How to translate text using browser tools
1 September 2014 The Early Triassic Eosauropterygian Majiashanosaurus discocoracoidis, Gen. Et Sp. Nov. (Reptilia, Sauropterygia), from Chaohu, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
Da-Yong Jiang, Ryosuke Motani, Andrea Tintori, Olivier Rieppel, Guan-Bao Chen, Jian-Dong Huang, Rong Zhang, Zuo-Yu Sun, Cheng Ji
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Records of Early Triassic marine reptiles, when they first emerged after the end Permian mass extinction, are rare. During an excavation at Majiashan, Chaohu, Anhui Province, a new sauropterygian specimen was found co-occurring with the ichthyopterygian Chaohusaurus from the Upper Member of the Nanlinghu Formation, of Olenekian (Spathian, Early Triassic) age, for which a new taxon, Majiashanosaurus discocoracoidis, gen. et sp. nov., is erected. This skeleton is exposed in ventral view, with the last three cervical vertebrae together with 19 dorsal, three sacral, and more than 18 caudal vertebrae preserved. The cervical centra are keeled ventrally, and cervical ribs are double-headed, carrying a free anterior process. The transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae are not distinctively elongated. The dorsal ribs are single-headed, and the clavicles articulate on the anteromedial aspect of the scapula. The humerus is curved. These features allow assignment to a new sauropterygian taxon. The interclavicle has no posterior process, and the scapula is of typical eosauropterygian shape, with a broad and ventrally expanded glenoidal portion that is separated from a narrow posterodorsal blade by a distinct constriction. The coracoid is round and plate-like without a waist. This feature is different from that of all other known eosauropterygians, but resembles that of placodonts.

© 2014 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Da-Yong Jiang, Ryosuke Motani, Andrea Tintori, Olivier Rieppel, Guan-Bao Chen, Jian-Dong Huang, Rong Zhang, Zuo-Yu Sun, and Cheng Ji "The Early Triassic Eosauropterygian Majiashanosaurus discocoracoidis, Gen. Et Sp. Nov. (Reptilia, Sauropterygia), from Chaohu, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China," Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(5), 1044-1052, (1 September 2014). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2014.846264
Received: 5 June 2013; Accepted: 1 September 2013; Published: 1 September 2014
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top