On some extinct reptiles and batrachia from the Judith River and Fox Hills beds of Montana
Author
Cope, E. D.
text
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
1876
1876-12-31
28
340
359
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.3368363
6de1cdbb-5c8e-4f58-b9e0-1790503ef0a5
3368363
Scapherpeton tectum
,
sp.
nov.
Represented by a vertebra which
is
one of the best preserved in the collection. The most prominent specific character is seen in
the
entire roofing over of the neural canal
between
the anterior zygapophyses, and in the
downward
production of the inferior median line of the centrum, and accompanying downward prolongation of the articular cups. The chordal perforation is at the superior fourth of the vertical diameter of the cups. The neural spine
is
produced backwards and curved tipwards, and
is
narrowed between the posterior zygapophyses, and is striate grooved on the under
surface
. About half of the posterior zygapophysis projects beyond the edge of the cup of the
centrum. Immediately
below the anterior edge of the posterior zygapophysis, the diapophysis begins. It is vertical, of an irregular figure S in section, and is directed outwards
and
backwards. A foramen passes under its middle, emerging a little before
the
middle of the same horizontal diameter of
the centrum
. It is joined by another which strikes it from below at
right
angles. There
is
a deep notch embraced
between
the superior part of
the
diapophysis and the posterior zygapophysis. The neural canal is wider than deep.
A fragment accompanied
this vertebra
when found, which resembles the
articular
portion of the mandible. There is no angle projecting behind the quadrate facet, which is oblique, truncating the extremity of
the
ramus. The lower edge is acute, behind roughened, and a thickening extends along the middle of the
inner
side of the ramns so far as preserved. The character is that of
a
Urodele Batrachian.