A New Order of Fishlike Amphibia From the Pennsylvanian of KansasEaton, Theodore H. (Theodore Hildreth)
Science
A New Order of Fishlike Amphibia From the Pennsylvanian of Kansas
Eaton, Theodore H. (Theodore Hildreth)
Amphibians, Fossil; Paleontology -- Pennsylvanian
The left quadrate appears to be in place on the posterior prong of the
pterygoid. The dorsal side of the quadrate is grooved between two
anterolaterally directed ridges. The groove, which probably held the
end of the stapes, extends about half the width of the quadrate itself.
The width of the quadrate is 4.0 mm., the length is 4.5 mm. medially
and about 2.0 mm. laterally. In ventral view the quadrate appears to
project laterally, but is incomplete and its shape uncertain. The
distance from the posterior end of the quadrate to the visible
posterior edge of the orbital fenestra, which opens ventrally, is 10.0
mm.
This region between the quadrate and the orbit is occupied by a
pterygoid with three projections. Anteriorly, the pterygoid outlines
most of the posterior edge of the orbit (a distance of about 6.5 mm.).
A lateral process separates the orbit from the subtemporal fossa. A
posteriorly directed edge defines the fossa, which extends about 6.5
mm. anteroposteriorly. The lateral process of the pterygoid terminates
10.0 mm. from the midline. Both the lateral and posterior pterygoid
processes are approximately 2.0 mm. wide. The greatest width of the
subtemporal fossa is about 2.0 mm. The medial border of the orbital
fenestra is missing, but apparently consisted of the pterygoid for at
least the posterior half.
Along the posterior edge of the orbital fenestra, there is a narrow,
dorsally projecting flange of the pterygoid. The lateral opening of the
orbit is approximately 7.5 mm. wide.
The remaining border of the orbital fenestra on the anterior and medial
sides is formed by a bone occupying the position of palatine and vomer;
for convenience we designate this as palatine. When reconstructed in
its probable position in relation to the pterygoid, the left palatine
lacks a section, on its medial and posterior edges, measuring about 2.5
mm. by 9.0 mm. The lateral margin of the palatine is convex; about 5.5
mm. anterior to the orbit this margin curves into a strong anteriorly
pointing projection, medial to which is seen the internal narial
opening. The remaining anterior edge is slightly convex, smoothly
rounded, and meets the midline about 9.0 mm. anterior to the pterygoid.
The void area medial to the palatine and anterior to the pterygoid does
not fit any bone which we can recognize as the parasphenoid. It is thus
suspected that this area is covered in part by the missing edge of the
palatine and partly by an anteromedial extension of the pterygoid. Of
course a parasphenoid may also have been present.
The position, length, and shape of the premaxillary shown in palatal
view (Fig. 4) are primarily based upon the dorsal appearance since
ventrally most of it cannot be seen. At the point where it forms the
anterior border of the internal naris, the premaxillary is slightly
wider than the maxillary and seems to become narrower as it approaches
the midline.
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