Journal article
Osteology and phylogenetic significance of Eosuchus minor (Marsh, 1870) new combination, a longirostrine crocodylian from the late Paleocene of North America
Journal of paleontology, Vol.80(1), pp.162-186
01/2006
DOI: 10.1666/0022-3360(2006)080[0162:OAPSOE]2.0.CO;2
Abstract
Eosuchus minor (Marsh, 1870) is based on skeletal fragments from the Late Paleocene or Early Eocene of New Jersey, but more complete material from the Late Paleocene of New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia permits a detailed description and systematic assessment. It is a slender-snouted form and can be distinguished from most other crocodylians on the basis of an enlarged quadrate foramen aereum; a distinct W-shaped rugosity along the ventral margin of the basioccipital tuber; a prominent crest on the lateral braincase wall encompassing portions of the quadrate, pterygoid, and basisphenoid, forming the lateral wall of the lateral eustachian canal at its ventralmost extent; and arrangement of dentary alveoli into couplets. Specimens of larger crocodylians from the same units may represent either the adult form of E. minor or a separate taxon. The enlarged quadrate foramen aereum, couplet arrangement of dentary alveoli, and basioccipital tuber shape are shared with Eosuchus lerichei from the Late Paleocene of Europe. Eosuchus lies within Gavialoidea crownward of the basal forms Thoracosaurus and Eothoracosaurus: The braincase of Eosuchus is intermediate between that of Thoracosaurus and that of Gavialis; the basisphenoid retains a short (but externally visible) descending lamina, but the basisphenoid is also anteroposteriorly expanded at the level of the median eustachian foramen.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Osteology and phylogenetic significance of Eosuchus minor (Marsh, 1870) new combination, a longirostrine crocodylian from the late Paleocene of North America
- Creators
- Christopher A Brochu - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of paleontology, Vol.80(1), pp.162-186
- Publisher
- Paleontological Society
- DOI
- 10.1666/0022-3360(2006)080[0162:OAPSOE]2.0.CO;2
- ISSN
- 0022-3360
- eISSN
- 1937-2337
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2006
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984229177202771
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