THORACOSAURUS (REPTILIA: CROCODYLIDAE) IN THE VINCENTOWN FORMATION (PALEOCENE) OF NEW JERSEY, U.S.A

Although historically associated with the Vincentown Formation, the long-snouted crocodile Thoracosaurus clavirostris has not been reported from that unit within recent years. We report here a current discovery of an important specimen, a major portion of a mandible with numerous other skeletal elements. Although field collecting of the site in Burlington County, New Jersey continues, preparation has already revealed significant information. The preservation of the dentition is exceptional, with most of the mandibular teeth in place and undamaged. There are eighteen mandibular teeth on the left side, apparently a complete number. The splenials are within the symphysis and extend for half of its length. Associated invertebrate fossils include: Flabellum mortoni, Cucullaea saffordi, Salenia tumidula, Hemiaster ungula, and numerous bryozoans. The lithology of the Vincentown Formation at the locality of this specimen is similar to that of the exposures at the type locality near Vincentown, consisting primarily of quartz sand particles with numerous fossils, cemented with calcium carbonate. Little glauconite is present. Field work, preparation, and research on the project all have been completed by amateur and avocational research associates of the New Jersey State Museum.