Reassessment of the Triassic archosauriform Scleromochlus taylori: neither runner nor biped, but hopper.

ABSTRACT: The six known specimens of Scleromochlus taylori and casts made from their negative impressions were examined to reassess the osteological evidence that has been used to interpret Scleromochlus's locomotion and phylogenetic relationships. It was found that the trunk was dorsoventrally compressed. The upper temporal fenestra was on the lateral surface of skull and two-thirds the size of the lower, the jaw joint posteriorly placed with short retroarticular process, and teeth short and subconical, but no evidence of external nares or antorbital fossae was found. The posterior trunk was covered with ~20 rows of closely spaced transversely elongate dorsal osteoderms. The coracoid was robust and elongate. The acetabulum was imperforate and the femoral head hemispherical and only weakly inturned

SUBMITTER: Bennett SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7035874 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature