Palacrodon

In the following article, we are going to explore in depth the topic of Palacrodon, which has been the subject of interest and debate in different areas. From its impact on society to its relevance in history, Palacrodon has been the subject of study and analysis by experts and fans alike. Over the years, Palacrodon has proven to be a highly important and multi-faceted topic, making it worthy of being analyzed from different perspectives. In this article, we will delve into the different dimensions of Palacrodon and examine its influence in various contexts, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and enriching vision on this topic.

Palacrodon
Temporal range: Triassic,
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Diapsida
Clade: Neodiapsida
Genus: †Palacrodon
Broom, 1906
Type species
†Palacrodon browni
Other species
  • †P. parkeri Jenkins et al., 2024
Synonyms

P. browni:

  • Fremouwsaurus geludens Gow, 1992

Palacrodon is an extinct genus of Triassic reptile with a widespread distribution. It was initially described from teeth collected in Early Triassic deposits in South Africa, and later reported from the Early Triassic of Antarctica[1][2] and the Late Triassic of Arizona.[3] Although previously considered an early rhynchocephalian, it is currently considered to be a non-saurian neodiapsid.[2]

History

The type specimen of Palacrodon browni was described from the Early Triassic Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa by Robert Broom, who classified it in Rhynchocephalia.[4] Malan (1963) questioned the rhynchocephalian placement of Palacrodon, viewing it as either a lizard or procolophonid.[5] A skull collected from the lower part of Fremouw Formation of Antarctica was named Fremouwsaurus geludens by Gow (1992),[6] but that taxon was synonymized with Palacrodon by Gow (1999).[1] Gow also described new material of the genus from South Africa and concluded that Palacrodon itself was not a member of Rhynchocephalia due to its lack of a quadratojugal and the presence of a lacrimal.[6][1] A later study of the Antarctic specimen showed that much more of the skeleton was present than just the skull.[2]

In 2018, new tooth and jaw material was described from the Adamanian-age Blue Mesa Member of the Chinle Formation in Arizona. This extends the stratigraphic range of the form into the Norian stage of the Late Triassic.[3] In 2024, these specimens were determined to belong to a distinct species and was named P. parkeri. The two species are distinguished by their teeth. P. browni has a pair of parallel ridges on the underside of its tooth crown between its outer and inner edges, gaps beneath where two teeth contact each other, and foramina in the jaw beneath each tooth, while P. parkeri lacks these features. In tetrapods, the pulp cavity of teeth typically matches the shape of the tooth's surface, and the ridges of P. browni are unique amongst tetrapods. The function of these ridges is unclear, but it is hypothesised that they may have provided extra surface area for a soft-tissue attachment to the jaw bone, as Palacrodon has acrodont dentition and so its teeth lack roots.[7] A 2022 paper re-evaluating the Fremouw specimen found it to be closely related to Sauria within the Neodiapsida, and suggested that it may have been arboreal based on the elongated phalanges of the hands.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Gow, C. (1999). "The Triassic reptile Palacrodon browni Broom, synonymy and a new specimen". Palaeontologia Africana. 35: 21–23.
  2. ^ a b c d Jenkins, Kelsey M.; Meyer, Dalton L.; Lewis, Patrick J.; Choiniere, Jonah N.; Bhullar, Bhart-Anjan S. (2022). "Re-description of the early Triassic diapsid Palacrodon from the lower Fremouw formation of Antarctica". Journal of Anatomy. 241 (6): 1441–1458. doi:10.1111/joa.13770. PMC 9644968. PMID 36168715.
  3. ^ a b Kligman, Ben T.; Marsh, Adam D.; Parker, William G. (2018). "First records of diapsid Palacrodon from the Norian, Late Triassic Chinle Formation of Arizona, and their biogeographic implications". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 63 (1): 117–127. doi:10.4202/app.00426.2017. S2CID 56558390.
  4. ^ Broom, R. (1905). "On a new South African Triassic rhynchocephalian". Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 16: 379–380. doi:10.1080/21560382.1905.9526075.
  5. ^ Malan, M. E. (1963-05-01). "The dentitions of the South African rhynchocephalia and their bearing on the origin of the Rhynosaurs". South African Journal of Science. 59 (5): 214–220. hdl:10520/AJA00382353_2356.
  6. ^ a b Gow, C. (1992). "An enigmatic new reptile from the Lower Triassic Fremouw Formation of Antarctica" (PDF). Palaeontologia Africana. 29: 21–23.
  7. ^ Jenkins, K. M.; Bell, C. J.; Hancox, P. J.; Lewis, P. J. (2024). "A new species of Palacrodon and a unique form of tooth attachment in reptiles". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 43 (5). e2328658. doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2328658.