Hovasaurus boulei (Piveteau 1926, Currie 1981) Late Permian to Early Triassic ~250mya ~50 cm in length was originally considered a tangasaurid younginiform. Here it nested as a more aquatic sister to Adelosaurus. A sister to Hovasaurus phylogenetically preceded Claudiosaurus and the rest of the Enaliosauria.
Distinct from Adelosaurus, the skull of Hovasaurus was relatively smaller, but otherwise similar.
The cervicals and dorsals were shorter but had higher neural spines. The torso was deeper with longer dorsal ribs. The presacral number was 26. Accessory articulations were present on the vertebra. The tail had higher neural spines and deeper chevrons. Lumbar region ribs re-elongated. The chevrons were wider distally. The anterior caudal transverse processes were not bent posteriorly.
The cleithrum was absent. The scapulocoracoid was larger. The sternum was ossified. The distal humerus was wider. No olecranon process was present. The radius and ulna were shorter than 3x their combined width.
The hind limb was longer. The metarsals were shorter. Pedal digit 5 was longer relative to digit 4.
This genus is known from several specimens in a variety of sizes. A large amount of gravel was found in the belly of most.
The family tree of the Enaliosauria is here. The complete reptile family tree is here. |
