A5073131280- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Veterinary Equine Medical Research
- Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Biomedical Text Mining and Ontologies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Innovations in Medical Education
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Infrared Thermography in Medicine
- Veterinary Practice and Education Studies
- Bone fractures and treatments
- Marine animal studies overview
Harvard University
2016-2025
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2024
Hudson Institute
2024
Harvard University Press
2017-2023
Queensland Museum
2021
Royal Veterinary College
2011-2016
University of Cambridge
2009-2013
University of Bristol
2006-2009
University of Alberta
2004
Abstract Extant and fossil crocodilians have long been divided into taxonomic and/or ecological groups based on broad patterns of skull shape, particularly the relative length width snout. However, these not quantitatively analyzed in detail, their biomechanical functional implications are similarly understudied. Here, we use geometric morphometrics finite element analysis to explore variation crocodilian morphology those patterns. Our results indicate that shape extant crocodiles is much...
Geometric morphometrics (GM) and finite element analysis (FEA) are increasingly common techniques for the study of form function. We show how principles quantitative evolution in continuous phenotypic traits can link two techniques, allowing hypotheses about relative importance different functions to be tested a phylogenetic evolutionary framework. Finite is used derive surfaces that describe comparative performance morphologies morphospace derived from GM. The combination or more describes...
Mesozoic crurotarsans exhibited diverse morphologies and feeding modes, representing considerable ecological diversity, yet macroevolutionary patterns remain unexplored. Here, we use a unique combination of morphological biomechanical disparity metrics to quantify the diversity trophic radiations crurotarsans, using mandible as morpho-functional proxy. We recover three major trends. First, assemblage Late Triassic was morphologically biomechanically disparate, implying high levels variation;...
The origin of phenotypic diversity among higher clades is one the most fundamental topics in evolutionary biology. However, due to methodological challenges, few studies have assessed rates evolution and disparity across broad scales time understand dynamics behind early new clades. Here, we provide a total-evidence dating approach this problem diapsid reptiles. We find major chronological gaps between periods high (phenotypic molecular) expansion reptile evolution. Importantly, many...
Climate change-induced mass extinctions provide unique opportunities to explore the impacts of global environmental disturbances on organismal evolution. However, their influence terrestrial ecosystems remains poorly understood. Here, we a new time tree for early evolution reptiles and closest relatives reconstruct how Permian-Triassic climatic crises shaped long-term evolutionary trajectory. By combining rates phenotypic evolution, mode selection, body size, temperature data, reveal an...
Abstract Variation in modern crocodilian and extinct thalattosuchian crocodylomorph skull morphology is only weakly correlated with phylogeny, implying that factors other than evolutionary proximity play important roles determining crocodile shape. To further explore potentially influencing morphological differentiation within the Thalattosuchia, we examine teleosaurid metriorhynchid shape variation a mechanical dietary context using combination of finite element modelling multivariate...
Abstract: Skull shape variation in thalattosuchians is examined using geometric morphometric techniques order to delineate species, especially with respect the classification of Callovian and explore patterns disparity during their evolutionary history. The pattern morphological diversity thalattosuchian skulls was found be very similar modern crocodilians: main sources are length width snout, but these broad changes correlated size supratemporal fenestra frontal bone, nasal orbit premaxilla...
Abstract Regional variation in the axial skeleton of pinnipeds (seals and walruses) its correlation with aquatic locomotory behaviour is examined using vertebral functional profiles. The results demonstrate clear morpho‐functional differences thoracolumbar region modern (Phocidae, Otariidae, Odobenus ) that can be strongly linked to swimming style. Phocid seals have a rigid thoracic attached highly flexible lumbar long muscular lever arms providing necessary mobility leverage perform pelvic...
Early shifts lead to big changes Mammals represent one of the most morphologically diverse taxonomic groups. One unique features underlying this diversity is variability spine, which facilitates everything from flexibility for speedy running and support upright walking. Jones et al. studied a group ancestral modern mammals—nonmammalian synapsids, or mammal-like reptiles. As forelimb function diversified, spine developed distinct regions. These regions then differentiated further, leading...
The lineage leading to modern Crocodylia has undergone dramatic evolutionary changes in morphology, ecology and locomotion over the past 200+ Myr. These functional innovations may be explained part by morphological axial skeleton, which is an integral of vertebrate locomotor system. Our objective was estimate osteological range motion (RoM) intervertebral joint stiffness thoracic lumbar vertebrae with increasing aquatic adaptation crocodylomorphs. Using three-dimensional virtual models...
The axial skeleton consists of repeating units (vertebrae) that are integrated through their development and evolution. Unlike most tetrapods, vertebrae in the mammalian trunk subdivided into distinct thoracic lumbar modules, resulting a system is constrained terms count but highly variable morphology. This study asks how thoracolumbar regionalization has impacted adaptation evolvability across mammals. Using geometric morphometrics, we examine evolutionary patterns five vertebral positions...
Thalattosuchians were highly specialised aquatic archosaurs of the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, represent a peak adaptation among crocodylomorphs. Relatively little is known their endocranial anatomy or its relevance for evolution sensory systems, physiology, other aspects biology. Nevertheless, such data have significance two reasons: (1) thalattosuchians an important point regarding to marine life in tetrapods; (2) as early-diverging members crocodylian stem-lineage, provide information...
The distinctive anatomy of the crocodylian skull is intimately linked with dietary ecology, resulting in repeated convergence on blunt- and slender-snouted ecomorphs. These evolutionary shifts depend upon modifications developmental processes which direct growth morphogenesis. Here we examine evolution cranial ontogenetic trajectories to shed light mechanisms underlying convergent snout evolution. We use geometric morphometrics quantify skeletogenesis an context reconstruct ancestral...
Abstract Background The vast majority of all life that ever existed on earth is now extinct and several aspects their evolutionary history can only be assessed by using morphological data from the fossil record. Sphenodontian reptiles are a classic example, having an at least 230 million years, but currently represented single living species ( Sphenodon punctatus ). Hence, it imperative to improve development implementation probabilistic models estimate trees (e.g., clocks), which has direct...
Understanding the origin, expansion and loss of biodiversity is fundamental to evolutionary biology. The approximately 26 living species crocodylomorphs (crocodiles, caimans, alligators gharials) represent just a snapshot group's rich 230-million-year history, whereas fossil record reveals hidden past great diversity innovation, including ocean land-dwelling forms, herbivores, omnivores apex predators. In this macroevolutionary study skull jaw shape disparity, we show that crocodylomorph...
The evolution of mammals from their extinct forerunners, the non-mammalian synapsids, is one most iconic locomotor transitions in vertebrate fossil record. In limb skeleton, synapsid-mammal transition traditionally characterized by a shift sprawling posture, resembling that extant reptiles and amphibians, to more adducted limbs, as seen modern-day mammals. Based on proposed postural similarities between early synapsids reptiles, this change thought be accompanied ancestral reptile-like...
Musculoskeletal models of the first vertebrate limbs reveal adaptations for propulsion, but not weight support.
ABSTRACT The thalattosuchian crocodyliform Pelagosaurus typus Bronn, 1841 is fully documented and described from the Upper Lias (Toarcian, Lower Jurassic) of England. material under study part a historical collection made by Charles Moore (1814–1881) at Strawberry Bank (Ilminster, Somerset, England) around 1848. Apomomorphic features genus include: sculpturing on almost entire skull mandible with extensive prefrontal, lachrymal, frontal, parietal, temporal arcade posterior extent mandible;...