Development and evolution of the notarium in Pterosauria

Aires, Alex Sandro Schiller; Reichert, L.; Müller, Rodrigo Temp; Pinheiro, Felipe L.; Andrade, Marco B D

doi:10.1111/joa.13319

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Some other osteological features, however, apparently suggest an advanced ontogenetic stage for GP/2E 9266, such as the fusion of the extensor tendon process [ 65 , 69 , 75 , 76 ] and anterior dorsal vertebrae fused into a notarium. Notarium development of the new specimen fits state SN3 of [ 55 ]. According to these authors, stage SN3 occurs when all notarial centra are fused, with the first notarial neural spines also fused.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…This condition was also observed in Tupu . leonardii (IMCF 1052), where only the first three neural spines are fused [ 55 ]. This pattern of fusion (i.e., fusion of the centrum followed by fusion of the neural spines) was interpreted as an intermediate stage of notarium development (NS3) [ 55 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…leonardii (IMCF 1052), where only the first three neural spines are fused [ 55 ]. This pattern of fusion (i.e., fusion of the centrum followed by fusion of the neural spines) was interpreted as an intermediate stage of notarium development (NS3) [ 55 ]. The notarium in GP/2E 9266 lacks the supraneural plate, as is common for azhdarchids [ 55 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Osteology of an exceptionally well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil: Revealing the anatomy of a curious pterodactyloid clade

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A remarkably well-preserved, almost complete and articulated new specimen (GP/2E 9266) of Tupandactylus navigans is here described for the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil. The new specimen comprises an almost complete skeleton, preserving both the skull and post-cranium, associated with remarkable preservation of soft tissues, which makes it the most complete tapejarid known thus far. CT-Scanning was performed to allow the assessment of bones still covered by sediment. The specimen can be assigned to Tupa. navigans due to its vertical supra-premaxillary bony process and short and rounded parietal crest. It also bears the largest dentary crest among tapejarine pterosaurs and a notarium, which is absent in other representatives of the clade. The new specimen is here regarded as an adult individual. This is the first time that postcranial remains of Tupa. navigans are described, being also an unprecedented record of an articulated tapejarid skeleton from the Araripe Basin.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Osteology of an exceptionally well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil: Revealing the anatomy of a curious pterodactyloid clade

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Among Ornithodira, many Pterosauria also shows intervertebral fusion not only in the sacrum but also in the dorsal sequence (i.e. notarium; Aires et al, 2020), possibly as a strategy of stabilizing the axial skeleton during the flight (Hyder et al, 2014).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sacral co‐ossification in dinosaurs: The oldest record of fused sacral vertebrae in Dinosauria and the diversity of sacral co‐ossification patterns in the group

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The fusion of the sacrum occurs in the major dinosaur lineages, i.e. ornithischians, theropods, and sauropodomorphs, but it is unclear if this trait is a common ancestral condition, or if it evolved independently in each lineage, or even how or if it is related to ontogeny. In addition, the order in which the different structures of the sacrum are fused, as well as the causes that lead to this co‐ossification, are poorly understood. Herein, we described the oldest record of fused sacral vertebrae within dinosaurs, based on two primordial sacral vertebrae from the Late Triassic of Candelária Sequence, southern Brazil. We used computed microtomography (micro‐CT) to analyze the extent of vertebral fusion, which revealed that it occurred only between the centra. We also assessed the occurrence of sacral fusion in Dinosauria and close relatives. The degree of fusion observed in representatives of the major dinosaur lineages suggested that there may be a sequential pattern of fusion of the elements of the sacrum, more clearly observed in Sauropodomorpha. Our analyses suggest that primordial sacral vertebrae fuse earlier in the lineage (as seen in Norian sauropodomorphs). Intervertebral fusion is observed to encompass progressively more vertebral units as sauropodomorphs evolve, reaching up to five or more fully fused sacrals in Neosauropoda. Furthermore, the new specimen described here indicates that the fusion of sacral elements occurred early in the evolution of dinosaurs. Factors such as ontogeny and the increase in body size, combined with the incorporation of vertebrae to the sacrum may have a significant role in the process and in the variation of sacral fusion observed.

show abstract

“…The development of a notarium is due to mutations that alter the expression patterns of HOX and PAX genes (Mallo et al, 2010), and the structure is generally acquired in the final stage of skeletal maturation (Aires et al, 2021;Samejima & Otsuka, 1984). The fusion may involve two to six or seven vertebrae of the trunk (dorsal vertebrae in pterosaurs or thoracic vertebrae in birds) and in some cases also the last cervical vertebra is involved (Aires et al, 2021;Storer, 1982). There are different degrees of fusion, involving parts or all of the vertebral bodies, neural spines, transverse processes, and ventral processes (Eyton, 1869;Rydzewski, 1935).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of morphology, development, and evolution of the notarium in birds

Aires

Reichert

Müller

et al. 2021

The Anatomical Record

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The notarium is a rigid bony structure, which resulted from the fusion of thoracic vertebrae of some pterosaurs and birds. It is high variable, ranging from two to six fused thoracic vertebrae. In this study, we reviewed and analyzed approximately 270 specimens of neornithine birds (representing 80% of the living orders) and some fossils in order to identify the number of fused vertebrae, degree and sites of vertebral fusion, occurrence of sutures, and other structures of potential phylogenetic and functional significance. These data were analyzed using a recent time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic tree and principal component analyses analysis evaluating the relationship with long bones in order to reconstruct macroevolutionary trends related to the evolution of the notarium. The occurrence of this structure shows a mosaic distribution over neornithine phylogeny, originating several times independently, especially during the Paleogene, in predominantly ground-dwelling forms. The notarium of these groups is characterized by: neural spines fused into single structure, intervertebral openings small to absent, large ventral keels forming ventral plates, and fused transverse processes. Derived neornithines, such as aquatic forms and long-legged birds, have a tendency to display a decreased degree of fusion between the vertebrae, which may indicate a reduction or disappearance of the notarium.

show abstract

Development and evolution of the notarium in Pterosauria

Abstract: The notarium (= 'Os Dorsale') is a rigid axial structure that results from the fusion of anterior to mid-dorsal vertebrae. It occurs in two of the three groups of flying vertebrates, the Pterosauria

Cited by 11 publications

References 33 publications

Osteology of an exceptionally well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil: Revealing the anatomy of a curious pterodactyloid clade

Osteology of an exceptionally well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil: Revealing the anatomy of a curious pterodactyloid clade

Sacral co‐ossification in dinosaurs: The oldest record of fused sacral vertebrae in Dinosauria and the diversity of sacral co‐ossification patterns in the group

Review of morphology, development, and evolution of the notarium in birds

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About