Skull Roof Research Articles

A rhinesuchid-like temnospondyl from the Permo-Triassic of Uruguay

A new temnospondyl species, Arachana nigra, from the Permo-Triassic Buena Vista Formation of Uruguay is described. The holotypic and only known specimen consists of an almost complete skull lacking most of the snout, the tabular horns and the posterolateral corners of the skull table. As with other specimens from the same unit, Arachana shows a transitional morphology. It shares several characters with rhinesuchids, such as the large size and the general shape of the skull, orbits positioned slightly posterior to the skull roof mid-length, a coarsely pitted dermal ornamentation lacking pustules, and a smoothly convex cheek contour. The palatal ramus of the pterygoid suturing with the vomer, and excluding the palatine and ectopterygoid from the margin of the interpterygoid vacuity, and the presence of a small basioccipital, visible in both occipital and ventral view, also resemble the conditions found in rhinesuchids and other basal temnospondyls. Other characters present in Arachana, however, are commonly found in lydekkerinids, but are absent in almost all rhinesuchids: supratemporal excluded from otic notch; supraorbital and infraorbital sensory sulci encroaching the lacrimal, although lacking a step-like lacrimal flexure; otic notch not deeply incised; post-temporal fenestra large and rounded; occipital condyles well-separated from each other; palatine tooth row behind the palatine tusk reduced; pterygoid corpus slightly ornamented; and presence of an interorbital depression. This combination of primitive and derived characters is consistently present in most components of the Buena Vista fauna, which could thus be transitional between typical Permian and Triassic tetrapod communities found elsewhere. The location of the PTB in the Uruguayan sequence is controversial, mainly due to the lack of clear faunal correlations with other well-known sequences, such as those of southern Africa and Russia. Moreover, the mosaic-like character combinations in most of the recorded tetrapods ally them to both Triassic and Paleozoic groups, and this has complicated even more the possibility of age assignment. Transitional faunas associated with the PTB, such as the Russian Uppermost Permian faunas, could be equivalent to the unique Colonia Orozco fauna. If true, this scenario will substantially change estimates about survivorship rates, suggesting a speciation rate increase in temnospondyls after the Permian-Triassic event. Based on taxonomic, phylogenetic, and geochronologic data, the Buena Vista fauna allows us to quantify faunal turnover across the PTB and in the aftermath of the end Permian extinction event.

Re-description and evolutionary remarks on the Patagonian horned turtle Niolamia argentina Ameghino, 1899 (Testudinata, Meiolaniidae)

ABSTRACT The main objective of this paper is to undertake a detailed re-description of the neotype (skull and lower jaw) and the referred material (postcranial remains) of Niolamia argentina. Additional preparation of this material has revealed previously unrecognized details of the cranial and postcranial skeleton, including the recognition of additional cranial scales, bone sutures, and foramina, the presence of a distinct ornamentation on the skull roof, and the identification of several new inner skull structures. Importantly, the additional preparation shows detailed carotid artery anatomy: the entrance of the carotid artery lies posteriorly in the pterygoids, runs anteriorly and bifurcates into the cerebral and palatine arteries within the basisphenoid, and is not covered ventrally by the pterygoids. In addition, the pterygoids are placed in a ventral position with respect to the basisphenoid and an intrapterygoid slit, a character diagnostic of Meiolaniidae, is present. We corroborate that Crossochelys corniger is a junior synonym of Nio. argentina. Following our preferred phylogenetic hypothesis, South American and Australian taxa related to or belonging to Meiolaniidae and Mongolochelys efremovi from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia form a monophyletic group, implying that the origin and diversification of this lineage predated the complete break up of Pangea in the Early to Middle Jurassic. The presence of a ghost lineage between this clade and Cryptodira, extending from the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous, supports this assessment.

Cranial morphology of the plagiosaurid Gerrothorax pulcherrimus as an extreme example of evolutionary stasis

Schoch, R.R. & Witzmann, F. 2011: Cranial morphology of the plagiosaurid Gerrothoraxpulcherrimus as an extreme example of evolutionary stasis. Lethaia, DOI: 10.1111/j.1502-3931.2011.00290.xThe plagiosaurid Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the Triassic of Greenland and Germanyis represented by skulls ranging from 4 to 12 cm in length and sheds light on ontogeny,individual variation, and variation in time and space. Ontogeny was remarkably stable inG. pulcherrimus, with the smallest known specimens resembling the adults closelyin most features. A true ontogenetic change is evident in the ornament of dermal bones,in that the smallest specimens have ridges whereas in the successively larger ones, pus-tules spread over increasingly larger areas. The skull becomes proportionally longer, andthe adductor chambers relatively narrower. The positive allometry of both the orbitsand the interpterygoid vacuities suggests that the eye supporting musculature – ratherthan the jaw adductors – increased proportionally during growth. Individual, not age-related variation in the dermal skull roof affects partial fusion of parietals, presence andextent of the interfrontoparietal, and the morphological pattern of the posterior skulltable. Theventral surface of the basal plate of the parasphenoid ranges fromsmooth overpoorly to heavily ornamented or dentigerous. Considering the impressive longevity ofmore than 35 Myr, the morphological changes of G. pulcherrimus are minor. Our eco-logical interpretation for G. pulcherrimus is that it relied on the permanent presence ofwater, but was flexible with respect to the size and nature of the water body as well as tochanges in salinity. The unparalleled extent of evolutionary stasis may therefore be basedon the ecological flexibility of this morphologically so tightly constrained temnospondyl.1 h Ecologicalflexibility,ontogeny, Plagiosauridae, temnospondyli, Triassic, variation.Rainer R. Schoch [rainer.schoch@smns-bw.de], Staatliches Museum fu¨r Naturkunde Stutt-gart, Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart, Germany; Florian Witzmann [florian.witz-mann@mfn-berlin.de], Museum fu¨r Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut fu¨r Evolutions- undBiodiversita¨tsforschung an der Humboldt-Universita¨t zu Berlin, Invalidenstrase 43,D-10115 Berlin, Germany; manuscript received on 24 ⁄02⁄2011; manuscript accepted on17⁄08⁄2011.

A new Placoderm fish (Acanthothoraci) from the Early Devonian Jauf Formation (Saudi Arabia)

An exceptionally well-preserved new acanthothoracid (placoderm fish) presenting complete endocranium and skull roof, from Saudi Arabia (Qasr Limestone Member, Jauf Formation), Early Devonian in age, is described as Arabosteus variabilis n. gen., n. sp. Compared to other Acanthothoraci, the new taxon exhibits a skull roof variable in its dermal plate distribution (e.g., a supernumerary plate: the posterior central plate) and sensory line pattern. Even the different specimens of this taxon show such variability between them. Arabosteus variabilis n. gen., n. sp. enlarges the scope of our knowledge of Acanthothoraci and Placodermi in general. Traditionally, the Arthrodira, one of the historically earliest described groups, provide the standard reference model for the placoderm skull roof pattern. The interpretation of the acanthothoracid skull roof pattern of the Saudi taxon from an arthrodiran model and the establishment of homologies is impossible to resolve unless based on prior assumptions (e.g., hypothesis of fragmentation or fusion for the paranuchal plate complex). The lateral line system of A. variabilis n. gen., n. sp. is unstable (e.g., presence or absence of the postmarginal sensory line canal) making it ambiguous to define bone homology and terminology. Consequently spatial distribution of skull roof plates has been retained for such a task with a minimal reference to the instable features of the sensory line groove distribution.

A new Barremian (Early Cretaceous) ichthyosaur from western Russia

ABSTRACT A new ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur, Sveltonectes insolitus, gen. et sp. nov., is described from a sub-complete and three-dimensionally preserved specimen from the late Barremian of western Russia. This new taxon is supported by 11 cranial, dental, and postcranial autapomorphies, and is also characterized by features previously considered as autapomorphic for some other Ophthalmosauridae, such as a processus narialis on the prefrontal and relatively long hind fins with pre- and postaxial accessory digits. We conducted a new phylogenetic analysis of Thunnosauria, which supports a ‘Stenopterygius’ origin for Ophthalmosauridae. Sveltonectes is regarded as the sister taxon of Aegirosaurus, which shares a similar skull roof construction. Contrary to most other Cretaceous ichthyosaurs, Sveltonectes is characterized by delicate and sharply pointed teeth, confirming that the ophthalmosaurids were ecologically highly diversified during the Early Cretaceous.

Comparative Skull Anatomy and Dentition of Trapelus lessonae and T. ruderatus (sauria: agamidae) from Ilam Province, Iran

In this study, the skull roof, palate, braincase, lower jaw and dentition of the skull of the adult specimens of two species of the ground agamids, Trapelus ruderatus and Trapelus lessonae are compared for the first time. Based on this study, from morphological and functional perspectives, some fine differences among various parts of the skull in these two lizard species are presented.

Human scalp permeability to the chemical warfare agent VX

The use of chemical warfare agents such as VX in terrorism act might lead to contamination of the civilian population. Human scalp decontamination may require appropriate products and procedures. Due to ethical reasons, skin decontamination studies usually involve in vitro skin models, but human scalp skin samples are uncommon and expensive.The purpose of this study was to characterize the in vitro permeability to VX of human scalp, and to compare it with (a) human abdominal skin, and (b) pig skin from two different anatomic sites: ear and skull roof, in order to design a relevant model. Based on the VX skin permeation kinetics and distribution, we demonstrated that (a) human scalp was significantly more permeable to VX than abdominal skin and (b) pig-ear skin was the most relevant model to predict the in vitro human scalp permeability. Our results indicated that the follicular pathway significantly contributed to the skin absorption of VX through human scalp. In addition, the hair follicles and the stratum corneum significantly contributed to the formation of a skin reservoir for VX.

Osteological variation of the olive barb Puntius sarana (Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka

Abstract : Osteological intra-specific variation was studied in olive barb Puntius sarana Hamilton 1822, from six water bodies in Sri Lanka. Discernible variation was reported in the elements of the cranium, pharyngeal bones and caudal skeleton of the fish. The curvature of the median suture between frontals of the skull roof in fish from the rivers Walawe, Nilwala and the Kirindi Oya was directed opposite to that in fish from the rivers Menik, Gin and Kalu. Shape of the tip of dorsal limb of the pharyngeal bones was either most commonly pointed or truncated. Consistent distinctiveness in the rudimentary neural arch of the compound centrum was observed in the Walawe River population, while double neural spines were present on preural centra (PU2 or PU3) of the caudal skeleton in some populations. The size of the parhypural foramen and epural distance in the caudal skeleton, and the total number of vertebrae of the axial skeleton also showed variation. The results are the first information on osteological variation of P. sarana in Sri Lanka. Keywords : Geographic variation, olive barb, osteological comparison, Puntius sarana taxonomy. Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v39i2.3172 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2011 39 (2):121-128

New species of Trachycorystes Bleeker, with comments on other species of the genus (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae)

A new species of Trachycorystes from the rio Aripuanã, above Dardanelos and Andorinhas falls, is described. The new species is distinguished from the only other species of the genus, T. trachycorystes, by the following characteristics: jaws of equal length (vs. lower jaw prognathous in T. trachycorystes); skull roof covered by thick (vs. thin) integument; inner mental barbel very thin and short not reaching base of outer barbel (vs. extending to or beyond base of outer mental barbel); dorsal-fin spine serrated posteriorly, smooth or rough anteriorly (vs. serrated anteriorly and smooth or rough posteriorly); caudal fin shallowly forked (vs. emarginate); and gas bladder simple, without diverticula (vs. with three posterior diverticula). Comments and data on the nominal species Trachycorystes trachycorystes are provided. Trachycorystes cratensis Miranda Ribeiro, 1937, is allocated to the genus Trachelyopterus Valenciennes, 1840, and another local catfish species, Parotocinclus aripuanensis Garavello, 1988, has its type locality reassigned.

Braincases of abelisaurid theropods from the Upper Cretaceous of north Patagonia

Abstract: The braincases of the abelisaurid theropod dinosaurs Abelisaurus comahuensis and Aucasaurus garridoi are described and compared. These two taxa share the presence of a floccular recess that is ‘8’‐shaped, the absence of a medullar eminence in the floor of the endocranial cavity and the possession of a well‐developed, narrow and tall dorsal longitudinal sinus. The basisphenoidal recess is continuous dorsocaudally with two pneumatic cavities, which are separated medially by a thin septum. A connection between the metotic canal and the columellar recess that probably represents the exit of cranial nerve IX is observed in Abelisaurus. Aucasaurus has a skull roof with a wide sagittal crest and a low parietal eminence that differentiates it from other derived abelisaurids such as Abelisaurus, Carnotaurus and Majungasaurus. The abelisaurid braincases described herein show strong consistency in their general morphology and structure. However, there is some variation, and these detailed descriptions are important for understanding the variation and distribution of braincase characters within Abelisauridae.

The skull of Hagiangella goujeti Janvier, 2005, a high-crested acanthothoracid (Vertebrata, Placodermi) from the Lower Devonian of northern Vietnam

ABSTRACT The acanthothoracid Hagiangella goujeti Janvier, 2005, has been described exclusively on the basis of isolated thoracic plates from the Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) Khao Loc Formation of Tung Vai, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. It is characterized by a very high, triangular median crest on the median dorsal plate, and has been referred to the Acanthothoraci on the basis of the morphology of its fused anterolateral, spinal and anterior ventrolateral plates, and the characteristic stellate ornamentation of the group. Isolated plates of H. goujeti are relatively abundant at Tung Vai and no other placoderm taxon from this locality seems to share the same type of ornamentation. However, the skull of this species remained elusive. Here we report two well-preserved skull roofs from Tung Vai, which we refer to H. goujeti. They display the same stellate ornamentation and small size as the previously described plates of the thoracic armor of this species. This new material shows that the head of H. goujeti is surprisingly short (i.e., possibly lacking dermal rostral and pineal elements), in contrast to the elongate and narrow skull of all other acanthothoracids. The combination of unique characters (e.g., presence of two pairs of posterior pit lines, two pairs of central and paranuchal plates, etc.) suggests a possible sister group relationship to the placoderm assemblage Petalichthyida + Ptyctodontida + Arthrodira.

Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins

Amphisbaenia is a speciose clade of fossorial lizards characterized by a snake-like body and a strongly reinforced skull adapted for head-first burrowing. The evolutionary origins of amphisbaenians are controversial, with molecular data uniting them with lacertids, a clade of Old World terrestrial lizards, whereas morphology supports a grouping with snakes and other limbless squamates. Reports of fossil stem amphisbaenians have been falsified, and no fossils have previously tested these competing phylogenetic hypotheses or shed light on ancestral amphisbaenian ecology. Here we report the discovery of a new lacertid-like lizard from the Eocene Messel locality of Germany that provides the first morphological evidence for lacertid-amphisbaenian monophyly on the basis of a reinforced, akinetic skull roof and braincase, supporting the view that body elongation and limblessness in amphisbaenians and snakes evolved independently. Morphometric analysis of body shape and ecology in squamates indicates that the postcranial anatomy of the new taxon is most consistent with opportunistically burrowing habits, which in combination with cranial reinforcement indicates that head-first burrowing evolved before body elongation and may have been a crucial first step in the evolution of amphisbaenian fossoriality.

A redescription ofCarrolla craddocki(Lepospondyli: Brachystelechidae) based on high‐resolution CT, and the impacts of miniaturization and fossoriality on morphology

Some recent morphological analyses have brought into question the monophyly of Lissamphibia (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians). In these analyses, brachystelechid "microsaurs" are found to be sister group to caecilians. To test this hypothesis, the holotype specimen of the brachystelechid Carrolla craddocki was submitted to high-resolution X-ray computed tomography to gain insight into the nature of the morphology supporting the potential relationship between brachystelechids and caecilians. This analysis enabled us to conduct a detailed description of the internal anatomy such as the braincase and otic capsule endocast (the first of its kind for a lepospondyl), and new information regarding the architecture of the skull. Our results suggest brachystelechid cranial morphology is strongly influenced by miniaturization (enlarged sensory organs, anterior placement of the jaw articulation, and combination of both reduced- and hyper-ossifications) and burrowing habits (co-ossified braincase with broad, sloping occipital surface, overlapping joints between skull roof bones, and well-ossified anterior braincase). Characteristics of brachystelechids that appear unrelated to size-reduction and burrowing are the diamond-shaped skull and possible pedicellate dentition. We provide a revised diagnosis for Carrolla and identify possible new characters within the anatomy of the braincase and inner ear. Several characters currently uniting caecilians and "microsaurs" are among those associated with either miniaturization or burrowing, demonstrating that future efforts should continue to focus on fine details of anatomy minimally affected by these influences to contribute to the resolution of the question of the origin of caecilians.

A new look into the periorbital morphology of Goniopholis (Mesoeucrocodylia: Neosuchia) and related forms

ABSTRACT The periorbital morphology of goniopholidids is discussed, exploring the diversity of patterns and the relevance of the data for phylogenetic studies. Revision of material is focused on Goniopholis spp. and aff. Goniopholis spp., from England, Germany, and Belgium, providing a comparative description of their interorbital morphology. Traditional interpretation of the interorbital elements in species of Goniopholis (G. simus, G. baryglyphaeus), where the frontal is interpreted as excluded from the orbit by a prefrontal-postorbital contact in the skull roof, is contested and clarified through the analysis of new specimens, including a morphometric analysis. In Goniopholis, failure to identify the palpebral and its subtle contact with the prefrontal has lead to misinterpretation of elements and structures near the orbit, and the differential preservation/loss of palpebrals explains variability of the orbit in shape and orientation. In all European goniophilidids the frontal reaches the primary orbital border and there is no prefrontal-postorbital contact on the dorsal surface of the skull. Extensive contact of the palpebral with the primary orbital border creates a secondary (functional) orbital border, from which the frontal is excluded in most taxa. The condition is not exclusive of European goniopholidids and is paralleled by protosuchids, peirosaurids, and baurusuchids. At least four main morphological patterns are recognized, revealing a high diversity of European goniopholidids.

New information on the skull of the Early Triassic parareptile Sauropareion anoplus, with a discussion of tooth attachment and replacement in procolophonids

ABSTRACT A partial reptile skull collected from the Lower Triassic (Induan) Barendskraal locality of South Africa is referable to the procolophonid parareptile Sauropareion anoplus. The specimen comprises the left side of the skull roof, palate, and mandible, and preserves areas not preserved or accessible in the skulls of previously published specimens, including fragmentary remains of the premaxilla, the anterior end of the maxilla, and the anterior end and lingual aspect of the mandible. The maxilla exhibits a maxillary depression that is similar in both shape and relative size to that seen in Procolophon trigoniceps, an anterolateral maxillary foramen that is indistinguishable from those seen in other procolophonoids, and 11 conical teeth. The suborbital foramen is formed ventrally by the palatine and the ectopterygoid. The dentary and the coronoid are fused together indistinguishably in lateral aspect. The marginal teeth appear to be anchored to the jaws by bone of attachment. The dentary teeth are exposed in lingual aspect and appear to be ankylosed to the summit of the bone, suggesting acrodont tooth implantation. Tooth replacement is seen in these teeth, where the lingual surface of a single tooth crown base in the middle of the dentary series is excavated for the apex of a replacement tooth crown, but the excavation does not extend ventrally onto the lingual surface of the bone. Considering that no extant reptiles with acrodont tooth implantation exhibit tooth replacement or bone of attachment, we tentatively regard protothecodonty to be present in S. anoplus.

Cranial ornamentation and ontogenetic status of Homalocephale calathocercos (Ornithischia: Pachycephalosauria) from the Nemegt Formation, Mongolia

ABSTRACT The cranial roof ornamentation and the degree of neurocentral closure in the holotype of the pachycephalosaurian dinosaur Homalocephale calathocercos is described in detail for the first time in order to assess its ontogenetic status and taxonomic validity. The parietosquamosal ornamentation consists of five primary nodes along the posterior margin of the skull roof on each side of the midline. The medial-most node is prominently enlarged relative to the others in the series and is bisected by the parietal-squamosal suture. Beneath the primary node row, a second enlarged node occurs immediately medial to lateroventral corner node on each side of the parietosquamosal bar. The degree of suture closure in the vertebral column suggests that the holotype specimen of H. calathocercos is immature, rather than adult. The presence of cranial doming at maturity is therefore unknown in H. calathocercos, and hypotheses that it represents a primitive flat-headed stage in pachycephalosaur evolution or is pedomorphic in the development of its skull roof cannot be supported or refuted at this time. Despite the probable immaturity of the holotype, H. calathocercos has a unique pattern of parietosquamosal ornamentation that is distinct from all other pachycephalosaurs, including Prenocephale prenes from the same host formation. Morphological differences in the cranial ornamentation, jaws, and dentition between the similarly sized holotype skulls of H. calathocercos and P. prenes provide weak support for recent suggestions that H. calathocercos is conspecific with the latter taxon. This study tentatively reaffirms the presence of two pachycephalosaur species in the Nemegt Formation

Ceratodontoid (Dipnoi) calvarial bones from the Triassic of Fusea, Carnic Alps: The first Italian lungfish

Four calvarial (=skull roof) bones from the Fusea vertebratebearing site (uppermost Ladinian or lowermost Carnian), near Tolmezzo (Udine Province, northeastern Italy) provide the first unambiguous record of lungfish (Dipnoi) in Italy. The preservation of the specimens does not allow a detailed taxonomic interpretation and for this reason they are referred to the lungfish suborder Cer atodontoidei, leaving indeterminate their familial and generic attribution. Dipnoans constitute an additional taxon to be added to the diverse vertebrate assemblage discovered in the Fusea site, formed by nothosauroids, cyamodontoid placodonts, the protorosaurian Tanys tropheus , small archosaurians, and elasmobranchian and actinoptery gian fishes. These fishes provide evidence of freshwater influence in the sedimentary environment of this important paleontological site occurring at the boundary between two prevailing marine units (the Schlern/Sciliar Dolostone and the Val Degano Formation).

Craniofacial morphology of Simosuchus clarki (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar

ABSTRACT Simosuchus clarki is a small, pug-nosed notosuchian crocodyliform from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Originally described on the basis of a single specimen including a remarkably complete and well-preserved skull and lower jaw, S. clarki is now known from five additional specimens that preserve portions of the craniofacial skeleton. Collectively, these six specimens represent all elements of the head skeleton except the stapedes, thus making the craniofacial skeleton of S. clarki one of the best and most completely preserved among all known basal mesoeucrocodylians. In this report, we provide a detailed description of the entire head skeleton of S. clarki, including a portion of the hyobranchial apparatus. The two most complete and well-preserved specimens differ substantially in several size and shape variables (e.g., projections, angulations, and areas of ornamentation), suggestive of sexual dimorphism. Assessment of both external and internal morphological features indicates a habitual head posture in which the preorbital portion of the dermal skull roof was tilted downward at an angle of ∼45°. Functional and comparative assessment of the feeding apparatus strongly indicates a predominantly if not exclusively herbivorous diet. Other features of the craniofacial skeleton of S. clarki are consistent with the interpretation developed from analysis of the postcranial skeleton of a terrestrial habitus, but the current working hypothesis of a burrowing lifestyle is not supported. The atypical appearance of the skull and lower jaw of S. clarki is underscored by the identification of at least 45 autapomorphic features, many of them related to the greatly foreshortened snout.

Embryonic skeletal anatomy of the sauropodomorph dinosaur Massospondylus from the Lower Jurassic of South Africa

ABSTRACT Two embryonic skeletons preserved inside thin-shelled eggs of a partially preserved clutch from the Upper Elliot Formation (Lower Jurassic) of South Africa have been attributed to the sauropodomorph dinosaur Massospondylus carinatus. A virtually complete skeleton is exposed in right lateral view, with the slightly telescoped skull and several cervical vertebrae extending beyond the eggshell. A second, partial skeleton has a skull preserved in dorsal view. The embryos have proportionately very large skulls, with the broad skull table formed by wide parietals and frontals. The wide posterolateral wing of the frontal separates the postorbital from contact with the parietal. The embryos have short rather than elongated cervical vertebrae, with tall rather than low neural arches. The large forelimbs are only slightly shorter than the hind limbs, which suggests an obligatory quadrupedal posture for the hatchlings. This pattern may represent an ontogenetic constraint related to the large size of the head and horizontally oriented neck. Similarities between the embryonic and post-hatchling specimens include the slenderness of the lower jaw and slight ventral curvature of the symphyseal portion of the dentary, the large supraorbital process of the prefrontal, and the tall antorbital and infratemporal fenestrae. There are 10 cervical, 14 dorsal, and three sacral vertebrae. The large distal claw-bearing phalanx of manual digit 1 is longer than any other phalangeal element of either manus or pes. The embryos of Massospondylus carinatus represent the oldest dinosaurian embryos known to date.

Cranial morphology of the Silurian sarcopterygian Guiyu oneiros (Gnathostomata: Osteichthyes)

Cranial morphological features of the stem-group sarcopterygian Guiyu oneiros Zhu et al., 2009 provided here include the dermal bone pattern and anatomical details of the ethmosphenoid. Based on those features, we restored, for the first time, the skull roof bone pattern in the Guiyu clade that comprises Psarolepis and Achoania. Comparisons with Onychodus, Achoania, coelacanths, and actinopterygians show that the posterior nostril enclosed by the preorbital or the preorbital process is shared by actinopterygians and sarcopterygians, and the lachrymals in sarcopterygians and actinopterygians are not homologous. The endocranium closely resembles that of Psarolepis, Achoania and Onychodus; however, the attachment area of the vomer possesses irregular ridges and grooves as in Youngolepis and Diabolepis. The orbito-nasal canal is positioned mesial to the nasal capsule as in Youngolepis and porolepiforms. The position of the hypophysial canal at the same level or slightly anterior to the ethmoid articulation represents a synapmorphy of the Guiyu clade. The large attachment area of the basicranial muscle indicates the presence of a well-developed intracranial joint in Guiyu.