Article: A primitive parasuchid (phytosaur) reptile from the Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of India

Two nearly complete and articulated parasuchian (phytosaur) skeletons, recently discovered from the Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of India, allow a detailed osteological description and restoration of the species Parasuchus hislopi Lydekker, 1885. The skull shows almost all of the archaic characters of parasuchians listed by Gregory (1962). The well-preserved braincase permits a reconstruction of the brain from a latex-rubber cast of the brain cavity. The tooth-replacement cycle of an individual tooth has been worked out from serial sections of a premaxilla. The parasuchian tarsus, hitherto poorly known, shows the basic crocodilian pattern of ankle joint. The mode of life of this carnivorous reptile is considered.The extremely close relationship between Parasuchus and Paleorhinus from the early Upper Triassic of North America, indicates generic identity; the latter becomes a subjective junior synonym of the former. The family group name Parasuchidae Lydekker, 1885 is herein reinstated. Parasuchus also permits a more accurate dating of the Maleri Formation; the suggested age ranges from Late Carnian to Early Norian. Possible evolutionary trends within the family are outlined, and phenetic and phylogenetic relationships are suggested.