Ptycotherates: a new reconstruction almost matches Tawa
Ptychotherates bucculentus
(Srivastava and Nesbittt 2026, Late Triassic, New Mexico, CM 31368) was originally considered close to Tawa, Chindesaurus and Daemonosaurus together creating the clade Morphororaptora within the Herrerasauria. Here Ptychotherates is reconstructed similar to Tawa only, but with a deeper mandible and smaller quadrate. The two were the same size, many of their skull bones were the same shape, and so likely congeneric basal theropods in the large reptile tree (LRT, 2340 taxa).
Click on the links above to see the data.
The authors made the mistake
of including the poposaur, Silesaurus as a sister to Ornithischia, rather than including other members of the Poposauria. Then the authors omitted the sister to the Dinosauria, the Crocodylomorpha, which moves Herrerasauria to the base of the Dinosauria and splits the Dinosauria into Theropoda on one branch and Phytodinosauria on the other branch in the LRT.
Don’t let taxon omission ruin your next manuscript submission.
Better to include a few too many taxa than a few too few.
The new clade Morphororaptora
was invalid from the moment it was first considered due to taxon exclusion.
PS
Although every other paleontologist and every paleo textbook tells you that pterosaurs are dinosaur cousins, these authors follow the habit of many other authors in excluding pterosaurs from their Triassic dinosaur cladograms.
That’s the right thing to do, because pterosaurs are lepidosaur tanystropheid cousins, not related to dinosaurs except through the last common ancestor of all reptiles, Early Carboniferous Silvanerpeton.
Paleo workers should stick to one hypothesis. Only one is correct.
References
Srivastava S and Nesbitt SJ 2026. A new taxon of saurischian dinosaur from the Coelophysis Quarry of New Mexico, USA (Triassic: latest Norian or Rhaetian) highlights herrerasaurian diversity in the latest Triassic. Papers in Palaeontology. 12 (2) e70069. doi:10.1002/spp2.70069
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2026/04/23/ptycotherates-a-new-reconstruction-almost-matches-tawa/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,799,238,612 |
| Stories: | 8,626,903 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
