Re-interpretation of Parotosuchus wadei Cosgriff, a capitosaurid from the Triassic Narrabeen Group at Gosford, New South Wales, with comments on its growth stage

Abstract

The holotype and paratype of the capitosaurid Parotosuchus wadei (Cosgriff, 1972) from the Terrigal Formation (Narrabeen Group) near Sydney are re-examined. It is demonstrated that the holotype skull is an immature individual of the genus Parotosuchus, and that it exhibits no characters that are derived beyond the generic level. The paratype specimen consists of an impression of the skull, mandibles and dermal pectoral girdle but is largely indeterminate to family. P. wadei is therfore a nomen dubium.