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The first specimen of the M iddle T riassic P halarodon atavus ( I chthyosauria: M ixosauridae) from S outh C hina, showing postcranial anatomy and peri‐ T ethyan distribution
Author(s) -
Liu Jun,
Motani Ryosuke,
Jiang DaYong,
Hu ShiXue,
Aitchison Jonathan C.,
Rieppel Olivier,
Benton Michael J.,
Zhang QiYue,
Zhou ChangYong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
palaeontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1475-4983
pISSN - 0031-0239
DOI - 10.1111/pala.12021
Subject(s) - postcrania , anatomy , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , evolutionary biology , paleontology , taxon
P halarodon atavus from the G ermanic M uschelkalk B asin was previously represented only by cranial elements. Here we report a nearly complete and articulated specimen of P . atavus from the M iddle T riassic L uoping B iota, Y unnan, S outh C hina. This is the first specimen of P . atavus from outside the G ermanic B asin. This discovery demonstrates a peri‐ T ethyan distribution of P . atavus . The new specimen is also the first one preserving the postcranial anatomy of this species, providing the opportunity to evaluate its sustained swimming ability. Inferences made on its functional morphology suggest that this species was probably adapted for active foraging. Tooth crown morphology suggests that P . atavus may have preferred externally soft prey.