Turfanosuchus
Encyclopedia
Turfanosuchus is a genus
of archosauriform reptile
which lived during the Middle Triassic
of northwestern China
. The type species
, T. dabanensis, was described by C.C. Young
in 1973, based on a partially complete but disarticulated fossil skeleton (IVPP V.32237). Young originally believed that the fossils came from an animal similar to Euparkeria
, and assigned it to the family Euparkeriidae
. The fossil, however, was not fully prepared. Subsequent analysis by Parrish in 1993 indicated that the fossils represented a suchia
n.
In 2001, Xiao-Chun Wu (of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
in Beijing) and Anthony Russell (of the University of Calgary
) redescribed the fossil. Wu and Russell prepared the fossil, and noted the limb bones (femur and humerus) resembled those of Ticinosuchus
and Euparkeria, though the calcaneum did not. Further preparation revealed a partial osteoderm
. Wu and Russell concluded that Turfanosuchus was not a suchian nor even a member of the Crurotarsi
. They also ruled out the possibility of a close relationship with Euparkeria.
In 2010, paleontologists Martín Ezcurra, Agustina Lecuona, and Augustín Martinelli found Turfanosuchus to be a crurotarsan once again. This reassignment was based on the structure of the calcaneum, which is similar to that of other early crurotarsans, especially aetosaur
s.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of archosauriform reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
which lived during the Middle Triassic
Triassic
The Triassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Mya . As the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic follows the Permian and is followed by the Jurassic. Both the start and end of the Triassic are marked by major extinction events...
of northwestern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
, T. dabanensis, was described by C.C. Young
Yang Zhongjian
Yang Zhongjian , courtesy name Keqiang , also known as C.C. Young, was one of China's foremost paleontologists. He has been called the 'Father of Chinese vertebrate paleontology'...
in 1973, based on a partially complete but disarticulated fossil skeleton (IVPP V.32237). Young originally believed that the fossils came from an animal similar to Euparkeria
Euparkeria
Euparkeria was a small African reptile of the early Triassic period between 248-245 million years ago, close to the ancestry of the archosaurs.- Palaeobiology :...
, and assigned it to the family Euparkeriidae
Euparkeriidae
Euparkeriidae is a family of small basal archosauromorph carnivores which lived from the Early Triassic to the Middle Triassic . Their fossil remains are known so far from South Africa and Russia...
. The fossil, however, was not fully prepared. Subsequent analysis by Parrish in 1993 indicated that the fossils represented a suchia
Suchia
Suchia is a clade of archosaurs that includes all pseudosuchians except ornithosuchids. It includes crocodilians and their extinct relatives. Paul Sereno defined Suchia as the least inclusive clade containing Aetosaurus ferratus, Rauisuchus tiradentes, Prestosuchus chiniquensis, Gracilisuchus...
n.
In 2001, Xiao-Chun Wu (of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
The Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of China is a prominent research institution and collections repository for fossils, including many dinosaur and pterosaurand cat poo specimens...
in Beijing) and Anthony Russell (of the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
) redescribed the fossil. Wu and Russell prepared the fossil, and noted the limb bones (femur and humerus) resembled those of Ticinosuchus
Ticinosuchus
Ticinosuchus is an extinct genus of rauisuchian archosaur from the Middle Triassic of Switzerland and Italy.Ticinosuchus was about long, and its whole body, even the belly, was covered in thick, armoured scutes. The structure of the hips shows that its legs were placed under the body almost...
and Euparkeria, though the calcaneum did not. Further preparation revealed a partial osteoderm
Osteoderm
Osteoderms are bony deposits forming scales, plates or other structures in the dermal layers of the skin. Osteoderms are found in many groups of extant and extinct reptiles, including lizards, various groups of dinosaurs , crocodilians, phytosaurs, aetosaurs, placodonts, and hupehsuchians...
. Wu and Russell concluded that Turfanosuchus was not a suchian nor even a member of the Crurotarsi
Crurotarsi
The Crurotarsi are a group of archosauriformes, represented today by the crocodiles,...
. They also ruled out the possibility of a close relationship with Euparkeria.
In 2010, paleontologists Martín Ezcurra, Agustina Lecuona, and Augustín Martinelli found Turfanosuchus to be a crurotarsan once again. This reassignment was based on the structure of the calcaneum, which is similar to that of other early crurotarsans, especially aetosaur
Aetosaur
Aetosaurs are an extinct order of heavily armoured, medium- to large-sized Late Triassic herbivorous archosaurs. They have small heads, upturned snouts, erect limbs, and a body covered by plate-like scutes. All aetosaurs belong to the family Stagonolepididae...
s.
External links
- Turfanosuchus in the Paleobiology Database