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| Titel: |
The palaeoecology of the primitive snake Pachyrhachis |
| Auteur: |
Scanlon, J. D. Lee, M. S. Y. Caldwell, M. W. Shine, R. |
| Verschenen in: |
Historical biology |
| Paginering: | Jaargang 13 (1999) nr. 2-3 pagina's 127-152 |
| Jaar: |
1999 |
| Inhoud: |
The palaeoecology of the primitive, limbed snake Pachyrhachis is reevaluated. Previously considered to have been preserved in a shallow bay with a nearby freshwater source, it is here demonstrated to have inhabited an inter-reef basin. Evidence for this comes from the position of the nearest palaeoshoreline (450 km away), the finely laminated carbonate mudstones, and the absence of bioturba-tion, alluvium, and unequivocally terrestrial or freshwater taxa. Marine adaptations of Pachyrhachis include the laterally compressed body and heavily ossified (pachyostotic) vertebrae and ribs. Hydrodynamic considerations indicate that it was a slow swimmer, and thus an ambush rather than pursuit predator. Morphology of the anterior vertebrae suggests that the strike muscles were well-developed. The narrow head and neck might have been adaptations to reduce water resistance during rapid lunges, and/or to forage in burrows or tight crevices. |
| Uitgever: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Bronbestand: |
Elektronische Wetenschappelijke Tijdschriften |
Details van artikel 7 van 7 gevonden artikelen
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