Journal article
Phylogenetic relationships of Necrosuchus ionensis Simpson, 1937 and the early history of caimanines
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.163(SUPPL. 1), pp.S228-S256
12/2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00716.x
Abstract
Cranial fragments associated with the holotype of Necrosuchus ionensis reveal a dorsally shifted foramen aereum on the quadrate and a long, slender descending process of the exoccipital lateral to the basioccipital and approaching the basioccipital tubera. The former suggests that Necrosuchus is an alligatoroid and not a crocodylid, as first suggested; and the latter that it is a caiman. The scapulocoracoid shows evidence of early closure of the synchondrosis, further supporting a caiman affinity. Although we cannot yet pinpoint the phylogenetic placement of Necrosuchus amongst caimans, it nevertheless establishes a caimanine presence in South America by the Early Palaeocene. A review of other Palaeocene–Eocene caimans reveals a complex biogeographical history suggesting multiple dispersal events between North and South America, even if the modern caiman assemblage is monophyletic. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, S228–S256.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Phylogenetic relationships of Necrosuchus ionensis Simpson, 1937 and the early history of caimanines
- Creators
- CHRISTOPHER A BROCHU
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.163(SUPPL. 1), pp.S228-S256
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Oxford, UK
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00716.x
- ISSN
- 0024-4082
- eISSN
- 1096-3642
- Number of pages
- 29
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2011
- Academic Unit
- University College Courses; Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9983984530202771
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