Upper Triassic Tetrapods from the Lucero Uplift, Central New Mexico
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Andrew B. Heckert Ph.D., Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: Six localities in the lower Chinle Group of central New Mexico yield a tetrapod fauna consisting of
the diminutive metoposaurid cf. Apachesaurus sp., and indeterminate large metoposaurids (probably Buettneria
sp.), the phytosaur Rutiodon sp., indeterminate phytosaurs, the aetosaurs Desmatosuchus sp. and cf
Stagonolepis sp., a probable theropod, and other, indeterminate archosaurs. Five of these localities are in the
Bluewater Creek Formation, and yield all components of the Upper Triassic tetrapod fauna from the Lucero
uplift (Lucero local fauna) except for an isolated scute of Desmatosuchus sp., recovered from the homotaxial
San Pedro Arroyo Formation. Of the Bluewater Creek Formation tetrapods, the most complete specimen represents
a large (4-m body length) phytosaur assigned to Rutiodon sp. and consists of a partial pelvis, an interclavicle,
five articulated vertebrae, and numerous ribs. The remaining elements of this fauna closely resemble
other faunas collected from the Bluewater Creek Formation. In particular, the abundance of metoposaurids and
phytosaurs is similar to faunas in the Zuni Mountains in west-central New Mexico and the Blue Hills near 51.
Johns, Arizona. The presence of the aetosaur cr. Stagonolepis sp. and the phytosaur Ruttodon sp., both of which
are index taxa of the Adamanian land-vertebrate faunachron, indicates a latest Carnian age for the Lucero local
fauna, an age assignment consistent with that of the Bluewater Creek Formation elsewhere.
Upper Triassic Tetrapods from the Lucero Uplift, Central New Mexico
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Heckert, A.B. (1999), Upper Triassic tetrapods from the Lucero uplift, central New Mexico. New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook 50, p. 311-315. Archived in NCDOCKS with permission of the editor. Version of record available at: http://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/50/
- Language: English
- Date: 1999