A new protosuchian crocodile from the Upper Triassic Elliot Formation of South Africa
Date
1984
Authors
Busbey, Arthur B. III
Gow, Chris
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research
Abstract
A new protosuchian crocodilian, Baroqueosuchus haughtoni from the Upper Triassic or Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation of the Orange Free State is the most primitive protosuchian crocodilian known. There are no contacts between the quadrate and opisthotic or below the crania-quadrate canal, the internal carotid arteries were not enclosed in separate foramina and the basicranium was flat, with the basisphenoid being broadly exposed on the base of the skull. The basic diagnosis of the Order Crocodilia is discussed and a new diagnosis is offered based upon cranial anatomy.
Description
Keywords
Baroqueosuchus haughtoni, Orange Free State, Crocodilia, skull