An unusual marine crocodyliform from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary of Patagonia
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, meer
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Gasparini, Z.
- Pol, D.
- Spalletti, L.A.
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| Abstract |
Remains of the marine crocodyliform Dakosaurusandiniensis from western South America reveal a lineagethat drastically deviated from the skull morphology thatcharacterizes marine crocodyliforms. The snout andlower jaw are extremely robust, short, and high and onlybear a few large teeth with serrated edges (resemblingthose of some terrestrial carnivorous archosaurs). Thisunusual morphology contrasts with the long and gracilesnout and lower jaws bearing numerous teeth present inits closest relatives (interpreted as feeding on small fish ormollusks). Thus the morphological diversity of pelagicmarine crocodyliforms was wider than had been thought. |
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