RE: the importance of Quianosuchus

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

David Peters wrote:

> I ran across* Quianosuchus yesterday at the Hairy Museum of  Paleontology 
> and wondered what it was and why nobody had ever  mentioned it before on 
> the dino list.

They did.  Search the DML archives for "_Qianosuchus_".  This is one 
situation where correct spelling is important (Qianosauchus vs 
Quianosuchus).

_Qianosuchus_ (Middle Triassic) is an interesting critter in its own right, 
as it represents the earliest known archosaur (or archosauriform) that shows 
evidence of an amphibious lifestyle.  _Qianosuchus_ might have had a 
lifestyle similar to modern saltwater crocodiles ("salties" as they're 
affectionately known).  The authors who described it (Li et al., 2006; 
Naturwissenschaften 93:200-206) put it in the Crurotarsi - in other words, 
on the line leading to crocs, not the line that led to dinosaurs/birds.

> With Quianosuchus, the lineage leading toward dinosaurs has just  gotten 
> bushier. And its nice to know that none of the metatarsals are  reduced in 
> diameter. That little fact has big implications for  Irmis's so-called 
> "dinosauromorphs."

How so?

Oh... hang on.  Are you constructing phylogenies based solely on "key 
characters".  Shame on you, Mr Peters!  Tsk tsk.

> More brewing.

Whatever it is you're imbibing, it's powerful stuff!

Cheers

Tim

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