A phytosaur skull from the Upper Triassic Snyder quarry (Petrified Forest Formation, Chinle Group) of north-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: We describe the skull of a subadult pseudopalatine phytosaur from the Late Triassic Snyder quarry, in the Petrified Forest Formation of the Chinle Group, north-central New Mexico. The specimen is complete with minimal distortion. The squamosal bars are moderately wide, and the occipital complex is u-shaped in occipital view. The supratemporal fenestrae are laterally compressed and short in dorsal view. The skull is nearly identical in proportions to the holotype of Belodon buceros Cope. Based upon the shape and proportions of the narial crest and upon the suture patterns, we refer this skull to Pseudopalatus, not Nicrosaurus, and therfore utilize the combination Pseudopalatus buceros; Arribasuchus is thus a junior subjective synonym of Pseudopalatus.

Additional Information

Publication
Zeigler, K.E., Lucas, S.G., and Heckert, A.B., (2002) A phytosaur skull from the Upper Triassic Snyder quarry (Petrified Forest Formation, Chinle Group) of north-central New Mexico. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 21, p. 171-176. (ISSN 1524-4156) Archived in NC DOCKS with permission of the editor. The version of record is available at: http://econtent.unm.edu/
Language: English
Date: 2002

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