BRAZILOSAURUS

PIMUZ A/III 0192 (Rossman 2002) Here the Rossman “Brazilosaurus” nests at the base of the Thalattosauria, whether using the Rossman data as is, or pulling slightly different traits out. This turns out to be THE basal thalattosaur as well as a basal mesosaur. Due to severe crushing elements from the other side of the skull made it appear that the skull lacked fenestration following the generally accepted but mistaken hypothesis that all mesosaurs lacked temporal fenestra. Note the tiny forelimbs and deep tail chevrons. Low dorsal spines and gracile ribs are also noteworthy.

Rossmann T 2002. Studien an Mesosauriern (Amniota inc. sed., Mesosauridae): 3. Neue Aspekte zur Anatmie, Erhaltung und Paläoökologie aufgrund der Exemplare im Paläontologischen Institut der Universität Zurich. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen 224, 197-221. Shikama T 1966. On a reptilian skeleton from the Palaeozoic formation of San Paulo, Brazil. Transactions and Proceedings of the Palaeontological Society of Japan, New Series 64:351-358.