Pentadactyl manus of the Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland, the first record of pentadactyly among Temnospondyli.

ABSTRACT: Temnospondyli are commonly believed to have possessed four digits in the manus and five in the pes. However, actual finds of articulated autopodia are extremely rare. Therefore, an articulated, slightly incomplete forelimb skeleton with preserved manus of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland is important in providing new details about the structure and ossification sequence in the temnospondyl limb. The most important observation is the presence of five metacarpals in this specimen. This allows reconstructing the manus as pentadactyl. The number of phalanges and the distribution of distal articulation facets allow reconstruction of the digit formula as (2?)-3-3-(3?)-(2?). The well-developed fifth digit suggests that the Metoposaurus manus shows a unique ossification

SUBMITTER: Konietzko-Meier D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7704227 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature