The skeletal anatomy of the Triassic protorosaur Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, from the Middle Triassic of Guizhou Province, southern China

Abstract

• The first protorosaur from the Middle Triassic of China, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li is known from two specimens: the holotype (an isolated skull in association with the first three cervical vertebrae), and a referred specimen (an almost complete, associated and partially articulated specimen lacking the tail). This material is here described in detail. A complete and amended diagnosis is given for the genus and its only known species. Among protorosaurs, Dinocephalosaurus is the taxon exhibiting the greatest degree of skeletal paedomorphosis, indicating fully aquatic habits.