Dispatches from the age of crocodiles: New discoveries from ancient lineages

Abstract

Crocodilians inspire researchers and the public alike with their explosive hunting methodologies, distinct craniofacial and dental morphology, and resplendent fossil record. This special issue highlights recent advances in the biology and paleontology of this fascinating lineage of vertebrates. The authors in this volume bring crocodylians and their extinct ancestors to life using a variety of approaches including fieldwork, imaging, 3D modeling, developmental biology, physiological monitoring, dissection, and a host of other comparative methods. Our journey begins with early crocodylomorphs from the Triassic, carries us through the radiation of crocodyliforms during the rest of the Mesozoic Era, and finally celebrates the diversification development and biology of extant crocodylians. Crocodyliform science has grown appreciably the past few decades. New fossil species and genetic evidence continue to keep phylogenies and our understanding of relationships wavering in key places of the tree such as the relationships of the extinct marine thalattosuchians as well as still living species like gharials. The application of imaging approaches and 3D modeling to both preserved tissues as well as living specimens is now revealing patterns in brain and lung evolution and function, growth strategies, and feeding and locomotor behaviors across the lineage. Comparative anatomical studies are offering new data on genitals, cephalic venous drainage and thoracoabdominal pressures. The new discoveries found here only reveal there is far more work to be done to understand the biology and behavior responsible for the great radiation extinct suchians and their crocodylian descendants experienced during their conquest of Mesozoic and Tertiary ecosystems.

Move over “Jurassic Park,” the “Triassic Circus” is thundering into town in a new Special Issue of The Anatomical Record

“…While some of the species put under the mega‐microscope in this Special Issue have appeared in recent systemic/lineage‐related issues of our journal (see, e.g., those focused on dinosaur anatomy and evolution: Dodson, 2009; Fiorillo et al, 2023; Hedrick & Dodson, 2020; Laitman, 2009; Laitman & Albertine, 2009; Laitman & Albertine, 2020; Laitman & Smith, 2023; crocodilians and their relatives: Holliday & Schachner, 2022; Laitman & Smith, 2022; or turtle evolution: Sterli & Vlachos, 2023; Smith & Laitman, 2023), this is the first of our issues to view the plethora of varied species within a period of the Earth's history together under one geologic tent. The collective view of this tetrapod menagerie affords an unparalleled experience of the vibrancy and diversity of organismal life in the Triassic.…”

Dinosaurs of all ilks bow and pay tribute to Peter Dodson, their intrepid chronicler, in an Anatomical Record Special Issue in his honor

“…As one will see from the issue, many of the best and brightest in the field responded eagerly to contribute to a volume honoring Peter. Indeed, while this Special Issue focuses on new findings in dinosaur biology, a recent mammoth, sister Special Issue on crocodiles, “The Age of Crocodilians and Their Kin: Anatomy, Physiology, and Evolution,” Guest Edited by Casey Holliday (an academic “grandson” of Peter) of the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Emma R. Schachner (another PhD student of Peter) then of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (Holliday & Schachner, 2022; Laitman & Smith, 2022), was also done largely as an homage to Peter. Just the mention of something that will say a “thanks” to Peter has colleagues and former students and grand‐students coming out of the rock pile to contribute.…”

Teeth to the right of me, teeth to the left of me, teeth in front of me –hello to the world of crocodiles and their many relatives in a new special issue of The Anatomical Record

“…; JL's relatives in Florida call a group of their alligator cousins a “tsuris” – literally, trouble, in Yiddish) of such folks have come together to share their findings, thoughts, and opinions on crocs of all ilks in this extraordinary Special Issue of The Anatomical Record entitled, “The Age of Crocodilians and Their Kin: Anatomy, Physiology, and Evolution”. The Special Issue is Guest Edited by Professors Casey Holliday of the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Emma R. Schachner of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (Holliday & Schachner, 2022, this volume.). The Special Issue explores both the anatomy and physiology of living and fossil crocodylomorphs (described below, but basically the group of pseudosuchian archosaurs that are generally included in present‐day crocodilians and their extinct relatives; hang‐in there, translations to come.…”