A new protorosaur (Diapsida) from the Upper Buntsandstein of the Black Forest, Germany

Abstract

A new genus and species of protorosaur is described on the basis of material originally referred to Tanystropheus antiquus from the Upper Buntsandstein of the Black Forest, Germany. The new taxon is characterized by eight cervical vertebrae that bear markedly elongate cervical ribs, a shagreen of denticles covering the vomers, palatines and pterygoids, a bifurcate second sacral rib, a well-ossified tarsus with three distal tarsals, and an elongate proximal phalanx on digit five. The status of Tanystropheus antiquus is discussed and, while it is retained, its validity is questioned.