Alpha-taxonomic review of the Baurusuchidae (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from Vale do Rio do Peixe formation (Bauru Group, Late Cretaceous), with the description of a new specimen from General Salgado-SP

Abstract

The anatomical description of a new specimen of Baurusuchidae corresponds to the initial objective of this project. The specimen is composed of a skull and associated post-cranial material and was collected in an outcrop on General Salgado-SP (Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation, Upper Cretaceous). In the same location, the skeletal remains of the three species of the genus Baurusuchus were recorded and, for the entire Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation, other three species of Baurusuchidae were described. The distinction between these taxa, with the establishment of more accurate diagnoses, is important in understanding the real diversity of the baurusuchids from these deposits. Proposing to attend to these aspects, another objective is the alpha-taxonomic review of the baurusuchids from the Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation. Two analyses will be made to this end. First, an initial comparative analysis to establish the validity and inclusiveness of these taxa, based on the sharing of unique group of characters. And second, a phylogenetic analysis to hierarchically organize the taxonomic information generated by the initial comparative analysis. (AU)