Salt glands in a Tithonian metriorhynchid crocodyliform and their physiological significance

Abstract

Our knowledge of Mesozoic tetrapods is based mainly on osteological evidence. The discussion of the evolution of any homeostatic system is highly speculative because direct non-osteological evidence is uncommon. Here we report an extraordinarily well-preserved cast of a pair of lobulated protuberances in the skull of the marine metriorhynchid crocodiliform Geosaurus from the Tithonian (Jurassic) of Patagonia (Argentina). These protuberances are interpreted as representing salt glands. Based on their topology, these glands are identified as the nasals. Optimization of this character on a phylogenetic tree permits us to infer the ancestral condition for archosaurs. The relationship between salt gland and diet is also analysed. The presence of hypertrophied salt glands in the skull of Geosaurus suggests that as early as 140 million years ago, some Mesozoic marine reptiles had evolved an extra-renal osmoregulatory system. This achievement was an important clue in the successful colonization of marine environments. Salt glands preclude the risk of lethal dehydration and allow marine reptiles to include an important amount of invertebrates in their diet.