Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2006

Plant Sciences

Series

Marshall University

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Vertebrate Fauna Of The Upper Permian Of Niger. Iv. Nigerpeton Ricqlesi (Temnospondyli: Cochleosauridae), And The Edopoid Colonization Of Gondwana, J. Sebastien Steyer, Ross Damiani, Christian A. Sidor, F. Robin O’Keefe, Hans C.E. Larsson, Abdoulaye Maga, Oumarou Ide Jan 2006

The Vertebrate Fauna Of The Upper Permian Of Niger. Iv. Nigerpeton Ricqlesi (Temnospondyli: Cochleosauridae), And The Edopoid Colonization Of Gondwana, J. Sebastien Steyer, Ross Damiani, Christian A. Sidor, F. Robin O’Keefe, Hans C.E. Larsson, Abdoulaye Maga, Oumarou Ide

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

We describe the edopoid temnospondyl Nigerpeton ricqlesi from the Upper Permian Moradi Formation of northern Niger on the basis of two partial skulls and tentatively associated postcranial material. This crocodile-like taxon displays several edopoid characters states such as a long prenarial region with enlarged premaxillae, elongated vomers, large, posteriorly tapering choanae, and a jugal that broadens anteriorly. Nigerpeton possesses a unique carnivorous dentition. It is autapomorphic in its possession of an extremely elongate snout bearing a maxillary bulge that accommodates three hypertrophied caniniform teeth, inner premaxillary tusks, and anterior paired fenestrae, which pierce the skull roof. In addition, both the …