The salamandrid Chelotriton paradoxus from Enspel and Randeck Maars (Oligocene-Miocene, Germany)

The late Paleogene to early Neogene salamander Chelotriton paradoxus is redescribed on the basis of new and excellent material from two deposits, the late Oligocene Enspel locality and the Miocene Randeck Maar. C. paradoxus is characterised by the following features: (1) skull outline broad and parabolic, (2) snout abbreviated, with nasal only half the length of the frontal, (3) quadratojugal with a series of 3-5 spikes on the lateral margin, and (4) osteoderms larger than in other genera. Like extant Echinotriton, its trunk ribs bear extensive spikes (epipleural processes), with an elongated one on the 3rd rib. The Enspel sample of C. paradoxus shows greater variation in the size and number of quadratojugal spikes, whereas the best-preserved Randeck specimen bears exceptionally tall tubercles on all dermal bones and osteoderms and has a larger quadratojugal. Based on preliminary taphonomical data, we suggest that C. paradoxus probably led a predominantly aquatic life.