First record of Diplocynodon ratelii Pomel, 1847 from the early Miocene site of Tušimice (Most Basin, Northwest Bohemia, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The early Miocene deposits of Bohemia (Czech Republic) contain numerous fragmentary crocodylian remains. Despite this abundance, a detailed taxonomical assignment of these remains was impossible due to the absence of diagnostic cranial elements. Here, we report two partially preserved skulls together with some osteoderms and a partially preserved vertebra from the Tušimice site (MN3, Most Basin, Northwest Bohemia). Though the specimens were from Bohemia, the exact placement of this site was lost during the last century. Our results confirm that the coal from the reported specimens is consistent with the Tušimice site. Based on the detailed cranial description of the new material, the crocodylian remains from the above-mentioned locality can be referred to the extinct alligatoroid Diplocynodon ratelii with confidence. Our data extend the known spatial distribution of this taxon to Central Europe.