The first notosuchian crocodyliform from the Aracatuba Formation (Bauru Group, Parana Basin), and diversification of sphagesaurians

The mesoeucrocodylian record from the Bauru Group (Parana Basin, Brazil) comes from three formations: Adamantina (Late Turonian-Early Maastrichtian), Presidente Prudente (Early Campanian-Early Maastrichtian) and Marilia (Maastrichtian). These records are restricted to the Early Coniacian-Early Maastrichtian. Here, we report a new crocodyliform record from the Bauru Group, which was the first of the Aracatuba Formation, from a new locality of Coronet Goulart district, in Alvares Machado municipality. Coronelsuchus civali gen. nov. et sp. nov. comprises two related specimens - FFP PG 13 and FFP PG 14 recovered close to each other and on the same muddy sandstone level. We perform a phylogenetic analysis with 392 characters (five new added) and 88 taxa. Our analyses supported the new clades: Sphagesauria, Sphagesaurinae and Caipirasuchinae. Our phylogenetic results suggest C. civali as a basal Sphagesauria. Regarding the Crocodyliform Assemblage Zones (CAZ), the new species is correlated to the CAZ 1, together with small sphagesaurians, Caryonosuchus and itasuchids. The C. civali reveals an older appearing (pre-Turonian) and diversification of Sphagesauria. The specimens also expand the stratigraphic range for Notosuchia in the Bauru Group.

Automated summary

This study reports a new crocodyliform species, Coronelsuchus civali, from the Bauru Group in Brazil, expanding the understanding of the phylogeny and stratigraphic range of Sphagesauria. The discovery suggests an earlier appearance and diversification of Sphagesauria in the region.