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First three-dimensional skull of the Middle Triassic mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from Svalbard, Norway.
- Source :
-
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica . 2022, Vol. 67 Issue 1, p51-62. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- The marine Middle Triassic sediments of Svalbard are rich in fossiliferous material and are particularly well-known for marine reptile fossils. Here, we present a new specimen of the small-bodied mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon fraasi from the Botneheia Formation. PMO 235.393 is unusual in being the first three-dimensional mixosaurid skull recovered from this formation, allowing us to use computed tomography to reconstruct the obscured right side of the cranium, resulting in the first 3D model available for a mixosaurid ichthyosaur. Although separated into different slabs, the specimen preserves most of the dermatocranium as well as some partial post-cranial elements. In particular, the rostrum, external naris, dentition, quadrate and sclerotic ring are well-preserved. This methodology gave new insights into the adaptations this taxon has to durophagy, as well as a detailed look at the heterodont dentition present in PMO 235.393. After comparing with other Phalarodon specimens, it was clear that the maxillary heterodonty of this genus is a synapomorphy. As such this was added as a new character in our phylogenetic analysis, supporting the separation of Phalarodon and Mixosaurus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SKULL
*FOSSIL reptiles
*COMPUTED tomography
*BEAKS
*DENTITION
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 05677920
- Volume :
- 67
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 156337380
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00915.2021