Discovery of Parvosuchus aurelioi, a new species seed The remains of an ancient predatory reptile belonging to the group of pseudobranchs have been reported from Brazil, dating to the Middle to Late Period, about 237 million years ago. Triassic The discovery adds important insight into early reptile diversity before the dominance of dinosaurs.
Paper published in Scientific Reports It details a new discovery of what is now known as an ancient predatory reptile. Parvosuchus aurelioi The creature, discovered in Brazil, belongs to a group of crocodile-like reptiles called pseudopterygota. The specimen, which dates back to the Middle to Late Triassic period, about 237 million years ago, is the first time this type of small predatory reptile has been found in the country.
Pseudopinniformes were a common form of ancient tetrapod reptile that lived during the Triassic Period (252-201 million years ago), before the dominance of the dinosaurs, and some species were among the largest carnivores of their time. Small pseudopinniformes, known as graciliscids, lived alongside these apex predators and have been found in areas such as China and Argentina.
Unveiling Ceremony Parvosuchus aurelioi
Now, Rodrigo Muller reports the discovery of a new species of Graciliscidae based on a specimen found in the Santa Maria Formation of Brazil. The partial skeleton, which dates to about 237 million years ago, consists of a complete skull including the lower jaw, 11 dorsal vertebrae, a pelvis, and partially preserved limbs. The authors conclude that the new species Parvosuchus aurelioi It is derived from “parvus” (small) and “suchus” (crocodile) and was named in honor of the amateur paleontologist Pedro Lucas Porcela Aurelio, who discovered the fossil.
The skull is 14.4 centimetres (5.7 in) long and features elongated jaws with pointed teeth that curve backwards, and several skull openings. The skeleton is light in weight and its overall length is estimated to be less than one metre. These features are P. Aurelioi The species belongs to the family Gracilisciidae and is the first of this group to be identified in Brazil, according to the authors, who added that the discovery highlights the diversity of Triassic pseudosuchians.
Reference: Rodrigo T. Muller, “A new species of small predatory pseudobranchiosaur from the Middle-Late Triassic of southern Brazil,” June 20, 2024 Scientific Reports.
Publication date: 10.1038/s41598-024-63313-3