Variation in Discosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky, 1876) from the Lower Permian of the Boskovice Furrow (Czech Republic)

Two genera and four species of discosauriscids, Discosauriscus potamites, D. pulcherrimus, Letoverpeton austriacum and L. moravicum, have previously been described from the Boskovice Furrow in Moravia. These laxa were differentiated primarily on the basis of proportional differences of the skull together with other morphological characters. Excavations at two localities in the Boskovice Furrow have produced new, relatively abundant, skeletal material. The specimens are preserved three-dimensionally. In order to evaluate the differences in skull proportions, 17 variable characters on 70 skulls were measured. Statistical analysis demonstrates the existence of several morphological trends in the shape of the skull. However, no trend permits the division of this set of specimens into two clearly differentiated groups. The morphological differences used previously to define genera and species seem to be incorrect. Pending the discovery of distinct morphological differences, the Moravian discosauriscids can be considered as belonging to only one taxon: Discosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky, 1876).