Parotosuchus (Amphibia, Temnospondyli) from the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (Early Triassic) of South Africa: cranial morphology and relationships

A partial 'capitosaurid' amphibian skull from the lowest subzone of the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa is referred to Parotosuchus haughtoni, a species previously known only from a fragmentary skull from the same horizon. The description includes a full account of the braincas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Alcheringa (Sydney) 2001-01, Vol.25 (4), p.351-379
Main Author: Damiani, Ross J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cynognathus Assemblage Zone
Mastodonsauridae
Parotosuchus
temnospondyl
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Description
Summary:A partial 'capitosaurid' amphibian skull from the lowest subzone of the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa is referred to Parotosuchus haughtoni, a species previously known only from a fragmentary skull from the same horizon. The description includes a full account of the braincase and otic capsule, structures not hitherto well documented for Parotosuchus. A detailed comparison is provided between P. haughtoni and all other valid members of the genus, and it is argued that P. haughtoni is most closely related to P. orenburgensis from Russia. P. haughtoni represents the only undoubted occurrence of Parotosuchus in Gondwana, since other valid species of 'capitosaurids' from Gondwana previously assigned to Parotosuchus have elsewhere been removed from that taxon.
ISSN:0311-5518
1752-0754
DOI:10.1080/03115510108619226