[dinosaur] Caipirasuchus (Notosuchia) vocalization abilities

Ben Creisler
[email protected]


A new paper:


Willian A.F. Dias, Fabiano V. Iori, Aline M. Ghilardi & Marcelo A.
Fernandes (2019)
The pterygoid region and cranial airways of Caipirasuchus paulistanus and
Caipirasuchusmontealtensis (Crocodyliformes, Sphagesauridae), from the
Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin, Brazil.
Cretaceous Research (advance online publication)
doi: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__doi.org_10.1016_j.cretres.2019.104192&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=Ry_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=Zkomy7Wm5OJK3kfDWrpoht0gUko9jkjyOnRgi5Jhquc&s=Egd0__F0x_Y_VZXpznNV3ZAq4wslTt9ENsxkRToBPxs&e= 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.sciencedirect.com_science_article_pii_S0195667118304051&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=Ry_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=Zkomy7Wm5OJK3kfDWrpoht0gUko9jkjyOnRgi5Jhquc&s=yaTeXMeOnZrScvGDIcl6rUMAs2kYplWmQ36j7iCGc8M&e= 


Highlights

The pterygoid region of C. montealtensis and C. paulistanus is better
described
There is variation in the pterygoid of C. montealtensis specimens
A composite pterygoid chamber system was observed in some individuals
The pterygoid chambers of some specimens are connected to the airways
We show the first anatomical evidence for vocal capacity in fossil
Crocodylomorpha


Abstract

Caipirasuchus are notosuchians found in the Adamantina Formation, Bauru
Basin, Upper Cretaceous of Brazil. Until the present date, four species
within the genus have been described. Caipirasuchus montealtensis and
Caipirasuchus paulistanus are sister taxa which differ from each other by
the presence of a chamber in the pterygoid of the former. Doubts about the
validity of these species were raised due to their extreme similarity. In
the present study, computed tomography was used to explore the pterygoid
region and airways of both forms. The pterygoid region of specimens
attributed to C. montealtensis was also compared in detail. It was possible
to reinforce previously observed differences between C. montealtensis and
C. paulistanus, while variation between individuals assigned to C.
montealtensis was identified. Differences in pterygoid shape and sutures
are described, plus a composite chamber system in the pterygoid of C.
montealtensis paratype. The later shows a secondary pterygoid chamber
communicating with its nasopharyngeal system. This additional chamber is
not present in the holotype, although it is also recognized in the juvenile
with some differences. Comparisons with the modern gharial bulla suggest
this additional chamber seen in C. montealtensis referred specimen may have
had acoustic implications resulting in enhanced vocalization ability. This
is the first anatomical evidence for vocal capacity in fossil
Crocodylomorpha. New observations here made contribute to the anatomical
knowledge about C. montealtensis and C. paulistanus and bring new
information about the genus paleoecology. We also raise new taxonomical
questions that will only be solved with further research and analyses.




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