Anura incertae familiae

Liaobatrachus zhaoi Dong, Roczek, Wang et Jones, 2013

Anura incertae familiae

Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Lujiatun BedQianyanzigou, Lujiatun, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Liaobatrachus zhaoi Dong, Roczek, Wang et Jones, 2013, a Cretaceous amphibian fossil from Qianyanzigou. — Photo 1 · Type specimens of Liaobatrachus zhaoi (from Dong et al., 2013). A. Holotype (IVPP V 14979.1), ventral view; B. Paratype (IVPP V 14979.2), ventral view; C. Paratype (IVPP V 13239), dorsal view; D. Paratype (IVPP V14203), ventral view. Scale bar = 2 cm

Family

Anura incertae familiae

Genus

Liaobatrachus

Authority

Dong, Roczek, Wang et Jones, 2013

Original combination

Liaobatrachus zhaoi

Age

Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Lujiatun Bed

Locality

Qianyanzigou, Lujiatun, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Diagnosis

Compared with other species of Liaobatrachus, L. zhaoi has relatively longer hindlimbs, femur and tibiofibula subequal in length, maxilla without palatine process, parasphenoid cultriform process gradually narrowing from 1/2 point anteriorly, acetabulum semicircular, pubis ossified in fully developed adults.

Remarks

Represents the lowest stratigraphic occurrence of Liaobatrachus (Lujiatun Bed of Yixian Formation). Roczek et al. (2012) conducted ontogenetic studies showing that femur/tibiofibula ratio, frontoparietal fontanelle, and presacral ribs are ontogenetically invariant features. Multiple specimens at different developmental stages are preserved together.

Figure caption

Type specimens of Liaobatrachus zhaoi (from Dong et al., 2013). A. Holotype (IVPP V 14979.1), ventral view; B. Paratype (IVPP V 14979.2), ventral view; C. Paratype (IVPP V 13239), dorsal view; D. Paratype (IVPP V14203), ventral view. Scale bar = 2 cm