Move over “Jurassic Park,” the “Triassic Circus” is thundering into town in a new Special Issue of The Anatomical Record

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 307(4), P. 709 - 712

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

When we were kids (longer ago for some of us than others!), and visited our nearest natural history museum, the first items all ran to see ever-toothy T-rex ponderous-looking brontosaurus (except three odd who went tree exhibit one stared at butterfly room; they are probably Fortune500 Company CEOs now). And among did not have a collection plastic or stuffed dinos in their treasure box? Co-author JL's granddaughters arranged by colors. "Pop," says eldest, "the toothy ones pink, tubby puple, with horn-noses green." "But, sweetheart, actually didn't live same time," answered aging oracle trying educate, "maybe you should group them little differently? How about this way…" "No, pinks here, puples there, greens over there. That's how it goes, see? put big toothies up front, they're bests!" "Yes, sweetheart. fine." You soon learn that one's always right! Like granddaughters, most been ever-fascinated dinosaurs ilk, particularly super-dinos. Our collective fascination ferocious tyrannosaurs, massive sauropods (the clade saurischian exemplified Marsh's Brontosaurus, Marsh, 1879), indomitable ceratopsians, others, mesmerized public. Indeed, arguably second tsunami dinosaur hit public being great awakening fostered original finds western United States subsequent intense arguments late 19th century; Laitman, 2009; Hellman, 2007), Jurassic Park movie franchise kindled stampede new fascination. While good education (and toy industry!), was heavier on neat graphics accuracy. For example, beloved Tyrannosaurus rex munch around all, but an inhabitant later part Cretaceous period, 70 million years after ended! Similarly, while ceratopsians horned dudes) emerged Jurassic, battled also inhabitants latter Cretaceous. Apparently, title "Cretaceous" resonate as well producers "Jurassic" so (i.e., millions years) re-arrangements took place poetic license. So much scientific precision! period was, course, remarkable time Earth's Hollywood's) history, preceding Triassic true circus organismal magnificence. Beginning 251+ end Permian Paleozoic Era, due Permian–Triassic extinction event (aka, End-Permian Extinction, EPE, called "mother extinctions"; Erwin, 2006), lasted roughly 50.5 ushered Mesozoic Era. As unfolded, life forms rebounded, overall types organisms can be found: those survived event, groups would expand flourish Triassic, forth populated following even beyond. What incredible unfolding tetrapod evolution occurred, appearance diversification species gave rise many lineages exist today! This extraordinary cornucopia bio-organisms—from birds, crocodiles, testudines, lizards, mammals—are detailed month's Special Issue The Anatomical Record, "The Dawn Era: New Contributions Comparative Functional Anatomy Tetrapods" (Pinheiro et al., 2024). under mega-microscope appeared recent systemic/lineage-related issues journal (see, e.g., focused anatomy evolution: Dodson, Fiorillo 2023; Hedrick & 2020; Laitman Albertine, Smith, crocodilians relatives: Holliday Schachner, 2022; turtle Sterli Vlachos, Smith 2023), is view plethora varied within together geologic tent. menagerie affords unparalleled experience vibrancy diversity Triassic. has lovingly, meticulously, energetically, guest edited trio hearty Brazilian paleontologists/comparative anatomists: Felipe L. Pinheiro Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil, Flávio A. Pretto Leonardo Kerber, both from Centro Paolo à Pesquisa Paleontologica da Quarta Colônia, Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), João Polêsine, Brazil (Figures 1-3, intrepid Guest Editors teaching about, unearthing, tetrapods period). portion contributions derived presentations "Triassic: Era" Symposium held XIIth Vertebrate Paleontology Maria, editors dug deeper attract wide range dynamic highlight. presents reports nine novel taxa, two which, Kwatisuchus Paratraversodon, already heralded media, National Journal, go press! We very proud originally stem parts South American giant northeast, Kerber southern states), yet since early days had fossils various times history. Record appreciative Leonardo's superb efforts Assistant Editor initiating shepherding project. add, journal—as parent society, Association Anatomy—gives loud shout-out parabens large cohort scientists regularly publish findings energetically (seems like characteristic Brazilians!) participate meetings other endeavors (for more journal, Record's Issue: "Building Bridges: Sciences Medical Education Brazil," Curcio, 2021; Curcio 2021). "Pop why any pink puple zoo Sunday?" future heir asked. "Sweetheart, here longer," sage answered. "Did Florida? said old things move Florida," miss observant queried. "It's complicated. see, there once different animals no longer around. Through process time, change descendants look still Make sense?" poor JL tried. "You mean turn blue? horns fall off too? puple? makes Did eat puples? How…" she became unrelenting meteor shower questions. "And, when appear anyway?" 6-year-old inquisitor paleontologist pounded away. Actually, pretty insightful question, age, addresses assessing explosion came what happened them. wont address heady question puples, will shed light End-Permian-Extinction chart trajectories. tale "Triassic Circus" truly one, present. Hunker down enjoy! Heather F. Smith: Conceptualization; writing – draft; review editing. Jeffrey T. Laitman: investigation; editing; visualization.

Language: Английский

The lion of The Anatomical Record: The indomitable John Ladman

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 307(10), P. 3413 - 3416

Published: March 12, 2024

Language: Английский