On the presence of the subnarial foramen in Prestosuchus chiniquensis (Pseudosuchia: Loricata) with remarks on its phylogenetic distribution

Abstract

Many authors have discussed the subnarial foramen in Archosauriformes. Here presence among Archosauriformes, shape, and position of this structure is reported and its phylogenetic importance is investigated. Based on distribution and the phylogenetic tree, it probably arose independently in Erythrosuchus, Herrerasaurus, and Paracrocodylomorpha. In Paracrocodylomorpha the subnarial foramen is oval-shaped, placed in the middle height of the main body of the maxilla, and does not reach the height of ascending process. In basal loricatans from South America (Prestosuchus chiniquensis and Saurosuchus galilei) the subnarial foramen is ‘drop-like’ shaped, the subnarial foramen is located above the middle height of the main body of the maxilla, reaching the height of ascending process, a condition also present in Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis. These results suggest that this structure might be phylogenetically important and further investigation with a large set of valid taxa is necessary to properly evaluate its importance among Archosauria.