The subdivisions and fusions of the exoskeletal skull bones ofDiscosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky 1876) and their possible homologues in rhipidistians

Two localities in the Boskovice Furrow region of Moravia (Czecho-Slovakia) have produced new, well preserved material of the Lower Permian tetrapodDiscosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky 1876). A relatively large number of specimens have been found with some dermal skull roof bones partly or fully subdivided, and/or fused. These are the first records of such subdivisions and fusions in this tetrapod and the following bones are discussed: frontal, postfrontal, parietal, intertemporal, supratemporal, tabular and postparietal. The subdivided bones within the skull roof ofDiscosauriscus (and some dissorophoids) are situated at the same places as those found in Devonian rhipidistians, and may relate to the homology of the bones of the cranial exoskeletal roof inDiscosauriscus and in osteolepiforms. It shows that the “orthodox” terminology of the skull roof bones used in osteolepiforms is correct.