First occurrence of a mawsoniid (Sarcopterygii: Actinistia), Mawsonia soba sp. nov., in pre-Aptian Cretaceous deposits from Cameroon. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brito, Paulo M.; Cupello, Camila; Yabumoto, Yoshitaka; Hell, Joseph V.; Brunet, Michel; Otero, Olga
• Is Part Of: Cretaceous research. Volume 86(2018)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Coelacanth -- Mawsonia -- Babouri Figuil Basin -- Western Gondwana -- Lower Cretaceous; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Cretaceous -- Periodicals; 551.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.12.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6671

Abstract

Abstract: Coelacanth remains from the Lower Cretaceous (pre-Aptian) freshwater deposits of the Babouri Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon are described as a new taxon Mawsonia soba sp. nov. based on two characters: four openings in the dentary for the branch of the trigeminal nerves and an extremely rugose and disorganized ornamentation of the bones. M. soba sp. nov. known by some three-dimensionally partially preserved specimens represents the first actinistian described from Cameroon. This discovery attests the presence of Mawsonia in the African counterpart of the continental pre-rift and rift environments where only Brazilian members were known so far. The fact that the Cameroonian coelacanth belongs to a new species suggest a certain endemism at least in this African basin. Highlights: Mawsoniid remains from the pre-Aptian of Cameroon are described for the first time. These remains are identified as a new taxon. This register expanding the geographical range of Mawsonia .