Morphological disparity and structural performance of the dromaeosaurid skull informs ecology and evolutionary history DOI Creative Commons
Yuen Ting Tse, Case Vincent Miller, Michael Pittman

et al.

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: April 16, 2024

Abstract Non-avialan theropod dinosaurs had diverse ecologies and varied skull morphologies. Previous studies of cranial morphology mostly focused on higher-level taxa or characteristics associated with herbivory. To better understand morphological disparity function within carnivorous families, here we focus the Dromaeosauridae, ‘raptors’ traditionally seen as agile hunters. We applied 2D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape, performed mechanical advantage analysis assess efficiency bite force transfer, finite element examine strain distribution in during biting. find that dromaeosaurid was less disparate than most non-avialan groups. Their skulls show a continuum form between those are tall short flat long. hypothesise this narrower indicates developmental constraint observed some mammalian families. Mechanical Dromaeosaurus albertensis Deinonychus antirrhopus were adapted for relatively high forces, while Halszkaraptor escuilliei speed, other dromaeosaurids intermediate forces speeds. Finite regions consistent families but differ them. Average levels do not follow any phylogenetic pattern, possibly due ecological convergence distantly-related taxa. Combining our new morphofunctional data re-evaluation previous evidence, piscivorous reconstructions be unlikely, instead suggest an invertivorous diet possible adaptations feeding murky water low-visibility conditions. support being taking large vertebrate prey, its is resistant dromaeosaurids. Given recovery resistance Velociraptor mongoliensis , which believed have regularly engaged scavenging behaviour, higher taxon may reflect greater reliance rather fresh kills. Comparisons troodontid Gobivenator gracile rostrum like ancestral their closest common ancestor (Deinonychosauria) robust rostra derived condition. also displays jaw lower examined dromaeosaurids, given hypothesised divergence troodontids from it unclear group, if either, represents Future work extending sampling would therefore invaluable provide much needed context origin early birds. This study illustrates how shape functional metrics can discern ecology at taxonomic identify variants feeding.

Language: Английский

Anatomy and systematics of the diplodocoidAmphicoelias altussupports high sauropod dinosaur diversity in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the USA DOI Creative Commons
Philip D. Mannion, Emanuel Tschopp, John A. Whitlock

et al.

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8(6), P. 210377 - 210377

Published: June 1, 2021

Sauropod dinosaurs were an abundant and diverse component of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation USA, with 24 currently recognized species. However, some authors consider this high diversity to have been ecologically unviable validity species has questioned, suggestions that they represent growth series (ontogimorphs) other Under scenario, sauropod in Late North America is greatly overestimated. One putative ontogimorph enigmatic diplodocoid Amphicoelias altus , which suggested be synonymous Diplodocus . Given was named first, it priority thus would become its junior synonym. Here, we provide a detailed re-description A. restrict holotype individual support validity, based on three autapomorphies. Constraint analyses demonstrate phylogenetic position within Diplodocoidea labile, but seems unlikely As such, our re-evaluation also leads us retain as distinct genus. There no evidence view any are ontogimorphs. Available data indicate anatomy did not dramatically alter once individuals approached maturity. Furthermore, subadult prone stemward slippage analyses, casting doubt possibility their taxonomic affinities substantially misinterpreted. An anatomical feature can both ontogenetic signature, former does outweigh latter when characters overwhelmingly taxon. Many sauropods spatio-temporally and/or separated from one another. Combined biases cloud reading fossil record, contend number dinosaur likely underestimated,

Language: Английский

Citations

18
The predominance of teeth in the non-avian dinosaur record from Cretaceous Brazil: a review DOI
Theo Baptista Ribeiro, Paulo M. Brito, Paulo Victor Luiz Gomes da Costa Pereira

et al.

Historical Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 36(10), P. 2019 - 2034

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

ABSTRACTDinosaur fossils are commonly found in Brazilian Mesozoic strata, with teeth being frequently Cretaceous outcrops. Many studies have been made the aim of reviewing known diversity dinosaurs, mostly focusing solely on their palaeobiogeography. However, few tried to typify these body order see which kinds were most prevalent fossil record. This study aims count and identify all occurrences non-avian dinosaur (isolated or situ) unearthed from strata objectively measure representativity national Our literature search showed that almost half record Brazil is composed by teeth, those particularly abundant Alcântara, Adamantina Marília formations. Theropod more comparison sauropod spinosaurids, deinonychosaurs, abelisaurids amply found. Despite representing a large share record, only recently studied depth, many specimens reassessed through current identification methods. Other aspects besides primary taxonomic can also be further explored using latest technologies allowing deeper understanding palaeobiology reptiles.KEYWORDS: TeethBrazilCretaceousDinosauriareview AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like thank researchers students who collaborated obtaining articles abstracts used for this study. We two anonymous reviewers, Prof. Carlos Roberto dos Anjos Candeiro Maria Alice Santos Alves comments suggested improvement manuscript. work was supported [Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado Rio Janeiro] under Grants [E 04 E-26/204.053/2022 TBR; PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020 PVLGCP. PMB partially Conselho Nacional Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [#305118/2021-8] Fundação Janeiro [#E-26/201.172/2022].Disclosure statementNo potential conflict interest reported author(s).Supplemental dataSupplemental data article accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2023.2238965.Additional informationFundingThe Chagas Filho [#E-26/201.172/2022 #PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020]; [#305118/2021-8].

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Neuroanatomy of the late Cretaceous Thescelosaurus neglectus (Neornithischia: Thescelosauridae) reveals novel ecological specialisations within Dinosauria DOI Creative Commons
David J. Button, Lindsay E. Zanno

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Abstract Ornithischian dinosaurs exhibited a diversity of ecologies, locomotory modes, and social structures, making them an ideal clade in which to study the evolution neuroanatomy behaviour. Here, we present 3D digital reconstruction endocranial spaces latest Cretaceous neornithischian Thescelosaurus neglectus , order interpret paleobiology one last surviving non-avian dinosaurs. Results demonstrate that brain was relatively small compared most other neornithischians, instead suggesting cognitive capabilities within range extant reptiles. Other traits include narrow hearing range, with limited ability distinguish high frequencies, paired unusually well-developed olfactory lobes anterior semicircular canals, indicating acute olfaction vestibular sensitivity. This character combination, conjunction features postcranial anatomy, is consistent specializations for burrowing behaviours clade, as evidenced by trace skeletal fossil evidence earlier-diverging thescelosaurids, although whether they reflect ecological adaptations or phylogenetic inheritance T. itself unclear. Nonetheless, our results provide first neurological identified Ornithischia, more generally, expanding recognized this major clade.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Predatory synapsid ecomorphology signals growing dynamism of late Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems DOI Creative Commons
Suresh A. Singh, Armin Elsler,

Thomas L. Stubbs

et al.

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

Terrestrial ecosystems evolved substantially through the Palaeozoic, especially Permian, gaining much new complexity, among predators. Key these predators were non-mammalian synapsids. Predator ecomorphology reflect interactions with prey and competitors, which are key controls on carnivore diversity ecology. Therefore, carnivorous synapsids may offer insight wider ecological evolution as first complex, tetrapod-dominated, terrestrial formed late Palaeozoic. Using morphometric phylogenetic comparative methods, we chart synapsid trophic morphology from latest Carboniferous to earliest Triassic (307-251.2 Ma). We find a major morphofunctional shift in carnivory between early middle via addition of feeding modes increasingly specialised for greater biting power or speed that captures growing antagonism dynamism tetrapod predator-prey interactions. The further hypo- hypercarnivorous highlight nascent intrinsic pressures complexification across mid-late Permian.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Morphological disparity and structural performance of the dromaeosaurid skull informs ecology and evolutionary history DOI Creative Commons
Yuen Ting Tse, Case Vincent Miller, Michael Pittman

et al.

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: April 16, 2024

Abstract Non-avialan theropod dinosaurs had diverse ecologies and varied skull morphologies. Previous studies of cranial morphology mostly focused on higher-level taxa or characteristics associated with herbivory. To better understand morphological disparity function within carnivorous families, here we focus the Dromaeosauridae, ‘raptors’ traditionally seen as agile hunters. We applied 2D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape, performed mechanical advantage analysis assess efficiency bite force transfer, finite element examine strain distribution in during biting. find that dromaeosaurid was less disparate than most non-avialan groups. Their skulls show a continuum form between those are tall short flat long. hypothesise this narrower indicates developmental constraint observed some mammalian families. Mechanical Dromaeosaurus albertensis Deinonychus antirrhopus were adapted for relatively high forces, while Halszkaraptor escuilliei speed, other dromaeosaurids intermediate forces speeds. Finite regions consistent families but differ them. Average levels do not follow any phylogenetic pattern, possibly due ecological convergence distantly-related taxa. Combining our new morphofunctional data re-evaluation previous evidence, piscivorous reconstructions be unlikely, instead suggest an invertivorous diet possible adaptations feeding murky water low-visibility conditions. support being taking large vertebrate prey, its is resistant dromaeosaurids. Given recovery resistance Velociraptor mongoliensis , which believed have regularly engaged scavenging behaviour, higher taxon may reflect greater reliance rather fresh kills. Comparisons troodontid Gobivenator gracile rostrum like ancestral their closest common ancestor (Deinonychosauria) robust rostra derived condition. also displays jaw lower examined dromaeosaurids, given hypothesised divergence troodontids from it unclear group, if either, represents Future work extending sampling would therefore invaluable provide much needed context origin early birds. This study illustrates how shape functional metrics can discern ecology at taxonomic identify variants feeding.

Language: Английский

Citations

2