New data on the morphology of the Late Permian gliding reptile Coelurosauravus elivensis Piveteau

Bulanov, V. V.; Сенников, А. Г.

doi:10.1134/s0031030115040048

Cited by 6 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…They are strongly posteriorly oriented, their long axes extending almost parasagittally. This elongation and near posterior orientation occurs in Coelurosauravus elivensis (MNHN.F.MAP327; Bulanov & Sennikov, 2015a ), Rautiania spp. ( Bulanov & Sennikov, 2006 ), and Glaurung schneideri ( Bulanov & Sennikov, 2015c ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…We also cannot identify a ventral lamina of the medialmost portion of the frontal in SMNK-PAL 2882. This feature was noted by Bulanov & Sennikov (2015a) as a possible unique character of Coelurosauravus elivensis , contrasting with specimens of Rautiania spp. and Weigeltisaurus jaekeli .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…This character describes one of the most remarkable anatomical traits of known Weigeltisauridae: the apparent absence of the upper temporal bar formed by the postorbital and squamosal bones [here recognized in SMNK-PAL 2882 and by Bulanov & Sennikov (2010 , 2015a , 2015b )]. As such, weigeltisaurids have a continuous, large temporal opening, extending from the lower temporal bar ventrally to the medial elements of the skull roof dorsally.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Bulanov & Sennikov (2010) provided a detailed anatomical description of additional material referable to Rautiania . Subsequently, these authors re-examined Coelurosauravus elivensis ( Bulanov & Sennikov, 2015a ) and Weigeltisaurus jaekeli ( Bulanov & Sennikov, 2015b ). They argued for maintaining a generic separation of these two taxa and noted that Weigeltisauridae Kuhn, 1939 has clear priority over Coelurosauravidae Evans, 1982 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They argued for maintaining a generic separation of these two taxa and noted that Weigeltisauridae Kuhn, 1939 has clear priority over Coelurosauravidae Evans, 1982 . Like Kuhn (1939) , Bulanov & Sennikov (2015a , 2015b) reconstructed the temporal region of the cranium as having a single large temporal opening on either side. Finally, Bulanov & Sennikov (2015c) recognized an additional weigeltisaurid taxon, Glaurung schneideri , based on much of a skeleton including the skull found in the vicinity of Mansfeld and now housed in a private collection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Osteology, relationships and functional morphology ofWeigeltisaurus jaekeli(Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) based on a complete skeleton from the Upper Permian Kupferschiefer of Germany

Pritchard

Sues

Scott

et al. 2021

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Weigeltisauridae is a clade of small-bodied diapsids characterized by a horned cranial frill, slender trunk and limbs, and a patagium supported by elongated bony rods. Partial skeletons and fragments are definitively known only from upper Permian (Lopingian) rocks in England, Germany, Madagascar and Russia. Despite these discoveries, there have been few detailed descriptions of weigeltisaurid skeletons, and the homologies of many skeletal elements—especially the rods supporting the patagium—remain the subject of controversy. Materials & Methods Here, we provide a detailed description of a nearly complete skeleton of Weigeltisaurus jaekeli from the upper Permian (Lopingian: Wuchiapingian) Kupferschiefer of Lower Saxony, Germany. Briefly addressed by past authors, the skeleton preserves a nearly complete skull, postcranial axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton, and patagial supports. Through comparisons with extant and fossil diapsids, we examine the hypotheses for the homologies of the patagial rods. To examine the phylogenetic position of Weigeltisauridae and characterize the morphology of the clade, we integrate the material and other weigeltisaurids into a parsimony-based phylogenetic analysis focused on Permo-Triassic non-saurian Diapsida and early Sauria (61 taxa, 339 characters). Results We recognize a number of intriguing anatomical features in the weigeltisaurid skeleton described here, including hollow horns on the post-temporal arch, lanceolate teeth in the posterior portion of the maxilla, the absence of a bony arch connecting the postorbital and squamosal bones, elongate and slender phalanges that resemble those of extant arboreal squamates, and patagial rods that are positioned superficial to the lateral one third of the gastral basket. Our phylogenetic study recovers a monophyletic Weigeltisauridae including Coelurosauravus elivensis, Weigeltisaurus jaekeli, and Rautiania spp. The clade is recovered as the sister taxon to Drepanosauromorpha outside of Sauria (=Lepidosauria + Archosauria). Conclusions Our anatomical observations and phylogenetic analysis show variety of plesiomorphic diapsid characters and apomorphies of Weigeltisauridae in the specimen described here. We corroborate the hypothesis that the patagial ossifications are dermal bones unrelated to the axial skeleton. The gliding apparatus of weigeltisaurids was constructed from dermal elements unknown in other known gliding diapsids. SMNK-PAL 2882 and other weigeltisaurid specimens highlight the high morphological disparity of Paleozoic diapsids already prior to their radiation in the early Mesozoic.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Osteology, relationships and functional morphology ofWeigeltisaurus jaekeli(Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) based on a complete skeleton from the Upper Permian Kupferschiefer of Germany

Pritchard

Sues

Scott

et al. 2021

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A new cranial reconstruction ofCoelurosauravus elivensisPiveteau, 1926 (Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) and its implications on the paleoecology of the first gliding vertebrates

Buffa¹,

Frey

Steyer³

et al. 2021

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The cranial skeleton of the enigmatic gliding neodiapsid reptile Coelurosauravus elivensis (Lower Sakamena Formation, Lopingian, Southwestern Madagascar) is re-described in detail. All previously referred specimens are re-examined under both direct observations and Reflectance Transformation Imaging. Their exquisite preservation yields detailed three-dimensional information on the outline of individual bones and their osteological relationships, which are missing in the Laurasian remains. In contrast to previous studies, the ontogenetic maturity of all specimens is re-affirmed. Previously unidentified elements of the palate, braincase and mandible are described, and a novel reconstruction is proposed, including the first palatal reconstruction in a weigeltisaurid reptile.C. elivensis has the smallest skull of all weigeltisaurids and differs from other species in its facial ornamentation, parietosquamosal frill and larger anterior maxillary dentition. We also provide extensive comparisons with contemporaneous reptiles, possibly closely related taxa and more recent analogs, as well as a preliminary discussion of the functional anatomy of the peculiar cranial morphology of weigeltisaurids. The cranial skeleton is a truss construction with large orbits and temporal fenestrae. By analogy with extant chamaeleonids, the elongate parietosquamosal frill is associated with an increase in length and diameter of the temporal jaw adductors, resulting in an increased gape and/or bite force and speed. Additionally, the spikes and frills of weigeltisaurids most likely served as a display and defensive structure.

show abstract

The postcranial skeleton of the gliding reptileCoelurosauravus elivensisPiveteau, 1926 (Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) from the late Permian of Madagascar

Buffa¹,

Frey

Steyer³

et al. 2022

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The postcranial skeleton of the gliding neodiapsid reptile Coelurosauravus elivensis (Lower Sakamena Formation, late? Permian, southwestern Madagascar) is redescribed in detail based on all previously referred specimens. The exquisite preservation of the material provides three-dimensional details of the individual bones, which are missing in the Laurasian weigeltisaurid material. A new skeletal reconstruction of C. elivensis is proposed including the first reconstruction of a weigeltisaurid reptile in lateral view. The reexamination of the material highlights interspecific differences in the postcranium of weigeltisaurids, in particular in the trunk and patagial spars. These animals have long been considered as arboreal and gliding reptiles. However, new information on the postcranium of C. elivensis reveals strong similarities with both extant and extinct quadrupeds specialized for a clinging arboreal lifestyle. Additionally, the presence of an additional phalanx in the fifth digit of the manus is now attested for all weigeltisaurids where this region is preserved. We suggest that this morphology could have allowed weigeltisaurids to grasp their patagium as observed in the extant gliding agamid Draco. Weigeltisaurids are thus the earliest known gliding vertebrates and some of the first tetrapods with an obligatory arboreal lifestyle, but also represent the only known vertebrates with a hyperphalangy aligned with a gliding apparatus.

show abstract

New data on the morphology of the Late Permian gliding reptile Coelurosauravus elivensis Piveteau

Cited by 6 publications

References 9 publications

Osteology, relationships and functional morphology ofWeigeltisaurus jaekeli(Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) based on a complete skeleton from the Upper Permian Kupferschiefer of Germany

Osteology, relationships and functional morphology ofWeigeltisaurus jaekeli(Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) based on a complete skeleton from the Upper Permian Kupferschiefer of Germany

A new cranial reconstruction ofCoelurosauravus elivensisPiveteau, 1926 (Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) and its implications on the paleoecology of the first gliding vertebrates

The postcranial skeleton of the gliding reptileCoelurosauravus elivensisPiveteau, 1926 (Diapsida, Weigeltisauridae) from the late Permian of Madagascar

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About