Abstract
ABSTRACT Crocodilian cranial material from the Eocene Rundle Formation of eastern-central Queensland is herein attributed to Kambara taraina sp. nov. This is the fourth species of Kambara, the earliest genus of the diverse Australasian subfamily, Mekosuchinae. Although members of this subfamily diversified and radiated throughout the middle and late Tertiary, the clade as a whole is still poorly understood and their early evolutionary history is somewhat enigmatic. The Rundle Formation has yielded an unprecedented amount of crocodilian material for this epoch, with exquisite preservation. The new species is unique in possessing an increased attachment area for the mandibular adductors on the retroarticular process, rostrally extended palatal fenestrae, a rostrocaudally aligned ridge within the pterygoid fossa, and a reduction in maxillary alveoli (14). This combination of characters may reflect a functional divergence of K. taraina from other species, indicating disparate feeding strategies. The inclusion of this fourth species makes Kambara an increasingly diverse genus and as such the generic and specific diagnoses are herein modified accordingly.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
