Xc. Wu et al., Terminonaris (Archosauria : Crocodyliformes): New material from Saskatchewan, Canada, and comments on its phylogenetic relationships, J VERTEBR P, 21(3), 2001, pp. 492-514
A newly-discovered skeleton of Terminonaris (=Teleorhinus) robusta (=robust
us) from the early Turonian marine deposits of east-central Saskatchewan af
fords the opportunity for a detailed description of the anatomy of this spe
cies and its placement in the context of other known species of this genus.
The specific diagnosis of T. robusta and the generic diagnosis of Terminon
aris are established. Terminonaris robusta differs from the type species T.
browni mainly in size-related features. Teleorhinus mesabiensis Erickson,
1969 is placed into the synonymy of Terminonaris robusta. The genus can be
diagnosed by features of the anterior end of the snout, sutural relationshi
ps of the bones surrounding the orbit, and the structure of the occiput. A
phylogenetic analysis based upon data drawn from the new material suggests
that Terminonaris is not a pholidosaurid but is, instead, closely related t
o Dyrosaurus. This analysis continues to support the hypothesis that long-s
nouted crocodyliforms of the traditional "mesosuchian grade" form a clade.