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_Qianosuchus mixtus_
In case nobody noticed...
_Qianosuchus mixtus_
Li, C., Wu, X.-C., Chen, Y.-N., Sato, T. & Wang, L.-T., 2006: An unusual
archosaurian from the marine Triassic of China.
?Naturwissenschaften: Vol. 93, #4, pp. 200-206
Abstract:
"A new Triassic archosaurian from China shows a number of aquatic
specializations, of which themost striking is the extreme lateral
compression of the long tail. Others that may also reflect aquatic
adaptations include platelike scapula and coracoid, elongate neck with
extremely long and slender ribs, and reduction of osteoderms. In contrast,
its pelvic girdle and hind limb have no aquatic modifications.
Anatomic features, taphonomy, and local geological data suggest that it may
have lived in a coastal?island environment. This lifestyle, convergent with
some Jurassic marine crocodyliforms that lived at least 40 million years
later and the saltwater species of extant _Crocodylus_, contradicts with the
prevailing view that Triassic archosaurians were restricted to nonmarine
ecosystems. Its mosaic anatomy
represents a previously unknown ecomorph within primitive archosaurians."
Happy Easter... ;)
--Mikko Haaramo
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Mikko K. Haaramo, M.Sc.
Paleontologist & IT-Manager
Department of Geology
P.O.Box 64 (Gustaf Hällströminkatu 2)
FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
email: mailto:mikko.haaramo@helsinki.fi
www: Mikko's Phylogeny Archive [http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/haaramo/]
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