z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
A new goniopholidid from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, USA: novel insight into aquatic adaptation toward modern crocodylians
Author(s) -
Jyunichi Yoshida,
Akihiro Hori,
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi,
Michael J. Ryan,
Yuji Takakuwa,
Yoshikazu Hasegawa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
royal society open science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
ISSN - 2054-5703
DOI - 10.1098/rsos.210320
Subject(s) - biology , body plan , snout , anatomy , adaptation (eye) , zoology , fishery , neuroscience , embryo
Goniopholididae is a group of basal neosuchian crocodyliforms closely related to Paralligatoridae and Eusuchia that lived during the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Goniopholidids have the long, flat snout and secondary palate of modern crocodylians, the acquisition of which is regarded as a key feature in the early evolution of crocodylian body plan and their aquatic adaptation. Here, we report a new species,Amphicotylus milesi , with the description from the best-preserved specimen to date of Goniopholididae from Wyoming, USA. Its posterior extension of the nasopharyngeal passage (pterygoid secondary palate) and the shortening and dorsal deflection of the ceratobranchial suggest that basal neosuchians could raise their gular valve to separate oral and pharyngeal cavities as in modern crocodylians. The anatomy ofAmphicotylus milesi sheds light on the acquisition of this new respiratory system in the crocodyliform evolution and their early aquatic adaptation, leading to modern crocodylians.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here