Abstract
ABSTRACT The incomplete remains of three monotypic genera of Sauropterygia from the Lower(?) and Middle Triassic of China are re-described in detail, and their phylogenetic interrelationships are assessed on the basis of parsimony. The taxa are Chinchenia sungi Young, 1965, from the upper Middle Triassic, Kwangsisaums orientalis Young, 1959, from the upper Lower or lower Middle Triassic, and Sanchiaosaurus dengi Young, 1965, from the lower Middle Triassic. Chinchenia and Kwangsisaums are basal representatives of the pistosauroidean clade, and fall into an unresolved trichotomy with Corosaurus from the western United States. Sanchiaosaurus is the sister-taxon of all other Nothosauroidea, known from China, Europe and the Middle East. Collectively, the Sauropterygia from the western Pacific faunal province show dual paleobiogeographic affinities: representatives of the nothosauroidean clade share western Tethyan affinities, whereas representatives of the pistosauroidean clade share eastern Pacific affinities.
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.
