Priosphenodon

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Priosphenodon
Temporal range: Albian–Turonian
Reconstructed skeleton of P. avelasi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Sauropsida
Subclass:
Diapsida
Superorder:
Lepidosauria
Order:
Rhynchocephalia
Subfamily:
†Eilenodontinae
Genus:
†Priosphenodon

Apesteguia & Novas 2003[1]
Species
  • †P. avelasi Apestiguia & Novas 2003[1]
  • †P. minimus Apestiguia & Carballido 2014

Priosphenodon is an extinct, large herbiviorous eilenodontine rhynchocephalian known from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Turonian) of Argentina.[1][2] It is one of the largest known sphenodontians.

Taxonomy

The type species of Priosphenodon, P. avelasi, was described in 2003 from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) aged Candeleros Formation of Argentina.[1] In 2014, a second smaller species, P. minimus was described from the same formation, though from an earlier unit suggested to be Early Cretaceous (Albian) in age.[2] Other authors have disputed the use of the genus Priosphenodon, with some authors treating P. avelasi and P. minimus as members of the previously named genus Kaikaifilusaurus instead.[3]

Description

Skulls of P. avelasi corresponding to different ontogenetic stages
Illustration of the skull in lateral view
Skeleton

With some individuals reaching over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in total length, Priosphenodon avelasi is the largest known terrestrial sphenodontian.

distal ends, a condition unlike those known in other lepidosaurs, which typically have pointed ungual phalanges.[1]

P. avelasi exhibited variable but generally slow growth rates, with a probably

sexually mature individual confirmed to be at least 13 years old by bone histology was still growing and only around 40% maximum size at the time of death.[5]

P. minimus differs from P. avelasi by having a proportionally shorter skull in addition to a considerably smaller body size, among a variety of differences in the arrangement and shape of the skull bones.[2]

Ecology

Life restoration of P. avelasi

During feeding the dentary teeth of Priosphenodon slotted between the maxillary and palatine tooth rows, which in turn with backward and forward (propalinal) motion of the jaw, served to shred plant material. The Candeleros Formation is suggested to have been deposited in an arid environment. Remains of P. avelasi are the most abundant of any terrestrial vertebrate at the sites it is found, and the lack of other herbivores found at the localities suggests that it may have been the only resident herbivore.[4]

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 4425130
    .
  2. ^
    S2CID 130381621
    .
  3. doi:10.1016/j.pgeola.2023.09.007
    .
  4. ^
    S2CID 214659416
    .
  5. doi:10.4202/app.01071.2023
    .
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