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Ferreira JD, Rinderknecht A, de Moura Bubadué J, Gasparetto LF, Dozo MT, Sánchez-Villagra MR, Kerber L. Unveiling the neuroanatomy of Josephoartigasia monesi and the evolution of encephalization in caviomorph rodents. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:971-985. [PMID: 38502332 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02762-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Caviomorph rodents are an exceptional model for studying the effects of ecological factors and size relations on brain evolution. These mammals are not only speciose and ecologically diverse but also present wide body size disparity, especially when considering their fossil relatives. Here, we described the brain anatomy of the largest known rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi, uncovering distinctive features within this species regarding other taxa. Albeit resembling extant pacarana Dinomys branickii, J. monesi stands out due to its longer olfactory tract and well-developed sagittal sinus. Challenging the previous hypothesis that giant rodents possessed comparatively smaller brains, we found that J. monesi and another giant extinct rodent, Neoepiblema acreensis, are within the encephalization range of extant caviomorphs. This was unraveled while developing the a Phylogenetic Encephalization Quotient (PEQ) for Caviomorpha. With PEQ, we were able to trace brain-size predictions more accurately, accounting for species-shared ancestry while adding the extinct taxa phenotypic diversity into the prediction model. According to our results, caviomorphs encephalization patterns are not the product of ecological adaptations, and brain allometry is highly conservative within the clade. We challenge future studies to investigate caviomorphs encephalization within different taxonomic ranks while increasing the sampled taxa diversity, especially of extinct forms, in order to fully comprehend the magnitude of this evolutionary stasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Darival Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Andrés Rinderknecht
- Departamento de Paleontología, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jamile de Moura Bubadué
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Luiza Flores Gasparetto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Dozo
- Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología, CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | | | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.
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De-Oliveira TM, Da Silva JL, Kerber L, Pinheiro FL. The postcranial skeleton of Teyujagua paradoxa (Reptilia: Archosauromorpha) from the early Triassic of South America. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:752-775. [PMID: 38259049 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Teyujagua paradoxa is a remarkable early archosauromorph from the Lower Triassic Sanga do Cabral Formation, Brazil. The species was originally described from an almost complete skull and a few associated cervical vertebrae, and no further postcranial elements were known at that time. Additional fieldwork in the Sanga do Cabral Formation, however, was successful in recovering a fairly complete postcranial skeleton attributable to the holotype. Here, we describe this new postcranial material, which is composed of cervical, dorsal, sacral and caudal vertebrae, limbs, pectoral and pelvic girdles, ribs, and gastralia. The description of its postcranial skeleton makes T. paradoxa one of the best-known early-diverging archosauromorphs. The cladistic analysis performed after the scoring of postcranial data recovered T. paradoxa in the same position initially described, close to the node that defines the Archosauriformes. Teyujagua paradoxa shares morphological features with representatives of early-diverging archosauromorphs and archosauriforms, with certain traits demonstrating a mosaic of plesiomorphic and apomorphic character states. We also performed partitioned morphospace and disparity analysis to elucidate the morphological disparity and evolutionary patterns among archosauromorphs. Teyujagua paradoxa occupies a notable position, suggesting an intermediate morphology between early archosauromorphs and proterosuchids. Disparity estimates highlighted Pseudosuchia and Avemetatarsalia as having the highest median disparity, reflecting their diverse cranial and postcranial morphologies, respectively. These findings offer valuable insights into archosauromorph macroevolution and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiane M De-Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - João Lucas Da Silva
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
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Moro D, Damke LVS, Müller RT, Kerber L, Pretto FA. An unusually robust specimen attributed to Buriolestes schultzi (Dinosauria: Sauropodomorpha) from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:1025-1059. [PMID: 37725325 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Buriolestes schultzi is a small sauropodomorph dinosaur from Carnian beds (ca., 233 Ma) of southern Brazil. It is one of the earliest members of that lineage and is a key taxon to investigate the initial evolution of Sauropodomorpha. Here, we attribute a new specimen to B. schultzi from Late Triassic of southern Brazil, which represents the first occurrence of the taxon outside the type locality. The new specimen comprises a disarticulated and partial skeleton, including cranial and postcranial elements. It is tentatively regarded as an additional specimen of B. schultzi according to a unique combination of traits (including autapomorphies). Conversely, the new specimen is stouter than the other specimens of B. schultzi, as shown by femoral Robustness Index. Based on femoral circumference, the estimated body mass of the new specimen is approximately 15 kg, which is far higher than the previous estimations for other specimens of B. schultzi (i.e., approximately 7 kg). In fact, the new specimen and some specimens of Eoraptor lunensis and Saturnalia tupiniquim were found to be significantly stouter than coeval sauropodomorphs. Therefore, instead of all being constructed as gracile, the earliest sauropodomorphs experienced an unappreciated intraspecific variation in robustness. This is interesting because more precise data on species body mass are crucial in order to better understand the complex terrestrial ecosystems in which dinosaurs originated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Moro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lísie Vitória Soares Damke
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Temp Müller
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Flávio Augusto Pretto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Kerber L, Roese-Miron L, Medina TGM, da Roberto-da-Silva L, Cabreira SF, Pretto FA. Skull anatomy and paleoneurology of a new traversodontid from the Middle-Late Triassic of Brazil. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:791-817. [PMID: 38282563 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Traversodontidae, a clade of gomphodont cynodonts, thrived during the Middle and Late Triassic, displaying a wide geographical distribution. During fieldwork in 2009, a new specimen was discovered in Ladinian/early Carnian stratigraphic layers in southern Brazil. Here, we describe this specimen and propose a new taxon closely related to Traversodon stahleckeri (Traversodontinae) but displaying a unique combination of traits (e.g., presence of a poorly developed suborbital process, mesiodistal length of the paracanine fossa similar to the length of the canine, short diastema between the fourth incisor and the upper canine, and coronoid process not entirely covering the distalmost lower postcanine). Furthermore, the endocranial anatomy of the new taxon was examined. The reconstruction of the cranial endocast revealed paleoneurological features consistent with non-Gomphodontosuchinae traversodontids. These features include the presence of a pineal body (but the absence of an open parietal foramen). These recent findings contribute significantly to our understanding of the evolutionary history and cranial anatomy of Middle-Late Triassic traversodontids, shedding light on the diversity and adaptations of non-mammaliaform cynodonts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Lívia Roese-Miron
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Thais G M Medina
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flávio A Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
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Kerber L, Pretto FA, Müller RT. New information on the mandibular anatomy of Agudotherium gassenae, a Late Triassic non-mammaliaform probainognathian from Brazil. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:1515-1523. [PMID: 37767852 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Agudotherium gassenae is a poorly known non-mammaliaform probainognathian cynodont from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil. It is known only by mandibular remains, and its affinities within Probainognathia are unclear. Furthermore, its phylogenetic affinities were never investigated through computational analyses. In this study, we described new lower jaw remains excavated from the type locality and performed the first phylogenetic investigation of this taxon. The new specimen provides further anatomical information. The rostral region of the lower jaw was poorly preserved in the type series, leading to the interpretation that A. gassenae had three lower incisors. The new specimen demonstrates the presence of four incisors. The phylogenetic analysis positioned A. gassenae as the sister group of Prozostrodontia. This hypothesis differs from that previously presented in the former description of the taxon, in which it was considered a non-mammaliaform prozostrodont by means of character-state comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Flávio A Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
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Aureliano T, Ghilardi AM, Müller RT, Kerber L, Fernandes MA, Ricardi-Branco F, Wedel MJ. The origin of an invasive air sac system in sauropodomorph dinosaurs. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:1084-1092. [PMID: 36971057 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
One of the most remarkable features in sauropod dinosaurs relates to their pneumatized skeletons permeated by a bird-like air sac system. Many studies described the late evolution and diversification of this trait in mid to late Mesozoic forms but few focused on the origin of the invasive respiratory diverticula in sauropodomorphs. Fortunately, it is possible to solve this thanks to the boom of new species described in the last decade as well as the broad accessibility of new technologies. Here we analyze the unaysaurid sauropodomorph Macrocollum itaquii from the Late Triassic (early Norian) of southern Brazil using micro-computed tomography. We describe the chronologically oldest and phylogenetically earliest unambiguous evidence of an invasive air sac system in a dinosaur. Surprisingly, this species presented a unique pattern of pneumatization in non-sauropod sauropodomorphs, with pneumatic foramina in posterior cervical and anterior dorsal vertebrae. This suggests that patterns of pneumatization were not cladistically consistent prior to the arrival of Jurassic eusauropods. Additionally, we describe the protocamerae tissue, a new type of pneumatic tissue with properties of both camellae and camerae. This reverts the previous hypothesis which stated that the skeletal pneumatization first evolved into camarae, and derived into delicate trabecular arrangements. This tissue is evidence of thin camellate-like tissue developing into larger chambers. Finally, Macrocollum is an example of the gradual evolution of skeletal tissues responding to the fastly specializing Respiratory System of saurischian dinosaurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito Aureliano
- Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
- Diversity, Ichnology and Osteohistology Laboratory (DINOlab), Department of Geology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (URFN), Natal, Brazil
- Laboratório de Paleoecologia e Paleoicnologia (LPP), Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva (DEBE), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Aline M Ghilardi
- Diversity, Ichnology and Osteohistology Laboratory (DINOlab), Department of Geology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (URFN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Federal University of Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Federal University of Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A Fernandes
- Laboratório de Paleoecologia e Paleoicnologia (LPP), Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva (DEBE), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | - Mathew J Wedel
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and College of Podiatric Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, USA
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Kerber L, Roese-Miron L, Bubadué JM, Martinelli AG. Endocranial anatomy of the early prozostrodonts (Eucynodontia: Probainognathia) and the neurosensory evolution in mammal forerunners. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:1442-1473. [PMID: 37017195 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Prozostrodon brasiliensis and Therioherpeton cargnini are non-mammaliaform cynodonts that lived ~233 million years ago (late Carnian, Late Triassic) in western Gondwana. They represent some of the earliest divergent members of the clade Prozostrodontia, which includes "tritheledontids", tritylodontids, "brasilodontids", and mammaliaforms (including Mammalia as crown group). Here, we studied the endocranial anatomy (cranial endocast, nerves, vessels, ducts, ear region, and nasal cavity) of these two species. Our findings suggest that during the Carnian, early prozostrodonts had a brain with well-developed olfactory bulbs, expanded cerebral hemispheres divided by the interhemispheric sulcus, and absence of an unossified zone and pineal body. The morphology of the maxillary canal represents the necessary condition for the presence of facial vibrissae. A slight decrease in encephalization is observed at the origin of the clade Prozostrodontia. This new anatomical information provides evidence for the evolution of endocranial traits of the first prozotrodonts, a Late Triassic lineage that culminated in the origin of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
| | - Lívia Roese-Miron
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
| | - Jamile M Bubadué
- Laboratorio de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Agustín G Martinelli
- Sección Paleontologia de Vertebrados, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Pinheiro FL, Pretto FA, Kerber L. The dawn of an Era: New contributions on comparative and functional anatomy of Triassic tetrapods. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:713-721. [PMID: 38344876 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
The Triassic period stands as a crucial moment for understanding tetrapod evolution, marking the emergence and early diversification of numerous lineages that persist in today's ecosystems. Birds, crocodiles, testudines, lizards, and mammals can all trace their origins to the Triassic, which is distinguished by several adaptive radiation events that fostered unparalleled diversity in body plans and lifestyles. Beyond this macroevolutionary significance, the Triassic period serves as fertile ground for scientific inquiry, especially in tetrapod studies. The aim of this Special Issue is to assemble a diverse array of new contributions focused on continental Triassic tetrapods globally, encouraging collaboration among researchers across generations, pooling their efforts to comprehend this pivotal moment in tetrapod evolutionary history. This issue encompasses almost 40 varied contributions, spanning topics from comparative and functional anatomy, including descriptions of novel taxa, comprehensive anatomical reviews, systematic investigations, phylogenetic analyses, paleoneurological studies, biomechanical assessments, and detailed examinations of histology and ontogeny. Collectively, this Special Issue offers an extensive exploration of Triassic tetrapods from anatomical, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives, unveiling fresh insights into this intriguing moment in vertebrate evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe L Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Brazil
| | - Flávio A Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Brazil
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Marivaux L, Negri FR, Antoine PO, Stutz NS, Condamine FL, Kerber L, Pujos F, Ventura Santos R, Alvim AMV, Hsiou AS, Bissaro MC, Adami-Rodrigues K, Ribeiro AM. An eosimiid primate of South Asian affinities in the Paleogene of Western Amazonia and the origin of New World monkeys. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301338120. [PMID: 37399374 PMCID: PMC10334725 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301338120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent fossil discoveries in Western Amazonia revealed that two distinct anthropoid primate clades of African origin colonized South America near the Eocene/Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). Here, we describe a diminutive fossil primate from Brazilian Amazonia and suggest that, surprisingly, a third clade of anthropoids was involved in the Paleogene colonization of South America by primates. This new taxon, Ashaninkacebus simpsoni gen. et sp. nov., has strong dental affinities with Asian African stem anthropoids: the Eosimiiformes. Morphology-based phylogenetic analyses of early Old World anthropoids and extinct and extant New World monkeys (platyrrhines) support relationships of both Ashaninkacebus and Amamria (late middle Eocene, North Africa) to the South Asian Eosimiidae. Afro-Arabia, then a mega island, played the role of a biogeographic stopover between South Asia and South America for anthropoid primates and hystricognathous rodents. The earliest primates from South America bear little adaptive resemblance to later Oligocene-early Miocene platyrrhine monkeys, and the scarcity of available paleontological data precludes elucidating firmly their affinities with or within Platyrrhini. Nonetheless, these data shed light on some of their life history traits, revealing a particularly small body size and a diet consisting primarily of insects and possibly fruit, which would have increased their chances of survival on a natural floating island during this extraordinary over-water trip to South America from Africa. Divergence-time estimates between Old and New World taxa indicate that the transatlantic dispersal(s) could source in the intense flooding events associated with the late middle Eocene climatic optimum (ca. 40.5 Ma) in Western Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Marivaux
- Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (UMR 5554, CNRS/Université de Montpellier/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Université de Montpellier, 34095Montpellier, France
| | - Francisco R. Negri
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade Federal do Acre, 69980-000Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pierre-Olivier Antoine
- Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (UMR 5554, CNRS/Université de Montpellier/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Université de Montpellier, 34095Montpellier, France
| | - Narla S. Stutz
- Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (UMR 5554, CNRS/Université de Montpellier/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Université de Montpellier, 34095Montpellier, France
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fabien L. Condamine
- Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (UMR 5554, CNRS/Université de Montpellier/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Université de Montpellier, 34095Montpellier, France
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97230-000São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - François Pujos
- Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales, CONICET–Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-Mendoza, 5500Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Roberto Ventura Santos
- Laboratório de Geocronologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-000Brasília, Brazil
| | - André M. V. Alvim
- Laboratório de Geocronologia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-000Brasília, Brazil
| | - Annie S. Hsiou
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcos C. Bissaro
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-901Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Karen Adami-Rodrigues
- Núcleo de Estudos em Paleontologia e Estratigrafia, Centro das Engenharias, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, 96010-020Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Seção de Paleontologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Secretaria do Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, 90690-000Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Dickson JL, Palumbo AM, Head JW, Kerber L, Fassett CI, Kreslavsky MA. Gullies on Mars could have formed by melting of water ice during periods of high obliquity. Science 2023; 380:1363-1367. [PMID: 37384686 DOI: 10.1126/science.abk2464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Gullies on Mars resemble water-carved channels on Earth, but they are mostly at elevations where liquid water is not expected under current climate conditions. It has been suggested that sublimation of carbon dioxide ice alone could have formed Martian gullies. We used a general circulation model to show that the highest-elevation Martian gullies coincide with the boundary of terrain that experienced pressures above the triple point of water when Mars' rotational axis tilt reached 35°. Those conditions have occurred repeatedly over the past several million years, most recently ~630,000 years ago. Surface water ice, if present at these locations, could have melted when temperatures rose >273 kelvin. We propose a dual gully formation scenario that is driven by melting of water ice followed by carbon dioxide ice sublimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Dickson
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - A M Palumbo
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - J W Head
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - L Kerber
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - C I Fassett
- NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - M A Kreslavsky
- Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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11
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Kerber L. Caviomorph rodents from the Pampean region (Argentina) in the historical Santiago Roth Collection in Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 2023; 142:8. [PMID: 37216012 PMCID: PMC10192190 DOI: 10.1186/s13358-023-00272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Here I reviewed the Pleistocene caviomorphs collected by Santiago Roth (collection from Catalog No. 5) and housed at the paleontological collection of the Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Zurich (Switzerland). The fossils were found in Pleistocene strata from Buenos Aires and Santa Fé provinces (Argentina) during the late nineteenth century. The material includes craniomandibular remains assigned to Lagostomus maximus (Chinchilloidea: Chinchillidae), craniomandibular and postcranial (thoracic and sacral vertebra, left scapula, left femur, and right tibia) bones identified as Dolichotis sp. (Cavioidea: Caviidae), and a fragmented hemimandible and isolated tooth of Myocastor sp. (Octodontoidea: Echimyidae). Other rodent specimens from this collection (Ctenomys sp. and Cavia sp.) are possibly sub-recent materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, São João do Polêsine, RS 97230-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900 Brazil
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12
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Stefanello M, Martinelli AG, Müller RT, Dias-da-Silva S, Kerber L. Correction to: A complete skull of a stem mammal from the Late Triassic of Brazil illuminates the early evolution of prozostrodontian cynodonts. J MAMM EVOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-023-09658-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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13
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Aureliano T, Ghilardi AM, Müller RT, Kerber L, Pretto FA, Fernandes MA, Ricardi-Branco F, Wedel MJ. The absence of an invasive air sac system in the earliest dinosaurs suggests multiple origins of vertebral pneumaticity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20844. [PMID: 36494410 PMCID: PMC9734174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25067-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of the air sac system present in birds has been an enigma for decades. Skeletal pneumaticity related to an air sac system is present in both derived non-avian dinosaurs and pterosaurs. But the question remained open whether this was a shared trait present in the common avemetatarsalian ancestor. We analyzed three taxa from the Late Triassic of South Brazil, which are some of the oldest representatives of this clade (233.23 ± 0.73 Ma), including two sauropodomorphs and one herrerasaurid. All three taxa present shallow lateral fossae in the centra of their presacral vertebrae. Foramina are present in many of the fossae but at diminutive sizes consistent with neurovascular rather than pneumatic origin. Micro-tomography reveals a chaotic architecture of dense apneumatic bone tissue in all three taxa. The early sauropodomorphs showed more complex vascularity, which possibly served as the framework for the future camerate and camellate pneumatic structures of more derived saurischians. Finally, the evidence of the absence of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in the oldest dinosaurs contradicts the homology hypothesis for an invasive diverticula system and suggests that this trait evolved independently at least 3 times in pterosaurs, theropods, and sauropodomorphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito Aureliano
- grid.411087.b0000 0001 0723 2494Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil ,grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XDiversity, Ichnology and Osteohistology Laboratory (DINOlab), Department of Geology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte (URFN), Natal, Brazil ,grid.411247.50000 0001 2163 588XLaboratório de Paleoecologia E Paleoicnologia (LPP), Departamento de Ecologia E Biologia Evolutiva (DEBE), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Aline M. Ghilardi
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XDiversity, Ichnology and Osteohistology Laboratory (DINOlab), Department of Geology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte (URFN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Müller
- grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Centro de Apoio À Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Federal University of Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João Do Polêsine, Brazil ,grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biodiversidade Animal, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Centro de Apoio À Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Federal University of Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João Do Polêsine, Brazil ,grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biodiversidade Animal, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Flávio A. Pretto
- grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Centro de Apoio À Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Federal University of Santa Maria (CAPPA/UFSM), São João Do Polêsine, Brazil ,grid.411239.c0000 0001 2284 6531Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biodiversidade Animal, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. Fernandes
- grid.411247.50000 0001 2163 588XLaboratório de Paleoecologia E Paleoicnologia (LPP), Departamento de Ecologia E Biologia Evolutiva (DEBE), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Fresia Ricardi-Branco
- grid.411087.b0000 0001 0723 2494Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mathew J. Wedel
- grid.268203.d0000 0004 0455 5679College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and College of Podiatric Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, USA
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Kellner AW, Holgado B, Grillo O, Pretto FA, Kerber L, Pinheiro FL, Soares MB, Schultz CL, Lopes RT, Araújo O, Müller RT. Reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus, a purported Triassic pterosaur from southern Brazil with the description of a new taxon. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13276. [PMID: 35529502 PMCID: PMC9074864 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Faxinalipterus minimus was originally described as a purported pterosaur from the Late Triassic (early Norian) Caturrita Formation of southern Brazil. Its holotype comprises fragmentary postcranial elements, whereas a partial maxilla was referred to the species. The assignment of Faxinalipterus minimus to Pterosauria has been questioned by some studies, but the specimen has never been accessed in detail after its original description. Here we provide a reassessment of Faxinalipterus minimus after additional mechanical preparation of the holotype. Our interpretations on the identity of several bones differ from those of the original description, and we found no support favoring pterosaur affinities for the taxon. The maxilla previously referred to Faxinalipterus minimus is disassociated from this taxon and referred to a new putative pterosauromorph described here from a partial skull and fragmentary postcranial elements. Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. comes from the same fossiliferous site that yielded Faxinalipterus minimus, but the lack of overlapping bones hampers comparisons between the two taxa. Our phylogenetic analysis places Faxinalipterus minimus within Lagerpetidae and Maehary bonapartei gen. et sp. nov. as the earliest-diverging member of Pterosauromorpha. Furthermore, the peculiar morphology of the new taxon reveals a new dental morphotype for archosaurs, characterized by conical, unserrated crowns, with a pair of apicobasally oriented grooves. These two enigmatic archosaurs expand our knowledge on the Caturrita Formation fauna and reinforce the importance of its beds on the understanding of Late Triassic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W.A. Kellner
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Tafonomia de Vertebrados Fósseis, Setor de Paleovertebrados, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Borja Holgado
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Tafonomia de Vertebrados Fósseis, Setor de Paleovertebrados, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
| | - Orlando Grillo
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Tafonomia de Vertebrados Fósseis, Setor de Paleovertebrados, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flávio Augusto Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lima Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marina Bento Soares
- Laboratório de Sistemática e Tafonomia de Vertebrados Fósseis, Setor de Paleovertebrados, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cesar Leandro Schultz
- Departamento de Paleontologia e Estratigrafia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tadeu Lopes
- Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear, Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Olga Araújo
- Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear, Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Temp Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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15
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Ferreira JD, Dozo MT, de Moura Bubadué J, Kerber L. Morphology and postnatal ontogeny of the cranial endocast and paranasal sinuses of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodent. J Morphol 2021; 283:66-90. [PMID: 34775628 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have analyzed and described the endocranial cavities of caviomorph rodents. However, no study has documented the changes in the morphology and relative size of such cavities during ontogeny. Expecting to contribute to the discussion of the endocranial spaces of extinct caviomorphs, we aimed to characterize the cranial endocast morphology and paranasal sinuses of the largest living rodent, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, by focusing on its ontogenetic growth patterns. We analyzed 12 specimens of different ontogenetic stages and provided a comparison with other cavioids. Our study demonstrates that the adult cranial endocast of H. hydrochaeris is characterized by olfactory bulbs with an irregular shape, showing an elongated olfactory tract without a clear circular fissure, a marked temporal region that makes the endocast with rhombus outline, and gyrencephaly. Some of these traits change as the brain grows. The cranial pneumatization is present in the frontal and lacrimal bones. We identified two recesses (frontal and lacrimal) and one sinus (frontal). These pneumatic cavities increase their volume as the cranium grows, covering the cranial region of the cranial endocast. The encephalization quotient was calculated for each specimen, demonstrating that it decreases as the individual grows, being much higher in younger specimens than in adults. Our results show that the ontogenetic stage can be a confounding factor when it comes to the general patterns of encephalization of extinct rodents, reinforcing the need for paleobiologists to take the age of the specimens into account in future studies on this subject to avoid age-related biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- José D Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Dozo
- Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología, CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Jamile de Moura Bubadué
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Belém, Brazil
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16
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Kerber L, Martinelli AG, Müller RT, Pretto FA. A new specimen provides insights into the anatomy of Irajatherium hernandezi, a poorly known probainognathian cynodont from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:3113-3132. [PMID: 34779131 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Irajatherium hernandezi is a poorly known non-mammaliaform cynodont from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil. A new specimen of this cynodont was found in recent fieldwork to the type-locality, the Linha São Luiz site (Candelária Sequence), providing new insights into the anatomy of this mammalian forerunner. This specimen comprises a partial skull preserving the left canine, two left and three right postcanines, and an isolated exoccipital; the left dentary with the canine and postcanines; a fragment of the right dentary; the proximal portion of the left partial humerus; the right scapula; and indeterminate fragments. Based on new material, it is here suggested that I. hernandezi presents: a rostrum broad and short, possibly long as the temporal region; three foramina on the lateral surface of the maxilla, that could correspond to the external openings of the rostral alveolar, infraorbital, and zygomaticofacial canals; a slender zygomatic arch and an absent postorbital bar; a posteriorly wide temporal fossa; a long secondary palate, slightly surpassing the level of the last postcanine tooth; the cerebral hemispheres of the cranial endocast divided by a median sulcus; the scapular blade long and straight, and the postscapular fossa absent in lateral aspect. Finally, I. hernandezi and other tritheledontids were included in a phylogenetic analysis of Eucynodontia. The analysis recovered unresolved relationships for ictidosaurs/tritheledontids, nested within a polytomy with Tritylodontidae and a clade composed by Pseudotherium argentinus, Botucaraitherium belarminoi, Brasilodon quadrangularis, and Mammaliaformes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Belém, Brazil
| | - Agustín G Martinelli
- CONICET-Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernardino Rivadavia', Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo T Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Flávio A Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
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Kerber L, Candela AM, Ferreira JD, Pretto FA, Bubadué J, Negri FR. Postcranial Morphology of the Extinct Rodent Neoepiblema (Rodentia: Chinchilloidea): Insights Into the Paleobiology of Neoepiblemids. J MAMM EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-021-09567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Carrillo-Briceño JD, Sánchez R, Scheyer TM, Carrillo JD, Delfino M, Georgalis GL, Kerber L, Ruiz-Ramoni D, Birindelli JLO, Cadena EA, Rincón AF, Chavez-Hoffmeister M, Carlini AA, Carvalho MR, Trejos-Tamayo R, Vallejo F, Jaramillo C, Jones DS, Sánchez-Villagra MR. A Pliocene-Pleistocene continental biota from Venezuela. Swiss J Palaeontol 2021; 140:9. [PMID: 34721281 PMCID: PMC8550326 DOI: 10.1186/s13358-020-00216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Pliocene-Pleistocene transition in the Neotropics is poorly understood despite the major climatic changes that occurred at the onset of the Quaternary. The San Gregorio Formation, the younger unit of the Urumaco Sequence, preserves a fauna that documents this critical transition. We report stingrays, freshwater bony fishes, amphibians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, aquatic and terrestrial turtles, and mammals. A total of 49 taxa are reported from the Vergel Member (late Pliocene) and nine taxa from the Cocuiza Member (Early Pleistocene), with 28 and 18 taxa reported for the first time in the Urumaco sequence and Venezuela, respectively. Our findings include the first fossil record of the freshwater fishes Megaleporinus, Schizodon, Amblydoras, Scorpiodoras, and the pipesnake Anilius scytale, all from Pliocene strata. The late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene ages proposed here for the Vergel and Cocuiza members, respectively, are supported by their stratigraphic position, palynology, nannoplankton, and 86Sr/88Sr dating. Mammals from the Vergel Member are associated with the first major pulse of the Great American Biotic Interchange. In contrast to the dry conditions prevailing today, the San Gregorio Formation documents mixed open grassland/forest areas surrounding permanent freshwater systems, following the isolation of the northern South American basin from western Amazonia. These findings support the hypothesis that range contraction of many taxa to their current distribution in northern South America occurred rapidly during at least the last 1.5 million years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge D. Carrillo-Briceño
- Universität Zürich, Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Karl-Schmid-Straße 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rodolfo Sánchez
- Museo Paleontológico de Urumaco, Calle Bolívar s/n, Urumaco, Estado Falcón Venezuela
| | - Torsten M. Scheyer
- Universität Zürich, Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Karl-Schmid-Straße 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juan D. Carrillo
- CR2P, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 8 Rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Carl Skottsbergs gata 22B, 41319 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Massimo Delfino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA/ICP, c/Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona Spain
| | - Georgios L. Georgalis
- Universität Zürich, Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Karl-Schmid-Straße 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Belém, PA Brazil
| | - Damián Ruiz-Ramoni
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja (CRILAR), Provincia de La Rioja, CONICET, UNLaR, SEGEMAR, UNCa, Entre Ríos y Mendoza s/n, 5301 Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina
| | - José L. O. Birindelli
- Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Edwin-Alberto Cadena
- Grupo de Investigación Paleontología Neotropical Tradicional y Molecular (PaleoNeo), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092 Balboa, Ancón Panama
| | - Aldo F. Rincón
- Departamento de Física y Geociencias, Universidad del Norte, Km. 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Martin Chavez-Hoffmeister
- Laboratorio de Paleontología, Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Alfredo A. Carlini
- Lab. Morfología Evolutiva Desarrollo (MORPHOS), and División Paleontología de Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900FWA La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mónica R. Carvalho
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092 Balboa, Ancón Panama
| | - Raúl Trejos-Tamayo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía (IIES), Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 #26-10, Manizales, Colombia
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Felipe Vallejo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía (IIES), Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 #26-10, Manizales, Colombia
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Jaramillo
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092 Balboa, Ancón Panama
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- ISEM, U. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Douglas S. Jones
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
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Moro D, Kerber L, Müller RT, Pretto FA. 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. J Anat 2021; 238:828-844. [PMID: 33164207 PMCID: PMC7930772 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Moro
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade AnimalUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSanta MariaRSBrazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta ColôniaUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSão João do PolêsineRSBrazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade AnimalUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSanta MariaRSBrazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta ColôniaUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSão João do PolêsineRSBrazil
- Museu Paraense Emílio GoeldiCoordenação de Ciências da Terra e EcologiaBelémBrazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta ColôniaUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSão João do PolêsineRSBrazil
| | - Flávio A. Pretto
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade AnimalUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSanta MariaRSBrazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta ColôniaUniversidade Federal de Santa MariaSão João do PolêsineRSBrazil
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Kerber L, Ferreira JD, Fonseca PHM, Franco A, Martinelli AG, Soares MB, Ribeiro AM. An additional brain endocast of the ictidosaur Riograndia guaibensis (Eucynodontia: Probainognathia): intraspecific variation of endocranial traits. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20200084. [PMID: 33681891 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the morphology and encephalization of the brain endocast of the Triassic non-mammaliaform probainognathian cynodont Riograndia guaibensis were studied. Here, we analyzed the brain endocast of an additional specimen of this species. The new endocast shows well-defined olfactory bulbs and a median sulcus dividing the hemispheres, traits that were not clearly observed in the first studied specimen. Encephalization quotients were also calculated, revealing similar values to other non-mammaliaform cynodonts and lower than those of the first analyzed specimen. The analyzed cranium is slightly larger than the first studied one and may represent an advanced ontogenetic stage. Hence, these differences may be related to the intraspecific variation of this cynodont or alternatively, to the preservation of each specimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Av. Perimetral, 1901, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - JosÉ Darival Ferreira
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique M Fonseca
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Arymatheia Franco
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - AgustÍn G Martinelli
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernardino Rivadavia', CONICET-Sección Paleontología de Vertebrados, Av. Ángel Gallardo, 470, C1405 DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Bento Soares
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Secretaria do Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Seção de Paleontologia, Av. Salvador França, 1427, 90690-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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21
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Copetti PL, Parisi-Dutra R, DA-Rosa ÁAS, Kerber L. A new record of Tayassuidae (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) from the Pleistocene of northern Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20191080. [PMID: 33533793 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120191080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this contribution, we described a new fossil of a Pleistocene Tayassuidae from northern Brazil. The specimen is a left dentary with molars assigned to cf. Pecari tajacu recovered from an outcrop of the Rio Madeira Formation, State of Rondônia, Brazil. It represents the first Pleistocene fossil of this clade with stratigraphic provenance in the Amazon region of Brazil. This record contributes to the knowledge on the paleofauna of Rio Madeira Formation as well as extend the past geographic distribution of peccaries in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula L Copetti
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Parisi-Dutra
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Átila A S DA-Rosa
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Geociências, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Av. Perimetral, 1901, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
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22
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Moro D, Kerber L, Müller RT, Pretto FA. 3D models related to the publication: 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. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.18563/journal.m3.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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23
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Müller RT, Ferreira JD, Pretto FA, Bronzati M, Kerber L. The endocranial anatomy of Buriolestes schultzi (Dinosauria: Saurischia) and the early evolution of brain tissues in sauropodomorph dinosaurs. J Anat 2020; 238:809-827. [PMID: 33137855 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge on the anatomy of the first dinosaurs (Late Triassic, 235-205 Ma) has drastically increased in the last years, mainly due to several new findings of exceptionally well-preserved specimens. Nevertheless, some structures such as the neurocranium and its associated structures (brain, labyrinth, cranial nerves, and vasculature) remain poorly known, especially due to the lack of specimens preserving a complete and articulated neurocranium. This study helps to fill this gap by investigating the endocranial cavity of one of the earliest sauropodomorphs, Buriolestes schultzi, from the Upper Triassic (Carnian-c. 233 Ma) of Brazil. The endocranial anatomy of this animal sheds light on the ancestral condition of the brain of sauropodomorphs, revealing an elongated olfactory tract combined to a relatively small pituitary gland and well-developed flocculus of the cerebellum. These traits change drastically across the evolutionary history of sauropodomorphs, reaching the opposite morphology in Jurassic times. Furthermore, we present here the first calculations of the Reptile Encephalization Quotient (REQ) for a Triassic dinosaur. The REQ of B. schultzi is lower than that of Jurassic theropods, but higher than that of later sauropodomorphs. The combination of cerebral, dental, and postcranial data suggest that B. schultzi was an active small predator, able to track moving prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo T Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - José D Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Flávio A Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Mario Bronzati
- Laboratório de Evolução e Biologia Integrativa, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Belém, Brazil
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Fontoura E, Ferreira JD, Bubadué J, Ribeiro AM, Kerber L. Virtual brain endocast of Antifer (Mammalia: Cervidae), an extinct large cervid from South America. J Morphol 2020; 281:1223-1240. [PMID: 32815595 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A diverse fossil record of Cervidae (Mammalia) has been documented in the South American Pleistocene, when these animals arrived during the Great American Biotic Interchange. Using computed tomography-scanning techniques, it is possible to access the endocranial morphology of extinct species. Here, we studied the brain endocast of the extinct late Pleistocene cervid Antifer ensenadensis from southern Brazil, one of the largest forms that lived on this continent, using comparative morphology, geometric morphometrics, and encephalization quotients. The analyzed endocasts demonstrate that A. ensenadensis had a gyrencephalic brain, showing a prominent longitudinal sinus (=sagittal superior sinus), which is also observed in the large South American cervid Blastocerus dichotomus. The encephalization quotient is within the variation of extant cervids, suggesting maintenance of the pattern of encephalization from at least the late Pleistocene. Geometric morphometric analysis suggested a clear and linear allometric trend between brain endocast size and shape, and highlights A. ensenadensis as an extreme form within the analyzed cervids regarding brain morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Fontoura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - José Darival Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - Jamile Bubadué
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Ribeiro
- Seção de Paleontologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Secretaria do Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil.,Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Belém, Brazil
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25
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De-Oliveira TM, Pinheiro FL, Stock Da-Rosa ÁA, Dias-Da-Silva S, Kerber L. Correction: A new archosauromorph from South America provides insights on the early diversification of tanystropheids. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233216. [PMID: 32392264 PMCID: PMC7213688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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26
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Ferreira JD, Negri FR, Sánchez-Villagra MR, Kerber L. Small within the largest: brain size and anatomy of the extinct
Neoepiblema acreensis
, a giant rodent from the Neotropics. Biol Lett 2020. [PMCID: PMC7058952 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2019.0914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecomorphological diversity of caviomorph rodents in South America included giant forms, such as the chinchilloid Neoepiblema acreensis from the Upper Miocene of Brazil. The evolution of the brain anatomy and size of these animals can be now studied with non-invasive imaging techniques and exceptional fossils. Caviomorphs show diversity in the traits of the olfactory bulbs, cerebrum, cerebellum, cranial nerves, and blood vessels. Neoepiblema acreensis had a gyrencephalic brain, with an expansion of the frontal lobe, lacking an evident paraflocculus. Compared to the predictions based on extant taxa, even when considering taphonomical effects, N. acreensis, a rodent that weighted almost 80 kg, had a very low encephalization quotient compared to other rodents. The adaptive value of a low energetic cost and other ecological factors could explain the presence of a small brain in this giant rodent––a pattern we also hypothesize for other Neogene giant rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- José D. Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Francisco R. Negri
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
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27
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Pacheco C, Müller RT, Langer M, Pretto FA, Kerber L, Dias da Silva S. Gnathovorax cabreirai: a new early dinosaur and the origin and initial radiation of predatory dinosaurs. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7963. [PMID: 31720108 PMCID: PMC6844243 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Predatory dinosaurs were an important ecological component of terrestrial Mesozoic ecosystems. Though theropod dinosaurs carried this role during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods (and probably the post-Carnian portion of the Triassic), it is difficult to depict the Carnian scenario, due to the scarcity of fossils. Until now, knowledge on the earliest predatory dinosaurs mostly relies on herrerasaurids recorded in Carnian strata of South America. Phylogenetic investigations recovered the clade in different positions within Dinosauria, whereas fewer studies challenged its monophyly. Although herrerasaurid fossils are much better recorded in present-day Argentina than in Brazil, Argentinean strata so far yielded no fairly complete skeleton representing a single individual. Here, we describe Gnathovorax cabreirai, a new herrerasaurid based on an exquisite specimen found as part of a multitaxic association form southern Brazil. The type specimen comprises a complete and well-preserved articulated skeleton, preserved in close association (side by side) with rhynchosaur and cynodont remains. Given its superb state of preservation and completeness, the new specimen sheds light into poorly understood aspects of the herrerasaurid anatomy, including endocranial soft tissues. The specimen also reinforces the monophyletic status of the group, and provides clues on the ecomorphology of the early carnivorous dinosaurs. Indeed, an ecomorphological analysis employing dental traits indicates that herrerasaurids occupy a particular area in the morphospace of faunivorous dinosaurs, which partially overlaps the area occupied by post-Carnian theropods. This indicates that herrerasaurid dinosaurs preceded the ecological role that later would be occupied by large to medium-sized theropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
| | - Max Langer
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávio A. Pretto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Dias da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, RS, Brazil
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28
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de Simão-Oliveira D, Kerber L, L Pinheiro F. Endocranial morphology of the Brazilian Permian dicynodont Rastodon procurvidens (Therapsida: Anomodontia). J Anat 2019; 236:384-397. [PMID: 31670465 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dicynodontia is a major clade of terrestrial tetrapods that greatly diversified during the Permian and Triassic periods, reaching a worldwide distribution. In this study, the endocranial cavity of the Brazilian Permian dicynodont Rastodon procurvidens is described based on a digital endocast obtained using digital imaging (X-ray computed tomography) and 3D modeling. It was possible to reconstruct the brain, olfactory bulbs, inner ear, some neurovascular canals, cranial nerves, the nasal cavity, and the maxillary recesses. The endocast of R. procurvidens preserves a typical plesiomorphic morphology of non-mammaliaform therapsids, being predominantly tubular and displaying a relatively short and robust hindbrain. Encephalization quotients (EQs) were calculated for R. procurvidens, resulting in EQs of 0.09 ± 0.03 and 0.13 ± 0.05 (Jerison's EQ and Manger's EQ, respectively). Finally, some biological implications of the endocast morphology were inferred for R. procurvidens. Its inner ear is especially small, and its orientation implies a slightly downturned head posture in life. Furthermore, the presence of uncompressed maxillary recesses in R. procurvidens indicates a correlation between the enlargement of the recesses and the reduction of the tusks, also seen in other dicynodonts with reduced tusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel de Simão-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pampa (Unipampa), São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Felipe L Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pampa (Unipampa), São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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29
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Kerber L, Ferreira JD, Negri FR. A reassessment of the cranial morphology of
Neoepiblema acreensis
(Rodentia: Chinchilloidea), a Miocene rodent from South America. J Morphol 2019; 280:1821-1838. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria São João do Polêsine Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Santa Maria Brazil
| | - José D. Ferreira
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia (CAPPA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria São João do Polêsine Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Francisco R. Negri
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre Cruzeiro do Sul Acre Brazil
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30
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Pavanatto AEB, Kerber L, Dias-da-Silva S. Virtual reconstruction of cranial endocasts of traversodontid cynodonts (Eucynodontia: Gomphodontia) from the upper Triassic of Southern Brazil. J Morphol 2019; 280:1267-1281. [PMID: 31241801 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The brain endocasts of the late Triassic (Carnian) traversodontids (Eucynodontia: Gomphodontia) Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum and Exaeretodon riograndensis from southern Brazil are described based on virtual models generated using computed tomography scan data. Their skull anatomy resembles that of other non-mammaliaform cynodonts, showing an endocranial cavity that is not fully ossified. A "V-shaped" orbitosphenoid, neither fully developed nor ossified is present in E. riograndensis. The nasal cavity is confluent with the encephalic cavity. Thus, the anterior limit of the olfactory bulbs is not definite. The brain endocast is elongated, being narrow anteriorly and wide posteriorly, with the maximum width at the parafloccular cast. The olfactory bulbs do not present a clear division between their counterparts, due to the absence of a longitudinal sulcus. A longitudinal sulcus in the forebrain delimiting the cerebral hemispheres, the pineal tube, and the parietal foramen are absent in both taxa. The large and well-developed unossified zone is partially separated from the remaining endocast by a notch formed by the supraoccipital. The encephalization quotients, as well as the endocranial volume/body mass relationships of S. niemeyerorum and E. riograndensis are within the range expected for non-mammaliaform Therapsida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane E B Pavanatto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Dias-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, Brazil
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Eduardo AA, Martinez PA, Gouveia SF, Santos FDS, de Aragão WS, Morales-Barbero J, Kerber L, Liparini A. Extending the paleontology-biogeography reciprocity with SDMs: Exploring models and data in reducing fossil taxonomic uncertainty. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194725. [PMID: 29590174 PMCID: PMC5874039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, studies aimed at prospecting and analyzing paleontological and neontological data to investigate species distribution have developed separately. Research at the interface between paleontology and biogeography has shown a unidirectional bias, mostly focusing on how paleontological information can aid biogeography to understand species distribution through time. However, the modern suit of techniques of ecological biogeography, particularly species distribution models (SDM), can be instrumental for paleontologists as well, improving the biogeography-paleontology interchange. In this study, we explore how to use paleoclimatic data and SDMs to support paleontological investigation regarding reduction of taxonomic uncertainty. Employing current data from two neotropical species (Lagostomus maximus and Myocastor coipus), we implemented SDMs and performed model validation comparing hindcasts with dated fossil occurrences (~14k and ~20k years back present, respectively). Finally, we employed the hindcasting process for two South American fossil records of a misidentified species of caiman (Caiman sp.) to show that C. latirostris is the most likely species identity of these fossils (among four candidate species: C. latirostris, C. yacare, C. crocodilus, and Melanosuchus niger). Possible limitations of the approach are discussed. With this strategy, we have shown that current developments in biogeography research can favour paleontology, extending the (biased) current interchange between these two scientific disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Aires Eduardo
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Pablo Ariel Martinez
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Sidney Feitosa Gouveia
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
- Department of Ecology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Franciely da Silva Santos
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Wilcilene Santos de Aragão
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Morales-Barbero
- Unit of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, C.U. Miguel de Unamuno, Spain
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- CAPPA – Centro de Apoio à Paleontologia da Quarta Colônia, Federal University of Santa Maria, São João do Polêsine, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Liparini
- PIBiLab – Laboratório de Pesquisa Integrativa em Biodiversidade / Integrative Research on Biodiversity Lab, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracajú, State of Sergipe, Brazil
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Temp Müller R, Augusto Pretto F, Kerber L, Silva-Neves E, Dias-da-Silva S. Comment on 'A dinosaur missing-link? Chilesaurus and the early evolution of ornithischian dinosaurs'. Biol Lett 2018; 14:20170581. [PMID: 29593074 PMCID: PMC5897605 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Temp Müller
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Bairro Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Flávio Augusto Pretto
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Kerber
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Silva-Neves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, Bairro Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Dias-da-Silva
- Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto, 598, 97230-000 São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Kerber L, Negri FR, Ribeiro AM, Nasif N, Souza-Filho JP, Ferigolo J. Tropical Fossil Caviomorph Rodents from the Southwestern Brazilian Amazonia in the Context of the South American Faunas: Systematics, Biochronology, and Paleobiogeography. J MAMM EVOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-016-9340-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Oliveira É, Kerber L. Paleontologia e aspectos geológicos das sucessões do final do Neógeno no sudoeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.4013/gaea.2009.51.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate demineralization inhibition at restoration gingival margins. The study compared the effectiveness of a fluoride-releasing restorative material and topical fluoride regimens utilized individually and in conjunction with fluoridated materials. Glass-ionomer restorations demonstrated significantly less dentin demineralization than amalgam restorations at restoration margins when the restorations were exposed to no external fluoride, when the restorations were brushed with a fluoridated dentifrice twice per day, and when the restorations were exposed to a fluoride rinse (p, 0.05). There was no significant difference in dentin demineralization adjacent to glass-ionomer and amalgam restorations when both a fluoride rinse and a fluoridated dentifrice were used on a daily basis over 30 days, in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Donly
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284, USA
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