Aspects of some anatomical structures ofChampsosaurus(Reptilia: Eosuchia)

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Abstract
A new skeleton of the amphibious reptile Champsosaurus from the late Paleocene of western North Dakota reveals that the head and body were dorsoventrally flattened as an adaptation to a fully aquatic existence. The nearly intact and undistorted skull demonstrates that a well developed secondary palate was present. Long nasal passages and a flexible neck functioned in snorkeling. The essentially complete articulated postcranial skeleton indicates that the ribcage was relatively rigid. Gastralia functioned with this rigid unit in compression and expansion of the pleural cavity and lowered the center of gravity to assist in underwater stability. An integument of fine circular or rhomboid scales was present.