A new genus and species of Triassic gracillid reptile has been identified from fossils discovered in the Santa Maria Formation of Brazil.
Artistic representations of the Middle to Late Triassic landscape of southern Brazil: (a) large Prestosuchus chinensis It feeds on the carcasses of dicynodonts, Parvosuchus aurelioi Compete for scrap metal. (b) and (c) Parvosuchus aurelioiImage courtesy of Matheus Fernandes.
Named Parvosuchus aurelioiThe new species roamed the Earth about 237 million years ago (during the Triassic Period).
The ancient reptiles Gracilidae (Gassiliscidae), an extinct family of pseudo-nudibranchs that lived in China, Argentina, and Brazil.
“Pseudobranchs were a common group of ancient tetrapod reptiles during the Triassic, before the dominance of dinosaurs, and some of their species were among the largest carnivores of their time,” says paleontologist Rodrigo Muller of the Federal University of Santa Maria.
“Smaller pseudosuchians, known as gracilischiidae, live alongside these apex predators and have been found in areas such as China and Argentina.”
“These creatures were characterized by relatively large heads with wide mouth openings, carnivore-like teeth, slender limbs, and a quadrupedal posture.”
Partial skeleton of Parvosuchus aurelioi Found in Santa Maria Formation Paraiso do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
It consists of a complete skull including the lower jaw, 11 dorsal vertebrae, a pelvis, and partially preserved limbs.
“The reptile’s skull is 14.4 centimetres long and features elongated jaws with pointed, backward-curving teeth and several skull openings,” Dr Muller said.
“The skeleton is lightweight and estimated to be less than one metre long.”
“These characteristics are Parvosuchus aurelioi This is the first time that a species of this group has been identified in Brazil.”
“This discovery highlights the diversity of Triassic pseudo-pinnids.”
Discovery Parvosuchus aurelioi It has been reported paper Published in the journal today Scientific Reports.
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R.T. Müller. 2024. A new small, predatory pseudobranchial sauropod from the Middle to Late Triassic of southern Brazil. Scientific Reports 14, 12706; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63313-3
Source: www.sci.news
