Did gorgonopsians survive the end-Permian “Great Dying”? A re-appraisal of three gorgonopsian specimens (Therapsida, Theriodontia) reported from the Triassic Lystrosaurus declivis Assemblage Zone, Karoo Basin, South Africa

Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 638, С. 112044 - 112044

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Testing extinction events and temporal shifts in diversification and fossilization rates through the skyline Fossilized Birth‐Death (FBD) model: The example of some mid‐Permian synapsid extinctions

Cladistics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 40(3), С. 282 - 306

Опубликована: Апрель 23, 2024

In the last decade, Fossilized Birth-Death (FBD) process has yielded interesting clues about evolution of biodiversity through time. To facilitate such studies, we extend our method to compute probability density phylogenetic trees extant and extinct taxa in which only temporal information is provided by fossil ages (i.e. without divergence times) order deal with piecewise constant FBD process, known as "skyline FBD", allows rates change between pre-defined time intervals, well modelling extinction events at bounds these intervals. We develop approaches based on this assess hypotheses diversification answer questions "Does a mass occur time?" or "Is there fossilization rate two given periods?". Our software can also yield Bayesian maximum-likelihood estimates parameters skyline model under various constraints. These are applied simulated dataset test their ability above. Finally, study an updated Permo-Carboniferous synapsids get additional insights into dynamics three clades (Ophiacodontidae, Edaphosauridae Sphenacodontidae) Pennsylvanian (Late Carboniferous) Cisuralian (Early Permian), support for end-Sakmarian (or Artinskian) end-Cisuralian discussed previous studies.

Язык: Английский

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Inostrancevia africana, the first diagnosable gorgonopsian (Therapsida, Synapsida) from the Metangula graben (Mozambique): new anatomical observations and biostratigraphic implications

Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 144(1)

Опубликована: Март 6, 2025

Abstract The diversity of the fauna late Permian K6 Formation Metangula graben northern Mozambique is coming to light thanks recent discoveries made by PaleoMoz Project. Here we describe first diagnosable gorgonopsian remains from K6a2 Member graben, specimen PPM2018-7Z. This a large-bodied gorgonopsian, and shows several features similar latest species Inostrancevia africana . PPM2018-7Z shares various autapomorphies with including extremely narrowed jugal ventral orbit, pineal foramen being positioned far posteriorly, anteroposteriorly expanded portion postorbital bar, orbit larger than temporal fenestra having prefrontal rugosities foramina. tooth morphology here accessed based on left canine PPM2018-7Z, which characterised low labial ridges, short mesial carina thick basal denticles carina. phylogenetically recovered close within “Russian clade gorgonopsians”. do not possess an interorbital ridge that present in some rubidgeines such as Clelandina Dinogorgon Furthermore, inostranceviines retain postfrontal posterior process extends posteriorly invading parietal border, unlike absent. presence helps correlating this member Daptocephalus Assemblage Zone Karoo Basin South Africa.

Язык: Английский

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The fossil record of appendicular muscle evolution in Synapsida on the line to mammals: Part I—Forelimb

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 307(5), С. 1764 - 1825

Опубликована: Сен. 19, 2023

Abstract This paper is the first in a two‐part series that charts evolution of appendicular musculature along mammalian stem lineage, drawing upon exceptional fossil record extinct synapsids. Here, attention focused on muscles forelimb. Understanding forelimb muscular anatomy synapsids, and how this changed line to mammals, can provide important perspective for interpreting skeletal functional diversity functions extant mammals arose. study surveyed osteological evidence attachments nonmammalian two amniote outgroups, large selection saurians, salamanders. Observations were integrated into an explicit phylogenetic framework, comprising 73 character–state complexes covering all crossing shoulder, elbow, wrist joints. These coded 33 operational taxonomic units spanning >330 Ma tetrapod evolution, ancestral state reconstruction was used evaluate sequence lineage from Amniota Theria. In addition producing comprehensive documentation muscle work has clarified homology hypotheses across disparate taxa helped resolve competing species. The evolutionary history complex nonlinear narrative, punctuated by multiple instances convergence concentrated phases anatomical transformation. More broadly, highlights great insight fossil‐based understanding assembly novel body plans.

Язык: Английский

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The postcranial anatomy of Moschorhinus kitchingi (Therapsida: Therocephalia) from the Karoo Basin of South Africa

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12, С. e17765 - e17765

Опубликована: Авг. 12, 2024

Therocephalia are an important clade of non-mammalian therapsids that evolved a diverse array morphotypes and body sizes throughout their evolutionary history. The postcranial anatomy therocephalians has largely been overlooked, but remains towards understanding aspects palaeobiology phylogenetic relationships. Here, we provide the first description large akidnognathid eutherocephalian Moschorhinus kitchingi by examining multiple specimens from fossil collections in South Africa. We also compare with previously described therocephalian material updated literature review to ensure reliable foundation comparison for future descriptive work. shares all features eutherocephalians differentiate them early-diverging therocephalians, is differentiated other taxa concerning scapula, interclavicle, sternum, manus, femur. novel anatomical data this contribution shows possessed stocky bauplan particularly robust humerus, These attributes, coupled short skull bearing enlarged conical canines imply was well equipped grapple subdue prey items. Additionally, combination these attributes differ those similarly sized coeval gorgonopsians, which would have occupied similar niche late Permian ecosystems. Moreover, only carnivore known survived Permo-Triassic mass extinction. Thus, subtle differences may suggest type partitioning predator guild during extinction interval.

Язык: Английский

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Earliest evidence of Inostrancevia in the southern hemisphere: new data from the Usili Formation of Tanzania

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 43(4)

Опубликована: Июль 4, 2023

Gorgonopsia is an iconic group of saber-toothed, carnivorous therapsids. They have a rich fossil record in the Karoo Basin South Africa, but are also relatively common components coeval Malawian, Tanzanian, Zambian, and Russian assemblages. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that African gorgonopsians form monophyletic subclade distinct from their relatives, which all fall out near root cladogram, thus suggesting northern hemisphere origin for clade as whole. Surprisingly, recent research has species Inostrancevia, genus previously recorded solely Russia, occurs upper Daptocephalus Assemblage Zone Basin, perhaps result immigration following demise endemic rubidgeine lower subzone unit. Here we describe large, isolated gorgonopsian premaxilla bone-rich, conglomeratic interval at base Usili Formation Tanzania’s Ruhuhu Basin. Based on its stratigraphic position content, this unit likely correlates with Cistecephalus Zone. The can be confidently referred to Inostrancevia basis four incisors, feature unique among gorgonopsians. In contrast disjunct distribution inostranceviines rubidgeines uppermost Permian Tanzanian overlapped large-bodied such Dinogorgon Rubidgea.

Язык: Английский

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Micro-CT data reveal new information on the craniomandibular and neuroanatomy of the dicynodont Gordonia (Therapsida: Anomodontia) from the late Permian of Scotland

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Abstract Dicynodontia was an abundant, globally widespread clade of Permo-Triassic synapsids on the stem lineage mammals. Although there is extensive body literature dicynodont craniomandibular anatomy, only recently has power computed tomographic (CT) scanning been applied to this system. CT-assisted research dicynodonts focused smallest members clade, while larger (particularly diverse, long-ranging subclade Bidentalia) have received comparatively little attention. Here, we work towards filling that gap by presenting a µCT-assisted reconstruction ‘The Elgin Marvel’, bidentalian specimen consisting complete cranium and mandible from late Permian deposits near Elgin, Scotland, which historically difficult study because its unusual preservation as void space in sandstone. This can be referred Gordonia, solely represented moulds specimens. The µCT data reveal new information palate endocranium taxon could not previously gleaned physical made A phylogenetic analysis indicates Gordonia Chinese Jimusaria form bidentalians characterized narrow pterygoid medial plates, expanding our understanding biogeography. endocast similar other non-cynodont therapsids, remarkably enlarged pineal body, probably related exaggeration sagittal crest. Comparisons encephalization quotients (EQ), measure brain size relative size, EQ most therapsids.

Язык: Английский

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The osteohistology of gorgonopsian therapsids and implications for Permo‐Triassic theriodont growth

Journal of Anatomy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Дек. 20, 2024

Abstract During the Late Permian, saber‐toothed gorgonopsian therapsids were dominant terrestrial predators, playing crucial roles as apex predators alongside therocephalian within Permian ecosystems. The entire clade went extinct during Permo‐Triassic mass extinction, leaving other to continue into Triassic. Gorgonopsians have not been well studied, particularly in terms of their growth patterns, with only a few genera having undergone osteohistological analysis. In this study, I present thorough examination most extensive collection specimens date, spanning diverse range limb bones sourced from various species. analysis reveals trend rapid characterized by highly vascularized woven‐parallel complex. abundance marks and variable zone widths suggests trajectory that could indicate longer lifespans slower rates when compared Early Triassic therapsids. high vascularity, coupled observed implies gorgonopsians experienced favorable conditions. However, multiple they likely had capacity for more gradual maturation than counterparts. Additionally, ability reach later ontogenetic stages supports hypothesis environmental conditions facilitated larger body sizes. contrast, primarily consisted juveniles or individuals who reached reproductive maturity year, indicative harsher contributed higher mortality at younger ages. onset decreased rates, usually maturity, occurred may decline, heightened juvenile PTME would limited gorgonopsians' reproduce effectively.

Язык: Английский

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Palaeobiology: Rapid succession during mass extinction

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 33(11), С. R436 - R440

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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