#zoneait

[artbyconnorross]

The first ever restoration of this genus so far as I know. Zoneait is the oldest known metriorhynchoid, though not the most basal, as it is more derived than Eoneustes and Teleidosaurus. Described in 2015, Zoneait showed palaeontologists how metriorhynchoids evolved; as the humerus was more than twice as long as the ulna, it showed how these would eventually be shortened into fins. Zoneait also shows other basal features, as the digits have not fused together into fins as yet, but shows more derived features as well; eyes aligned on the side of the head rather than towards the top, and the presence of salt glands. References: -en.wikipedia.org -"A new metriorhynchoid (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) from the Middle Jurassic of Oregon and the evolutionary timing of marine adaptations in thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs", Eric Wilberg. (http://www.mediafire.com/file/dyb44g6ypzbbtd8/A_new_metriorhynchoid_%28Crocodylomorpha%2C_Thalattosuchia%29_from_the_Middle_Jurassic_of_Oregon.pdf) -Skeletal mounts of Metriorhynchus and other forms for reference towards the back half

#zoneait #metriorhynchoidea #metriorhynchus #metriorhynchidae #thalattosuchia #crocodiles #crurotarsi #archosaurs #archosauromorpha #paleoart #paleo #paleoblr #palaeoblr #jurassic #aalenian #oregon #usa #midjurassic #middle jurassic #bajocian