A new species of Notobatrachus (Amphibia, Salientia) from the Middle Jurassic of northwestern Patagonia

Abstract

Notobatrachus degiustoi is the most completely known Jurassic frog and has been recorded in many outcrops of the La Matilde Formation of the Deseado Massif area in southern Patagonia. Herein, we erect a new species of the genus based on partially articulated remains collected from the Callovian Las Chacritas Member of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, about 500 km northwest of the northern limit of the known geographical distribution of N. degiustoi. The new species differs from the latter in having a maxilla with a distinct pterygoid process and lacking teeth at least along the posterior two-thirds of its length, and a complete maxillary arch. We also provide an expanded diagnosis of Notobatrachus. This finding adds to our understanding of the early diversification of frogs.