A new sphenodontian (Diapsida: Lepidosauria) from the Upper Triassic (Norian) of Germany and its implications for the mode of sphenodontian evolution.

ABSTRACT: The Arnstadt Formation of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany has yielded some of Germany's most substantial finds of Late Triassic tetrapods, including the sauropodomorph Plateosaurus and the stem-turtle Proganochelys quenstedti. Here, we describe an almost complete skull of a new sphenodontian taxon from this formation (Norian, 227-208 Ma), making it the oldest known articulated sphenodontian skull from Europe and one of the oldest in the world. The material is represented by the dermal skull roof and by the complete maxilla and temporal region, as well as parts of the palate, braincase, and lower jaw. A phylogenetic assessment recovers it as a basal sphenodontian closely related to Planocephalosaurus robinsonae and to Eusphenodontia, making it the earliest-diverging sphenodontian known with an artic

SUBMITTER: Freisem LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10944618 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature