
Abstract
Since its discovery, Euparkeria capensis has been a key taxon for understanding the early evolution of archosaurs. The braincase of Euparkeria was described based on a single specimen, but much uncertainty remained. For the first time, all available braincase material of Euparkeria is re-examined using micro-computed tomography scanning. Contrary to previous work, the parabasisphenoid does not form the posterior border of the fenestra ovalis in lateral view, but it does bear a dorsal projection that forms the anteroventral half of the fenestra. No bone pneumatization was found, but the lateral depression of the parabasisphenoid may have been pneumatic. We propose that the lateral depression likely corresponds to the anterior tympanic recess present in crown archosaurs. The presence of a laterosphenoid is confirmed for Euparkeria. It largely conforms to the crocodilian condition, but shows some features which make it more similar to the avemetatarsalian laterosphenoid. The cochlea of Euparkeria is elongated, forming a deep cochlear recess. In comparison with other basal archosauromorphs, the (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Paleontology and Geobiology |
Subjects: | 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology 500 Science > 560 Fossils and prehistoric life 500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology |
URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-epub-37730-5 |
ISSN: | 2054-5703 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 37730 |
Date Deposited: | 04. May 2017, 13:10 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020, 14:44 |