Systematics and palaeobiogeography of Mesozoic amphibians in Thailand

Abstract

The non-marine Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Thailand, which consist of the Indochina block and the Sibumasu block, have yielded several terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate fossils, but only a few amphibian remains have been reported. Here, we present an overview of the Thai amphibian palaeo-diversity based on the literature, re-examination of published material, new findings, and unpublished material. Thai amphibian fossil remains are assigned to Temnospondyls (Cyclotosaurus cf. posthumus, Plagiosauridae, Metoposauroidea, and Brachyopoidea) and Anura and were discovered from four formations (Huai Hin Lat Formation, Khlong Min Formation, Phu Kradung Formation, and Sao Khua Formation), ranging from the Upper Triassic to the Lower Cretaceous of Thailand. The Thai amphibian fossils show the most diverse Mesozoic amphibian record in Southeast Asia. The occurrence of Brachyopidae in Thailand, which are related to Chinese forms, supports the previous hypothesis of physical connections between the Indochina blocks and the Sibumasu block during the Mesozoic era.

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