Quantitative histological models suggest endothermy in plesiosaurs [PDF]
PeerJ, 2018 Background Plesiosaurs are marine reptiles that arose in the Late Triassic and survived to the Late Cretaceous. They have a unique and uniform bauplan and are known for their very long neck and hydrofoil-like flippers.
Corinna V. Fleischle +2 more
doaj +3 more sources
The completeness of the fossil record of plesiosaurs, marine reptiles from the Mesozoic [PDF]
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 2017 Plesiosaurs were a highly successful group of marine reptiles occurring worldwide in the Jurassic and Cretaceous, but to date few studies have focused on their preservation through time.
Samuel L. Tutin, Richard J. Butler
doaj +2 more sources
Revised vertebral count in the "longest-necked vertebrate" Elasmosaurus platyurus Cope 1868, and clarification of the cervical-dorsal transition in Plesiosauria. [PDF]
PLoS ONE, 2013 Elasmosaurid plesiosaurians are renowned for their immensely long necks, and indeed, possessed the highest number of cervical vertebrae for any known vertebrate.
Sven Sachs +2 more
doaj +2 more sources
, 2007 Patagonian plesiosaurs are among the first Mesozoic reptiles described in South America. However, they are scarcely known, and most of the findings are recent. They are scarce compared to the record of the Northern Hemisphere, but concerning the taxonomic diversity and wide temporal distribution, they are the referents of Gondwana.
Brandoni, Zulma Nelida +1 more
core +3 more sources
Antarctic Science, 2012 AbstractA partial, postcranial skeleton of a juvenile individual referred to Aristonectes cf. parvidens from the upper Maastrichtian López de Bertodano Formation, Isla Marambio (Seymour Island), Antarctica, is described. Additionally, two juvenile specimens, also referred to A. cf. parvidens from the Allen Formation (upper Campanian–lower Maastrichtian)
O'gorman, Jose Patricio +2 more
openaire +3 more sources
Endothermy, neuron counts, and other issues: Further remarks on neurocognitive evolution in fossil vertebrates. [PDF]
Anat Rec (Hoboken)Abstract Last year, we challenged the view that large‐bodied theropod dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex resembled primates in cognition and behavior, a proposition made by Herculano‐Houzel in 2023. More recently, Jensen et al. have criticized our work on this topic, raising methodological and conceptual issues.
Caspar KR +5 more
europepmc +2 more sources
The pectoralis muscle orientation as an indicator of the modes of wing-propelled locomotion in birds. [PDF]
J AnatThe pectoralis orientation of birds was consistent with the orientation of the aerodynamic force acting on the wing, varying by wing‐propelled locomotion (WPL) mode. The skeletal morphology unique to each WPL mode, related to the origin/insertion of the pectoralis, may be associated with these functional demands of pectoralis orientation.
Akeda T, Fujiwara SI.
europepmc +2 more sources
Habitat Availability, Jurassic and Cretaceous Origins of the Deep-Bodied Shark Morphotype and the Rise of Pelagic Sharks. [PDF]
Ecol EvolWe find support for a benthic origin of sharks, with four discrete transitions towards pelagic‐type morphology occurring during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Increased habitat availability driven by biotic and abiotic environmental change may have driven shifts towards pelagic‐type morphology. These results may help explain discordance between molecular
Gayford JH +5 more
europepmc +2 more sources
The fossil vertebrate primary type specimens in the collection of the University of Otago Department of Geology. [PDF]
J R Soc N ZABSTRACT The 47 vertebrate type specimens held in the University of Otago Geology Department are catalogued in detail. A short history of the collection is followed by lists of the type specimens under the Classes Actinopterygii, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia. A fish trace‐fossil is included at the end of the Actinopterygii.
Robinson JH +4 more
europepmc +2 more sources
Peculiar macrophagous adaptations in a new Cretaceous pliosaurid [PDF]
Royal Society Open Science, 2015 During the Middle and Late Jurassic, pliosaurid plesiosaurs evolved gigantic body size and a series of craniodental adaptations that have been linked to the occupation of an apex predator niche. Cretaceous pliosaurids (i.e.
Valentin Fischer +5 more
doaj +1 more source