A "Leptosaurus" (Rhynchocephalia) from the Kimmeridgian of Schamhaupten, Bavaria
Final Report Abstract
Whereas they are represented today by only a single genus, rhynchocephalian lepidosaurs were both taxonomically and ecologically diverse during the early Mesozoic (Triassic-Jurassic). The Late Kimmeridgian to Early Tithonian laminated limestones of southern Germany have yielded an important rhynchocephalian fauna, which is especially noteworthy for preserving complete skeletons, whereas these animals are often represented only by isolated jaws. However, the importance of this fauna for our understanding of rhynchocephalian evolution, diversity and biogeography is limited by the fact that the alpha taxonomy of rhynchocephalians from these units is still problematic. We analysed the taxonomic identification of a complete specimen from the Late Kimmeridgian of Schamhaupten, which was originally referred to Leptosaurus pulchellus to also evaluate the proposed synonymy of the genera Kallimodon and Leptosaurus. The specimen from Schamhaupten (JME Scha 100) was found to be neither referable to Kallimodon pulchellus, nor to Leptosaurus neptunius, as important differences with both species could be found, and it thus most probably represents a new taxon. Comparison with other specimens referred to either Kallimodon or Leptosaurus showed that these specimens with “Kallimodon-like proportions” include more taxa than previously recognized, including the enigmatic genus Oenosaurus and at least another, unnamed taxon. A detailed revision of all rhynchocephalian material from the lithographic limestones of southern Germany, preferably using modern visualization techniques, such as micro-CT, is necessary to fully evaluate rhynchocephalian diversity in these rocks.
Publications
- Schuppenechsen (Lepidosaurier). In: Arratia, G., Schultze, H.-P., Tischlinger, H. and Viohl, G. (eds.): Solnhofen. Ein Fenster in die Jurazeit. München, Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, 2015. S. 431–447. - ISBN 9783899370751
Tischlinger, H. & Rauhut, O.W.M.
