García Albert

Background. The Late Cretaceous is a keystone period to understand the origin and early radiation of Crocodylia, the group containing all extant lineages of crocodilians. Among the taxa described from the latest Cretaceous of Europe, the genus Allodaposuchus is one of the most common but also one of the most controversial. However, because of its fragmentary record, several issues regarding its phylogenetic emplacement and its ecology remain unsolved or unknown. The discovery of a single specimen attributed to Allodaposuchus, represented by both cranial and postcranial remains, from the Casa Fabà site (Tremp Basin, NE Spain) in the lower red unit of the Tremp Fm. (early Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous) offers a unique opportunity to deepen in the phylogenetic relationships of the group and its ecological features.

Methods. The specimen is described in detail, and CT scan of the skull is performed in order to study the endocranial morphology as well as paratympanic sinuses configuration. In addition, myological and phylogenetic analyses are also carried out on the specimen for to shed light in ecological and phylogenetic issues, respectively.

Results. The specimen described herein represents a new species, Allodaposuchus hulki sp. nov., closely related to the Romanian A. precedens. The CT scan of the skull revealed an unexpected paratympanic sinuses configuration. Allosaposuchus hulki exhibits an “anterodorsal tympanic sinus” not observed in any other extant or extinct crocodilian. The caudal tympanic recesses are extremely enlarged, and the expanded quadratic sinus seems to be connected to the middle-ear channel. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the emplacement of the informal taxonomic group ‘Allodaposuchia’ at the base of Crocodylia, being considered the sister group of Borealosuchus and Planocraniidae.

Discussion. Although this is a preliminary hypothesis, the unique paratympanic configuration displayed by A. hulki suggests that it could possess a high-specialized auditory system. Further, the large cranial cavities could help to reduce the weight of the cranium. Concerning the postcranial skeleton, Allodaposuchus hulki shows massive and robust vertebrae and forelimb bones, suggesting it could have a bulky body. The myological study performed on the anterior limb elements supports this interpretation. In addition, several bone and muscular features seem to point at a semi-erected position of the forelimbs during terrestrial locomotion. Taking all the above results into consideration, it seems plausible to suggest that A. hulki could conduct large incursions out of the water and have a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.

Background. The Late Cretaceous is a keystone period to understand the origin and
early radiation of Crocodylia, the group containing all extant lineages of crocodilians.
Among the taxa described from the latest Cretaceous of Europe, the genus
Allodaposuchus is one of the most common but also one of the most controversial.
However, because of its fragmentary record, several issues regarding its phylogenetic
emplacement and its ecology remain unsolved or unknown. The discovery of a single
specimen attributed to Allodaposuchus, represented by both cranial and postcranial
remains, from the Casa Faba site (Tremp Basin, NE Spain) in the lower red unit of `
the Tremp Fm. (early Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous) offers a unique opportunity to
deepen in the phylogenetic relationships of the group and its ecological features.
Methods. The specimen is described in detail, and CT scan of the skull is performed
in order to study the endocranial morphology as well as paratympanic sinuses
configuration. In addition, myological and phylogenetic analyses are also carried out
on the specimen for to shed light in ecological and phylogenetic issues, respectively.
Results. The specimen described herein represents a new species, Allodaposuchus
hulki sp. nov., closely related to the Romanian A. precedens. The CT scan of the skull
revealed an unexpected paratympanic sinuses configuration. Allosaposuchus hulki
exhibits an “anterodorsal tympanic sinus” not observed in any other extant or extinct
crocodilian. The caudal tympanic recesses are extremely enlarged, and the expanded
quadratic sinus seems to be connected to the middle-ear channel. Phylogenetic
analyses confirm the emplacement of the informal taxonomic group ‘Allodaposuchia’
at the base of Crocodylia, being considered the sister group of Borealosuchus and
Planocraniidae.
Discussion. Although this is a preliminary hypothesis, the unique paratympanic
configuration displayed by A. hulki suggests that it could possess a high-specialized
auditory system. Further, the large cranial cavities could help to reduce the weight
of the cranium. Concerning the postcranial skeleton, Allodaposuchus hulki shows
massive and robust vertebrae and forelimb bones, suggesting it could have a bulky body. The myological study performed on the anterior limb elements supports this
interpretation. In addition, several bone and muscular features seem to point at a
semi-erected position of the forelimbs during terrestrial locomotion. Taking all the
above results into consideration, it seems plausible to suggest that A. hulki could
conduct large incursions out of the water and have a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.

We report the preliminary results obtained from the fieldwork accomplished during 2010 at the Odèn outcrops (Carnian, Late Triassic) of the Pyrenean Basin. Most of the remains are referred to actinopterygians. As previously noted, the outcrops yielded members of Saurichthyidae, but herein we present the first remains assigned to Peltopleuridae and Halecomorpha. Scarce remains of marine reptiles were also recovered and assigned to sauropterigians, representing the second occurrence for this basin.

La tomografía computarizada es una técnica no destructiva ni invasiva que permite visualizar el interior de muchos tipos de materiales, tales como metales, cerámica, huesos, rocas, fósiles, etc., sin que el objeto sufra ningún tipo de deterioro. Proporciona un método útil para la visualización tridimensional del exterior y de las estructuras internas de los objetos. Su utilización en la paleontología es cada vez más habitual debido a la valiosa información que proporciona para campos como la restauración, conservación, taxonomía, análisis de elementos finitos, morfometría, etc. (Endo et al., 2008; Zollikofer, 2005).
En este artículo se resumen algunos de los trabajos realizados por el Institut Català de Paleontologia con su equipo de tomografía computarizada desde el año 2013.

Few studies paid attention to the Permian and Triassic vertebrates from the Iberian Peninsula and a re-evaluation of these faunas is needed in order to compare them with other European basins. As a first step, we present here the available data from the Catalonian and Pyrenean basins (NE of the Iberian Peninsula), offering new insights on the diversity and temporal distribution of
their vertebrate faunas. The two basins have yielded unexpectedly abundant and diverse vertebrate assemblages, including fishes, amphibians and reptiles from continental and marine environments. The revision of classical finds and the analysis of new material provide data towards an understanding of the evolutionary and palaebiogeographical history of the Permian and Triassic vertebrate Iberian faunas. Permian remains mainly correspond to footprints recovered from alluvial deposits; the osteological record is scarce in the Iberian Peninsula. Early Triassic vertebrate localities are unknown. Middle Triassic faunas are abundant and reflect the change
from continental environments to a wide diversity of coastal and marine depositional environments. During the Anisian, faunas are represented by footprints and skeletal remains of amphibians (capitosaurs) and terrestrial reptiles (archosauromorphs and procolophonoids). Ichthyofauna, sauropterygians, thalattosaurs and protorosaurians are known through the late Anisian and Ladinian. Finally, Late Triassic localities representing coastal environments have also yielded marine reptiles (sauropterygians) and a diverse ichthyofauna.