New data on the neuroanatomy of basal eusuchian crocodylomorphs (Allodaposuchidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of Spain

Puértolas-Pascual, Eduardo; Serrano-Martínez, Alejandro; Pérez-Pueyo, Manuel; Bádenas, Beatriz

doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105170

Cited by 7 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 104 publications

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“…The pituitary grows from the posteroventral margin of the forebrain as a straight and posteroventrally directed subcylindrical projection (Figure 9f). This morphology contrasts with the pituitary observed in some crocodylians such as C. niloticus, A. mississippiensis, D. tormis or allodaposuchids such as Agaresuchus and Arenysuchus, whose pituitary forms a curved elbow that begins ventrally directed to ends up bending posteriorly (Puértolas-Pascual et al, 2022;Serrano-Martínez et al, 2021), or with the subhorizontal pituitary observed in some thalattosuchians (Ristevski, 2022). From the posterior end of the pituitary arise the two bifurcated cerebral carotid arteries.…”

Section: Brainmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…However, the relative volume of the optic lobes can be tested by comparing the volume of the optic lobes to that of the whole endocast volume (Jirak & Janacek, 2017, Figure 2;Serrano-Martínez et al, 2019a, 2021Watanabe et al, 2019). The relative volume of the Portugalosuchus optic lobe is about 10% (Supplementary Information S1: Table S3), being close to that of Tomistoma and Arenysuchus (Puértolas-Pascual et al, 2022).…”

Section: Estimation Of Neurosensorial Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neuroanatomy of the crocodylomorphPortugalosuchus azenhaefrom the late cretaceous of Portugal

et al. 2023

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We present the first detailed braincase anatomical description and neuroanatomical study of Portugalosuchus azenhae, from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Portugal. This eusuchian crocodylomorph was originally described as a putative Crocodylia and one of the oldest representatives of this clade; however, its phylogenetic position remains controversial. Based on new data obtained from high resolution Computed Tomography images (by micro-CT scan), this study aims to improve the original description of this taxon and also update the scarce neuroanatomical knowledge of Eusuchia and Crocodylia from this time interval, a key period to understand the origin and evolution of these clades. The resulting three-dimensional models from the CT data allowed a detailed description of its well-preserved neurocranium and internal cavities. Therefore, it was possible to reconstruct the cavities of the olfactory region, nasopharyngeal ducts, brain, nerves, carotid arteries, blood vessels, paratympanic sinus system and inner ear, which allowed to estimate some neurosensorial capabilities. By comparison with other crocodylomorphs, these analyses showed that Portugalosuchus, back in the Cenomanian, already displayed an olfactive acuity, sight, hearing and cognitive skills within the range of that observed in other basal eusuchians and crocodylians, including extant species. In addition, and in order to test its disputed phylogenetic position, these new anatomical data, which helped to correct and complete some of the original observations, were included in one of the most recent morphologybased phylogenies. The position of Portugalosuchus differs slightly from the original publication since it is now located as a "thoracosaurid" within Gavialoidea, but still as a crocodylian. Despite all this, to better contrast these results, additional phylogenetic analyses including this new morphological character coding together with DNA data should be performed.

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Section: Brainmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Estimation Of Neurosensorial Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroanatomy of the crocodylomorphPortugalosuchus azenhaefrom the late cretaceous of Portugal

et al. 2023

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“…subjuniperus and Arenysuchus gascabadiolorum (Figures 14a,g and 15 , and Figure S3.1; see also figs. 11b in Leardi et al, 2020 , 2a in George & Holliday, 2013 , 6c in Sertich & O'Connor, 2014 , 10c in Fonseca et al, 2020 , 2c and 2d in Serrano‐Martínez et al, 2021 , and 3k, 3l, 6f and 6g in Puértolas‐Pascual et al, 2022 ). A crocodylomorph with a likely variant of a blunt dural peak is the sebecid notosuchian Zulmasuchus querejazus (Buffetaut & Marshall, 1991 ) (see fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Brain endocast illustration of Zulmasuchus querejazus (Buffetaut & Marshall, 1991 ) after fig. 4d in Pochat‐Cottilloux et al ( 2021 ); illustrations of Arenysuchus gascabadiolorum Puértolas‐Pascual et al, 2011 and Agaresuchus subjuniperus (Puértolas‐Pascual et al, 2014 ) after Figures 3k and 6f, respectively, in Puértolas‐Pascual et al ( 2022 ). For additional illustrations of crocodylomorph brain endocasts and their sources see Figure 14 of the main text and Figure S3.1 in supplemental document S3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aspects of crocodylomorph palaeoneurology were first investigated in the 19th century (Owen, 1842, 1850) and continued sporadically throughout the 20th century (e.g., Colbert, 1946a, 1946b; Edinger, 1938; Hopson, 1979; Yeh, 1958), though the frequency of palaeoneurological publications has increased drastically in the 21st century. With the advent of computed tomography and its increasing widespread availability to researchers, the past 14 years have witnessed a surge in papers that are dedicated either exclusively or partially on the palaeoneurology of crocodylomorphs (e.g., Blanco et al, 2015; Bona & Paulina Carabajal, 2013; Bona et al, 2013, 2017; Bowman et al, 2021; Brusatte, Muir, et al, 2016; Cowgill et al, 2021; Dumont Jr et al, 2020; Erb & Turner, 2021; Fernández et al, 2011; Fonseca et al, 2020; George & Holliday, 2013; Herrera et al, 2018; Herrera, 2015; Holliday & Gardner, 2012; Kley et al, 2010; Leardi et al, 2020; Melstrom et al, 2021; Pierce et al, 2017; Pochat‐Cottilloux et al, 2021; Puértolas‐Pascual et al, 2022; Ristevski et al, 2020a, 2021; Schwab et al, 2020; Schwab, Young, Herrera, et al, 2021, Schwab, Young, Walsh, et al, 2022; Schwab et al, 2022; Sereno & Larsson, 2009; Serrano‐Martínez et al, 2019a, 2019b, 2021; Sertich & O'Connor, 2014; Wilberg et al, 2021; Witmer & Ridgely, 2008; Witmer et al, 2008). Despite this, our understanding of crocodylomorph palaeoneurology is still in its relative infancy considering that the neuroanatomy for the vast majority of crocodylomorph taxa is yet to be investigated, including for the majority of Australian taxa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neuroanatomy of the mekosuchine crocodylianTrilophosuchus rackhamiWillis, 1993

Ristevski

2022

Journal of Anatomy

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Although our knowledge on crocodylomorph palaeoneurology has experienced considerable growth in recent years, the neuroanatomy of many crocodylomorph taxa has yet to be studied. This is true for Australian taxa, where thus far only two crocodylian crocodylomorphs have had aspects of their neuroanatomy explored. Here, the neuroanatomy of the Australian mekosuchine crocodylian Trilophosuchus rackhami is described for the first time, which significantly increases our understanding on the palaeoneurology of Australian crocodylians. The palaeoneurological description is based on the taxon's holotype specimen (QMF16856), which was subjected to a μCT scan. Because of the exceptional preservation of QMF16856, most neuroanatomical elements could be digitally reconstructed and described in detail. Therefore, the palaeoneurological assessment presented here is hitherto the most in‐depth study of this kind for an extinct Australian crocodylomorph. Trilophosuchus rackhami has a brain endocast with a distinctive morphology that is characterized by an acute dural peak over the hindbrain region. While the overall morphology of the brain endocast is unique to T. rackhami, it does share certain similarities with the notosuchian crocodyliforms Araripesuchus wegeneri and Sebecus icaeorhinus. The endosseous labyrinth displays a morphology that is typical for crocodylians, although a stand‐out feature is the unusually tall common crus. Indeed, the common crus of T. rackhami has one of the greatest height ratios among crocodylomorphs with currently known endosseous labyrinths. The paratympanic pneumatic system of T. rackhami is greatly developed and most similar to those of the extant crocodylians Osteolaemus tetraspis and Paleosuchus palpebrosus. The observations on the neuroanatomy of T. rackhami are also discussed in the context of Crocodylomorpha. The comparative palaeoneurology reinforces previous evaluations that the neuroanatomy of crocodylomorphs is complex and diverse among species, and T. rackhami has a peculiar neuromorphology, particularly among eusuchian crocodyliforms.

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Endocranial anatomy and phylogenetic position of the crocodylianEosuchus lericheifrom the late Paleocene of northwestern Europe and potential adaptations for transoceanic dispersal in gavialoids

Burke,

Boerman,

Perrichon

et al. 2024

The Anatomical Record

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Eosuchus lericheiis a gavialoid crocodylian from late Paleocene marine deposits of northwestern Europe, known from a skull and lower jaws, as well as postcrania. Its sister taxon relationship with the approximately contemporaneous speciesEosuchus minorfrom the east coast of the USA has been explained through transoceanic dispersal, indicating a capability for salt excretion that is absent in extant gavialoids. However, there is currently no anatomical evidence to support marine adaptation in extinct gavialoids. Furthermore, the placement ofEosuchuswithin Gavialoidea is labile, with some analyses supporting affinities with the Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene “thoracosaurs.” Here we present novel data on the internal and external anatomy of the skull ofE. lericheithat enables a revised diagnosis, with 6 autapormorphies identified for the genus and 10 features that enable differentiation of the species fromEosuchus minor. Our phylogenetic analyses recoverEosuchusas an early diverging gavialid gavialoid that is not part of the “thoracosaur” group. In addition to thickened semi‐circular canal walls of the endosseous labyrinth and paratympanic sinus reduction, we identify potential osteological correlates for salt glands in the internal surface of the prefrontal and lacrimal bones ofE. lerichei. These salt glands potentially provide anatomical evidence for the capability of transoceanic dispersal withinEosuchus, and we also identify them in the Late Cretaceous “thoracosaur”Portugalosuchus. Given that the earliest diverging and stratigraphically oldest gavialoids either have evidence for a nasal salt gland and/or have been recovered from marine deposits, this suggests the capacity for salt excretion might be ancestral for Gavialoidea. Mapping osteological and geological evidence for marine adaptation onto a phylogeny indicates that there was probably more than one independent loss/reduction in the capacity for salt excretion in gavialoids.

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New data on the neuroanatomy of basal eusuchian crocodylomorphs (Allodaposuchidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of Spain

Cited by 7 publications

References 104 publications

Neuroanatomy of the crocodylomorphPortugalosuchus azenhaefrom the late cretaceous of Portugal

Neuroanatomy of the crocodylomorphPortugalosuchus azenhaefrom the late cretaceous of Portugal

Neuroanatomy of the mekosuchine crocodylianTrilophosuchus rackhamiWillis, 1993

Endocranial anatomy and phylogenetic position of the crocodylianEosuchus lericheifrom the late Paleocene of northwestern Europe and potential adaptations for transoceanic dispersal in gavialoids

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