I am posting this because it is relevant to some things that came up in the discussion yesterday:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/10/scienceshot-t-rex-a-cannibal.html?etoc
Again, I feel that it is likely that T. rex was oppurtunistic, as many extant carnivores are.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Albertosaurus Life History
This week's paper (cited below) describes the construction of a life history table for Albertosaurus sarcophagus. The life table was constructed using an attritional assemblage from Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta. From this assemblage the authors were able to estimate mortality rates among the different age classes as well as the life expectancy. Most notably, the survivorship curve was found to be sigmoidal with a midlife decline in survivorship. The A. sarcophagus juveniles appear to have experienced high mortality rates followed by a decline in mortality with age (and increase in size). Mortality rates remained constant until the onset of breeding, suggesting that large clutches of young were adaptive for a short reproductive life span. The study confirmed the results of a previous study and increased the statistical power.
I find it interesting that these types of tables can be drawn for extinct organisms but I don't think it is surprising to find that a large animal such as Albertosaurus share similar life history traits to other large vertebrates. It is interesting, however, that the same patterns are not seen in any extant reptilian. This begs the question of whether the apparent differences in metabolism between extant lizards (for example) and large terrestrial dinosaurs (which are at least inertial homeotherms) are the reason for life history differences. It is difficult to rule out other factors such as habitat, body size, and clutch size, however. But I do wish there was a citation in the paper on extant reptilian life history tables and survivorship curves. How do reptiles differ from similarly sized mammals etc? does it change with body size? The paper may have been strengthened by further background on life tables and survivorship curves as well as direct comparison to some living representatives.
I find it interesting that these types of tables can be drawn for extinct organisms but I don't think it is surprising to find that a large animal such as Albertosaurus share similar life history traits to other large vertebrates. It is interesting, however, that the same patterns are not seen in any extant reptilian. This begs the question of whether the apparent differences in metabolism between extant lizards (for example) and large terrestrial dinosaurs (which are at least inertial homeotherms) are the reason for life history differences. It is difficult to rule out other factors such as habitat, body size, and clutch size, however. But I do wish there was a citation in the paper on extant reptilian life history tables and survivorship curves. How do reptiles differ from similarly sized mammals etc? does it change with body size? The paper may have been strengthened by further background on life tables and survivorship curves as well as direct comparison to some living representatives.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tomorrow's discussion paper
This one was chosen by Tom, and is our first weekly paper to be about DINOSAURS!
Erickson, G.M., P.J. Currie, B.D. Inouye & A.A. Winn, 2010. A revised life table and survivorship curve for Albertosaurus sarcophagus based on the Dry Island mass death assemblage. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 47: 1269-1275. [PDF]
Erickson, G.M., P.J. Currie, B.D. Inouye & A.A. Winn, 2010. A revised life table and survivorship curve for Albertosaurus sarcophagus based on the Dry Island mass death assemblage. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 47: 1269-1275. [PDF]
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Penguin Feathers
This was published September 30 in Science.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/science.1193604v1?sa_campaign=Email/pap/30-September-2010/10.1126/science.1193604
The paper describes a new Eocene fossil penguin with preserved feathers and shows that the morphology and color of the feathers were not similar to what we see in modern penguins. This is one of a few papers that have determined fossil feather color using melanosomes.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/science.1193604v1?sa_campaign=Email/pap/30-September-2010/10.1126/science.1193604
The paper describes a new Eocene fossil penguin with preserved feathers and shows that the morphology and color of the feathers were not similar to what we see in modern penguins. This is one of a few papers that have determined fossil feather color using melanosomes.
Hairlessness or Nakedness in Humans
I did not attend last night's meeting (I had reserved a table so I hope that was set up when you got there!) but I wanted to offer my opinion on the paper suggested by Brad. I agree with the author in that many of the previously proposed hypotheses for human hairlessness are not supportable. Hairiness is often painted as a means of keeping warm and rarely viewed as a means of keeping cool. Of course when we think about hair functions, this makes perfect sense. Hair takes advantage of the insulating properties of air by trapping it next to the body so it follows that the body should also be cooler than ambient temperature in savannah ecosystems. I think the least realistic hypothesis is the aquatic ape hypothesis. As the author mentions, many aquatic or semiaquatic mammals retain hair (again because of the insulating properties of air). These include things like beavers and otters. One thing the author doesn't mention is that hairless aquatic mammals also tend to have a high amount of insulating blubber to protect them from the cooling effects of water. But I would also expect an aquatic ape to have features more appropriate for swimming. As humans, we are terrible swimmers (perhaps not as terrible as ungulates with their spindley legs). I also agree that it is hard to separate the effects of sexual selection from the effects of natural selection but, as the author mentions, there had to be an initial impetus for hair loss or reduction.
It is clear from the paper that the author favors the parasite hypothesis. In essence, apes began to lose their hair because of increased parasite loads resulting from living in dens as a group. I didn't go to the original paper that is cited but this sounds initially convincing. I do wonder, however, about other den living animals (that also live in groups) that have retained their hairiness. I can think of a few of these animals including meerkats and burrowing rabbits. Are the insulating properties of the fur more important than the selective pressures placed upon them by increased parasite loads? In general, I don't find the parasite hypothesis satisfying and feel that the question of human nakedness is far from answered.
I am interested in seeing what came out of the discussion yesterday as well.
It is clear from the paper that the author favors the parasite hypothesis. In essence, apes began to lose their hair because of increased parasite loads resulting from living in dens as a group. I didn't go to the original paper that is cited but this sounds initially convincing. I do wonder, however, about other den living animals (that also live in groups) that have retained their hairiness. I can think of a few of these animals including meerkats and burrowing rabbits. Are the insulating properties of the fur more important than the selective pressures placed upon them by increased parasite loads? In general, I don't find the parasite hypothesis satisfying and feel that the question of human nakedness is far from answered.
I am interested in seeing what came out of the discussion yesterday as well.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
SVP Part II
Now that I have recovered (mostly) from sleep deprivation, I thought I would compose a longer post on SVP 2010.
The ice breaker at the Carnegie museum featured the best free food I have ever received from SVP (mainly because it wasn't just cheese and crackers). The museum featured all of our favorite vertebrates (namely this one also known as the Irish Elk).
See you all at today's discussion of Nakedness in humans.
The ice breaker at the Carnegie museum featured the best free food I have ever received from SVP (mainly because it wasn't just cheese and crackers). The museum featured all of our favorite vertebrates (namely this one also known as the Irish Elk).
And several of these less important things.
The auction was not Avatar themed as many guessed. The Star Trek theme was an okay replacement but I really wanted to see some blue makeup. I did enjoy last year's Monty Python a little more.
We can only hope for an exciting auction theme next year (in Vegas!). I hope to see you all there again and hope for another series of successful talks and posters.
My final note.
See you all at today's discussion of Nakedness in humans.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
SVP 2010 Post-mortem
At least some of us have survived SVP 2010. We had successful posters and talks while some of us lost our pride on the dance floor (or all of the above). Team Canada came complete with some words from the new SVP president. The meeting was an overall success!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hagfish Sex Hormones
Here is an interesting story on the publication of the discovery of the first hagfish sex hormone. Is this hormone ancestral to vertebrates or derived within the hagfish? I guess you'll have to read the referred paper.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005171038.htm
DON'T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE PAPER BELOW FOR THE OCTOBER 19 DISCUSSION.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005171038.htm
DON'T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE PAPER BELOW FOR THE OCTOBER 19 DISCUSSION.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
What's so great about naked people?
I have chosen the reading for our October 19th discussion. Enjoy!
Rantala, M.J., 2007. Evolution of nakedness in Homo sapiens. Journal of Zoology 273: 1-7. [Free PDF]
Rantala, M.J., 2007. Evolution of nakedness in Homo sapiens. Journal of Zoology 273: 1-7. [Free PDF]
New Paper in Nature
A new paper in Nature about the metabolic impacts of climate change on ectothermic vertebrates:
Michael E. Dillon, GeorgeWang, and Raymond B. Huey. 2010. Global metabolic impacts of recent climate warming. Nature 467: 704-707.
Michael E. Dillon, GeorgeWang, and Raymond B. Huey. 2010. Global metabolic impacts of recent climate warming. Nature 467: 704-707.
This Week and Next
This week's paper was an interesting insight into the world of trace fossils. The paper described the discovery of ant "bite marks" on leaves. The bite marks are the same as those left by ants infected with a deadly fungus that grows out of their heads (Grotesque!). It is the earliest record of this type of host-parasite interaction (Eocene) and has interesting implications for the evolution of host behavioral control in fungal parasites. We all wondered how old this interaction really is and wondered what this means for hypotheses of arms races between hosts and parasites. If these interactions were the same millions of years ago, can we begin to question these hypotheses?
On another note, next week is the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) meeting in Pittsburgh. Several of the groups members are presenting posters and talks (listed below are the ones I can currently recall, if you have been forgotten, post a comment):
Danielle Fraser, Thomas Cullen, Joanna Northover
On another note, next week is the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) meeting in Pittsburgh. Several of the groups members are presenting posters and talks (listed below are the ones I can currently recall, if you have been forgotten, post a comment):
Danielle Fraser, Thomas Cullen, Joanna Northover
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday October 5 Meeting
A reservation has been made at Mike's place under the name Dani. It will be one of the picnic tables. See you all there.
I will be working on the functionality and appearance of the blog this evening.
I will be working on the functionality and appearance of the blog this evening.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Work In Progress
This blog is a work in progress. You will notice the links are not working. I will have them fixed soonish.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
The new issue of JVP is available today through BioOne (Volume 30, Issue 5).
New papers include:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Osteology of a New Giant Bony-Toothed Bird from the Miocene of Chile,
with a Revision of the Taxonomy of Neogene Pelagornithidae
Gerald Mayr and David Rubilar-Rogers
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1313-1330.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501465
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jurassic Fishes from the Latady Group, Antarctic Peninsula, and the
Oldest Teleosts from Antarctica
Gloria Arratia and Dan C. H. Hikuroa
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1331-1342.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501448
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Species of Enchodus (Aulopiformes: Enchodontidae) from the
Cretaceous (Albian to Cenomanian) of Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico
Christopher Fielitz and Katia A. Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1343-1351.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501438
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cranial Morphology of a New Genus of Lungfish (Osteichthyes: Dipnoi)
from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America
Jason D. Pardo, Adam K. Huttenlocker, Bryan J. Small, and Mark A. Gorman
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1352-1359.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501430
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lower Permian Amphibamid Doleserpeton (Temnospondyli:
Dissorophoidea), The Interrelationships of Amphibamids, and the Origin
Of Modern Amphibians
Trond Sigurdsen and John R. Bolt
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1360-1377.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501445
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Postcranial Skeleton of the Aquatic Parareptile Mesosaurus tenuidens
from the Gondwanan Permian
Sean Patrick Modesto
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1378-1395.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501443
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Pylaecephalid Dicynodont (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from the
Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone, Karoo Basin, Middle Permian of South
Africa
Kenneth D. Angielczyk and Bruce S. Rubidge
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1396-1409.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501447
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redescription of the Holotype of Platecarpus tympaniticus Cope, 1869
(Mosasauridae: Plioplatecarpinae), and its Implications for the Alpha
Taxonomy of the Genus
Takuya Konishi, Michael W. Caldwell, and Gorden L. Bell
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1410-1421.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501464
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Role of the Calcaneal 'Heel' as a Propulsive Lever in Basal
Archosaurs and Extant Monitor Lizards
Corwin Sullivan
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1422-1432.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501450
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Basal Archosauriform Diapsid from the Lower Triassic of Argentina
Martin D. Ezcurra, Agustina Lecuona, and Agustin Martinelli
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1433-1450.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501446
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Evolution of Extreme Hypercarnivory in Metriorhynchidae
(Mesoeucrocodylia: Thalattosuchia) Based on Evidence from Microscopic
Denticle Morphology
Marco Brandalise de Andrade, Mark T. Young, Julia B. Desojo, and Stephen
L. Brusatte
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1451-1465.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501442
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Specimen of Eutretauranosuchus (Crocodyliformes; Goniopholididae)
from Dry Mesa, Colorado
David K. Smith, Eric R. Allen, R. Kent Sanders, and Kenneth L. Stadtman
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1466-1477.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501434
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naming Dinosaur Species: The Performance of Prolific Authors
Michael J. Benton
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1478-1485.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501462
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evolution, Homology, and Function of the Supracranial Sinuses in
Ceratopsian Dinosaurs
Andrew A. Farke
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1486-1500.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501436
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Multituberculate Mammals from the Lower Cretaceous (Shahai and Fuxin
Formations), Northeastern China
Nao Kusuhashi, yaoming hu, yuanqing wang, Takeshi Setoguchi, and
Hiroshige Matsuoka
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1501-1514.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501435
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postcranial Skeleton of the Miocene Marsupial Palaeothentes
(Paucituberculata, Palaeothentidae): Paleobiology and Phylogeny
Maria Alejandra Abello and Adriana Magdalena Candela
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1515-1527.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501437
------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Exceptionally Well-Preserved Short-Snouted Bandicoot (Marsupialia;
Peramelemorphia) from Riversleigh's Oligo-Miocene Deposits, Northwestern
Queensland, Australia
K. J. Travouillon, Y. Gurovich, R. M. D. Beck, and J. Muirhead
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1528-1546.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501463
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mylodon darwini Owen (Xenarthra, Mylodontinae) from the Late Pleistocene
of Mesopotamia, Argentina, with Remarks on Individual Variability,
Paleobiology, Paleobiogeography, and Paleoenvironment
Diego Brandoni, Brenda S. Ferrero, and Ernesto Brunetto
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1547-1558.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501449
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Skull of Orthaspidotherium edwardsi (Mammalia, "Condylarthra")
from the Late Paleocene of Berru (France) and Phylogenetic Affinities of
the Enigmatic European Family Pleuraspidotheriidae
Sandrine Ladeveze, Pieter Missiaen, and Thierry Smith
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1559-1578.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501440
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Large-Bodied Anomaluroid Rodent from the Earliest Late Eocene of
Egypt: Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Implications
Hesham M. Sallam, Erik R. Seiffert, Elwyn L. Simons, and Chloe Brindley
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1579-1593.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501439
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microdyromys remmerti, sp. nov., A New Gliridae (Rodentia, Mammalia)
from the Aragonian Type Area (Miocene, Calatayud-Montalban Basin, Spain)
Israel Garcia-Paredes, Pablo Pelaez-Campomanes, and M. Angeles
Alvarez-Sierra
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1594-1609.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501453
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Myomorph Rodents from the Eocene of Southern California
Stephen L. Walsh
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1610-1621.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501433
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Data on the Lower Devonian Chondrichthyan Fauna from Celtiberia
(Spain)
Carlos Martinez-Perez, Vincent Dupret, Esther Manzanares, and Hector
Botella
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1622-1627.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501451
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apsisaurus witteri from the Lower Permian of Texas: Yet Another Small
Varanopid Synapsid, Not a Diapsid
Robert R. Reisz, Michel Laurin, and David Marjanovic
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1628-1631.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501441
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Material of Prognathodon (Squamata: Mosasauridae), and the Mosasaur
Assemblage of the Maastrichtian of California, U.S.A.
Johan Lindgren and Anne S. Schulp
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1632-1636.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501444
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dentary of Suuwassea emilieae (Sauropoda: Diplodocoidea)
John A. Whitlock and Jerald D. Harris
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1637-1641.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501452
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Earliest Record of a Galliform Bird in Asia, from the Late
Paleocene-Early Eocene of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Sunny H. Hwang, Gerald Mayr, and Minjin Bolortsetseg
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1642-1644.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501454
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Miocene Ziphiid (Cetacea: Odontoceti) from Calvert Cliffs, Maryland,
U.S.A.
Olivier Lambert, Stephen J. Godfrey, and Anna J. Fuller
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1645-1651.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501642
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New papers include:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Osteology of a New Giant Bony-Toothed Bird from the Miocene of Chile,
with a Revision of the Taxonomy of Neogene Pelagornithidae
Gerald Mayr and David Rubilar-Rogers
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1313-1330.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501465
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jurassic Fishes from the Latady Group, Antarctic Peninsula, and the
Oldest Teleosts from Antarctica
Gloria Arratia and Dan C. H. Hikuroa
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1331-1342.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501448
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Species of Enchodus (Aulopiformes: Enchodontidae) from the
Cretaceous (Albian to Cenomanian) of Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico
Christopher Fielitz and Katia A. Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1343-1351.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501438
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cranial Morphology of a New Genus of Lungfish (Osteichthyes: Dipnoi)
from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America
Jason D. Pardo, Adam K. Huttenlocker, Bryan J. Small, and Mark A. Gorman
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1352-1359.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501430
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lower Permian Amphibamid Doleserpeton (Temnospondyli:
Dissorophoidea), The Interrelationships of Amphibamids, and the Origin
Of Modern Amphibians
Trond Sigurdsen and John R. Bolt
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1360-1377.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501445
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Postcranial Skeleton of the Aquatic Parareptile Mesosaurus tenuidens
from the Gondwanan Permian
Sean Patrick Modesto
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1378-1395.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501443
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Pylaecephalid Dicynodont (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from the
Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone, Karoo Basin, Middle Permian of South
Africa
Kenneth D. Angielczyk and Bruce S. Rubidge
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1396-1409.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501447
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redescription of the Holotype of Platecarpus tympaniticus Cope, 1869
(Mosasauridae: Plioplatecarpinae), and its Implications for the Alpha
Taxonomy of the Genus
Takuya Konishi, Michael W. Caldwell, and Gorden L. Bell
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1410-1421.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501464
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Role of the Calcaneal 'Heel' as a Propulsive Lever in Basal
Archosaurs and Extant Monitor Lizards
Corwin Sullivan
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1422-1432.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501450
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Basal Archosauriform Diapsid from the Lower Triassic of Argentina
Martin D. Ezcurra, Agustina Lecuona, and Agustin Martinelli
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1433-1450.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501446
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Evolution of Extreme Hypercarnivory in Metriorhynchidae
(Mesoeucrocodylia: Thalattosuchia) Based on Evidence from Microscopic
Denticle Morphology
Marco Brandalise de Andrade, Mark T. Young, Julia B. Desojo, and Stephen
L. Brusatte
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1451-1465.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501442
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Specimen of Eutretauranosuchus (Crocodyliformes; Goniopholididae)
from Dry Mesa, Colorado
David K. Smith, Eric R. Allen, R. Kent Sanders, and Kenneth L. Stadtman
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1466-1477.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501434
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naming Dinosaur Species: The Performance of Prolific Authors
Michael J. Benton
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1478-1485.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501462
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evolution, Homology, and Function of the Supracranial Sinuses in
Ceratopsian Dinosaurs
Andrew A. Farke
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1486-1500.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501436
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Multituberculate Mammals from the Lower Cretaceous (Shahai and Fuxin
Formations), Northeastern China
Nao Kusuhashi, yaoming hu, yuanqing wang, Takeshi Setoguchi, and
Hiroshige Matsuoka
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1501-1514.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501435
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postcranial Skeleton of the Miocene Marsupial Palaeothentes
(Paucituberculata, Palaeothentidae): Paleobiology and Phylogeny
Maria Alejandra Abello and Adriana Magdalena Candela
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1515-1527.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501437
------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Exceptionally Well-Preserved Short-Snouted Bandicoot (Marsupialia;
Peramelemorphia) from Riversleigh's Oligo-Miocene Deposits, Northwestern
Queensland, Australia
K. J. Travouillon, Y. Gurovich, R. M. D. Beck, and J. Muirhead
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1528-1546.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501463
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mylodon darwini Owen (Xenarthra, Mylodontinae) from the Late Pleistocene
of Mesopotamia, Argentina, with Remarks on Individual Variability,
Paleobiology, Paleobiogeography, and Paleoenvironment
Diego Brandoni, Brenda S. Ferrero, and Ernesto Brunetto
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1547-1558.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501449
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Skull of Orthaspidotherium edwardsi (Mammalia, "Condylarthra")
from the Late Paleocene of Berru (France) and Phylogenetic Affinities of
the Enigmatic European Family Pleuraspidotheriidae
Sandrine Ladeveze, Pieter Missiaen, and Thierry Smith
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1559-1578.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501440
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A Large-Bodied Anomaluroid Rodent from the Earliest Late Eocene of
Egypt: Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Implications
Hesham M. Sallam, Erik R. Seiffert, Elwyn L. Simons, and Chloe Brindley
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1579-1593.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501439
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Microdyromys remmerti, sp. nov., A New Gliridae (Rodentia, Mammalia)
from the Aragonian Type Area (Miocene, Calatayud-Montalban Basin, Spain)
Israel Garcia-Paredes, Pablo Pelaez-Campomanes, and M. Angeles
Alvarez-Sierra
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1594-1609.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501453
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New Myomorph Rodents from the Eocene of Southern California
Stephen L. Walsh
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1610-1621.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501433
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New Data on the Lower Devonian Chondrichthyan Fauna from Celtiberia
(Spain)
Carlos Martinez-Perez, Vincent Dupret, Esther Manzanares, and Hector
Botella
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1622-1627.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501451
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Apsisaurus witteri from the Lower Permian of Texas: Yet Another Small
Varanopid Synapsid, Not a Diapsid
Robert R. Reisz, Michel Laurin, and David Marjanovic
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1628-1631.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501441
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New Material of Prognathodon (Squamata: Mosasauridae), and the Mosasaur
Assemblage of the Maastrichtian of California, U.S.A.
Johan Lindgren and Anne S. Schulp
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1632-1636.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501444
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The Dentary of Suuwassea emilieae (Sauropoda: Diplodocoidea)
John A. Whitlock and Jerald D. Harris
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1637-1641.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501452
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The Earliest Record of a Galliform Bird in Asia, from the Late
Paleocene-Early Eocene of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Sunny H. Hwang, Gerald Mayr, and Minjin Bolortsetseg
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1642-1644.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501454
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A Miocene Ziphiid (Cetacea: Odontoceti) from Calvert Cliffs, Maryland,
U.S.A.
Olivier Lambert, Stephen J. Godfrey, and Anna J. Fuller
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Sep 2010 Vol. 30, No. 5: 1645-1651.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2010.501642
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First Meeting of the Year
Our meeting time is officially Tuesday at 5:30pm at Mike's Place pub.
Our discussion of Theobald, D. L. 2010. A formal test of the theory of universal common ancestry. Nature 65:219-223 was a success.
We will be discussing David P. Hughes, Torsten Wappler and Conrad C. Labandeira. 2010. Ancient death-grip leaf scars reveal ant-fungal parasitism. Biol. Lett. Online publication.
Our discussion of Theobald, D. L. 2010. A formal test of the theory of universal common ancestry. Nature 65:219-223 was a success.
We will be discussing David P. Hughes, Torsten Wappler and Conrad C. Labandeira. 2010. Ancient death-grip leaf scars reveal ant-fungal parasitism. Biol. Lett. Online publication.
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