The last erythrosuchid—a revision of Chalishevia

cothurnata from the late Middle Triassic

of European Russia
RICHARD J. BUTLER, ANDREY G. SENNIKOV, MARTÍN D. EZCURRA,
and DAVID J. GOWER

Butler, R.J., Sennikov, A.G., Ezcurra, M.D., and Gower, D.J. 2019. The last erythrosuchid—a revision of Chalishevia
cothurnata from the late Middle Triassic of European Russia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 64 (4): 757–774.

Erythrosuchidae is a clade of early archosauriform reptiles that were large-bodied, hypercarnivorous, possibly apex pred-
ators in late Early and Middle Triassic ecosystems following the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. Chalishevia cothurnata
from the late Middle Triassic (Ladinian) of Russia, is the stratigraphically youngest known erythrosuchid species, but
the holotype and referred material of this taxon has received little study. Here, we provide the first detailed anatomical
description of C. cothurnata, including comparisons to other erythrosuchids. Although known from relatively fragmen-
tary material, the anatomy of C. cothurnata is distinctive, including an autapomorphic strongly slanted ventral border of
the antorbital fossa. The presence of a large accessory opening (the “accessory antorbital fenestra”) in the skull between
the premaxilla, nasal and maxilla, together with the inferred presence of a narrow postnarial process of the premaxilla
that articulated with a slot on the nasal, provides strong evidence for a sister taxon relationship between C. cothurnata
and the erythrosuchid Shansisuchus shansisuchus from the early Middle Triassic (Anisian) of China. The inferred basal
skull length of C. cothurnata was approximately 80 cm, making it one of the largest erythrosuchids known.

Ke y w o rd s : Archosauriformes, Erythrosuchidae, anatomy, Triassic, Ladinian, Russia, Bukobay Gorizont.

Richard J. Butler [[email protected]], School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of
Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Andrey G. Sennikov [[email protected]], Borissiak Paleontological Institute RAS, Profsoyuznaya 123, Moscow
117647, Russia; Kazan Federal University, Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies, Kremlyovskaya str. 4,
Kazan 420008, Russia.
Martín D. Ezcurra [[email protected]], School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Univer-
sity of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Sección Paleontología de Vertebrados, CONICET-Museo
Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Ángel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
David J. Gower [[email protected]], Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD,
UK.

Received 4 June 2019, accepted 10 July 2019, available online 28 October 2019.

Copyright © 2019 R.J. Butler et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (for details please see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

clade apparently went extinct prior to the end of the Middle

Introduction Triassic, with the putatively geologically youngest erythro-
suchid being Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980, from the
Erythrosuchids are a clade of early archosauriform rep-
late Middle Triassic (Ladinian) of European Russia (Ochev
tiles, the fossil remains of which have been recovered from 1980; Shishkin et al. 1995; Sennikov 1995, 2008; Gower and
Triassic rock sequences in South Africa, Russia, China, Sennikov 2000; Tverdokhlebov et al. 2003; Ezcurra et al.
and India (Gower 2003; Ezcurra et al. 2013, 2019; Gower 2013; Ezcurra 2016).
et al. 2014; Ezcurra 2016). They were hypercarnivorous, Ochev (1980) described Chalishevia and its only species
possibly apex predators in late Early and Middle Triassic C. cothurnata on the basis of fragmentary cranial and pos-
terrestrial ecosystems, and reached large sizes, with the sibly referable postcranial remains from several localities in
skull of the South African species Erythrosuchus africanus the Bukobay Gorizont of Orenburg Province. He referred
reaching more than one metre in length (Gower 2003). The Chalishevia to Erythrosuchidae, and noted the characteristic

Acta Palaeontol. Pol. 64 (4): 757–774, 2019 https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00648.2019

758 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

A C

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Mo
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Moscow ive

ve
R ve
Nizhny

Ri
r
ma

un
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Ok Novogorod Ka

tai
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Samara Koltaevo
Orenburg

r
ve
Bukobay

Ri
a
lg
Ilek
Vo
Do R iv

Ura
n er
Ri
ve

lR
r

ive
Volgograd

ian r
Astrakhan sp a 200 km
C a Se

B Koltaevo
Sa
m
ar Sa
a km
Ri ara
ve Riv
r er
Orenburg
Sa
Rive
r Saraktash kmara
Ural Do Riv
Be

er
ng
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uz
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Ri
Bukobay
nk

ve
aR

r Ural Riv
Ile er
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kR Sol-Iletsk
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Fig. 1. Location of the Bukobay and Koltaevo localities (asterisks) in Orenburg Province and the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia (A, B). Photograph
of the Bukobay VII locality (C). Arrow indicates the point at which the holotype specimen of Chalishevia cothurnata was collected. Photograph by AGS.

presence of an additional opening in the skull in front of School of Earth Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart,
the antorbital fenestra. Sennikov (1995, 2008) referred addi- Australia.
tional fragmentary remains from the same stratigraphic hori-
zon to C. cothurnata. Gower and Sennikov (2000) provided
some brief additional anatomical notes on C. cothurnata, and
hypothesized a close relationship between this taxon and the
Systematic palaeontology
Chinese erythrosuchid Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young Archosauromorpha Huene, 1946 sensu Dilkes 1998
1964). Most recently, Ezcurra (2016) provided a revised diag-
nosis for C. cothurnata and incorporated it for the first time Archosauriformes Gauthier, Kluge, and Rowe, 1988
into a numerical phylogenetic analysis, recovering it within sensu Gauthier et al. 1988
Erythrosuchidae as the sister taxon of S. shansisuchus (see Erythrosuchidae Watson, 1917 sensu Ezcurra et al.
also Butler et al. 2019; Ezcurra et al. 2019). 2010
With these few exceptions, Chalishevia cothurnata has Genus Chalishevia Ochev, 1980
been largely ignored, despite its importance as potentially
Type species: Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980; see below.
the stratigraphically youngest erythrosuchid and its large
size and unusual morphological features. Here, we provide Diagnosis.—As for type and only species.
a full redescription of the type and referred material of
C. cothurnata, and discuss its phylogenetic relationships. Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980
Type material: Holotype: PIN 4366/1 (formerly SGU 104/3852,
Institutional abbreviations.—BP, Evolutionary Studies wrongly cited as PIN 4356/1 by Gower and Sennikov 2000), left max-
Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, illa and both nasals (Ochev 1980: fig. 2a−c; Gower and Sennikov
South Africa; BSPG, Bayerische Staatssammlung für Palä- 2000: fig. 8.6). Paratypes: PIN 4366/2 (formerly SGU 104/3853), an
ontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany; GHG, Geo- incomplete right quadrate, and PIN 4366/3 (formerly SGU 104/3854),
a tooth, both from the same locality and bed as the holotype.
logical Survey, Pretoria, South Africa; IVPP, Institute of
Type locality: Bukobay VII locality (Shishkin et al. 1995; Sennikov
Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing,
1995, 2008; Gower and Sennikov 2000; wrongly cited as Bukobay
China; NHMUK, Natural History Museum, London, UK; VI by Ochev 1980), Sol-Iletsk distrinct, Orenburg Province, Russia
PIN, Borissiak Paleontological Institute of the Russian (Fig. 1). Tverdokhlebov et al. (2003) referred to this locality as Bely-
Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; RC, Rubidge Col- aevsky II (their locality 31).
lection, Wellwood, Graaf-Reinet, South Africa; SAM, Iziko Type horizon: Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic (Shish-
South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa; UTGD, kin et al. 1995, 2000).
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 759

Referred material.—PIN 4366/4, 4366/5, 4366/7, partial left referred specimen of Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Wang et
pterygoid, originally preserved in three separately num- al. 2013). By contrast, the alveolar margin along the an-
bered pieces, and PIN 4366/8, a tooth. Both specimens come terior process is straight in lateral view in Erythrosuchus
from the same locality and bed as the holotype (Sennikov africanus and Garjainia prima (Gower 2003; Ezcurra et al.
1995, 2008). PIN 2867/18 (formerly SGU 104/3862), frag- 2019). In dorsal or ventral view (Fig. 3) the lateral surface of
ment of right nasal, from Koltaevo III, Kuyurgazinskiy dis- the maxilla is flat to gently convex anteriorly, but becomes
trict, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia (Ochev 1980). PIN gently concave posteriorly, towards the jugal contact.
2867/7, partial right nasal from Koltaevo III (Sennikov 1995, The ascending process is strongly offset posterior to the
2008). Tverdokhlebov et al. (2003) referred to this locality anterior margin of the maxilla, with the base of the ascend-
as Starokoltaevo I (their locality 8). All from the Bukobay ing process lying approximately one third of the distance
Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic (Shishkin et al. along the anteroposterior length of the element, closely
1995, 2000). resembling the condition in Garjainia prima (Ezcurra et
Emended diagnosis.—Chalishevia cothurnata is a large al. 2019) and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (IVPP V2501,
erythrosuchid that differs from other archosauromorphs in V2505, V2508; Wang et al. 2013). The ascending process
the following combination of features (autapomorphy indi- rises nearly vertically, and is excavated anteriorly (visible
cated with an asterisk): large, subcircular accessory antor- most clearly in anterior or dorsal views) by a fossa that
bital fenestra and fossa; maxillo-nasal tuberosity; maxilla bordered the accessory antorbital fenestra (Figs. 2A1, 3A2:
accessory antorbital fossa). This fossa is termed here the ac-
with two rows of large foramina on the lateral surface; and
cessory antorbital fossa and is also present in Shansisuchus
maxilla with an edentulous anterior tip, mainly vertical as-
shansisuchus (IVPP V2501, V2505, V2508). Posteriorly the
cending process, and oblique, anteroventrally-to-postero-
ascending process is excavated by the maxillary antorbital
dorsally oriented ventral border of the antorbital fossa on the
fossa. Between these two excavations there is a very strongly
horizontal process* (modified from Ezcurra 2016).
raised bar or ridge of bone (the “maxillo-nasal tuberosity”;
Description.—The holotype consists of the left maxilla, Ezcurra 2016) on the lateral surface of the ascending pro-
partial left nasal and partial right nasal, all belonging to a cess (Figs. 2A1, 3A2: maxillo-nasal tuberosity), which has
single individual (Ochev 1980). All bones articulate well been found as a synapomorphy of the clade that includes all
with one another. The paratypic quadrate and tooth and re- erythrosuchids with the exception of Fugusuchus hejiapa-
ferred pterygoid and tooth from the same locality (Bukobay nensis and Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis (Ezcurra 2016;
VII) and bed were recovered close to the holotype remains Ezcurra et al. 2019; Butler et al. 2019). At its base, this
and probably also represent the same individual based on ridge is anteroposteriorly expanded and smoothly merges
similar size, preservation, and phylogenetic consistency of with the lateral surface of the maxilla. Dorsally, this ridge
morphology. curves first gently anteriorly and then gently posteriorly.
Maxilla: The left maxilla of the holotype (PIN 4366/1) Dorsal to the lower third of the contact of this ridge with the
is nearly complete (Figs. 2, 3), but is damaged at the lateral ventral process of the nasal (see below), the ridge becomes
extremity of the posterolateral end of the main body, below gradually reduced in transverse width, merging smoothly
the posterior margin of the antorbital fenestra, at the pos- with the preserved dorsal tip of the ascending process. The
terodorsal tip of the ascending process, and anterodorsally, lateral surface of this ridge is flattened and laterally facing
below the anterior part of the accessory antorbital fenestra. along its ventral half, but it twists to face posterolaterally as
Medially, the palatal process is damaged at its base and is it diminishes in transverse width towards its dorsal apex.
missing its distal tip (Fig. 2A2, 3), and the medial surface In lateral view the tapered anterior end of the maxilla
of the maxilla is missing at the posterior end of the tooth has two distinct prong-like processes separated by a pos-
row. The external bone surface is generally very well pre- terodorsally-tapering groove (Fig. 2A1), a condition that re-
served. The maximum anteroposterior length of the maxilla sembles that of Garjainia prima, though this species has
as preserved is approximately 310 mm, and the maximum shorter prong-like processes (Ezcurra et al. 2019). The more
dorsoventral height as preserved is approximately 180 mm. ventral of these processes tapers to a bluntly rounded and
The main body of the maxilla is anteroposteriorly elon- slightly downturned tip (Fig. 2A1: ventral anterolateral pro-
gated relative to its dorsoventral height, and tapers at its cess). Based on comparison with the holotype of Garjainia
anterior and posterior ends in lateral view (Fig. 2A1). This prima (PIN 2394/5; Ezcurra et al. 2019), this process did
condition differs from the mostly horizontal dorsal margin not articulate with the premaxilla, but instead projected
of the anterior process of the maxilla of Garjainia prima, into a subnarial notch along the tooth margin between the
whereas the condition in Erythrosuchus africanus and premaxilla and maxilla. The ventral surface of this process
Shansisuchus shansisuchus seems to be intraspecifically is edentulous (Figs. 2A1, 3A1: edentulous margin), meaning
variable (Young 1964; Wang et al. 2013; Ezcurra et al. 2019). that there was a short gap between maxillary and premax-
The alveolar margin is strongly convex centrally, becom- illary tooth rows, as occurs in Garjainia prima (Ezcurra
ing gently concave anteriorly (towards the contact with the et al. 2019) and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964).
premaxilla) and posteriorly, resembling the condition in a The process projects slightly medially as preserved, but this
760 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

articular surface
for the nasal
A1

maxillo-nasal
tuberosity
maxillary
accessory accessory antorbital
antorbital fossa antorbital fenestra antorbital fossa
fenestra

dorsal articular surface

anterolateral for the jugal
process

ventral
anterolateral
process
edentulous
margin

articular surface
50 mm for the nasal

foramen
maxillary
antorbital accessory
fenestra antorbital
fenestra
A2

ridge

ventral
palatal anterolateral
process process
replacement
crown
replacement interdental
crown plates

Fig. 2. Left maxilla of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (holotype, PIN 4366/1) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-
Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in lateral (A1) and medial (A2) views.

likely reflects damage given that there is a substantial, dor- The tip is slightly bevelled, presumably forming a small,
soventrally extending break at the base of the process. loose contact with the premaxilla. The groove between the
The more dorsal of the two anterolateral processes is also two anterolateral processes is open at its anterior end and
slightly downturned towards its anterior end, and is bluntly backed by bone more posteriorly; it tapers and connects to a
squared off at its tip (Fig. 2A1: dorsal anterolateral process). foramen posteriorly.
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 761

al4 al12 al13?

edentulous al1 al2 al3 al10 al11
margin al5 al8 al9
al6 al7
A1

ventral
palatal process foramen maxillo-nasal anterolateral
tuberosity process
articular surface accessory dorsal
for the jugal antorbital fossa antorbital fossa anterolateral
A2 50 mm process

articular surface
for the jugal foramen articular surface palatal
for the nasal process

Fig. 3. Left maxilla of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (holotype, PIN 4366/1) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-
Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in ventral (A1) and dorsal (A2) views. Abbreviations: al1–13,
alveoli 1–13.

The lateral surface of the more dorsal of the two antero- et al. 2019) lack an antorbital fossa on the horizontal process
lateral processes is flattened, and merges posteriorly with of the maxilla. The antorbital fossa of Chalishevia cothur-
the accessory antorbital fossa (Figs. 2A1, 3A2: accessory nata is bounded by a sharp ridge on the ascending process,
antorbital fossa). This fossa is delimited ventrally and pos- and a well-defined but low ridge on the main body. This
teriorly by a sharp ridge that forms the anterior margin of latter ridge extends from anteroventral to posterodorsal, and
the ascending process in lateral view. The fossa excavates its orientation is very similar to that of the boundary of the
the anterior surface of the ascending process, and is deepest antorbital fenestra in Garjainia prima (PIN 2394/5; Ezcurra
immediately anterior to the base of the process, as occurs et al. 2019). The orientation of the ventral margin of the
in Shansisuchus shansisuchus (IVPP V2508). The dorsal antorbital fossa contrasts with the horizontal margin pres-
part of the maxilla anterior to the ascending process and the ent in Erythrosuchus africanus (Gower 2003). The maxil-
medial part of the anterior margin of the ascending process lary antorbital fossa of Shansisuchus shansisuchus becomes
form the smoothly curved ventral and posterior margins shallower posteriorly on the horizontal process and lacks a
of the accessory antorbital fenestra. Within the accessory clearly defined posteroventral margin (IVPP V2505, V2508).
antorbital fossa, medial to the ridge of the ascending pro-
Within the fossa of the holotype of Chalishevia cothurnata,
cess (at the point at which it begins to curve posteriorly and
two small inflated areas that form volcano-like features are
diminish in thickness), there is an articular surface for the
present. These are unusual, and may represent some kind of
ventral process of the nasal that is gently concave mediolat-
erally (Fig. 3B: articular surface for the nasal). pathology, although this cannot be determined without histo-
The ventral and anterior rims of the antorbital fenestra logical or computed tomographic analysis.
(Fig. 2A1: maxillary antorbital fenestra) are preserved, and There are numerous large nutrient foramina on the lateral
are smoothly curved. The ventral margin of the antorbital surface of the maxilla (Fig. 2A1), and these are connected
fenestra is almost exactly level with the ventral margin of with broad and deeply incised grooves. Nine of these foram-
the accessory antorbital fenestra. The antorbital fenestra is ina are placed in a ventral convex row that extends parallel
surrounded ventrally, anteriorly and anterodorsally by an to the alveolar margin, with each foramen being positioned
antorbital fossa (Figs. 2A1, 3A2: antorbital fossa) that ex- approximately above one of the alveoli. The anteriormost of
tends onto the dorsolateral surface of the main body of the this row of foramina is continuous with the anterior groove
maxilla and excavates the posterolateral part of its ascending between the anterolateral processes described above. These
process, as is the case in Erythrosuchus africanus (Gower foramina open towards the alveolar margin; broad, well-de-
2003) and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964). By fined, and deeply impressed grooves extend from the foram-
contrast, Fugusuchus hejiapanensis, Garjainia prima (Ez- ina to the alveolar margin, as occurs in some other erythro-
curra et al. 2019) and Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis (Butler suchids and loricatans (Ezcurra 2016). The foramina have
762 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

oval to subcircular outlines. The posteriormost of the foram- deep and large foramen is positioned below the antorbital
ina is larger than those positioned more anteriorly. fenestra (Figs. 2A2, 3A2: foramen), posterior to the ascend-
Dorsal to this first row of foramina there are six fo- ing process, opening into a groove that extends along the
ramina in a second row, an unusual condition among early dorsal surface of the main body of the maxilla. The medial
archosauromorphs. This second row of foramina could surface of the main body is convex dorsoventrally. A sharp
be autapomorphic for Chalishevia cothurnata, but a sim- ridge separates the main body from the alveolar region.
ilar feature may be present in at least one specimen of Interdental plates are present and contact one another at
Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964: fig. 10a), and the their bases (Fig. 2A2: interdental plates). The interdental
condition in this latter taxon requires further investigation. plates extend ventrally to the same level as the ventrolateral
The anteriormost of these foramina is small, and positioned margin of the bone, indicating a thecodont tooth implanta-
ventral to the accessory antorbital fenestra, and is not con- tion (sensu Bertin et al. 2018). Small foramina are present
nected to a well-defined groove. The second foramen in this between them, and small parts of replacement crowns are
row is positioned below the anterior margin of the ascend- visible in these foramina dorsal to the third and fifth alveoli
ing process, opens ventrally, and communicates with three (Fig. 2A2: replacement crown). Almost no details of these
grooves. The deepest of these grooves extends dorsally onto crowns are visible, although the one above the third alveolus
the ascending process, terminating adjacent to the anterior has several denticles preserved along the distal margin of
margin of the process immediately ventral to the articu- the tip (the mesial margin is not preserved).
lation with the nasal. A second, weakly expressed groove At least twelve (possibly 13) alveoli appear to be present
extends ventrally towards the tooth row but fades out before (Fig. 3A1), rather than 10 as identified by Ochev (1980). Two
reaching the more ventral row of foramina. A third, narrow alveoli appear to be present in the space identified by Ochev
groove extends anterodorsally, reaching the boundary of (1980) as for the first alveolus. It seems likely that, although
the accessory antorbital fossa. The third foramen is small, preservation is poor, two alveoli (6 and 7) were present in the
ventrally opening, and positioned below the ascending pro- gap identified as for alveolus 5 by Ochev (1980). At the very
cess. A shallow groove extends ventrally from this opening. posterior end of the tooth row it is unclear whether or not a
The fourth is positioned below the posterior margin of the thirteenth alveolus was present. The condition in Chalishevia
ascending process. It also opens ventrally and is partially cothurnata resembles the relatively low maxillary tooth
obscured by a small thickening of the surface of the maxilla counts of Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis (IVPP V8808: max-
posterodorsal to it. There is no clearly developed groove illary tooth count 14 or 15), Garjainia prima (PIN 2394/5:
extending ventrally from this opening, but a groove does maxillary tooth count 13 or 14), Erythrosuchus africanus
extend dorsally along the posterior margin of the ascend- (BP/1/5207: maxillary tooth count 11), Shansisuchus shansi-
ing process, fading out level with the dorsal margin of the suchus (Young [1964] described 9 or possibly 10 tooth posi-
volcano-like projections. This groove appears to subdivide tions and Wang et al. [2013] probably 13 maxillary teeth), and
close to its base, with a short groove extending to reach the Euparkeria capensis (Ewer, 1965; maxillary tooth count 13).
anteroventral corner of the antorbital fossa. The fifth and By contrast, higher maxillary tooth counts are present in the
sixth of this second row of foramina open posteroventrally. less crownward archosauromorphs Tasmaniosaurus triassi-
Well-developed grooves extend posterodorsally from these cus (UTGD 54655; >21), Proterosuchus fergusi (BP/1/3993,
foramina, curving along their lengths. A clear groove also BSPG 1934 VIII 514, GHG 231, RC 59, 96, SAM-PK-11208,
extends ventrally from the sixth foramen, connecting to the K140, K10603; maxillary tooth count 20–31, depending on on-
eighth foramen of the lower row. togenetic stage; Ezcurra and Butler 2015), “Chasmatosaurus”
There is a well-developed facet for the reception of the yuani (>23 in IVPP V90002 and ≥29 in IVPP V2719) and
jugal laterally at the posterior end of the maxilla (Figs. 2A1, Prolacerta broomi (BP/1/471, Modesto and Sues 2004; tooth
3A2: articular surface for the jugal). A slot for articulation count 24–25). There is no evidence of ankylosis between the
with the jugal also appears to be present on the posterodor- base of the crowns and the alveolar margin of the bone.
sal margin of the maxilla (Fig. 3A2). Anterodorsally, at the Nasal: A substantial portion of the left nasal is preserved
tip of the ascending process, a second facet for articulation (Fig. 4), and articulates with the ascending process of the
with the nasal is present (Fig. 3A 2: articular surface for maxilla via a ventral process. The left nasal is broken and
the nasal). Due to damage to the posterodorsal margin of damaged at its anterior end, and posteriorly is broken pos-
the ascending process it cannot be determined if a contact terior to the ventral process. A major crack extends from
surface was present for the lacrimal, a contact that occurs in posterodorsal to anteroventral through the contact between
Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Wang et al. 2013). the main body of the nasal and the ventral process (Fig. 4:
Medially the palatal process is broken at its tip, and cr), and this means that the orientation of these two parts of
has three longitudinal grooves separated by two ridges on the element to one another (and thus the orientation of the
its medial surface (Fig. 2A2: palatal process). It has been anterior part of the nasal to the maxilla when in articulation)
broken at its base and displaced slightly laterally. There is a is not accurately preserved.
ventrally opening large foramen posteroventral to the base Medially, the left nasal is dorsoventrally thickened with
of the palatal process (Fig. 3A1: foramen). Another very a convex dorsal surface at its midline contact with the right
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 763

A1 groove

border
of the external
naris

articular surface major crack

foramina running
for the premaxilla
through bone
50 mm
accessory
antorbital
fenestra

articular surface
for the opposing nasal
A2 articular surface
for the premaxilla

border of the
external naris

accessory ridge articular surface

antorbital for the maxilla
fossa

articular surface
for the maxilla A3

accessory
20 mm antorbital
fossa

Fig. 4. Left nasal of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (holotype, PIN 4366/1) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-Iletsk
district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in lateral (A1) and medial (A2) views, and in oblique posteroven-
tromedial view showing the articular surface for the ascending process of the maxilla (A3).

nasal. The medial surface of the element is grooved for artic- the premaxilla). The external surface of the nasal is arched,
ulation with a ridge of the right nasal (Fig. 4A2: articular sur- facing dorsally at the midline and dorsolaterally towards
face for the nasal); below this groove there is a ridge that fits the contact with the maxilla and the border of the accessory
into a corresponding groove on the right nasal. At its anterior antorbital fenestra. It is covered with rugose ornamentation
end there is a concavity for articulation with the prenarial towards the posterior end of the preserved element.
process of the premaxilla (Fig. 4A2: articular surface for Anteriorly, parts of the dorsal border of the naris are
764 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

A1

border of the
external naris

groove
articular surface
articular surface for the premaxilla
for the opposing nasal

A2

50 mm
accessory antorbital fossa

Fig. 5. Right nasal of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (holotype, PIN 4366/1) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-Iletsk
district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in lateral (A1) and medial (A2) views.

preserved (Fig. 4A1: border of the external naris). Behind adjacent to the dorsal margin of the accessory antorbital
the naris, there is an elongate, narrow, posterodorsally ex- fenestra (Fig. 4A2, A3: accessory antorbital fossa).
tending and tapering slot (Fig. 4A1: articular surface for The right nasal is less complete than the left, and is bro-
the premaxilla), that would have accommodated a narrow, ken anteriorly, just anterior to the beginning of the dorsal
tapering postnarial process of the premaxilla, similar to that margin of the external naris, ventrolaterally, and posteriorly
present in Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964). Dorsal (Fig. 5). The dorsal margin of the accessory antorbital fenes-
to and adjacent to this slot, the external surface of the nasal tra is almost entirely missing, and the ventral process of the
is anteroposteriorly grooved (Fig. 4A1: groove). bone has broken away. It does not add anatomical informa-
Posteroventral to the slot for the postnarial process of tion not present in the left nasal.
the premaxilla, the nasal forms the dorsal and posterodor- Quadrate: A right quadrate (PIN 4366/2), broken into
sal margins of the accessory antorbital fenestra (Fig. 4A1: two pieces, was referred to Chalishevia cothurnata by Ochev
accessory antorbital fenestra), as occurs in Shansisuchus (1980), and was identified as from the same individual as the
shansisuchus (Young 1964; Wang 2013). Several small fo- holotype but was not described (Fig. 6). The two pieces of
ramina are present on the external surface of the nasal adja- the quadrate do not fit together, and a section of the midshaft
cent to the fenestra (Fig. 4A1: foramen), and are associated of the bone is missing. The maximum dorsoventral height of
with short anteroventrally extending grooves. the bone would have been at least 220 mm. The pterygoid
The ventral process of the nasal tapers towards its tip. wing of the quadrate is missing, as is much of the lateral
An extensive facet for the ascending process of the maxilla margin of the bone. Ventrally, the condyles are preserved
is present on its posteromedial surface (Fig. 4A3: articular along with part of the lateral expansion for articulation with
surface for the maxilla). In medial and anterior views, a very the quadratojugal (Fig. 6: articular surface for the quadrato-
deeply recessed fossa (= “sulcus” of Ochev 1980) is present jugal). The maximum transverse expansion at the condyles
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 765

A1 A2 A3 A4

A5
50 mm

articular articular A6
surface surface
for the for the
quadrato- quadrato-
jugal jugal

Fig. 6. Right quadrate of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (paratype, PIN 4366/2) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-
Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in posterior (A1), lateral (A2), anterior (A3), medial (A4),
ventral (A5), and dorsal (A6) views.

is 66.5 mm. The condyles are strongly compressed antero- pressed articular surface for the quadratojugal. This surface
posteriorly and expanded transversely (Fig. 6A5), with the tapers dorsally, and the shaft reaches a minimum transverse
medial condyle being broader anteroposteriorly. The medial width just above the dorsal termination of the quadratojugal
condyle is slightly anteriorly projected, resembling the con- flange. The borders of the quadrate foramen (if present) are
dition in Erythrosuchus africanus (NHMUK PV R3592) not preserved. The blind, laterally open pit present on the
and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964). By contrast, quadrate of other erythrosuchids (e.g., Gower 2003) may
the medial condyle is distinctly more anteriorly projected in have been present immediately dorsal to the articular sur-
Garjainia madiba (BP/1/6232f) and, particularly, Garjainia face for the quadratojugal, but this area is poorly preserved.
prima, in which the quadrate acquires an L-shaped profile The pterygoid wing is broken, but clearly would have
in ventral view (Ezcurra et al. 2019). Both condyles have originated some distance above the quadrate condyles, be-
strongly convex articular surfaces, although the medial con- cause the broken base of the wing is separated from the
dyle is more strongly convex, resembling the condition in condyles on the medial surface by at least 30 mm (Fig. 6A4).
Garjainia prima and other erythrosuchids (Ezcurra et al. Dorsally, the head has a triangular cross section (Fig. 6A5),
2019). The ventral condyles of the quadrate of Chalishevia with a flattened anterior surface (lacking the anterior pro-
cothrunata are separated from each other by a shallow, an- jection that is present in Garjainia prima: PIN 951/57), a
teroposteriorly oriented notch, closely resembling the con- short flat to gently convex lateral surface (broken at its
dition in Erythrosuchus africanus (NHMUK PV R3592; anterior margin) and a broad, gently concave posteromedial
Gower 2003) and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964). surface. The head is convex in posterior and lateral views.
By contrast, the separation between the ventral condyles Pterygoid: A partial left pterygoid was originally pre-
is much deeper in posterior or anterior view in Garjainia served in three pieces: the posterolateral process (PIN
prima (Ezcurra et al. 2019) and an intermediate condition 4366/4), the central part of the element, with broken ante-
occurs in Garjainia madiba (Gower et al. 2014). Above the rior process, quadrate flange and basipterygoid articulation
condyles, the posterior surface of the quadrate is flattened, (PIN 4366/5), and part of the anterior process (PIN 4366/7).
and tapers in transverse width toward the midshaft. The an- The three pieces have been reassembled (Fig. 7), and show
terior surface of the shaft is transversely concave above the a pterygoid that is extremely similar in morphology and
condyles. Ventrolaterally the quadrate is expanded into a de- slightly larger in size than the holotype specimen of the
766 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

A1 A2

fossa on the
posterior surface fossa on the
of the posterolateral ventral surface
process of the anterior
process
posterolateral
process fossa on the ventral surface
50 mm of the anterior process

A3
articular surface
for the ectopterygoid

Fig. 7. Left pterygoid of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (PIN 4366/4, PIN 4366/5, PIN 4366/7) from the Bukobay
VII locality, Sol-Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in ventromedial (A1), dorsolateral (A2),
and ventrolateral (A3) views.

erythrosuchid Uralosaurus magnus (PIN 2973/70). No pal- the ventral margin of the quadrate flange, the posterior
atal teeth are present on any preserved part of the pterygoid, surface of the posterolateral process bears a dorsoventrally
resembling the condition in Erythrosuchus africanus (Gower extending and posteromedially opening fossa that contin-
2003), Uralosaurus magnus (PIN 2973/70), Shansisuchus ues onto the base of the quadrate flange (Fig. 7A1: fossa
shansisuchus (Young 1964: fig. 15a) and the holotype of on the posterior surface of the posterolateral process), as
Garjainia prima (Ezcurra et al. 2019). The posterolateral occurs in Erythrosuchus africanus (Gower 2003: fig. 14b),
process is elongate and projects strongly posteriorly and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young 1964: fig. 15a) and
ventrally, and slightly laterally (Fig. 7: posterolateral pro- Uralosaurus magnus (PIN 2973/70). This fossa is delim-
cess), resembling the condition in Erythrosuchus africanus ited by ridges medially and laterally in these species, but it
(NHMUK PV R3592), Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Young, is absent in Sarmatosuchus otschevi (PIN 2865/68-2). The
1964: fig. 15a), Uralosaurus magnus (PIN 2973/70) and anterior process of the pterygoid is very incomplete, but a
Sarmatosuchus otschevi (PIN 2865/68). It tapers strongly deep ventromedially opening fossa is present on the ventral
distally to a point and is slightly curved anteriorly at its surface of the pterygoid at the point at which the anterior
distal end. The process is broken along its anterior margin, and posterolateral processes join (Fig. 7A1, A3: fossa on the
except for the distal third, which is complete. The dorsal ventral surface of the anterior process), and expands anteri-
surface of the process is convex anteroposteriorly, with the orly onto the ventral surface of the anterior process, a con-
apex of this convexity offset posteriorly. Ventrally, there is a dition widespread among early archosauriforms (e.g., Ery-
deeply inset facet along the anterior margin for articulation throsuchus africanus: Gower 2003: fig. 14; Shansisuchus
with the ectopterygoid along the entire preserved length of shansisuchus: Young 1964: fig. 15a; Uralosaurus magnus:
the process (Fig. 7A3: articular surface for the ectoptery- PIN 2973/70; Sarmatosuchus otschevi: PIN 2865/68-2). The
goid). This facet is offset by a distinct step from the rest of medial margin of the anterior process is drawn out dor-
the ventral surface, and is flattened medially and slightly sally into a transversely compressed flange, and the lateral
convex with low ridges within it laterally. Due to poor pres- surface of the anterior process is dorsoventrally concave.
ervation, it is unclear if the ectopterygoid also articulated Posterodorsally, only the transversely expanded base of the
with the dorsal surface of the posterolateral process. The quadrate wing is preserved, and a medial part of the dorsally
ventral surface of the posterolateral process posterior to this expanding anterior wall of the fossa for the basipterygoid
facet is anteroposteriorly convex. process is preserved, although this fossa itself is infilled
At its base, where the posterolateral process merges into with matrix and its lateral wall is completely broken away.
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 767

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

5 mm

20 mm

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

5 mm

20 mm

Fig. 8. Teeth of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (PIN 4366/3, A; PIN 4366/8, B) from the Bukobay VII locality, Sol-
Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in labial (A1), lingual (A2), mesial (A3, B3), distal (A4, B4),
and labial/lingual (B1, B2) views, and with close-ups of enamel wrinkles and serrations (A5, B5).

Dentition: PIN 4366/3 is an isolated tooth including the surface of the crown (interpreted as labial) is more strongly
crown and root (Fig. 8A) that was collected from the type convex than the other (lingual). Chisel-like, fine serrations
locality and referred to Chalishevia cothurnata by Ochev orthogonal to the carina are present along the mesial and
(1980). It is generally well preserved but damaged at the distal margins, extending from the base of the crown to the
tip and broken basally, with some damage to labial and preserved apex. They vary in size along the carinae, being
lingual surfaces. The entire tooth is 92 mm high and has a small basally, reaching a maximum size at the dorsoventral
mesiodistal length of 25 mm at the base of the crown. The midpoint of the crown, and then decreasing slightly apically.
crown is gently recurved in labial and lingual views. One There are no blood grooves. Along the mesial margin of the
768 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

A1 A2 A3

accessory
20 mm antorbital
fossa

ventral process

B1 groove
ridge
B2

50 mm

accessory antorbital fossa

articular surface for the premaxilla

Fig. 9. Partial right nasals referred by Ochev (1980) and Sennikov (1995, 2008) to erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980
(PIN 2867/18, A; PIN 2867/7, B) from the Koltaevo III locality, Kuyurgazinskiy district, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian,
late Middle Triassic; in lateral (A1, B1), anterior (A2), and medial (A3, B2) views.

lingual surface, faint crenulations (enamel wrinkles) are B1), 99 mm in length with a maximum width of 43 mm as
present, curving basally away from the carina (Fig. 8A5). preserved. It is broken posteriorly before the beginning of
No other enamel ornamentation or wear facets are present in the ventral process and anteriorly before the margin of the
the preserved portion of crown. There is no constriction or external naris. The size of this specimen, particularly the
expansion at the base of the crown with respect to the root. transverse distance between the midline and the facet for the
PIN 4366/8 is a second tooth including the complete premaxilla (20 mm) compares well with the right nasal of
crown and nearly the entire root (Fig. 8B). The tooth is the holotype (17.5 mm). By contrast, a second fragment (PIN
123 mm long as preserved, and the crown makes up approx- 2867/18), also of a right nasal but consisting of the ventral
imately the apical 38 mm. The root is oval in cross section, process and base of anterior ramus of main body (Fig. 9A1,
being slightly longer mesiodistally than labiolingually. It A2), is smaller than the holotype specimen, probably juve-
tapers strongly towards its base. The crown is recurved, nile, and represents a second individual from this locality.
with the apex extending distal to the distal margin. The In PIN 2867/7 the posterior end of the narrow and pos-
mesial and distal margins possess finely serrated carinae, terodorsally tapering sutural surface for the postnarial pro-
with serrations extending from the very base of the crown cess of the premaxilla is visible (Fig. 9B1: articular surface
right to the apex. Variation in denticle size is similar to the for the premaxilla). Posterior and lateral to this the preserved
other crown. Labial and lingual crown surfaces are equally lateral margin appears to have been broken and worn, such
convex mesiodistally. Faint, basally curved wrinkles in the that it superficially resembles a finished edge. Thus, the
enamel surface are present (Fig. 8J), but only on one surface dorsal border of the accessory antorbital fenestra does not
and more extensively developed adjacent to the distal carina. appear to be preserved. Medial to the premaxillary facet, the
Two fragments of right nasal from the Koltaevo III local- external surface of the nasal is transversely convex, and the
ity are referred to Chalishevia cothurnata (Fig. 9). One frag- longitudinal depression extending from the posterior end of
ment (PIN 2867/7) corresponds to the main body (Fig. 9A3, the external naris parallel to the premaxillary facet that is
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 769

ridge broken base of ventral flange

A1 A2
ridge defining
anterior border
of glenoid
region

fossa
preglenoid 50 mm
process
A3 A4 groove

Fig. 10. Partial left surangular referred by Sennikov (1995, 2008) to erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980 (PIN 525/30) but
here considered as Erythrosuchidae indet., from the Koltaevo III locality, Kuyurgazinskiy district, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont,
Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; in dorsal (A1), ventral (A2), lateral (A3), and medial (A4) views.

present in the holotype of Chalishevia cothurnata is absent. antorbital fossa). The anterior border of the ventral process
Medially, close to the midline, there is a deep and sharply and the preserved ventral margin of the main body would
delimited groove that extends anteroposteriorly (Fig. 9B1: have formed the posterodorsal margins of an accessory an-
groove); this groove is truncated anteriorly by the breakage torbital fenestra, as in the holotype of Chalishevia cothurnata
of the anterior end of the bone, and it is not clear whether a and Shansisuchus shansisuchus. Medially, the main body is
foramen was present at this point. The external surface of transversely concave, and at its medial margin forms an artic-
the posterior part of the bone is rugose and ornamented. ular surface for the opposite nasal with two grooves and a me-
Ventrally, there is a well-developed, anteroposteriorly dian ridge. The posteromedial surface of the ventral process
extending ridge that runs parallel to the medial margin of the is bevelled ventrally for the ascending process of the maxilla.
bone (Fig. 9B2: ridge), separated from it by approximately Based on the strong similarities of these nasal frag-
12 mm anteriorly, but diverging from the midline slightly ments to those in the holotype, and their occurrence within
and fading out towards the posterior end of the bone. This the same stratigraphic horizon, we retain their referral to
ridge is not present in the holotype of Chalishevia cothur- Chalishevia cothurnata. Minor differences between PIN
nata. At the lateral margin the bone appears to be broken, 2867/7 and the nasals of Chalishevia cothurnata are inter-
but the base of the deep fossa that surrounds the accessory preted as individual intraspecific variation.
antorbital fenestra in the holotype of Chalishevia cothur- Stratigraphic and geographic range.—Bukobay Gorizont,
nata is preserved (Fig. 9B2: accessory antorbital fossa). Ladinian, late Middle Triassic; Sol-Iletsk district, Orenburg
The bone differs from the holotype specimen of Chali- Province and Kuyurgazinskiy district, Republic of Bash kor-
shevia cothurnata in the ventral ridge, the absence of an tostan, Russia.
external groove adjacent to the facet for the postnarial pro-
cess of the premaxilla, and the presence of a more medially Erythrosuchidae indet.
placed groove on the external surface. It is strongly similar Figs. 10, 11.
to Chalishevia cothurnata in possessing the fossa surround-
ing the accessory antorbital fenestra, and the very strongly Material.—PIN 525/30, partial left surangular, from Kol-
tapered postnarial process of the premaxilla, although these taevo III, Kuyurgazinskiy district, Republic of Bashkorto-
features are also present in Shansisuchus shansisuchus stan (Sennikov 1995, 2008). PIN 4165/18 (formerly SGU
(Young 1964). 104/3859), two cervical vertebrae, from Bukobay I, Sol-
The second nasal fragment (PIN 2867/18) includes a more Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia (Ochev 1980). PIN
posterior part of the main body and the almost complete ven- 4188/97 (formerly SGU 104/3861), cervical centrum, from
tral process (the tip is missing) for articulation with the dorsal Bukobay V, Sol-Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia
process of the maxilla (Fig. 9A1, A2). The external surface of (Ochev 1980). PIN 4188/98 (formerly SGU 104/3861), dorsal
the bone is convex and rugose, with several foramina present, vertebra, from Bukobay V (Ochev 1980). The Bukobay I and
and is very similar to the same region in the holotype. The V and Koltaevo III localities are in the Bukobay Gorizont
ventral process is triangular in lateral view (Fig. 9A1: ventral (Ladinian, late Middle Triassic: Shishkin et al. 1995, 2000).
process). In anterior view, the anterodorsal surface of the Tverdokhlebov et al. (2003) referred to the Bukobay V local-
ventral process and the ventral surface of the main body are ity as Belyaevsky I (their locality 30).
deeply excavated to form an accessory antorbital fossa as in Description.—Surangular: A fragmentary posterior half of
the holotype of Chalishevia cothurnata (Fig. 9A2: accessory left surangular (PIN 525/30; Fig. 10) includes part of the
770 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

dorsal margin of the element and the ventromedial expan- although the ventral margin of the anterior articular face
sion (preglenoid process) that would have articulated with of the first vertebra is slightly damaged, and the posterior
the anterior surface of the articular and formed the anterior articular face is incomplete ventrally. In ventral view, the
margin of the glenoid fossa. The surangular is broken anteri- lateral surfaces are arched strongly inwards giving the cen-
orly, ventrally, and posteriorly. The preserved portion of the trum a spool-like appearance. The parapophysis is placed
surangular is 148 mm long, with the dorsal margin reaching very close to the anteroventral corner of the centrum, and
a maximum width of 27 mm and the element being approx- has an oval outline, with the long axis of the oval aligned
imately 42 mm wide at the level of the preglenoid process. dorsoventrally. Posterodorsal to the parapophysis there is
The dorsal margin is broadly expanded dorsally. The dorsal a deep blind fossa on the lateral surface of the centrum
surface is slightly thickened into low ridges at its medial and immediately below the neurocentral suture—a small nu-
lateral margins (Fig. 10A1: ridge), between which the dorsal trient foramen is present within this fossa on the left side.
surface is gently concave transversely, with this concav- The centrum has a low median ridge on its ventral surface,
ity interrupted by a low anteroposteriorly extending ridge resembling the condition in Garjainia madiba (Gower et
that shifts slightly laterally and becomes more prominent al. 2014) and Erythrosuchus africanus (Gower 2003). By
towards its anterior end. An almost identical transverse ex- contrast, Sarmatosuchus otschevi lacks a ventral keel on its
pansion of the dorsal margin that is gently concave with lat- posterior cervical and cervico-dorsal centra (PIN 2865/68).
eral, medial and median ridges is also present in surangulars The neural arch is poorly preserved in both vertebrae
of Garjainia prima (e.g., PIN 951/46), and the surangular is and the neural spines are broken away. The neural canal is
generally very similar to those of other erythrosuchids (e.g., dorsoventrally deep with an oval outline. The base of the
Erythrosuchus africanus; Gower 2003). The transverse ex- transverse process is partially preserved only on the right
pansion of the dorsal margin overhangs the (mostly missing) side of the second vertebra and its base is placed lateral to
ventral, transversely compressed, and sheet like flange of the dorsolateral corner of the neural canal and at about mid
the surangular (Fig. 10A2: broken base of ventral flange), length of the neural arch, resembling the condition in the
with the overhang being greater medially than laterally. The cervico-dorsal vertebrae of Garjainia prima (Ezcurra et al.
lateral expansion diminishes and the medial expansion in- 2019) and Sarmatosuchus otschevi (Gower and Sennikov
creases in width anteriorly. The dorsal transverse expan- 1997). The transverse process is strongly downturned but
sion is dorsoventrally thickest medially and tapers laterally. is eroded at its distal end such that the diapophyseal artic-
There is a groove on its medial surface at the anterior pre- ulation is not preserved. Ventral to the transverse process,
served end (Fig. 10A4: groove). An anteroventrally opening an anteroposteriorly narrow and dorsoventrally deep fossa
fossa is present on the ventral surface of the dorsal ex- is present (clearly visible on the right side of the second
pansion adjacent to the broken anterior surface (Fig. 10A2: vertebra) and is bounded by a sharp and narrow anterior
fossa). At the posterior end of the dorsal expansion a slightly centrodiapophyseal lamina, and a thick posterior centrodi-
raised transverse ridge delimits the anterior margin of the apophyseal lamina. A deep and broad fossa is also present
glenoid region (Fig. 10A1: ridge defining anterior border of anterior to the transverse process and is bounded by the an-
glenoid region). Medial to this, the surangular is expanded terior centrodiapophyseal lamina and a very broad ridge in
ventromedially into the flange-like preglenoid process (Fig. an equivalent position to the prezygodiapophyseal lamina.
10A1: preglenoid process), the anterior surface of which is Posterior to the transverse process is a poorly developed
twisted to face anterodorsally and is transversely concave. third fossa, delimited by the posterior centrodiapophyseal
Posteriorly and posteroventrally there are two articular sur- and postzygodiapophyseal laminae. The presence of the set
faces for the articular. of four laminae originating from the diapophysis also oc-
Vertebrae: From the Bukobay I locality there are two curs in other erythrosuchids (Ezcurra 2016). The pre- and
articulated vertebrae that probably represent posterior cer- postzygapophyses are large but project only short distances
vicals (PIN 4165/18; Fig. 11A). These vertebrae are very beyond the anterior and posterior articular surfaces. There
erythrosuchid-like in appearance, with the very short and are deep pre-and postspinal fossae. There is no develop-
deep centra and large size consistent with being referable to ment of a fossa on the neural arch lateral to the base of the
the clade (e.g., Ezcurra 2016). The two vertebrae are poorly neural spine. The base of the neural spine is subrectangular
preserved, and the more posterior of the two is missing in cross-section, being approximately 1.2 times anteropos-
most of its centrum. Neurocentral sutures are closed but teriorly longer than transversely wide, and located approxi-
visible, indicating that these vertebrae do not belong to an mately at mid-length on the neural arch.
ontogenetically mature individual. It is unclear whether or Two isolated partial vertebrae from the Bukobay V lo-
not intercentra would have been present. The centrum of the cality have also been previously assigned to Chalishevia
first (more anterior) vertebra is anteroposteriorly short, dor- cothurnata. PIN 4188/97 is a relatively deep and short (su-
soventrally deep and transversely broad (maximum length perficially erythrosuchid-like) cervical centrum (Fig. 11B),
33.9 mm; maximum depth of anterior margin 51.5 mm; missing the neural arch and damaged at its posterolateral
maximum width of anterior margin 54 mm). The articu- corner. The ventral parts of the anterior and posterior ar-
lar faces are gently concave, with sub-circular outlines, ticular faces are slightly bevelled, but it is unclear if these
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 771

A1 A2 A3 A4

50 mm

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

20 mm

C1 C2 (B, C) C4 C5
C3

Fig. 11. Vertebrae referred by Ochev (1980) to erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980, but here considered as Erythrosuchidae
indet., from Sol-Iletsk district, Orenburg Province, Russia; Bukobay Gorizont, Ladinian, late Middle Triassic. A. Two cervico-dorsal vertebrae (PIN
4165/18) from the Bukobay I locality in anterior (A1), left lateral (A2), right lateral (A3), and ventral (A4) views. B. Centrum of cervical vertebra (PIN
4188/97) from the Bukobay V locality in anterior (B1), left lateral (B2), posterior (B3), right lateral (B4), and dorsal (B5) views. C. Dorsal vertebra (PIN
4188/98) from the Bukobay V locality in anterior (C1), left lateral (C2), ventral (C3), right lateral (C4), and posterior (C5) views.

represent articular surfaces for intercentra. The anterior and africanus (Gower 2003). The parapophysis is placed very
posterior articular faces have shield shaped outlines and con- low on the anterior margin of the centrum. The centrum has
cave surfaces. The centrum is anteroposteriorly compressed a maximum dorsoventral height of the anterior face of 52.7
and the lateral surfaces are gently concave in ventral view mm; the maximum width of the anterior face is 45 mm; and
with shallow blind fossae immediately ventral to the neu- the anteroposterior length of centrum is 32 mm.
rocentral suture. A low median ridge is present on the ven- PIN 4188/98 is a probable dorsal vertebra that includes
tral margin, as is the case in Sarmatosuchus otschevi (PIN the neural arch, but lacking the neural spine, pre- and post-
2865/68), Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis (Butler et al. 2019), zygapophyses, and diapophyses (Fig. 11C). It generally re-
Garjainia prima (Ezcurra et al. 2019) and Erythrosuchus sembles an early archosauriform, but little more can be
772 ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA 64 (4), 2019

A B

100 mm

Fig. 12. Reconstruction of maxilla and left nasal of erythrosuchid archosauriform Chalishevia cothurnata Ochev, 1980, in articulation as preserved (A),
and close to the articulation reconstructed by Ochev (1980). This reconstruction produces a strongly downturned nasal, but is incorrect due to damage
to the nasal between the main body and the ventral process. An alternative reconstruction (B) shows a more anteriorly directed nasal, providing space to
accommodate a Shansisuchus-like premaxilla and a larger accessory antorbital fenestra.

said about its taxonomic identity. The neurocentral suture Sennikov 1985; Ochev 1986; Sennikov 1995, 2008; Gower
is visible and unfused. The vertebra is probably too small and Sennikov 2000), indeterminate small therapsids (ther-
to belong to the same individual as PIN 4188/97 from the iodonts), and the dicynodonts Elephantosaurus jachimov-
same locality. The centrum has a maximum dorsoventral itchi and Elatosaurus facetus (Shishkin et al. 1995; Battail
height of the anterior face of 30 mm; the maximum width and Surkov 2000). In the north Cis-Ural region the Bukobay
of the anterior face is 34 mm; and the anteroposterior length assemblage includes the temnospondyl Bukobaja (?) sp.,
of centrum is 28 mm. The articular surfaces of the centrum the chroniosuchian Synesuchus muravjevi (Novikov and
are subcircular with flattened dorsal margins and the an- Shishkin 2000), the sauropterygian Pistosaurus (?) sp. (Sen-
terior face is gently concave whereas the posterior face is nikov 2008), the archosauromorph Malutinisuchus gratus
flattened. In lateral view, the parapophysis is not clearly (Sennikov 2008), the archosauriform Energosuchus gar-
recognizable, but may be an eroded, thickening at the dorsal jainovi (Sennikov 2008) and the dicynodont Planitorostris
margin of the anterior end of the centrum. There is no ven- pechoriensis (Surkov 1999). In the Caspian region this as-
tral keel or ridge on the centrum and the lateral surfaces are semblage comprises the temnospondyls “Mastodonsaurus”
gently concave, as occurs in the cervico-dorsal and dorsal torvus, Bukobaja sp., and Plagioscutum caspiense (Shish kin
centra of other erythrosuchids (Ezcurra et al. 2019). The et al. 2000), indeterminate procolophonid remains (Sennikov
transverse process would have been at least slightly down- personal observation), indeterminate archosauriforms and
turned (although only the base is preserved), and the bases interminate dicynodonts (AGS personal observation). The
of anterior centrodiapophyseal (or possibly paradiapophy- Bukobay Gorizont has been dated to the Ladinian and usu-
ally correlated with the Lettenkeuper (Erfurt Formation) of
seal, if the parapophysis was indeed on the centrum), pos-
Germany based on some similarities in the temnospondyl
terior centrodiapophyseal, and pre- and postzygodiapophy-
faunas between the two areas, the presence of a plant assem-
seal laminae are preserved, delimiting fossae. There is no
blage in the Bukobay belonging to the Scytophyllum Flora,
fossa on the neural arch dorsal to the transverse process.
of Ladinian–Carnian age, and the presence in the Bukobay
of a miospore assemblage similar to that of the Ladinian of
Germany (Shishkin et al. 1995, 2000).
Concluding remarks If a Ladinian age for the Bukobay Gorizont is correct,
then Chalishevia cothurnata may represent the stratigraph-
Age of the Bukobay Gorizont and the stratigraphic dis- ically youngest known erythrosuchid. The stratigraphi-
tribution of Erythrosuchidae.—The faunal assemblage of cally oldest occurrences of the clade are known from the
the Bukobay Gorizont, which is widespread in the south late Early Triassic (Olenekian) of South Africa (Garjainia
Cis-Ural, north Cis-Ural and Caspian regions, is rela- madiba) and Russia (Garjainia prima) (Gower et al. 2014;
tively poorly known. In the south Cis-Ural region this as- Ezcurra et al. 2019), and the latest Early Triassic to ear-
semblage includes the temnospondyls “Mastodonsaurus” liest Middle Triassic of China (Fugusuchus hejiapanen-
torvus, Bukobaja enigmatica, Cyclotosauridae gen. indet. sis; Ezcurra et al. 2019). The other known erythrosuchids,
and Plagiorophus danilovi (Shishkin et al. 1995), the ar- Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis, Erythrosuchus africanus,
chosauromorph Malutinisuchus gratus (Ochev 1986), Uralosaurus magnus, and Shansisuchus shansisuchus,
the archosauriforms Chalishevia cothurnata, Jushatyria are all dated to the Anisian (Ezcurra et al. 2013; Ezcurra
vjushkovi and Energosuchus garjainovi (Kalandadze and 2016; Butler et al. 2019), although the range of the genus
BUTLER ET AL.—MIDDLE TRIASSIC ERYTHROSUCHID ARCHOSAUR FROM RUSSIA 773

Shansisuchus may extend into the early Ladinian (Liu and narial fenestra) bordered by the maxilla, nasal, and pre-
Sullivan 2017). Cuyosuchus huenei, from the Late Triassic maxilla (Young 1964; Wang et al. 2013; Liu and Sullivan
of Argentina, has been referred to Erythrosuchidae (Charig 2017). These features are absent in other erythrosuchids,
and Reig 1970), but this has not been supported by recent were incorporated into a revised differential diagnosis
analyses (Desojo et al. 2002; Ezcurra 2016). Thus, the cur- of Shansisuchus shansisuchus by Wang et al. (2013), and
rently known stratigraphic range of Erythrosuchidae ex- provide strong support for a sister taxon relationship be-
tends from the late Olenekian to the Ladinian. tween the two species (Gower and Sennikov 2000; Ezcurra
2016). This relationship is also consistent with the relatively
Reconstruction of the skull of Chalishevia cothurnata.— late stratigraphic position of the two species (see above).
Ochev (1980) reconstructed the anterior part of the skull of Assessment of differences between Chalishevia cothur-
Chalishevia cothurnata in lateral view, showing strongly nata and Shansisuchus shansisuchus (and thus a detailed
downturned nasals, and inferred a comparatively small consideration of whether the former might be a junior sub-
premaxilla, and an accessory antorbital fenestra consid- jective synonym of the latter) is complicated by the rela-
erably smaller in relative size than that of Shansisuchus tively brief anatomical descriptions available for the latter
shansisuchus (Young 1964; Wang et al. 2013). Gower and taxon, the unresolved species level taxonomy of the latter
Sennikov (2000) disputed this reconstruction, arguing that
taxon, and the limited material available for the former
the left nasal of the holotype had been crushed during
taxon. However, the oblique, anteroventrally-to-postero-
preservation, leading to an artificial shortening and taper-
dorsally oriented ventral border of the antorbital fossa that
ing of the snout. We agree with the arguments of Gower
is present in Chalishevia cothurnata appears to be absent
and Sennikov (2000). As discussed above, a major crack
in Shansisuchus shansisuchus (Wang et al. 2013: fig. 2).
extends from posterodorsal to anteroventral through the
Ezcurra (2016) identified this character state as an autapo-
contact between the main body of the nasal and the ventral
morphy of Chalishevia cothurnata.
process. The effect of this is to cause the nasal to appear
more strongly anteroventrally downturned in lateral view
(and the posterior end of the accessory antorbital fenestra
more narrowly rounded) than would have originally been Acknowledgements
the case (Fig. 12A). The exact original orientation of the
We thank Luke Meade (University of Birmingham, UK) for taking
nasal relative to the maxilla cannot be determined with photographs of the pterygoid. DJG thanks Mike Benton (University of
certainty, but it would certainly have been directed less Bristol, UK) for supervising his NERC scholarship-funded Ph.D. re-
strongly anteroventrally (Fig. 12B), and the accessory an- search that first allowed him to examine Chalishevia. Liu Jun (Institute
torbital fenestra would have large, and similar in relative of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China)
size to that of Shansisuchus shansisuchus. and David Dilkes (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, USA) provided
In Garjainia prima, Erythrosuchus africanus, and Shan- helpful reviews, and we also thank the editor Steve Brusatte for han-
sisuchus shansisuchus, the anteroposterior length of the dling the manuscript. This research was supported by an International
Exchange grant co-funded by the Royal Society (IEC\R2\170064 to
maxilla along the alveolar margin, from the anterior contact
RJB) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR № 17-
with the premaxilla to the posterior contact with the jugal, is 54-10013 to AGS). AGS was also funded by the Russian Foundation
slightly less than 40% of the basal skull length (Gower 2003: for Basic Research through the research project No. 17-04-00410, and
fig. 1; Wang et al. 2013: fig. 2; Ezcurra et al. 2019: fig. 2). by a subsidy of the Russian Government to support the Program of
Assuming similar skull proportions in Chalishevia cothur- “Competitive Growth of Kazan Federal University among World’s
nata, this suggests that given a preserved length of the max- Leading Academic Centers”.
illa of 31 cm, total basal skull length in the latter taxon would
have been approximately 80 cm (a similar skull length of
80−90 cm was estimated originally by Ochev 1980), making References
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