The neuroanatomy of Zulmasuchus querejazus (Crocodylomorpha, Sebecidae) and its implications for the paleoecology of sebecosuchians.
Anat Rec (Hoboken)
; 305(10): 2708-2728, 2022 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34825786
The endocranial structures of the sebecid crocodylomorph Zulmasuchus querejazus (MHNC 6672) from the Lower Paleocene of Bolivia are described in this article. Using computed tomography scanning, the cranial endocast, associated nerves and arteries, endosseous labyrinths, and cranial pneumatization are reconstructed and compared with those of extant and fossil crocodylomorphs, representative of different ecomorphological adaptations. Z. querejazus exhibits an unusual flexure of the brain, pericerebral spines, semicircular canals with a narrow diameter, as well as enlarged pharyngotympanic sinuses. First, those structures allow to estimate the alert head posture and hearing capabilities of Zulmasuchus. Then, functional comparisons are proposed between this purportedly terrestrial taxon, semi-aquatic, and aquatic forms (extant crocodylians, thalattosuchians, and dyrosaurids). The narrow diameter of the semicircular canals but expanded morphology of the endosseous labyrinths and the enlarged pneumatization of the skull compared to other forms indeed tend to indicate a terrestrial lifestyle for Zulmasuchus. Our results highlight the need to gather new data, especially from altirostral forms in order to further our understanding of the evolution of endocranial structures in crocodylomorphs with different ecomorphological adaptations.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Crânio
/
Canais Semicirculares
/
Dinossauros
/
Evolução Biológica
/
Fósseis
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Bolivia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Anat Rec (Hoboken)
Assunto da revista:
ANATOMIA
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos