The mandibles of the Triassic temnospondyl amphibians

Abstract

A format is presented for describing the largely conservative mandible of the Triassic temnospondyls. It concentrates on those features which can be used to identify whole or sometimes partial mandibles to family level, and can be used to some extent to ascertain relationships between the families. The mandibular feature having the most diagnostic value is the postglenoid area. An example of the use of the format is given using previously undescribed material and the format is applied to some problematical examples.