Neusticosaurus pusillus (E. Fraas, 1881 )

Sues, Hans-Dieter & Schoch, Rainer R., 2025, Synopsis of the Triassic reptiles from Germany, Fossil Record 28 (2), pp. 411-483 : 411-483

Neusticosaurus pusillus (E. Fraas, 1881)

Holotype.

NHMUK PV R 53 , nearly complete skeleton.

Type locality.

Kugelberg at Ludwigsburg-Hoheneck, Stuttgart district, Baden-Württemberg.

Type horizon.

Hoheneck-Kalk, Erfurt Formation, Lower Keuper Subgroup. Age: Middle Triassic (Ladinian: Longobardian).

Referred material.

For a detailed list see Sander (1989). Sander provided a thorough description of this species based primarily on numerous excellently preserved skeletons from the Ladinian-age Cava Inferiore Beds of the Meride Limestone at Monte San Giorgio (Southern Alps of Switzerland).

Diagnosis.

Distinguished by the following combination of features: small size (total body length of up to 52 cm); skull table with parallel lateral margins; orbit proportionately small; supratemporal fossa oval; 22–24 dorsal vertebrae; atlas lacking ribs; and two carpal bones present in adults (Sander 1989).

Comments.

Sander (1989) considered Neusticosaurus pygmaeus E. Fraas, 1896 , based on SMNS 53932 , a group of three complete and nine partial skeletons from the Hoheneck-Kalk (Fig. 12 A ), a subjective junior synonym of N. pusillus .

References.

Seeley (1882), E. Fraas (1896), Sander (1989), Rieppel (2000).

Figures

Figure 12. Reptiles from the Lower and Middle Keuper subgroups. A. Pachypleurosaurid eosauropterygian Neusticosaurus pusillus (SMNS 53932), slab with three complete and nine partial skeletons. B. Henodontid placodont Henodus chelyops, lectotype (GPIT-PV - 30002), skeleton. Scale bar: 20 cm.