The Coal Measures Amphibia of North AmericaMoodie, Roy Lee
Science
The Coal Measures Amphibia of North America
Moodie, Roy Lee
Amphibians, Fossil -- North America; Paleontology -- Carboniferous; Paleontology -- North America
This species was associated by Cope with the type _T. punctulatus_ in the
description of the genus. Represented by a portion of the skeleton of one
individual, the skull is preserved on one block, with a considerable part
of the anterior ribs, pectoral girdle, and vertebral column, although this
last is not clearly represented, but as in so many of the coal specimens
the bones are covered with a thin layer of carbonaceous matter which makes
it impossible to definitely determine the form.
The cranium is large in proportion to the size of the body. The skull is
in the form of a wide oval and is wider than it is long. The elements of
the skull were ornamented with a coarse sculpturing which partakes of the
nature of incomplete radiations on the squamosal region. The different
elements of the cranium can not be distinguished, although I think the
outlines of the parietal are indicated. The position of the nostrils is
well forward and they are slightly elongate transversely. The pineal
foramen can not be determined. The orbits are oval in shape and their
width is about equal to two-thirds of their length. The interorbital space
is greater than the length of the orbit. Cope's figure of this specimen is
not accurate, since he has the orbits drawn too far to the side. They are
located near the central line of the skull and resemble in some respect
those of the preceding species. Cope has described teeth in the maxillary
region, but I am unable to detect them. There are portions of two pectoral
elements which may represent a clavicle and a portion of the interclavicle.
The clavicle has much the same shape and practically the same
ornamentations as has the clavicle in _Tuditanus minimus_. The clavicle
preserved shows a somewhat triangular shape and is slightly acuminate
at the anterior end, as preserved, and obtuse at the posterior end. The
nature of the interclavicle can not be determined.
The vertebral column is represented by a line which Cope suggests (123)
may be the chorda dorsalis (notochord). Osseous vertebræ were probably
present, but their nature is obscured by the carbonaceous matter covering
them.
The ribs as preserved are long and curved. They are slender and attenuated
at the distal ends. They were probably single-headed, but whether their
articulation was intercentral or not can not be determined.
The other specimens which are referred to this species show nothing of
importance in the way of structure. They consist for the most part of
fragments which may or may not represent the species.
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