A brand new genus and species of gracilisuchid reptile from the Triassic interval has been recognized from fossils discovered within the Santa Maria Formation in Brazil.
Creative illustration of a Center-Late Triassic panorama of southern Brazil: (a) a big Prestosuchus chiniquensis feeds on the carcass of a dicynodont whereas people of Parvosuchus aurelioi compete for scraps; (b) and (c) depict particulars of people of Parvosuchus aurelioi. Picture credit score: Matheus Fernandes.
Named Parvosuchus aurelioi, the brand new species roamed Earth round 237 million years in the past (Triassic interval).
The traditional reptile was a kind of gracilisuchid (Gacilisuchidae), an extinct household of pseudosuchians recognized China, Argentina, and Brazil.
“Previous to the dominance of the dinosaurs, pseudosuchians have been a standard type of historic quadruped reptile throughout the Triassic interval, with some species amongst the biggest carnivores of the time,” stated Universidade Federal de Santa Maria paleontologist Rodrigo Müller.
“Smaller pseudosuchians referred to as gracilisuchids lived alongside these apex predators and have been present in areas resembling China and Argentina.”
“These creatures have been characterised by a comparatively enlarged head with vast openings, carnivorous-like enamel, slender limbs, and a quadrupedal stance.”
The partial skeleton of Parvosuchus aurelioi was discovered within the Santa Maria Formation within the municipalities of Paraíso do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
It consists of an entire cranium together with the decrease jaw, 11 dorsal vertebrae, a pelvis, and partially preserved limbs.
“The reptile’s cranium measures 14.4 cm in size and options lengthy slender jaws with pointed enamel that curved backwards, and a number of other cranium openings,” Dr. Müller stated.
“The skeleton is calmly constructed and estimated to be lower than 1 m lengthy in complete size.”
“These options classify Parvosuchus aurelioi as a gracilisuchid, which makes it the primary species from this group to be confirmed in Brazil.”
“This discovering highlights the variety amongst pseudosuchians within the Triassic interval.”
The invention of Parvosuchus aurelioi is reported in a paper printed right this moment within the journal Scientific Reviews.
_____
R.T. Müller. 2024. A brand new small-sized predatory pseudosuchian archosaur from the Center-Late Triassic of Southern Brazil. Sci Rep 14, 12706; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63313-3