The new species of single tooth-rowed captorhinid reptile Captorhinus magnus n. sp. from the Lower Permian fissure fillings at Richards Spur, Oklahoma differs from Captorhinus aguti in body size and dental and femoral morphology. Linear measurements of fully mature C. magnus elements range in size from 1.5 to 2.3 times as great as those of C. aguti, and the proximal articular surface of the femur, which is convex in C. aguti, is concave throughout ontogeny. C. magnus possesses ogival cheek teeth aligned in a single row, indicating that ogival dentition can no longer be considered unique to C. aguti. A phylogenetic analysis of captorhinid interrelationships indicates that C. aguti and C. magnus form a clade that possesses a sister-group relationship with Captorhinus laticeps. Incompletely ossified astragali referred to C. magnus provide unequivocal evidence that the astragalus of Captorhinus formed through the fusion of three, originally separate ossifications, the tibiale, intermedium, and proximal centrale, rather than from a single ossification center. At the Richards Spur locality, C. magnus is the most abundant Captorhinus species produced from the deeper, stratigraphically lower sediments of the quarry. It is rare, however, in the uppermost, presumably younger deposits, where C. aguti represents the most numerous Richards Spur captorhinid.Résumé : Une nouvelle espèce de reptile Captorhinidé à rangée de dents simple, Captorhinus magnus n. sp., provenant de remplissage de fissures au Permien inférieur à Richards Spur, en Oklahoma, diffère de Captorhinus aguti par la dimension de son corps et la morphologie du fémur. Les mesures linéaires d'un C. magnus à pleine maturité vont de 1,5 à 2,3 fois celles du C. aguti et la surface articulaire proximale du fémur, laquelle est convexe chez C. aguti, est concave à travers l'entière ontogenèse. C. magnus possède des dents jugales ogivales alignées en rangée simple, indiquant que la dentition ogivale ne peut plus être considérée unique à C. aguti. Une analyse phylogénétique des interrelations de Captorhinidés indique que C. aguti et C. magnus forment un clade qui possède une relation de parenté de groupe avec Captorhinus laticeps. Des astragales non complètement ossifiés attribués à C. magnus fournissent des évidences non équivoques que l'astragale de Captorhinus s'est formé par la fusion de trois ossifications originalement séparées, le tibial, l'intermédiaire et le naviculaire proximal, plutôt qu'à partir d'un centre unique d'ossification. À la localité de Richard Spurs, C. magnus est l'espèce de Captorhinus la plus abondante provenant de sédiments plus profonds, stratigraphiquement inférieurs, de la carrière. Cette espèce est toutefois rare dans les dépôts supérieurs, probablement plus jeunes, où C. aguti représente le Captorhinidé le plus abondant de Richards Spur.[Traduit par la Rédaction] Kissel et al. 1372
A recently discovered tetrapod-bearing locality (OMNH V1005) in the Upper Pennsylvanian Ada Formation of Oklahoma has produced the remains of six taxa: the pelycosaurian-grade synapsid Ophiacodon cf. mirus, an indeterminate sphenacodontian pelycosaur, the temnospondyl Eryops? sp., the rare diadectid Diasparactus zenos, and two unidentified taxa known only from jaw fragments. The skeletal material comprises an allochthonous assemblage transported by low-velocity currents prior to burial. Except for four articulated Ophiacodon vertebral segments, all fossil material recovered in situ was disarticulated. The bones were not exposed to prolonged periods of weathering prior to burial. OMNH V1005 records the first occurrence of Eryops, Diasparactus, and Ophiacodon from the Pennsylvanian of Oklahoma. The presence of Diasparactus zenos indicates that this species was not endemic to New Mexico, as formerly believed. An associated dentary provides the first well-preserved cheek teeth of Diasparactus zenos. Compared to other North American diadectid genera, these teeth resemble more closely those of Diadectes than those of Desmatodon. The occurrence of Ophiacodon mirus, which was previously known from Lower Permian strata of New Mexico, extends both the stratigraphic and geographic range of this species. The Ada assemblage resembles those found in Permo-Carboniferous deltaic deposits in the southwestern United States.
Museum exhibitions possess a long history of serving as useful tools for teaching both paleontology and evolutionary biology to college undergraduates. Yet, they are frequently under-appreciated and underutilized. However, they remain potentially outstanding resources because they can be used to meet a spectrum of learning objectives related to nature of science, real-world relevance, and student interest. Specifically, even small museum displays can provide: 1) authentic specimens, which often are more diverse, of higher quality, and historically more significant than those in teaching collections; 2) specimens in context, with other specimens and/or geological or biological background available; 3) examples of how fossils connect to virtually all of Earth and life sciences (explaining why they have so frequently been at the center of traditional “natural history”); 4) cross-disciplinary experiences, connecting science, art, technology, and history within a social context; and 5) opportunities for students to learn about teaching. A survey of instructor-developed activities performed within a host of natural history museums—with particular attention devoted to the Museum of the Earth, an affiliate of Cornell University—suggests that natural history exhibitions, regardless of size and scope, can complement and strengthen formal education in an undergraduate setting.
No abstract
Amhedus piisilliis, new genus, new species, is a small diadectid from the Lower Permian Greene Formation of Ohio that is distinguishable from all other members of the group by the presence of conical anterior teeth of the maxilla and dentary, high maxillary and mandibular tooth counts, a lesser degree of niolarization of the cheek teeth, a shallow dentary, lack of a labia! parapet, and a relatively shallow alveolar shelf that suggests a more shallow tooth implantation than that of other diadectids. The recognition of A. pusiUits as a member of Diadectidae is supported by the presence of a heterodont dentition that possesses transversely expanded, molariform cheek teeth bearing: 1 ) a central cusp Hanked by labial and lingual shoulders; and 2) wear facets developing on the lingual and labial shoulders of the maxillary and dentary cheek teeth, respectively. Although lacking a deep lower jaw, which is characteristic of herbivores and found in other diadectids, the presence of proeumbent anterior teeth, molariform cheek teeth, and wear facets similar to those of other diadectids suggest that Anibedii.s. like all other diadectids, may have been herbivorous. Phylogenetic analysis of Diadectomorpha confirms its status as a natural group, and it supports both the monophyly of Diadectidae and the sister-group relationship of Diadectidae to Tseajaia. The recognition of Limnoscelis as the sister-taxon to Tseajaia + Diadectidae is also supported. Within Diadectidae, Amhedus is the sister-taxon to all other diadectids, with Orohates. Desmatodon. and Diasparadus + Diadecies representing progressively more derived taxa in a series of nested clades. With a greater species-richness and wider geographic range relative to other diadectomorph taxa, it is hypothesized that the evolution of herbivory in Diadectidae led to an evolutionary radiation of species w ithin the group.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.