Original paper

A sphenodontian (Reptilia: Lepidos auria) from the Middle Jurassic of England

Evans, Susan E.

Abstract

A sphenodontian reptile is described on the basis of fragmentary jaw and palatal material from a middle Jurassic deposit at Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, England. The dentition is distinctive in showing a large anterior caniniform tooth in the upper and lower jaws, a feature found in the modern genus Sphenodon. The enlarged palatine tooth row runs parallel to that of the maxilla and palatine, and the pattern of wear facets on the jaws and palatine suggest a propalinal jaw action similar to that of the living genus.

Kurzfassung

Beschreibung von Kiefer- und Gaumenknochen-Fragmenten eines Sphenodontiden aus dem Oberen Bathonium von Kirtlington. Die Bezahnung und ihre Usuren deuten auf Übereinstimmungen mit der rezenten Brückenechse in Morphologie und Bewegung des Kieferapparats.

Keywords

reptile • palatal material • dentition • caniniform tooth • maxilla