Dentition of a Triassic ichthyosaur from China

PUBLICATION — Gu, L.A., Wolniewicz, A.S. and Liu, J., 2024. New information on the dentition of Chaohusaurus zhangjiawanensis (Reptilia, Ichthyosauriformes) from the Early Triassic of Yuan’an, Hubei Province, China. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, 143(1), 1-16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-024-00331-8.

A new specimen of the early ichthyosaur Chaohusaurus zhangjiawanensis from the Early Triassic of Hubei Province, China, confirms heterodonty in this species. Like other species of Chaohusaurus, Ch. zjangjiawanensis had conical teeth in the front of the snout, and rounded teeth in the back of the jaws. However, the dentition of Ch. zhangjiawanensis was more robust than that of other members of the genus, indicating Ch. zhangjiawanensis had a diet richer in hard-shelled prey.

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