New remains ofMachimosaurus hugiivon Meyer, 1837 (Crocodilia, Thalattosuchia) from the Kimmeridgian of Germany

Jeremy E Martin,Peggy Vincent

doi:10.1002/mmng.201300009

Abstract

Abstract. The fourth complete skull of the marine crocodilian Machimosaurus von Meyer, 1837 is hereby described together with an associated complete mandible and disarticulated postcranial elements from the Kimmeridgian of Neuffen, Germany. Although the genus has been described fairly recently on the basis of two nearly complete skulls, their state of preservation did not allow a thorough examination of the entire skull anatomy. Here, we add new information with the description of nicely preserved cranial and mandibular elements of a single individual attributable to Machimosaurus hugii von Meyer, 1837. The diagnosis is updated for the genus and for the species M. hugii and challenges the validity of the second species M. mosae (Lienard, 1876). Moreover, previous assumption that Steneosaurus obtusidens Andrews, 1913 is a junior synonym of Machimosaurus hugii is not supported by our observations. Notably, M. hugii differs from S. obtusidens by a lower tooth count, the morphology of the dentition, the shape of the supratemporal fenestrae and the absence of an antorbital fenestra. Comparative anatomy and a phylogenetic analysis show that Machimosaurus is more closely related to the genus Steneosaurus than to Teleosaurus cadomensis (Lamouroux, 1820). doi: 10.1002/mmng.201300009

Highlights

The holotype of the thalattosuchian Machimosaurus hugii von Meyer, 1837 from the Lower Kimmeridgian strata of Soleure, Switzerland has been erected on the basis of teeth
The specimen Staatliches Museum fçr Naturkunde (SMNS) 91415 can be attributed with confidence to the genus Machimosaurus on the basis of tooth morphology
Machimosaurus has been erected on isolated teeth and subsequent recoveries of more complete specimens including the above-described specimen, justify the use of dental morphology as an exception for this genus

Summary

Introduction

The holotype of the thalattosuchian Machimosaurus hugii von Meyer, 1837 from the Lower Kimmeridgian strata of Soleure, Switzerland has been erected on the basis of teeth. The dentary builds the anterior margin of the external mandibular fenestra and sends out two short posterior laminae, one dorsally and another ventrally along this fenestra.

Results

Conclusion