Osteology and Emended Diagnosis of Cherninia denwai along (Capitosauridae) from the Denwa Formation, Satpura Gondwana Basin, Central India

The Middle Triassic Denwa Formation located within the Satpura Gondwana basin of Central India exhibits a significant presence of temnospondyl amphibians classified under the family Capitosauridae. Prior investigations have documented two taxa of the Capitosauridae, namely Cherninia denwai and Paracyclotosaurus crookshanki, from the Denwa Formation. These prior accounts were predominantly predicated upon two holotype skull specimens, thereby neglecting numerous paratype specimens contained within the collection as well as various associated post-cranial materials. Recently, a diverse assortment of novel specimens pertaining to C. denwai has been unearthed from the Denwa Formation. Utilizing both the newly acquired specimens and previously overlooked specimens, this study presents an amended diagnosis of C. denwai. The newly discovered specimens comprise a partial skull, a mandible, clavicles, interclavicles, vertebrae, neural arches and spines, ulnae, an ilium, a femur, and a fibula, all of which are described herein for the first time. An extensive osteological analysis of the skull and mandible has been conducted. It has been determined that C. denwai coexists temporally with C. megarhina, and both taxa exhibit distinct osteological traits; however, they are recognized as separate and unique species.