Palaegama vielhauri (Carroll 1975) Late Permian, ~30 cm in length was correctly considered a relative to Paliguana and Saurosternon. Here, however, several other taxa also nest with Palaegama at the base of the Lepidosauria. These include Marmoretta , Megachirella and Tijubina and the Permo-Triassic gliders, Coelurosauravus, Lanthanolania, Icarosaurus and Kuehneosaurus.
Derived from a sister to Sophineta and Santaisaurus, Palaegama was a sister to the headless Saurosternon.
Distinct from Sophineta, the skull of Palaegama had an angled rostrum with an elongated naris. The mandible was more gracile. The maxilla was lower.
Distinct form Owenetta, the cervicals of Palaegama were larrger and the cervical ribs were elongated. The mid caudals were larger than the proximal caudals. The caudal transverse processes were straight, not bent posteriorly. The forelimb was much larger and more robust. The carpus was better ossified. The hand was longer with sharper, more highly curved claws. The pelvis did not have anterior and posterior processes. The ischium was smaller. The hind limb was longer and more robust. The metatarsals were relatively longer.
With its longer limbs and toes, Palaegama was likely more at home in the trees than Owenetta. Even so, look at the wide straight ribs of Owenetta producing a much wider than tall torso. Makes me think Owenetta was not afraid of heights or falling from heights. Palaegama had relatively shorter ribs. I'd like to see an image of Palaeagama to see if any elongated lateral dermal ossicles were present anchored to the ribs.
See the complete tree here. |
