New material of the enigmatic reptile Khurendukhosaurus (Diapsida: Choristodera) from Mongolia.
New material of the enigmatic diapsid Khurendukhosaurus is described from the Mongolian type locality, Khuren Dukh, providing additional data on the vertebral column, pelvis, and hind limb. It confirms the choristoderan status of the genus and permits a more detailed phylogenetic analysis that supports a relationship between Khurendukhosaurus and the long-necked Asian Hyphalosauridae. The existence of tall caudal neural spines implies that Khurendukhosaurus was a deep-tailed swimmer. This and the open sacral costocentral sutures suggest a primarily aquatic lifestyle.
Matsumoto
Ryoko
R
Cell and Developmental Biology, UCL University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. ucgarym@ucl.ac.uk
Suzuki
Shigeru
S
Tsogtbaatar
Khisigjav
K
Evans
Susan E
SE
D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007085:Ilium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008019:Life Style; D008986:Mongolia; D012104:Reptiles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification; D013045:Species Specificity