Opisthias is a genus of sphenodont reptile. The type species, Opisthias rarus, is known from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) of western North America.[2][3]
| Opisthias Temporal range: Possible Berriasian record
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| Jaw of Opisthias rarus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Rhynchocephalia |
| Clade: | †Opisthodontia |
| Genus: | †Opisthias Gilmore 1909 |
| Type species | |
| Opisthias rarus Gilmore, 1905[1]
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Distribution
editOpisthias is primarily known from remains found in the Late Jurassic of the United States, with remains found in the Morrison Formation (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming),[2][3][1] present in stratigraphic zones 2 and 4–6.[4] Other remains suggested to be closely related to Opisthias are also known from the Late Jurassic Alcobaça Formation of Portugal.[5][6] An undescribed crushed skull (DINO 16454) from the Morrison Formation has been attributed to this genus by some sources, though this has been strongly disputed by others.[7]
A lower jaw is also known from the Berriasian aged Lulworth Formation of the United Kingdom, which appears to be distinct from the type North American species.[8] A fragmentary dentary possibly attributable to Opisthias is also known from the Berriasian aged Angeac-Charente bonebed in France.[9]
Diet
editOpisthias has been interpreted as a generalist, with its tooth morphology indicating had an ability to process plant material.[10]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Opisthias Gilmore 1909 (rhynchocephalian)". Paleobiology Database.
- ^ a b Foster J (2007). "Table 2.1: Fossil Vertebrates of the Morrison Formation.". Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and Their World. Indiana University Press. pp. 58–59.
- ^ a b Herrera-Flores, J.A.; Stubbs, T.L.; Sour-Tovar, F. (2022). "Redescription of the type specimens for the Late Jurassic rhynchocephalian Opisthias rarus and a new specimen of Theretairus antiquus from Quarry 9, Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 67 (3): 623–630. doi:10.4202/app.00929.2021.
- ^ Foster J (2007). "Appendix". Jurassic West: The Dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation and Their World. Indiana University Press. pp. 327–329.
- ^ Herrera-Flores JA, Stubbs TL (July 2018). "A re-evaluation of the taxonomy and diversity of the Late Jurassic sphenodontian Opisthias rarus Gilmore 1909 (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia)[oral presentation]". 13th Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota.
- ^ Malafaia, E.; Ortega, F.; Escaso, F.; Dantas, P.; Pimentel, N.; Gasulla, J. M.; Ribeiro, B.; Barriga, F.; Sanz, J. L. (2010). "Vertebrate fauna at the Allosaurus fossil-site of Andrés (Upper Jurassic), Pombal, Portugal". Journal of Iberian Geology. 36 (2): 193–204. Bibcode:2010JIbG...36..193M. doi:10.5209/rev_JIGE.2010.v36.n2.7. ISSN 1698-6180.
- ^ DeMar, David G.; Jones, Marc E. H.; Carrano, Matthew T. (2022-12-31). "A nearly complete skeleton of a new eusphenodontian from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA, provides insight into the evolution and diversity of Rhynchocephalia (Reptilia: Lepidosauria)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 20 (1): 2093139. doi:10.1080/14772019.2022.2093139. hdl:2440/136608. ISSN 1477-2019.
- ^ Herrera-Flores J (2020). Randall C (ed.). "New insights on an enigmatic sphenodontian jaw from Dorset". Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 141: 41–43.
- ^ Ronan Allain, Romain Vullo, Lee Rozada, Jérémy Anquetin, Renaud Bourgeais, et al.. Vertebrate paleobiodiversity of the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) Angeac-Charente Lagerstätte (southwestern France): implications for continental faunal turnover at the J/K boundary. Geodiversitas, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle Paris, In press. ffhal-03264773f
- ^ Apesteguía S, Gómez RO, Rougier GW (October 2014). "The youngest South American rhynchocephalian, a survivor of the K/Pg extinction". Proceedings. Biological Sciences. 281 (1792): 20140811. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.0811. PMC 4150314. PMID 25143041.
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