[dinosaur] Neognath skull otic region + vulture necks + Varanus + lepidosaur bipedality +

Ben Creisler <[email protected]> Sun, 5 Jan 2020 12:27:30 -0800
Newsgroups gmane.science.dinosaurs.general
Message-ID <CAMR9O1Jqb6r0j2BXzJnMHKG80KLb=+pA53U5aN99T1QsfVgExw@mail.gmail.com>
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Ben [email protected]=0A=0ASome recent non-dino papers:=0A=0A=
=0AFree pdf:=0A=0AGerald Mayr (2020)=0AThe otic region of the skull of neog=
nathous birds: on the homology and=0Acomparative morphology of some neurova=
scular and muscular foramina and=0Aother external skeletal structures.=0AVe=
rtebrate Zoology 70(1): 69-85=0ADOI: 10.26049/VZ70-1-2020-05=0Ahttps://urld=
efense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__www.senckenberg.de_wp-2Dcontent_=
uploads_2019_11_05-5Fvertebrate-5Fzoology-5F70-5F1-5F2020-5FMayr.pdf&d=3DDw=
IFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9=
MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=
=3DxLXKmV0fjQACEP_O4BxVQIVwbWSSvPMsFWW9ptkTUQc&e=3D=20=0A=0A=0AEven though =
detailed anatomical studies of the otic region exist for some=0Aavian speci=
es, there are few comparative data for most extant higher-level=0Aclades. I=
n the present study, the external osteology of the otic region of=0Abirds i=
s studied in a broad taxonomic context and a focus has been put on=0Athe ho=
mology of neurovascular and muscular foramina in taxa of the=0ANeognathae. =
It is detailed that this part of the skull offers signifcant=0Astructural v=
ariation, which is of potential phylogenetic and physiological=0Asignifcanc=
e. The otic region of many taxa is for the frst time illustrated=0Aand some=
 osteological features are highlighted that are not or only rarely=0Acommen=
ted on in existing accounts of the otic region. These include the=0Aforamin=
a and osseous guiding structures for the occipital ramus of arteria=0Aophth=
almica externa, as well as the skeletal correlates of ramus palatinus=0Aand=
 ramus hyomandibularis of nervus facialis, and the foramen for musculus=0Ac=
olumellae. In addition, different conformations of the pila otica are=0Ades=
cribed and some structures of unknown signifcance are highlighted, which=0A=
require further research.=0A=0A=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=0A=0AChristine B=C3=B6hme=
r,  Jocerand Prevoteau,  Olivier Duriez & Anick Abourachid=0A(2019)=0AGulpe=
r, ripper and scrapper: anatomy of the neck in three species of=0Avultures.=
=0AJournal of Anatomy (advance online publication)=0Adoi: https://urldefens=
e.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__doi.org_10.1111_joa.13129&d=3DDwIFaQ&=
c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZge=
cRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3DLW=
jN2Zclm-pcYVRt8_nVsotXHr6hex7pTVamgP5S9nU&e=3D=20=0Ahttps://urldefense.proo=
fpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__onlinelibrary.wiley.com_doi_10.1111_joa.131=
29&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFa=
UmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp=
8InpToE&s=3DkoVNKlhEVoHQooaB6i34ECfNraAUEFeMJfMFbfGD-Hg&e=3D=20=0A=0AThe he=
ad=E2=88=92neck system of birds is a highly complex structure that performs=
 a=0Avariety of demanding and competing tasks. Morphofunctional adaptations=
 to=0Afeeding specializations have previously been identified in the head a=
nd=0Aneck, but performance is also influenced by other factors such as its=
=0Aphylogenetic history. In order to minimize the effects of this factor, w=
e=0Ahere analyzed the anatomy of three closely related vultures that distin=
ctly=0Adiffer in feeding strategy. Vultures, as obligate scavengers, have o=
ccupied=0Aa special ecological niche by exclusively feeding on carrion. How=
ever,=0Acompetition among sympatric vultures led to ecological differences =
such as=0Apreference of certain types of food from a carcass. Via comparati=
ve=0Adissections we systematically described the craniocervical anatomy in =
the=0AGriffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monach=
us)=0Aand the Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) that exploit the same f=
ood=0Aresources in different ways. Our results revealed differences in the =
number=0Aof cervical vertebrae, in the morphology of the atlas=E2=88=92axis=
 complex as well=0Aas in the neck musculature despite overall similarities =
in the=0Amusculoskeletal system. Gulpers, rippers and scrappers adopt speci=
fic=0Apostures while feeding from a carcass, but the cervical vertebral col=
umn is=0Aindispensable to position the head during all kinds of behavior. T=
he great=0Arange of demands may explain the conservation of the overall mus=
cle=0Atopography of the neck across the studied taxa.=0A=0A=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=0A=0AFree pdf:=0A=0ADavit Vasilyan & Maia Bukhsianidze (2020)=0AThe fossil=
 record of the genus Varanus from the Southern Caucasus=0A(Armenia,Georgia)=
.=0APeerJ 8:e8322doi: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A=
__doi.org_10.7717_peerj.8322&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0=
H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKw=
HKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3D51E_CKpcgv9ysVwra4Kb8WjDVK9RV1l9aWi7L=
MBm_GI&e=3D=20=0Ahttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__pee=
rj.com_articles_8322_&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSf=
nc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9=
RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3DEcWHuh5vSHedqAkEoumJm-7Xczfjptfm84NNebIgSfA&=
e=3D=20=0A=0AFree pdf:=0Ahttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps=
-3A__peerj.com_articles_8322.pdf&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUH=
hpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDE=
saKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3D82LTIYOln3OqIuzKJy-4rlOyPb41LHCQn=
-8S1CPjuww&e=3D=20=0A=0A=0AThe Southern Caucasus, with its special geograph=
ic position and complex=0Atopography, is a well-known biodiversity hotspot.=
 However, the formation=0Aoft his hotspot remains largely unstudied. To rev=
eal this, a thorough study=0Aof the fossil record of the region is necessar=
y. In the present paper, we=0Adescribe for the first time fossil monitor li=
zards (Varanus sp.) from two=0Alate Miocene localities from the Southern Ca=
ucasus (Jradzor, Armenia and=0ATetri Udabno, Georgia). We suggest that both=
 fossils belong to a=0Asmall-sized monitor lizard,comparable to the present=
-day species found in=0AIran and the Middle East (e.g.,Iraq, Saudi Arabian)=
--the most western part=0Aof the extant monitor lizards'Eurasian distributi=
on range. Our finds show=0Athat the genus had a broad distribution in the E=
astern Paratethyan region=0Aduring the late Miocene. In addition, we provid=
e the probable temperature=0Aranges for fossil localities.=0A=0A=0A=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=0A=0ALuke R. Grinham & David B. Norman (2=
019)=0AThe pelvis as an anatomical indicator for facultative bipedality and=
=0Asubstrate use in lepidosaurs.=0ABiological Journal of the Linnean Societ=
y, blz190 (advance online=0Apublication)=0Adoi: https://urldefense.proofpoi=
nt.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__doi.org_10.1093_biolinnean_blz190&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=
=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgec=
RCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3DI8s=
ubK5I6qPz-gAEQgPsxWoZIjPclIVLuhshxRBRv6M&e=3D=20=0Ahttps://urldefense.proof=
point.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__academic.oup.com_biolinnean_advance-2Darticl=
e-2Dabstract_doi_10.1093_biolinnean_blz190_5687877&d=3DDwIFaQ&c=3DclK7kQUTW=
tAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CY=
JgFW9SI&m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&s=3DWDL4fPcm_2aInXB=
OzPtubhivo8HNgmvX2lRELaeb6TM&e=3D=20=0A=0A=0A=0AFacultative bipedality is r=
egarded as an enigmatic middle ground in the=0Aevolution of obligate bipeda=
lity and is associated with high mechanical=0Ademands in extant lepidosaurs=
. Traits linked with this phenomenon are=0Alargely associated with the caud=
al end of the animal: hindlimbs and tail.=0AThe articulation of the pelvis =
with both of these structures suggests a=0Amorphofunctional role in the use=
 of a facultative locomotor mode. Using a=0Athree-dimensional geometric mor=
phometric approach, we examine the pelvic=0Aosteology and associated functi=
onal implications for 34 species of extant=0Alepidosaur. Anatomical trends =
associated with the use of a bipedal=0Alocomotor mode and substrate prefere=
nces are correlated and functionally=0Ainterpreted based on musculoskeletal=
 descriptions. Changes in pelvic=0Aosteology associated with a facultativel=
y bipedal locomotor mode are=0Asimilar to those observed in species preferr=
ing arboreal substrates,=0Aindicating shared functionality between these ec=
ologies.=0A=0A=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=0A=

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div><br></div><div>Ben Creisler</div><div><a href=3D"mail=
to:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></div><div><br></div><div>So=
me recent non-dino papers:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Free pdf=
:</div><div><br></div><div>Gerald Mayr (2020)<br>The otic region of the sku=
ll of neognathous birds: on the homology and comparative morphology of some=
 neurovascular and muscular foramina and other external skeletal structures=
.<br>Vertebrate Zoology 70(1): 69-85 <br>DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-1-2020-05<br><a=
 href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__www.sencken=
berg.de_wp-2Dcontent_uploads_2019_11_05-5Fvertebrate-5Fzoology-5F70-5F1-5F2=
020-5FMayr.pdf&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CS=
fnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp;m=3DscLCDEsa=
KwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DxLXKmV0fjQACEP_O4BxVQIVwbWSSvPM=
sFWW9ptkTUQc&amp;e=3D">https://www.senckenberg.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/1=
1/05_vertebrate_zoology_70_1_2020_Mayr.pdf</a><br><br><br>Even though detai=
led anatomical studies of the otic region exist for some avian species, the=
re are few comparative data for most extant higher-level clades. In the pre=
sent study, the external osteology of the otic region of birds is studied i=
n a broad taxonomic context and a focus has been put on the homology of neu=
rovascular and muscular foramina in taxa of the Neognathae. It is detailed =
that this part of the skull offers signifcant structural variation, which i=
s of potential phylogenetic and physiological signifcance. The otic region =
of many taxa is for the frst time illustrated and some osteological feature=
s are highlighted that are not or only rarely commented on in existing acco=
unts of the otic region. These include the foramina and osseous guiding str=
uctures for the occipital ramus of arteria ophthalmica externa, as well as =
the skeletal correlates of ramus palatinus and ramus hyomandibularis of ner=
vus facialis, and the foramen for musculus columellae. In addition, differe=
nt conformations of the pila otica are described and some structures of unk=
nown signifcance are highlighted, which require further research.=C2=A0<br>=
</div><div><br></div><div>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</div><div><br></div><div>Chris=
tine B=C3=B6hmer, =C2=A0Jocerand Prevoteau, =C2=A0Olivier Duriez &amp; Anic=
k Abourachid (2019)<br>Gulper, ripper and scrapper: anatomy of the neck in =
three species of vultures.<br>Journal of Anatomy (advance online publicatio=
n)<br>doi: <a href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A=
__doi.org_10.1111_joa.13129&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5B=
OUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp=
;m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DLWjN2Zclm-pcYVRt8_=
nVsotXHr6hex7pTVamgP5S9nU&amp;e=3D">https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13129</a><b=
r><a href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__onlinel=
ibrary.wiley.com_doi_10.1111_joa.13129&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVE=
OVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CY=
JgFW9SI&amp;m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DkoVNKlh=
EVoHQooaB6i34ECfNraAUEFeMJfMFbfGD-Hg&amp;e=3D">https://onlinelibrary.wiley.=
com/doi/10.1111/joa.13129</a><br><br>The head=E2=88=92neck system of birds =
is a highly complex structure that performs a variety of demanding and comp=
eting tasks. Morphofunctional adaptations to feeding specializations have p=
reviously been identified in the head and neck, but performance is also inf=
luenced by other factors such as its phylogenetic history. In order to mini=
mize the effects of this factor, we here analyzed the anatomy of three clos=
ely related vultures that distinctly differ in feeding strategy. Vultures, =
as obligate scavengers, have occupied a special ecological niche by exclusi=
vely feeding on carrion. However, competition among sympatric vultures led =
to ecological differences such as preference of certain types of food from =
a carcass. Via comparative dissections we systematically described the cran=
iocervical anatomy in the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Cinereous vult=
ure (Aegypius monachus) and the Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) that =
exploit the same food resources in different ways. Our results revealed dif=
ferences in the number of cervical vertebrae, in the morphology of the atla=
s=E2=88=92axis complex as well as in the neck musculature despite overall s=
imilarities in the musculoskeletal system. Gulpers, rippers and scrappers a=
dopt specific postures while feeding from a carcass, but the cervical verte=
bral column is indispensable to position the head during all kinds of behav=
ior. The great range of demands may explain the conservation of the overall=
 muscle topography of the neck across the studied taxa.<br></div><div><br><=
/div><div>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</div><div><br>Free pdf:</div><div><br>Davit Vasil=
yan &amp; Maia Bukhsianidze (2020)</div><div>The fossil record of the genus=
 Varanus from the Southern Caucasus (Armenia,Georgia).</div><div>PeerJ 8:e8=
322doi: <a href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__d=
oi.org_10.7717_peerj.8322&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOU=
HhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp;m=
=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3D51E_CKpcgv9ysVwra4Kb=
8WjDVK9RV1l9aWi7LMBm_GI&amp;e=3D">https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8322</a>=C2=
=A0</div><div><a href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps=
-3A__peerj.com_articles_8322_&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU=
5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&a=
mp;m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DEcWHuh5vSHedqAkE=
oumJm-7Xczfjptfm84NNebIgSfA&amp;e=3D">https://peerj.com/articles/8322/</a><=
/div><div><br></div><div>Free pdf:</div><div><a href=3D"https://urldefense.=
proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__peerj.com_articles_8322.pdf&amp;d=3DDwM=
FaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUm=
Gof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp;m=3DscLCDEsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTND=
Lp8InpToE&amp;s=3D82LTIYOln3OqIuzKJy-4rlOyPb41LHCQn-8S1CPjuww&amp;e=3D">htt=
ps://peerj.com/articles/8322.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><di=
v>The Southern Caucasus, with its special geographic position and complex t=
opography, is a well-known biodiversity hotspot. However, the formation oft=
 his hotspot remains largely unstudied. To reveal this, a thorough study of=
 the fossil record of the region is necessary. In the present paper, we des=
cribe for the first time fossil monitor lizards (Varanus sp.) from two late=
 Miocene localities from the Southern Caucasus (Jradzor, Armenia and Tetri =
Udabno, Georgia). We suggest that both fossils belong to a small-sized moni=
tor lizard,comparable to the present-day species found in Iran and the Midd=
le East (e.g.,Iraq, Saudi Arabian)--the most western part of the extant mon=
itor lizards&#39;Eurasian distribution range. Our finds show that the genus=
 had a broad distribution in the Eastern Paratethyan region during the late=
 Miocene. In addition, we provide the probable temperature ranges for fossi=
l localities.=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br></div><div><br></div><div>Luke R. Grinham &amp;=
 David B. Norman (2019)<br>The pelvis as an anatomical indicator for facult=
ative bipedality and substrate use in lepidosaurs. <br>Biological Journal o=
f the Linnean Society, blz190 (advance online publication)<br>doi: <a href=
=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__doi.org_10.1093_=
biolinnean_blz190&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p=
7CSfnc_gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp;m=3DscLCD=
EsaKwHKUerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DI8subK5I6qPz-gAEQgPsxWoZIjPc=
lIVLuhshxRBRv6M&amp;e=3D">https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blz190</a><br>=
<a href=3D"https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=3Dhttps-3A__academic.=
oup.com_biolinnean_advance-2Darticle-2Dabstract_doi_10.1093_biolinnean_blz1=
90_5687877&amp;d=3DDwMFaQ&amp;c=3DclK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_=
gI&amp;r=3DRy_mO4IFaUmGof_Yl9MyZgecRCKHn5g4z1CYJgFW9SI&amp;m=3DscLCDEsaKwHK=
Uerp9RJBl1qQtj142EmTNDLp8InpToE&amp;s=3DWDL4fPcm_2aInXBOzPtubhivo8HNgmvX2lR=
ELaeb6TM&amp;e=3D">https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/advance-article-abst=
ract/doi/10.1093/biolinnean/blz190/5687877</a>=C2=A0</div><div><br><br>Facu=
ltative bipedality is regarded as an enigmatic middle ground in the evoluti=
on of obligate bipedality and is associated with high mechanical demands in=
 extant lepidosaurs. Traits linked with this phenomenon are largely associa=
ted with the caudal end of the animal: hindlimbs and tail. The articulation=
 of the pelvis with both of these structures suggests a morphofunctional ro=
le in the use of a facultative locomotor mode. Using a three-dimensional ge=
ometric morphometric approach, we examine the pelvic osteology and associat=
ed functional implications for 34 species of extant lepidosaur. Anatomical =
trends associated with the use of a bipedal locomotor mode and substrate pr=
eferences are correlated and functionally interpreted based on musculoskele=
tal descriptions. Changes in pelvic osteology associated with a facultative=
ly bipedal locomotor mode are similar to those observed in species preferri=
ng arboreal substrates, indicating shared functionality between these ecolo=
gies.</div><div><br>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</div><div><br></div><div><b=
r><br><br></div></div>=0A=

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