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Description of the Skull of a New Form of Phytosaur: with notes on the Characters of Described North Amerian Phytosaurs
E. C. Case
Open Access
In 1927, the University of Michigan's Museum of Paleontology conducted an expedition to the Upper Triassic beds of western Texas, where an almost complete skull, sans jaws, of a previously unknown phytosaur form was discovered. This specimen, numbered 10336 and named Brachysuchus megalodon, was found near Otischalk in Howard County, Texas. The fossil, nestled in a conglomerate of small clay pellets, exhibits minimal transportation damage, suggesting rapid burial post-transport. Detailed descriptions of the skull's bones reveal significant morphological characteristics, contributing novel insights into phytosaur taxonomy and paleoecology. The skull lacks distortion but has many fractures due to the sedimentary settlement post-deposition. The specimen’s notable features include the basioccipital, basisphenoid, and other cranial bones, which are meticulously detailed in the study. The research highlights the possible paleoenvironment, suggesting deposition by floodwaters and subsequent association with shallow, quick-moving water events, akin to those seen in the arid regions today. The study also discusses the broader implications on the interpretation of phytosaur habits and morphology, suggesting a semi-aquatic lifestyle similar to modern crocodylians. This description adds substantial value to understanding the diversity and ecological roles of phytosaurs in the Triassic period.