Neuroanatomical and neurosensorial analysis of the Late Cretaceous basal eusuchian Agaresuchus fontisensis (Cuenca, Spain)

• DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1296
• Publication Date: 2020-01-31T05:24:16Z
• Authors: Alejandro Serrano...; Fabien Knoll; Iván Narváez; Stephan Lautensch...; Francisco Ortega
• Keywords: Basal (medicine); Endocast

Abstract Agaresuchus fontisensis is an allodaposuchid crocodile from the Campanian–Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) of Lo Hueco (Cuenca, Spain). Allodaposuchidae a clade European basal eusuchians, which considered part stem group Crocodylia. The holotype and paratype skulls were scanned on computed tomography their internal cavities, including those brain, nerves blood vessels, as well paratympanic sinus system paranasal sinuses, digitally reconstructed. cranial endocast pneumatic sinuses then compared with other crocodyliforms. neuroanatomy resembles mesoeucrocodylians, sharing some morphological traits extant crocodiles. neurosensorial cognitive capabilities inferred inner skull cavity reconstructions are similar to eusuchians. olfactory acuity low by crocodylian standards, closer that alligatoroids rather than crocodyloids. Its visual Lohuecosuchus megadontos , sympatric also found in fossil site Hueco.