi, but this assignment may change as the diversity and relationships within Mourasuchus are better understood. We also discuss several issues pertinent to the morphology of Mourasuchus: the presence of a braincase neomorph (the laterocaudal bridge), hypotheses about sexual dimorphism, the function of the squamosal ‘horns’ the presence of possible thermoregulatory functions in the genus. Additionally, the paleogeographic distribution of Mourasuchus in the Miocene of South America is also discussed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- New specimens of Mourasuchus (Alligatoroidea, Caimaninae) from the Miocene of Brazil and Bolivia and their taxonomic and morphological implications
- Creators
- Giovanne M. CidadeJonas P. Souza-FilhoAnnie Schmaltz HsiouChristopher A. BrochuDouglas Riff
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, Vol.43(2), pp.261-278
- DOI
- 10.1080/03115518.2019.1566495
- ISSN
- 0311-5518
- eISSN
- 1752-0754
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100001807, name: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; name: G.M.C., award: 2013/04516-1; name: A.S.H., award: 2011/14080-0; name: Conselho de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, award: 140808/2016-7; DOI: 10.13039/501100004901, name: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, award: APQ-00581-09
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2019
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984229969802771
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