MACNBR   00242
MUSEO ARGENTINO DE CIENCIAS NATURALES "BERNARDINO RIVADAVIA"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Cranial morphology of the Late Triassic South American archosaur Neoaetosauroidesengaeus: evidence for aetosaurian diversity
Autor/es:
DESOJO, J. B.; BÁEZ, A. M.
Revista:
PALAEONTOLOGY
Editorial:
Palaeontological Association
Referencias:
Lugar: Reino Unido; Año: 2006
ISSN:
0031-0239
Resumen:
The cranial anatomy of Neoaetosauroides engaeus Bonaparte 1969 from the upper part of the Los Colorados Formation, western Argentina, is addressed herein. This description is based on materials collected recently, since a partial lower jaw and premaxillary and maxillary fragments were the only cranial remains formerly known, which permitted a complete restoration of the skull. Unlike other aetosaurs for which the premaxillary dentition is known, in N. engaeus the upper tooth row extends anteriorly to reach near the expanded tip of the snout; this condition is not compatible with the presence of a keratinous beak previously suggested for other aetosaurs. The conical shape of the teeth of N. engaeus differs from the leaf-like teeth of Desmatosuchus, Stagonolepis, and Typothorax, and the distinctly recurved teeth of Aetosaurus and Aetosauroides. This diversity of dental morphology suggests a variety of food-item preferences among aetosaurs.