First record of abdominal contents in fossil Crocodyliformes, and its paleoecological and biological implications

Abstract

The discovery of fossil vertebrates containing elements, eaten alive, still preserved in its abdominal cavity is an event of major importance in paleontology. These findings are extremely rare due to it preservation difficulty, and allow a series of discussions in various fields such as paleobiology and paleoecology. Despite of the great morphological diversity during the Mesozoic, yet no abdominal contents had been recorded to fossil Crocodyliformes. Thus, the target material of this project has great impact, since it represents the first record of abdominal contents into fossil Crocodyliformes. Furthermore, the material, found in the abdominal cavity of a Baurusuchidae (Mesoeucrocodylia) specimen, was referred to Sphagesauridae, another group of Crocodyliformes. This is, likewise, an evidence of the ecological niches diversity that these animals were occupying during the Mesozoic. Thus, this project aims, through an internship, deepen the student's knowledge about the paleoecological and biological approaches that the new finding requires, arming it with more data to perform the related discussions. The stage, lasting 6 months, will take place at the Division of Paleontology, at the American Museum of Natural History, under the guidance of Dr. Mark Norell Allen. (AU)