Biology:Opisthias
| Opisthias | |
|---|---|
| |
| Jaw of Opisthias rarus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Rhynchocephalia |
| Clade: | †Opisthodontia |
| Genus: | †Opisthias Gilmore 1909 |
| Type species | |
| Opisthias rarus Gilmore, 1905[1]
| |
Opisthias is a genus of sphenodont reptile. The type species, Opisthias rarus, is known from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) Morrison Formation of western North America,[2][3] present in stratigraphic zones 2 and 4–6.[4]
Distribution
Opisthias is primarily known to have lived during the Late Jurassic in the United States (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming).[1] Other remains are also known from the Late Jurassic of Portugal.[5] A undescribed crushed skull (DINO 16454) has been attributed to this genus by some sources, though this has been strongly disputed by others.[6]
Berriasian records
A lower jaw is also known from the Berriasian aged Lulworth Formation of the United Kingdom, which appears to be distinct from the type North American species.[7] A fragmentary dentary possibly attributable to Opisthias is also known from the Berriasian aged Angeac-Charente bonebed in France.[8]
Diet
Opisthias has been interpreted as a generalist, with its tooth morphology indicating had an ability to process plant material.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Opisthias Gilmore 1909 (rhynchocephalian)". Paleobiology Database. https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon_no=37820.
- ↑ "Table 2.1: Fossil Vertebrates of the Morrison Formation.". Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and Their World.. Indiana University Press. 2007. pp. 58–59.
- ↑ Herrera-Flores, J.A.; Stubbs, T.L.; Sour-Tovar, F. (2022). "Redescription of the type specimens for the Late Jurassic rhynchocephalian Opisthias rarus and a new specimen of Theretairus antiquus from Quarry 9, Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 67 (3): 623–630. doi:10.4202/app.00929.2021.
- ↑ "Appendix". Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and Their World. Indiana University Press. 2007. pp. 327–329.
- ↑ "A re-evaluation of the taxonomy and diversity of the Late Jurassic sphenodontian Opisthias rarus Gilmore 1909 (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia)[oral presentation."]. 13th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. July 2018. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347144125.
- ↑ DeMar, David G.; Jones, Marc E. H.; Carrano, Matthew T. (2022-12-31). "A nearly complete skeleton of a new eusphenodontian from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA, provides insight into the evolution and diversity of Rhynchocephalia (Reptilia: Lepidosauria)" (in en). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 20 (1): 2093139. doi:10.1080/14772019.2022.2093139. ISSN 1477-2019.
- ↑ "New insights on an enigmatic sphenodontian jaw from Dorset". Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society 141: 41–43. 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347144049.
- ↑ Ronan Allain, Romain Vullo, Lee Rozada, Jérémy Anquetin, Renaud Bourgeais, et al.. Vertebrate paleobiodiversity of the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) Angeac-Charente Lagerstätte (southwestern France): implications for continental faunal turnover at the J/K boundary. Geodiversitas, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle Paris, In press. ffhal-03264773f
- ↑ "The youngest South American rhynchocephalian, a survivor of the K/Pg extinction". Proceedings. Biological Sciences 281 (1792): 20140811. October 2014. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.0811. PMID 25143041.
Wikidata ☰ Q7098296 entry
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