Vjushkovisaurus
Encyclopedia
Vjushkovisaurus is an extinct genus
of Early Triassic
rauisuchid. It is known from Sol-Iletsk
in Orenburg Oblast
, Russia
, in strata that are Anisian
in age. The genus was named in 1982, with the type species
being V. berdjanensis. Material has been uncovered from the Berdyanka II locality along the Berdyanka River, specifically in a sand
-carbonate
concretion
in the upper part of the main river channel.
, allowing them to have a "pillar-erect" stance. As an early rauisuchid Vjushkovisaurus lacks this crest, but it does have a small thickening on the surface of the illium.
The humerus differs from other better known rauisuchids in that it is shorter and broader. However, it has been suggested that the only known humerus of Vjushkovisaurus may actually belong to an aetosaur
.
temnospondyls and the therapsid Nothogomphodon
, one of the last therocephalia
ns. Vjushkovisaurus was likely a top predator in its environment along other large carnivores including Dongusuchus
and Erythrosuchus
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Early Triassic
Early Triassic
The Early Triassic is the first of three epochs of the Triassic period of the geologic timescale. It spans the time between 251 ± 0.4 Ma and 245 ± 1.5 Ma . Rocks from this epoch are collectively known as the Lower Triassic, which is a unit in chronostratigraphy...
rauisuchid. It is known from Sol-Iletsk
Sol-Iletsk
Sol-Iletsk is a town in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Ilek River , south of Orenburg. Population: 22,000 ; 11,802 ....
in Orenburg Oblast
Orenburg Oblast
Orenburg Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is the city of Orenburg. From 1938 to 1957, it bore the name Chkalov Oblast in honor of Valery Chkalov...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, in strata that are Anisian
Anisian
In the geologic timescale, the Anisian is the lower stage or earliest age of the Middle Triassic series or epoch and lasted from 245 million years ago until 237 million years ago, approximately...
in age. The genus was named in 1982, with the type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
being V. berdjanensis. Material has been uncovered from the Berdyanka II locality along the Berdyanka River, specifically in a sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
-carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....
concretion
Concretion
A concretion is a volume of sedimentary rock in which a mineral cement fills the porosity . Concretions are often ovoid or spherical in shape, although irregular shapes also occur. The word 'concretion' is derived from the Latin con meaning 'together' and crescere meaning 'to grow'...
in the upper part of the main river channel.
Description
Most rauisuchids have a crest on the illium called the supra-acetabular process that overlies the head of the femurFemur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
, allowing them to have a "pillar-erect" stance. As an early rauisuchid Vjushkovisaurus lacks this crest, but it does have a small thickening on the surface of the illium.
The humerus differs from other better known rauisuchids in that it is shorter and broader. However, it has been suggested that the only known humerus of Vjushkovisaurus may actually belong to an aetosaur
Aetosaur
Aetosaurs are an extinct order of heavily armoured, medium- to large-sized Late Triassic herbivorous archosaurs. They have small heads, upturned snouts, erect limbs, and a body covered by plate-like scutes. All aetosaurs belong to the family Stagonolepididae...
.
Paleobiology
Other vertebrates from the Berdyanka II locality that lived alongside Vjushkovisaurus include capitosauroidMastodonsauroidea
The Mastodonsauroidea are an extinct superfamily of temnospondyl amphibians known from the Triassic and Jurassic. Fossils belonging to this superfamily have been found in North America, Greenland, Europe, Asia, and Australia...
temnospondyls and the therapsid Nothogomphodon
Nothogomphodon
Nothogomphodon is a genus of therocephalian therapsid. It is classified within the family Bauriidae and placed within its own subfamily, Nothogomphodontinae....
, one of the last therocephalia
Therocephalia
Therocephalians are an extinct suborder of carnivorous eutheriodont therapsids that lived from the middle and late Permian into the Triassic 265.0—245.0 Ma existing for approximately ....
ns. Vjushkovisaurus was likely a top predator in its environment along other large carnivores including Dongusuchus
Dongusuchus
Dongusuchus is an extinct genus of rauisuchian. Fossils have been found from the Donguz Formation outcropping on the banks of the Donguz River in the Orenburg Oblast of Russia...
and Erythrosuchus
Erythrosuchus
Erythrosuchus is an extinct genus of archosauriform reptile from the Triassic of South Africa and Namibia. Remains have been found from the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of the Beaufort Group in the Karoo of South Africa as well as the Omingonde Formation in Namibia.Erythrosuchus was the largest...
.
External links
- Vjushkovisaurus in the Paleobiology DatabasePaleobiology Database' is an online resource for information on the distribution and classification of fossil animals, plants, and microorganisms.-History:The Paleobiology Database was founded in 2000. It has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council...