| Austropelor Temporal range: Lower Pliensbachian ~ | |
|---|---|
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| Holotype dentary | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | † Temnospondyli |
| Family: | † Brachiopoidea |
| Genus: | † Austropelor Longman, 1941 |
| Type species | |
| †Austropelor wadleyi Longman, 1941 | |
Austropelor is an extinct genus of possible chigutisaurid temnospondyl from the Early Jurassic (Lower Pliensbachian stage) of Australia. Fossil remains were found in the Marburg Sandstone Formation. [1]
The Austropelor holotype consists of three conjoined pieces (-100 mm) with alveoli lacking teeth, representing a segment of a left mandibular ramus with clear amphibian characters. [2] Affinities of the genus indicate a relationship with brachyopoids as well as, possibly, with Metoposaurs. [2]
Austropelor was originally described from part of a right maxilla, yet the holotype, No. F2628, seems more likely to be a left amphibian mandible. [2] This genus was controversial at the time of the original description, as it was the only Jurassic labyrinthodont known until the description of Siderops . After the original paper, the Marburg Sandstone Formation was regarded as of Late Triassic age, with the overlying Walloon Coal Measures of possible lower Jurassic age. [3] Yet was later interpreted as Lower Jurassic in age, likely "Middle Liassic" (=Pliensbachian). [2]
