The skeletal completeness of the Palaeozoic chondrichthyan fossil record DOI Creative Commons
Lisa Schnetz, Richard J. Butler, Michael I. Coates

et al.

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Chondrichthyes (sharks, rays, ratfish and their extinct relatives) originated diversified in the Palaeozoic but are rarely preserved as articulated or partly remains because of predominantly cartilaginous endoskeletons. Consequently, evolutionary history is perceived to be documented by isolated teeth, scales fin spines. Here, we aim capture analyse quality chondrichthyan fossil record using a variation skeletal completeness metric, which calculates how complete skeletons individuals compared estimates original entirety. Notably, significantly lower than any published vertebrate group: low throughout Silurian Permian peaking Devonian Carboniferous. Scores increase range similar pelycosaurs parareptiles only when taxa identified solely from spines excluded. We argue that environmental influences probably played an important role completeness. Sea level negatively correlates with records resembles patterns already evident ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs sauropodomorphs. Such observed variations highlight impact different sampling biases on need acknowledge these inferring macroevolution.

Language: Английский

The skeletal completeness of the Palaeozoic chondrichthyan fossil record DOI Creative Commons
Lisa Schnetz, Richard J. Butler, Michael I. Coates

et al.

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Chondrichthyes (sharks, rays, ratfish and their extinct relatives) originated diversified in the Palaeozoic but are rarely preserved as articulated or partly remains because of predominantly cartilaginous endoskeletons. Consequently, evolutionary history is perceived to be documented by isolated teeth, scales fin spines. Here, we aim capture analyse quality chondrichthyan fossil record using a variation skeletal completeness metric, which calculates how complete skeletons individuals compared estimates original entirety. Notably, significantly lower than any published vertebrate group: low throughout Silurian Permian peaking Devonian Carboniferous. Scores increase range similar pelycosaurs parareptiles only when taxa identified solely from spines excluded. We argue that environmental influences probably played an important role completeness. Sea level negatively correlates with records resembles patterns already evident ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs sauropodomorphs. Such observed variations highlight impact different sampling biases on need acknowledge these inferring macroevolution.

Language: Английский

Citations

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