New data on the bone histology of Araripesuchus buitreraensis (Crocodylomorpha: Notosuchia) from the Late Cretaceous of Argentinean Patagonia

Historical Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 37(2), С. 293 - 303

Опубликована: Янв. 10, 2024

Araripesuchus is a genus of Notosuchia from the Upper Cretaceous southern continents. A previous paleohistological study performed in individuals assigned to one South American species (Araripesuchus buitreraensis) has revealed, among other palaeobiological inferences, cyclical and slow growth dynamics. To increase knowledge about dynamics intraskeletal interspecific histological variation, here we analyse microstructure femur, tibia, fibula, metatarsal (II, III IV) two osteoderms an individual referred cf.buitreraensis (MPCA-Pv 263) Late Argentina. All elements present cortex formed by both parallel fibred lamellar bone tissues interrupted lines arrested (LAGs), revealing general rate annually interrupted. similar strategy been inferred for notosuchians, as Iberosuchus macrodon, but important variation regarding this parameter evident clade. Although tissue suggests that reached sexual maturity (i.e. increasing intrinsic fibre arrangement outer cortex), absence external fundamental system indicates somatic maturation not attained. MPCA-Pv 263 exhibit discrete layer WFB cortical whose origin still unambiguous.

Язык: Английский

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A review of the non‐semiaquatic adaptations of extinct crocodylomorphs throughout their fossil record

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 308(2), С. 266 - 314

Опубликована: Ноя. 25, 2024

Abstract Crocodylomorphs constitute a clade of archosaurs that have thrived since the Mesozoic until today and survived numerous major biological crises. Contrary to historic belief, their semiaquatic extant representatives (crocodylians) are not living fossils, and, during evolutionary history, crocodylomorphs evolved live in variety environments. This review aims summarize non‐semiaquatic adaptations (i.e., either terrestrial or fully aquatic) different groups from periods, highlighting how exactly those lifestyles inferred for animals, with regard geographic temporal distribution phylogenetic relationships. The ancestral condition Crocodylomorpha seems been lifestyle, linked several morphological such as an altirostral skull, long limbs allowing erect posture specialized dentition diets based on land. However, some members this clade, thalattosuchians dyrosaurids display opposite, aquatic interestingly same type observations. Finally, new techniques inferring paleobiology extinct animals put forward last decade, appearing complementary approach traditional descriptions comparisons. Such is case paleoneuroanatomical (CT scan data), histological, geochemical studies.

Язык: Английский

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Paleohistological inferences of thermometabolic regimes in Notosuchia (Pseudosuchia: Crocodylomorpha) revisited

Paleobiology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 49(2), С. 342 - 352

Опубликована: Сен. 20, 2022

Abstract Notosuchia is a group of mostly terrestrial crocodyliforms. The presence prominent crest overhanging the acetabulum, slender straight-shafted long bones with muscular insertions close to joints, and stable knee joint suggests that they had an erect posture. This stance has been proposed be linked endothermy, because it present in mammals birds contributes efficiency their respiratory systems. However, bone paleohistological study unexpectedly suggested were ectothermic organisms. thermophysiological status deserves further analysis, methodology previous can improved. First, was based on relationship between red blood cell size vascular canal diameter tested using 14 extant tetrapod species. Here we evidence for this more comprehensive sample tetrapods (31 species). Moreover, contrary results, cross-sectional area appears significant explanatory variable (in addition diameter). Second, estimations performed phylogenetic eigenvector maps, method excludes fraction information. generates high number eigenvectors requiring selection procedure compile subset them avoid model overfitting. inferred thermophysiology logistic regressions, overcomes problem by including all information 46 tetrapods. These analyses suggest Araripesuchus wegeneri , Armadillosuchus arrudai Baurusuchus sp., Iberosuchus macrodon Stratiotosuchus maxhechti

Язык: Английский

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Paleoherpetology and The Anatomical Record

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 17, 2025

The field of paleontology has long been dominated by charismatic species, such as ever-imposing dinosaurs and intriguingly anthropomorphic primates. However, alongside each dinosaur primate lived a variety other fossil often smaller reptiles, which typically receive dramatically less public scientific attention. Nevertheless, paleoherpetology, the study reptiles (typically used to refer non-dinosaurian fauna), provides an important framework for understanding broader context past ecosystems. Over several years, paleoherpetological studies have subject considerable number articles in Anatomical Record (AR). In this special issue Record, we celebrate paleoherpetology. Specifically, volume brings together collection papers on topics ranging from crocodyliforms turtles lizards. skillfully Guest Edited two experts Drs. Adán Pérez-García Francisco Ortega (Figure 1). is researcher at Evolutionary Biology Group National University Distance Education (UNED, Madrid, Spain), Senior Lecturer ("Profesor Titular de Universidad") Faculty Sciences that University. His main research evolutionary history turtles, both European forms taxa related them inhabited continents, especially Africa. He currently active Cenozoic while he also continues work with Mesozoic taxa, sites reptiles. participated projects involve analysis reptile faunas, Mesozoic, primary more than 10 projects, involving researchers various countries continents. director paleontological excavation campaigns, author 150 300 conference presentations. described 35 new genera species most but crocodiles sauropterygians. Professor UNED (Madrid) Principal Investigator Research UNED, focusing particularly dinosaurs, along their authored over 100 publications technical journals, primarily concentrating Upper Jurassic Portugal, well Lower Cretaceous Paleogene Spain. Furthermore, contributed development museum museographic efforts extend Spain, Niger, Argentina, participation nearly excavations twenty national international projects. We wish express our sincere thanks excellent issue. first true appeared record around 320 million years ago since undergone dramatic diversification evolution. Unique anatomical adaptations allowed paleoherp fauna survive Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event wiped out non-avian dinosaurs. AR many findings. This introductory editorial will briefly report some significant prior volumes AR. 2022, published its second largest ever, "The Age Crocodilians kin: Their anatomy, physiology evolution" (Holliday & Schachner, 2022; Laitman Smith, 2022). Special Issue began early Triassic crocodylomorphs (Bestwick et al., 2021; Melstrom Parker Ruebenstahl von Baczko 2021) extended through radiation during rest (Bowman Cowgill Dumont Jr. 2020; Fernandez Herrera, Nieto Wilberg 2021). Finally, it concluded presenting into crocs (Brochu Pochat-Cottilloux 2023, resulting 2022 Turtle Evolution Symposium (TES) (Smith Laitman, 2023; Sterli Vlachos, 2023). TES regular studying different aspects origin evolution until recent times. Topics relating ranged osteohistology (Guerrero Pérez-García, Pereyra, 2023) neuroanatomy (Martín-Jiménez Smith descriptions (Brinkman Gentry Joyce Maniel Vlachos documenting turtle occurrences (Boneta Jiménez Saltsidou A paleohistology pseudosuchians yielded exciting papers. models estimate body mass (Woodward 2024) review across Pseudosuchia (Scheyer, 2024). addition Issues, recently numerous standalone Studies focused amphisbaenian squamates (Salvino 2024), materials lizards (Loreal New crocodyliform (Noto 2019), ontogeny baurusuchids (dos Martins Santos Papers variation extant morphology relation (Evers Hermanson 2024; Miller discussed among (Adrian Tooth replacement mesosaurs (Carlisbino Modern studied way interpret (e.g., Allemand, Abdul-Sater, López-Aguirre, Maliuk all, provide paleoenvironmental information. They fill missing gaps ecosystems between widely mammals. hope you enjoy paleoherpetology Issue. Heather F. Smith: Writing – original draft; investigation; visualization; conceptualization. Jeffrey T. Laitman: writing editing.

Язык: Английский

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Phylogenetic structure of the extinction and biotic factors explaining differential survival of terrestrial notosuchians at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene crisis

Palaeontology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 66(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Abstract Although the clade Crocodylomorpha is represented by few extant species (Crocodylia), it has a rich fossil record. Hundreds of species, adapted to terrestrial, semi‐aquatic and marine environments, have existed over more than 200 million years. Numerous studies attempted characterize factors driving diversification extinction events Crocodylomorpha, resulting in ambiguous even contradictory conclusions, which points need for phylogenetically temporally smaller‐scaled studies. Here, we focus on differential survival at Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) crisis Notosuchia, diverse mostly terrestrial that achieved great diversity during Cretaceous. More precisely, tested effect body size palaeotemperatures notosuchian probability K–Pg as well diet evolution their size. We find Notosuchia showed an evolutionary trend towards larger sizes through time, associated with shift from omnivorous carnivorous diet. This may explain why sebecids were only notosuchians survive crisis. also corroborate conclusions previous detected Lagerstätten occurring Adamantina Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Brazil, Bauru Group). work confirms value finely‐scaled macroevolutionary understanding history complex group such Crocodylomorpha.

Язык: Английский

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The effects of skull flattening on suchian jaw muscle evolution

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 305(10), С. 2791 - 2822

Опубликована: Июнь 4, 2022

Abstract Jaw muscles are key features of the vertebrate feeding apparatus. The jaw musculature is housed in skull whose morphology reflects a compromise between multiple functions, including feeding, housing sensory structures, and defense, constrains muscle geometry. Thus, anatomy may be suboptimally oriented for production bite force. Crocodylians group vertebrates that generate highest forces ever measured with flat suited to their aquatic ambush predatory style. However, basal members crocodylian line (e.g., Prestosuchus ) were terrestrial predators plesiomorphically tall skulls, thus origin modern crocodylians involved substantial reorganization apparatus its muscles. Here, we reconstruct across phylogenetic range fossil suchians investigate impact flattening on anatomy. We used imaging data create 3D models extant demonstrate evolution skull, using osteological correlates attachment sites. found early reflected ancestral archosaur condition but experienced progressive shifts lineage leading Metasuchia. In suchians, musculus adductor mandibulae posterior pterygoideus (mPT) comparable size, by Metasuchia, dominated mPT. As predicted, taxa flatter skulls have less efficient orientations high This study highlights diversity one great transformations evolution.

Язык: Английский

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Microstructural characterization and growth dynamics in Notosuchus terrestris, a Mesoeucrocodylia crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous of Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Cretaceous Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 150, С. 105607 - 105607

Опубликована: Июнь 8, 2023

Язык: Английский

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The role of cranial osteoderms on the mechanics of the skull in scincid lizards

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 306(10), С. 2415 - 2424

Опубликована: Фев. 7, 2023

Osteoderms (ODs) are calcified organs formed directly within the skin of most major extant tetrapod lineages. Lizards possibly show greatest diversity in ODs morphology and distribution. commonly hypothesized to function as a defensive armor. Here we tested hypothesis that cranial osteoderms also contribute mechanics skull during biting. A series vivo experiments were carried out on three specimens Tiliqua gigas. Animals induced bite force plate while single OD was strain gauged. finite element (FE) model related species, scincoides, developed used estimate level across same instrumented experiments. FE results compared data modified test two hypothetical scenarios which all (i) removed from, (ii) fused to, skull. In demonstrated carrying load The models showed when skull, overall arising from biting reduced. Removing an opposite effect. summary, our findings suggest even they loosely attached.

Язык: Английский

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The efficacy of computed tomography scanning versus surface scanning in 3D finite element analysis

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 10, С. e13760 - e13760

Опубликована: Авг. 25, 2022

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a commonly used application in biomechanical studies of both extant and fossil taxa to assess stress strain solid structures such as bone. FEA can be performed on 3D that are generated using various methods, including computed tomography (CT) scans surface scans. While previous palaeobiological have CT scanned models models, little research has evaluated what degree FE results may vary when the same object compared. Surface do not preserve internal geometries structures, which typically preserved Here, we created from specimens (crania mandibles Nile crocodile, green sea turtle, monitor lizard) under identical loading parameters. It was found once solidified, they output distributions model deformations comparable their counterparts, though differing by notable magnitudes some cases, depending morphology specimen reconstruction applied. Despite similarities overall mechanical behaviour, differ exterior shape compared due inaccuracies occur during scanning reconstruction, resulting local differences distribution. Solid-fill generally lower stresses compact interiors, must accounted for use types

Язык: Английский

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Dispatches from the age of crocodiles: New discoveries from ancient lineages

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 305(10), С. 2343 - 2352

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2022

Abstract Crocodilians inspire researchers and the public alike with their explosive hunting methodologies, distinct craniofacial dental morphology, resplendent fossil record. This special issue highlights recent advances in biology paleontology of this fascinating lineage vertebrates. The authors volume bring crocodylians extinct ancestors to life using a variety approaches including fieldwork, imaging, 3D modeling, developmental biology, physiological monitoring, dissection, host other comparative methods. Our journey begins early crocodylomorphs from Triassic, carries us through radiation crocodyliforms during rest Mesozoic Era, finally celebrates diversification development extant crocodylians. Crocodyliform science has grown appreciably past few decades. New species genetic evidence continue keep phylogenies our understanding relationships wavering key places tree such as marine thalattosuchians well still living like gharials. application imaging modeling both preserved tissues specimens is now revealing patterns brain lung evolution function, growth strategies, feeding locomotor behaviors across lineage. Comparative anatomical studies are offering new data on genitals, cephalic venous drainage thoracoabdominal pressures. discoveries found here only reveal there far more work be done understand behavior responsible for great suchians crocodylian descendants experienced conquest Tertiary ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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