Early Triassic mastodonsaurids (Temnospondyli, Stereospondyli) from Western Australia, with remarks on mastodonsauroid palaeobiogeography

A newly discovered partial skull of a temnospondyl from the Early Triassic Blina Shale of the Erskine Range, Western Australia, is referred to the mas todonsaurid species Watsonisuchus aliciae. A partial skull described as 'Pa rotosuchus' sp. by Warren (1980) is also referred to W. aliciae. Both taxon omic assignments should be treated with caution because of the relatively p oor state of preservation of the specimens. W aliciae is the fourth temnosp ondyl species to be described from the Blina Shale. The worldwide distribut ion of mastodonsauroids at the base of the Triassic suggests a rapid phase of radiation and dispersal following the Permo-Triassic extinction event.