A choristoderan reptile from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan

Citation
Se. Evans et M. Manabe, A choristoderan reptile from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan, SP PALAEONT, (60), 1999, pp. 101-119
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Current Book Contents
Journal title
CRETACEOUS FOSSIL VERTEBRATES
ISSN journal
00386804 → ACNP
Issue
60
Year of publication
1999
Pages
101 - 119
Database
ISI
SICI code
0038-6804(1999):60<101:ACRFTL>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
A new, small (c. 250 mm snout-vent length) choristoderan reptile, Shokawa i koi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the early Cretaceous Okurodani Form ation, Tetori Group, of Japan. It is distinguished from other known chorist oderans in having a long neck with at least 16 cervical vertebrae. The skel eton is pachyostotic and the caudal neural spines are much taller than thos e of the Jurassic Cteniogenys, both features suggesting a more aquatic life style. Phylogenetic analysis places the new Japanese form in a small clade with Cteniogenys and the Triassic Pachystropheus. This clade is the sister taxon of crown-group Neochoristodera.