A new short-bodied salamander from the Upper Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous of China

摘要

Abundant well-preserved salamander fossils have recently been recovered from localities across northeastern China. Pangerpeton sinensis gen. et sp. nov. is represented by a nearly complete skeletal impression of a postmetamorphosed salamander from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous locality of Wubaiding, Liaoning Province. It is characterised by a short wide skull and only 14 presacral vertebrae. Associated soft tissue impressions suggest a warty skin and a broad body outline. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a basal position within Caudata, either just within or just outside crown-group Urodela.