03.04.2013 Views

PDF (Lo-Res) - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

PDF (Lo-Res) - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

PDF (Lo-Res) - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

NUMBER 89 219<br />

FIGURE 2.—Selmes absurdipes, n. gen., n. sp. Holotype, SFM-ME 2375. Coated with ammonium chloride.<br />

Scale=2 cm. Photo, Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, S. Trankner.<br />

sternum and pelvis, Landessammlungen fur Naturkunde<br />

Karlsruhe, ME 313.<br />

ETYMOLOGY.—From the Latin absurdus, absurd, senseless,<br />

crazy; and pes, foot; noun used in apposition.<br />

DESCRIPTION.—Both skeletons are fixed in slabs and are<br />

heavily crushed. In addition, the bones of the holotype are plastically<br />

deformed, a condition frequently encountered in fossils<br />

from Messel. For this reason, only approximate measurements<br />

can be given.<br />

Skull: The calvaria is crushed and compressed rostrocaudally<br />

so that the rim of the orbita is bent off and is not inspectable;<br />

therefore, little can be said about the various processus<br />

and fossae. They apparently were not very prominent, however,<br />

because no indications of these structures can be traced on<br />

the preserved parts of the calvaria. In the orbita most of the<br />

annulus ossicularis sclerae is preserved and contains a black<br />

"pupil" of some organic matter (Figure 1). The bill is nearly<br />

conical. The apertura nasi ossea is similar to that of Sandco-

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!