|
| << vorige | volgende >> |
Tijdschrift beschrijving
Alle jaargangen van het bijbehorende tijdschrift
Alle afleveringen van het bijbehorende jaargang
Alle artikelen van de bijbehorende aflevering
Details van artikel 13 van 17 gevonden artikelen
| Titel: |
The aquatic Lystrosaurus: An alternative lifestyle |
| Auteur: |
King, Gillian M. Cluver, Michael A. |
| Verschenen in: |
Historical biology |
| Paginering: | Jaargang 4 (1990) nr. 3-4 pagina's 323-341 |
| Jaar: |
1990 |
| Inhoud: |
Certain distinctive features of the skull and postcranial skeleton of Lystrosaurus are discussed. The mechanics of the skull are re-evaluated and it is concluded that the skull was modified relative to Permian forms to produce a bigger bite force and more vertical component of the adductor muscles, while preserving a wide gape. A zone of weakness, acting as a shock absorption system, was present in the premaxillary-nasal region of the skull. Antero-posterior movement of the lower jaw had been reduced. It is concluded that the skull was used to crush resistant plant matter. The external nasal opening presents no evidence for a valvular structure, but may have housed a nasal gland. The flared scapula produced a slightly greater mechanical advantage in the limb protractors and retractors. The manus was short and broad, suitable for digging, but the claws were flat and rounded. The wide knee-joint indicated powerful foot-moving muscles. The palaeoenvironment of the Lystrosaurus-Thrinaxodon Assemblage Zone is examined. It was probably drier than usually described. The fauna contained many terrestrial elements. Lystrosaurus was probably a fully terrestrial animal which may have excavated burrows for itself, but was not a committed burrower like Cistecephalus. |
| Uitgever: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Bronbestand: |
Elektronische Wetenschappelijke Tijdschriften |
Details van artikel 13 van 17 gevonden artikelen
| << vorige | volgende >> |