Tethysuchia systematics and nomenclature under ICPN+ lacertiform tracks from Jurassic of Morocco
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Ben Creisler
Apr 20, 2026, 3:42:57 PM (6 days ago) Apr 20
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Ben Creisler
Recent papers:
Omar Ait Haddou, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Abdelkbir Hminna, Mohamed Arouch, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Mohamed Fergougui, Hicham Assafar, Aziz Rmich & Nezha El Kamali (2026)
New evidence of lacertiform tracks from the Middle-? Late Jurassic of Msemrir (Central High Atlas, Morocco): Palaeobiogeographical and palaeocoecological implications
Historical Biology (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2026.2646997
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2026.2646997
This paper presents an ichnotaxonomic analysis of a slab with 12 tracks (pes and manus) preserved as natural casts (concave hyporelief) in sandstone slab from the Middle-Late Jurassic Guettioua Formation in the Mesmrir syncline (Central High Atlas, Morocco). Although most tracks are moderately preserved, one well-preserved and complete manus imprint regarded as pentadactyl, ectaxonic, highly asymmetrical, and plantigrade. Digit IV is the longest, while digits I and II are nearly equal and slightly shorter than digits III and IV (IV > III > I = II). The general morphology suggests a lacertoid-type track, comparable to those of a modern lizard. This specimen represents the third worldwide occurrence of Jurassic lacertoid tracks, and the first record in Gondwana. Palaeobiogeographically, the discovery confirms the presence of lacertoids along the southern margin of the Tethys and enriches our knowledge of their distribution across Gondwana during the Middle-Late Jurassic, a period that is still poorly documented in this aspect. Given the abundance and diversity of previously published tetrapod footprints, as well as the new traces described herein from the Guettioua Formation (Mesmerir syncline), this formation possibly contains traces of yet unknown Jurassic vertebrates. systematic fossil prospecting in this region is therefore strongly recommended.
Stéphane Jouve, Mark T Young, Alexander K Hastings & Khalafallah Salih (2028)
The systematics and nomenclature of Tethysuchia (Archosauria: Crocodylomorpha) under the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 206(4): zlag045
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag045
https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article-abstract/206/4/zlag045/8658991
Over the past two decades, numerous species of tethysuchian crocodyliforms have been described, and their phylogenetic relationships have increasingly received more attention. Consequently, several tethysuchian clade names have been erected following the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode) and/or the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). To help maintain taxonomic and nomenclatural stability, we have decided to establish a suprageneric classification for Tethysuchia that is consistent across both nomenclatural codes. Here, we provide phylogenetic definitions that are valid under the PhyloCode for the following pre-existing names: Tethysuchia, Pholidosauridae, Dyrosauroidea, Dyrosauridae, Phosphatosaurinae, and Hyposaurinae. However, under the articles of the ICZN Code, the senior synonym, Dyrosaurinae, should be used instead of Hyposaurinae. Awaiting a decision from the ICZN Commission, we consider the use of Hyposaurinae to be preferable because the name is in prevailing usage. Finally, given that there is no consensus on which clade is the sister taxon of Tethysuchia, we redefined the pre-existing name Coelognathosuchia for the Tethysuchia + Goniopholididae phylogenetic hypothesis and erected the new name Stenorhynchosuchia for the alternative hypothesis formed by Tethysuchia + Thalattosuchia.
The systematics and nomenclature of Tethysuchia (Archosauria: Crocodylomorpha) under the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 206(4): zlag045
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag045
https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article-abstract/206/4/zlag045/8658991
Over the past two decades, numerous species of tethysuchian crocodyliforms have been described, and their phylogenetic relationships have increasingly received more attention. Consequently, several tethysuchian clade names have been erected following the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode) and/or the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). To help maintain taxonomic and nomenclatural stability, we have decided to establish a suprageneric classification for Tethysuchia that is consistent across both nomenclatural codes. Here, we provide phylogenetic definitions that are valid under the PhyloCode for the following pre-existing names: Tethysuchia, Pholidosauridae, Dyrosauroidea, Dyrosauridae, Phosphatosaurinae, and Hyposaurinae. However, under the articles of the ICZN Code, the senior synonym, Dyrosaurinae, should be used instead of Hyposaurinae. Awaiting a decision from the ICZN Commission, we consider the use of Hyposaurinae to be preferable because the name is in prevailing usage. Finally, given that there is no consensus on which clade is the sister taxon of Tethysuchia, we redefined the pre-existing name Coelognathosuchia for the Tethysuchia + Goniopholididae phylogenetic hypothesis and erected the new name Stenorhynchosuchia for the alternative hypothesis formed by Tethysuchia + Thalattosuchia.
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Omar Ait Haddou, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Abdelkbir Hminna, Mohamed Arouch, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Mohamed Fergougui, Hicham Assafar, Aziz Rmich & Nezha El Kamali (2026)
New evidence of lacertiform tracks from the Middle-? Late Jurassic of Msemrir (Central High Atlas, Morocco): Palaeobiogeographical and palaeocoecological implications
Historical Biology (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2026.2646997
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2026.2646997
This paper presents an ichnotaxonomic analysis of a slab with 12 tracks (pes and manus) preserved as natural casts (concave hyporelief) in sandstone slab from the Middle-Late Jurassic Guettioua Formation in the Mesmrir syncline (Central High Atlas, Morocco). Although most tracks are moderately preserved, one well-preserved and complete manus imprint regarded as pentadactyl, ectaxonic, highly asymmetrical, and plantigrade. Digit IV is the longest, while digits I and II are nearly equal and slightly shorter than digits III and IV (IV > III > I = II). The general morphology suggests a lacertoid-type track, comparable to those of a modern lizard. This specimen represents the third worldwide occurrence of Jurassic lacertoid tracks, and the first record in Gondwana. Palaeobiogeographically, the discovery confirms the presence of lacertoids along the southern margin of the Tethys and enriches our knowledge of their distribution across Gondwana during the Middle-Late Jurassic, a period that is still poorly documented in this aspect. Given the abundance and diversity of previously published tetrapod footprints, as well as the new traces described herein from the Guettioua Formation (Mesmerir syncline), this formation possibly contains traces of yet unknown Jurassic vertebrates. systematic fossil prospecting in this region is therefore strongly recommended.
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