Whence the birds: 200 years of dinosaurs, avian antecedents

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Among the most revolutionary insights emerging from 200 years of research on dinosaurs is that clade Dinosauria represented by approximately 11 000 living species birds. Although origin birds among has been reviewed extensively, recent have witnessed tremendous progress in our understanding deep evolutionary origins numerous distinctive avian anatomical systems. These advances enabled exciting new fossil discoveries, leading to an ever-expanding phylogenetic framework with which pinpoint characteristic features. The present review focuses four notable systems whose Mesozoic history greatly clarified discoveries: brain, kinetic palate, pectoral girdle and postcranial skeletal pneumaticity.

Language: Английский

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Cranial ecomorphology of turtles and neck retraction as a possible trigger of ecological diversification

Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 76(11), P. 2566 - 2586

Published: Sept. 19, 2022

Turtles have a highly modified body plan, including rigid shell that constrains postcranial anatomy. Skull morphology and neck mobility may therefore be key to ecological specialization in turtles. However, the signal of turtle skull morphologies has not been rigorously evaluated, leaving uncertainties about roles adaptation convergence. We evaluate cranial ecomorphology using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics phylogenetic comparative methods. shape correlates with allometry, retraction capability, different aquatic feeding ecologies. find variables influence only, whereas functional variable (the capacity for retraction) influences both size. Ecology predictions from are validated by high success rates extant species, outperforming previous two-dimensional approaches. use this infer traits extinct species. Neck evolved among crownward stem-turtles Late Jurassic, signaling decoupling shell, possibly linked major episode ecomorphological diversification. also strong evidence convergent adaptations marine groups. This includes parallel loss retraction, active hunting, possible grazing, suction Our large-scale assessment dietary throughout evolution reveals timing origin their distinct ecomorphologies, highlights potential ecology function effects on form.

Language: Английский

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Evolution of sensory systems

Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 71, P. 52 - 59

Published: Sept. 29, 2021

Language: Английский

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Fossil basicranium clarifies the origin of the avian central nervous system and inner ear

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 289(1983)

Published: Sept. 28, 2022

Among terrestrial vertebrates, only crown birds (Neornithes) rival mammals in terms of relative brain size and behavioural complexity. Relatedly, the anatomy avian central nervous system associated sensory structures, such as vestibular inner ear, are highly modified with respect to those other extant reptile lineages. However, a dearth three-dimensional Mesozoic fossils has limited our knowledge origins distinctive endocranial structures birds. Traits an expanded, flexed brain, ventral connection between spinal column, have been regarded exclusive Neornithes. Here, we demonstrate all these ‘advanced’ traits undistorted braincase from Upper Cretaceous enantiornithine bonebed southeastern Brazil. Our discovery suggests that bird-like may originated prior split Enantiornithes more crownward portion phylogeny over 140 Ma, while coexisting remarkably plesiomorphic cranial base posterior palate region. Altogether, results support interpretation morphologies their relatives affected by complex trade-offs spatial constraints during development.

Language: Английский

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Independent origin of large labyrinth size in turtles

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Abstract The labyrinth of the vertebrate inner ear is a sensory system that governs perception head rotations. Central hypotheses predict shape and size are related to ecological adaptations, but this under debate has rarely been tested outside mammals. We analyze evolution morphology its drivers in living fossil turtles, an understudied group underwent multiple locomotory transitions during 230 million years evolution. show turtles have unexpectedly large labyrinths evolved origin aquatic habits. Turtle relatively larger than those mammals, comparable many birds, undermining hypothesis correlates directly with agility across vertebrates. also find variation does not correlate ecology widespread expectation reptilian shapes convey behavioral signal, demonstrating importance groups, like turtles.

Language: Английский

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Cranial osteology and paleoneurology of Tarjadia ruthae: An erpetosuchid pseudosuchian from the Triassic Chañares Formation (late Ladinian‐?early Carnian) of Argentina

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 307(4), P. 890 - 924

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Abstract Tarjadia ruthae is a quadrupedal terrestrial pseudosuchian from the Middle‐early Upper Triassic of Chañares Formation, La Rioja Province, Argentina. Originally, this species was identified as an indeterminate archosaur and later doswelliid archosauriform based on very fragmentary specimens characterized by ornamentation skull roof osteoderms. Additional (including skulls postcrania) recovered in last decade show that erpetosuchid, enigmatic group composed six registered Middle‐Upper continental units Tanzania, Germany, Scotland, North America, Brazil, Argentina Parringtonia gracilis Tanzania are best preserved more abundant species. Although monophyly Erpetosuchidae well supported, alternative high‐level positions within Archosauria have been suggested, such sister taxon to Crocodylomorpha, Aetosauria, or Ornithosuchidae. In order improve knowledge about erpetosuchids, we performed detailed description paleoneurological reconstruction , two articulated partial (CRILAR‐Pv 478 CRILAR‐Pv 495) other specimens. We analyzed stratigraphic geographic occurrence historical new provided emended diagnosis (the same for genus species, due monotypy) along with comparative cranial endocast. The robust, thick strongly ornamented roof, triangular dorsal view, concave lateral margins at mid‐length form abrupt widened posterior region. external nares smallest openings skull. antorbital fossa deeply excavated has small heart‐shaped fenestra both lobes pointing anteriorly. supratemporal fenestrae large rounded orbits, infratemporal L‐shaped extensive excavation jugal, quadratojugal quadrate. hemimandibles low, slightly dentigerous region convex region, conferring them S‐shaped profile view. mandibular elliptic, being twice longer than high. maxillary dentition restricted anterior mid rostrum. Since braincase partially damaged, surface brain could not be entirely reconstructed. As result, endocast anteroposteriorly elongated seemingly flat, cephalic flexure seems lower expected suchian. labyrinth wider high, semicircular canals remarkably straight, canal one.

Language: Английский

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A redescription of the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) turtle Uluops uluops and a new phylogenetic hypothesis of Paracryptodira

Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 140(1)

Published: Oct. 6, 2021

Abstract We study the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) turtle Uluops uluops using micro-computed tomography scans to investigate cranial anatomy of paracryptodires, and provide new insights into evolution internal carotid artery facial nerve systems, as well phylogenetic relationships this group. demonstrate presence a canalis caroticus lateralis in , only pleurosternid for which palatine canal can be confidently identified. Our analysis retrieves earliest branching pleurosternid, Helochelydridae within Pleurosternidae Compsemydidae including Kallokibotion bajazidi Baenidae suggests at least two independent losses paracryptodires. expect future studies will additional circulation system clarifying along stem.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary analysis of genes associated with the sense of balance in semi-aquatic mammals

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

Semi-aquatic mammals represent a transitional phase in the evolutionary spectrum between terrestrial and aquatic mammals. The sense of balance is crucial for mammalian locomotion, semi-aquatic mammals, structural foundation this (the vestibular system) shows distinct morphological adaptations to both environments compared their counterparts. Despite this, precise molecular mechanisms driving these remain elusive. Our study endeavors unravel genetic components associated with examine trajectories genes, shed light on underlying adaptive evolution perception We selected 42 mammal species across 20 orders, 38 families, genera analysis. analyzed comprehensive set 116 genes related system's development or function. findings indicate that 27 likely experienced Particularly, such as SLC26A2, SOX10, MYCN, OTX1 are implicated collectively orchestrating semicircular canals suit environments. Additionally, otolith development, including OC90, OTOP1, regulate sensitivity various locomotor modes. Moreover, linked disorders, GJB2, GJB6, USH1C, may provide averting vertigo amidst intricate scenarios research offers insights into while also providing new direction undergoing secondary transition an lifestyle.

Language: Английский

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New interpretation of the cranial osteology of the Early Cretaceous turtleArundelemys dardeni(Paracryptodira) based on a CT-based re-evaluation of the holotype

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9, P. e11495 - e11495

Published: May 31, 2021

Arundelemys dardeni is an Early Cretaceous paracryptodire known from a single, incomplete, but generally well-preserved skull. Phylogenetic hypotheses of paracryptodires often find as early branching baenid. As such, it has central role in understanding the evolution successful clade Baenidae, which survived Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction, well diversification Paracryptodira into its subclades, recent research suggests to perhaps include helochelydrids, compsemydids, pleurosternids, and baenids. Computer tomography scans holotype material that were produced for initial description Arundelemeys reveal several errors anatomical species, we correct based on element-by-element segmentation. In addition, provide entirely novel information, including descriptions previously undescribed cranial bones, endosseous labyrinth, scutes, latter are unknown most paracryptodires. We interpretation scutes homologizes with those other stem turtles.

Language: Английский

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Ecomorphological patterns in trigeminal canal branching among sauropsids reveal sensory shift in suchians

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 242(5), P. 927 - 952

Published: Jan. 20, 2023

The vertebrate trigeminal nerve is the primary mediator of somatosensory information from endings across face, extending branches through bony canals in face and mandibles, terminating sensory receptors. Reptiles evolved several extreme forms cranial somatosensation which enhanced tissues are present species engaging unique mechanosensory behaviors. However, morphology varies by clade ecology among reptiles. Few lineages approach degree tactile possessed crocodylians, only remaining members a that underwent an ecological transition terrestrial to semiaquatic habitat, also evolving specialized system. It remains be understood how osteological correlates inform adaptations for sensation crocodylians. Here we identify increase abilities Early Jurassic crocodylomorphs, preceding transitions habitat. Through quantification neurovascular canal branching patterns extant phylogenetic bracket quantify morphologies associated with behaviors representative fossil taxa, find stepwise progression increasing density, complexity, distribution primitive archosaurian derived crocodilian condition. Model-based inferences ecologies tested on quantified taxa known indicate parallel pseudosuchians. These findings establish reptile ecomorphology, revealing evolutionary ecology.

Language: Английский

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