Fenhosuchus

Fenhosuchus
Temporal range: Middle Triassic, Anisian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Archosauromorpha
Clade: Archosauriformes
Genus: †Fenhosuchus
Young, 1964
Type species
†Fenhosuchus cristatus
Young, 1964

Fenhosuchus is an extinct genus of archosauriform. The holotype, IVPP V 2697, and referred materials have been found in the Hsishihwa locality at Wuhsiang, China, from the Upper Ermaying Formation (also Ehrmaying). The locality dates back to the Anisian stage of the Middle Triassic.[1] The genus was named after the Fen River in Shanxi Province from which specimens were found. It may prove to be a chimera being composed of material from several different animals. Some material were believed to represent a rauisuchid.[2] The calcaneum of Fenhosuchus seems to belong to an erythrosuchid or other basal archosauriform.[3][4] Much of the material of the tarsal bones seem to be similar to those of the genus Shansisuchus. According to Nesbitt (2009) the assessment of Gower (2000) was correct, the holotype is a mix of Shansisuchus remains and a possible fragment from a paracrocodylomorph or a dinosauriform. Thus, Fenhosuchus cannot be considered a rauisuchian.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Sterling J. Nesbitt (2009). "The early evolution of archosaurs: Relationships and the origin of major clades". Columbia University (Open Access Dissertation): 1–632.
  2. ^ Bonaparte, J. F. (1986). Locomotion in Rauisuchid Thecodonts. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 3(4):210-218.
  3. ^ Parrish, J. M. (1992). Phylogeny of the Erythrosuchidae (Reptilia: Archosauriformes). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 12:93–102.
  4. ^ Gower, D. J. (1996). The tarsus of erythrosuchid archosaurs, and implications for early diapsid phylogeny. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 116:347–375.


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