Carinthiasuchus Kandutschi, a New Archosaur (Reptilia: Diapsida) From the Triassic of Austria

A partial skeleton of a small reptile with a distinctive maxilla, dentition, caudal vertebrae and osteodermsfrom the marine Partnach Formation (Ladinian-earliest Carnian) near Jadersdorf (Gitschtal, Hermagor) in the Gailtal Alpsof Carinthia (Austria), represents a new archosaur taxon Carinthiasuchus kandutschi gen. n. sp. n.. It is diagnosed by autapomorphiesin the anterior process and subnarial foramen of the maxilla, accessory articular processes in the neural arches ofmid-distal caudal vertebrae, and shape and arrangement of the caudal osteoderms. It also shows a unique combination offeatures regarding the extent of the antorbital fossa in the maxilla and the morphology of its ventral edge, dentary shape,dentition, caudal vertebrae elongation and morphology. A segment of 16 mid-distal caudal vertebrae is one of the better articulatedtail segments ever found in Triassic archosaurs, showing the arrangement of the dorsal osteoderms and the presenceof accessory processes in the neural arches stiffening the posterior termination of the tail. Phylogenetic analysis recoveredCarinthiasuchus kandutschi as a pseudosuchian in a basal position within the Poposauroidea. Absence of swimming adaptationin the tail and the presence of terrestrial plant remains in the same outcrop suggest terrestrial habits for this archosaur reptile.