A new Rhynchocephalian from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil enhances Eusphenodontian diversity

Abstract

We describe a new eusphenodontian, Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Triassic (Norian) Riograndia Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Candelária Sequence (Santa Maria Supersequence) of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new taxon consists of an almost complete left dentary with dentition, which exhibits a mosaic of features considered ‘typical’ of non-eusphenodontian rhynchocephalians, along with others reported for eusphenodontian taxa. It has the typical rhynchocephalian regionalized dentition with 19 teeth and also pleuroacrodont implantation; the additional dentition presents alternation of size and shape, with the last additional teeth resembling a spear in labial view. A well-developed chin is also present. Our phylogenetic analysis places Lanceirosphenodon as one of the most basal eusphenodontians and reinforces the hypothesis that Rhynchocephalia underwent an early diversification, probably in the Early Triassic, followed by an explosion in morphological disparity. Based on the ontogenetic sequence of Sphenodon, Lanceirosphenodon fitted between stages T2 and T3, representing a probable early juvenile individual. In spite of its ontogenetic stage, the set of characters present in Lanceirosphenodon, including two autapomorphies, supports its recognition as a new taxon. This new taxon increases our knowledge of the faunal diversity in the Triassic of Gondwana and more locally for the Riograndia Assemblage Zone of southern Brazil.