The history, importance and anatomy of the specimen that validated the giant Purussaurus brasiliensis Barbosa-Rodrigues 1892 (Crocodylia: Caimaninae)

Autor(es)

De Souza, Lucy G. ^[1] ; Bandeira, Kamila L. N. ^[2] ; Pegas, V, Rodrigo ; Brum, Arthur S. ^[2] ; Machado, Rodrigo ^[3] ; Guilherme, Edson ^[4] ; Loboda, Thiago S. ^[4] ; De Souza-Filho, Jonas P. ^[4]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Museu Amazonia MUSA, Ave Margarita 6305, BR-10795265 Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Geol & Paleontol, Lab Sistemat & Tafon Vertebrados Fosseis, Museu Nacl, Quinta Boa Vista S-N, BR-20940040 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[3] CPRM, Museu Ciencias Terra, Av Pasteur 404, BR-22290240 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Acre, Lab Pesquisas Paleontol, Rodovia BR 364, Km 04, BR-69915900 Rio Branco, AC - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 93, n. 2 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

The Solimoes Formation is a southwest geological unit of the Brazilian Amazon, being well-known for the Cenozoic giant eusuchian fossils. Among the eight species of Crocodylia described for this formation, the alligatoroid Purussaurus brasiliensis is the best known worldwide due to its enormous size. The holotype was described in 1892 by Barbosa-Rodrigues, composed by a right hemimandible. Later, two other species were assigned to the genus, but the loss of the type specimen brought a series of doubts and discussions about genus and species validity. Here, we provide a historical reconstruction of the genus Purussaurus, especially with a new description of the specimen DGM 527-R, which was first described by L. I. Price. We also provide a review of Purussaurus brasiliensis as a valid species, highlighting the importance of the paleontologist Diogenes de Almeida Campos to the preservation, study availability and divulgation of the specimen. From the six mandibular features discussed, at least two are putative synapomorphies for the genus: the false ziphodont teeth and the thinning of the medial surface of the mandible posterior to the fourteen alveoli, while the lateral surface become laterally expanded from ninth alveoli to behind. The review of the other species of the genus was aggravated due to little sampling of photos and low quality of those contributions. Finally, the curatorial efforts initiated by Price and kept for decades by Campos turned possible the revision of DGM 527-R, an important specimen for understanding the paleobiology and evolution of the genus, and, consequently P. brasiliensis. Such importance was recognized here scientifically and by Campos when considered this specimen as the center-piece of the exhibition in honor of the centenary anniversary of Price. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/10231-6 - Biomecânica da postura da asa em voo de Anhanguera piscator e Tupuxuara leonardii (Pterosauria: Pterodactyloidea) e considerações acerca da evolução do voo no grupo
• Beneficiário: Rodrigo Vargas Pêgas
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado