A DESCRIPTION OF THE SKULL OF EUBAENA CEPHALICA (HAY, 1904) AND NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE CRANIAL CIRCULATION AND INNERVATION OF BAENID TURTLES

作者：Rollot Yann^*; Lyson Tyler R; Joyce Walter G

来源：Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 2018, 38(3): e1474886.

DOI：10.1080/02724634.2018.1474886

The internal carotid system has played an important role in the systematics of fossil turtles, including baenids. A new, almost perfectly preserved specimen of Eubaena cephalica provides an opportunity to explore for the first time the cranial circulation and innervation of this taxon using CT (computed tomography) scans. We here document that the skull possesses a well-developed, branching canalis nervus vidianus but lacks a canalis caroticus palatinum, which contradicts the previously reported circulation and innervation pattern for E. cephalica specifically and that of paracryptodires in general. Future investigation using CT scanning technology will be able to clarify if the pattern reported herein is unique to E. cephalica or is representative of paracryptodires in general. The latter conclusion will likely have considerable implications for the systematics of fossil turtles.

• 出版日期2018