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A new genus and species of alkesaccharide bone in Proterochampside has been identified from almost entirely fossilized hindlimbs found in southern Brazil.
Artistic representation of the mid-Triassic landscape in Southern Brazil depicting two individuals in Proterochampsid Archosauriform Retymaijychampsa beckerorum. Image credit: Caio Fantini.
Retymaijychampsa beckerorum We roamed our planet during the late Triassic epoch, about 237 million years ago.
The ancient reptiles were members of Proterochampsidae a large group of carnivorous auriforms endemic to South America.
They had dermal armor and long, crocodile-like skulls, filling in an ecological niche that perhaps resembles modern crocodiles.
“The Triassic period witnessed the emergence and extinction of many groups of reptiles, including Proterochampsidae,” he said. Dr. Rodrigo Muller a paleontologist with the Centro de Apoioià Pesquisa Paleontológicada Quarta Colônia.
“The clade was previously considered endemic to South America, but recent phylogenetic studies show a wider geographical distribution.”
“The oldest known Proterochampsides have been found in the Radynia/Lower Carnia deposits in Argentina and Brazil, but the most recent records come from Upper Carnia/Lower Norians in the same region.”
“Phylogenetic analysis shows that the Proterochampsiae are located within Proterochampsia, a clade of Archosauria’s sister group, Archosauria.”
“Because of its affinity, clades are particularly important for understanding the early evolution of Alkasaurus,” he added.
“In addition, Proterochampsids have evolved a relatively diverse body plan. Some morphologies show presumptive semiaquatic adaptations, while others have adapted to the terrestrial lifestyle.”
Holotype fossils of Retymaijychampsa beckerorum It was excavated at the site of Rinja Valzea 2 (Becker) in the Santa Maria Formation, in the municipality of Paraiso do Sur, Rio Grande d’Or, Brazil.
“The specimens consist of almost complete and distinct hind legs, making these bones one of the few specimens preserved from Brazil,” Dr. Muller said.
Discovery of Retymaijychampsa beckerorum It partially fills the long ghost lineage that stretches from the mid-Triassic to the early Triassic.
“Retymaijychampsa beckerorum It represents the second Proterochampside from the Brazilian Pinhailos Chinikiki sequence and consists of one of the oldest Proterochampsides in the world,” the paleontologist said.
“It has a diagnostic set of hindlimb characteristics, and partially fills the ghost lineage of Proterochampid, which is phylogenetically closer to Proterochampas and is more closely related to Proterochampas than Radinostineae.”
“Finally, Retymaijychampsa beckerorum and Pinheirochampsa Rodriguesi It further supports the idea of high circular diversity among Proterothancians in the mid- to early Triassic environment. “
a paper The discovery was published online in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
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rtmüller. 2025. A new protein champsid alxaurus form from the upper Triassic in southern Brazil. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 70(1):7-16; doi:10.4202/app.01204.2024
Source: www.sci.news
