Nuevo Material Postcraneano deSaurosuchus galileiReig (Archosauria: Crurotarsi) del Triásico Superior del Centro-Oeste de Argentina

A rare, well-preserved postcranial skeleton of Saurosuchus galilei, a rauisuchid archosaur from the Late Triassic Ischigualasto Formation in Argentina, reveals key morphological traits that shed light on its evolutionary relationships and functional adaptations. The newly described material includes the proatlas-atlas-axis complex, an articulated vertebral column, and both scapulae, providing unprecedented insights into this group's skeletal structure. The cervical vertebrae exhibit a short, robust neck with anteroposterior compression and dorsoventrally elongated centra, while the dorsal region features keeled centra and expanded neural spines. The caudal series displays axially compressed centra with a ventral groove, and the scapulae are notably robust with a brief expansion and slightly curved blade. These findings contribute to understanding the morphological diversity of rauisuchids, aiding in morphofunctional and phylogenetic analyses.

Trotteyn, M. J., Desojo, J. B., & Alcober, O. A. (2011). Nuevo Material Postcraneano deSaurosuchus galileiReig (Archosauria: Crurotarsi) del Triásico Superior del Centro-Oeste de Argentina. Ameghiniana, 48(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.5710/amgh.v48i1(265)