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Article: A new cynodont from the Santa Maria formation, south Brazil, improves Late Triassic probainognathian diversity

Papers in Palaeontology - Volume 3 Part 3 - Cover
Publication: Papers in Palaeontology
Volume: 3
Part: 3
Publication Date: August 2017
Page(s): 401 423
Author(s): Agustín G. Martinelli, Estevan Eltink, Átila A. S. Da-Rosa, Max C. Langer
DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1081
Addition Information

How to Cite

MARTINELLI A.G., ELTINK E., DA-ROSA A.A.S., LANGER M.C. A new cynodont from the Santa Maria formation, south Brazil, improves Late Triassic probainognathian diversity. Papers in Palaeontology, 3, 3, 401-423.

Author Information

  • Agustín G. Martinelli - Laboratório de Paleontologia de Vertebrados, Departamento de Paleontologia e Estratigrafia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Agronomia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
  • Estevan Eltink - Colegiado de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Senhor do Bonfim, BA, Brazil
  • Átila A. S. Da-Rosa - Laboratório de Estratigrafia e Paleobiologia, Departamento de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
  • Max C. Langer - Laboratório de Paleontologia de Ribeirão Preto, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Publication History

  • Issue online: 1 August 2017
  • Version of record online: 22 May 2017
  • Manuscript Accepted: 10 April 2017
  • Manuscript Received: 30 January 2017

Funded By

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. Grant Number: 2014/03825-3
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Paleontological Society International Research Program (PalSIRP) - Sepkoski Grant. Grant Number: 2016

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
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Abstract

The fossil record of non-mammaliaform probainognathian cynodonts is outstanding in the Late Triassic rocks of Brazil and Argentina. Approximately 15 genera are known, providing unique insights in the study of the major skeletal transformations prior to the mammalian condition. Globally, the diversity of probainognathians is possibly under-represented, as the discovery of small- to very small-sized taxa based on relatively well-preserved specimens is rare. Several species, for example much of the Laurasian record, are based on isolated teeth and jaw fragments. Here, we describe a new probainognathian from the Late Carnian Hyperodapedon Assemblage Zone of the Santa Maria Formation, south Brazil. Alemoatherium huebneri gen. et sp. nov. is based on a left lower jaw with almost complete dentition that exhibits a combination of features not seen in any other known probainognathian. Its slender lower jaw, anterodorsally bent process of the dentary, high number of lower incisors, reduced canine, triconodont-like postcanine teeth with mesiolingual and distolingual cingular cusps are all features that support the inclusion of A. huebneri as a member of the Prozostrodontia clade. This new find highlights the conspicuous probainognathian cynodont fossil record in southern Brazil, with a plethora of forms near the mammalian origin.

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