Cautionary tales on the use of proxies to estimate body size and form of extinct animals

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Abstract Body size is of fundamental importance to our understanding extinct organisms. Physiology, ecology and life history are all strongly influenced by body shape, which ultimately determine how a species interacts with its environment. Reconstruction form in animals provides insight into the dynamics underlying community composition faunal turnover past ecosystems broad macroevolutionary trends. Many known only from incomplete remains, necessitating use anatomical proxies reconstruct form. Numerous limitations affecting appropriateness these often overlooked, leading controversy downstream inaccuracies studies for reconstructions represent key input data. In this perspective, we discuss four prominent case ( Dunkleosteus , Helicoprion Megalodon Perucetus ) proxy taxa have been used estimate shape fragmentary remains. We synthesise results other nuances validity taxon selection when reconstructing organisms, as well mitigation measures that can ensure most appropriate proxy. argue precautionary necessary maximise robustness better evolutionary ecological inferences.

Language: Английский

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Correction: The last giants: New evidence for giant Late Triassic (Rhaetian) ichthyosaurs from the UK

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. e0317938 - e0317938

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300289.].

Language: Английский

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Contrasting macroevolutionary patterns in pelagic tetrapods across the Triassic–Jurassic transition

Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

The iconic marine raptorial predators Ichthyosauria and Eosauropterygia co-existed in the same ecosystems throughout most of Mesozoic Era, facing similar evolutionary pressures environmental perturbations. Both groups seemingly went through a massive macroevolutionary bottleneck across Triassic-Jurassic (T/J) transition that greatly reduced their morphological diversity, leaving pelagic lineages as only survivors. However, analyses reptile disparity T/J have usually employed coarse temporal data. We comprehensively compare evolution ichthyosaurian eosauropterygian morphology body size Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic interval find contrasting patterns. ecomorphospace eosauropterygians predominantly reflects strong phylogenetic signal, resulting clustering three clades with clearly distinct craniodental phenotypes, suggesting 'leaps' towards novel feeding ecologies. Ichthyosaurian diversification lacks discernible trend, we evidence for wide overlap morphologies between forms. ecomorphological disparity, fin shape ichthyosaurians during Late does not support hypothesis an abrupt near transition. Rather, important turnover event should be sought earlier, times rapid sea level falls.

Language: Английский

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Impact of early Toarcian climatic changes on marine reptiles: Extinction and recovery

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 104965 - 104965

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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