Journal article

Ontogenetic variability of the intertympanic sinus distinguishes lineages within Crocodylia

DOKPE

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  • 2023
Published in:
  • Journal of Anatomy. - Hoboken, New Jersey, USA : Wiley. - 2023, vol. 242, no. 6, p. 1096-1123
English The phylogenetic relationships within crown Crocodylia remain contentious due to conflicts between molecular and morphological hypotheses. However, morphology based datasets are mostly constructed on external characters, overlooking internal structures. Here, we use 3D geometric morphometrics to study the shape of the intertympanic sinus system in crown crocodylians during ontogeny, in order to assess its significance in a taxonomic context. Intertympanic sinus shape was found to be highly correlated with size and modulated by cranial shape during development. Still, adult sinus morphology distinguishes specimens at the family, genus and species level. We observe a clear distinction between Alligatoridae and Longirostres, a separation of different Crocodylus species and the subfossil Malagasy genus Voay, and a distinction between the Tomistoma and Gavialis lineages. Our approach is independent of molecular methods but concurs with the molecular topologies. Therefore, sinus characters could add significantly to morphological datasets, offering an alternative viewpoint to resolve problems in crocodylian relationships.
Faculty
Faculté des sciences et de médecine
Department
Département de Géosciences
Language
  • English
Classification
Palaeontology
Related to

3D models related to the publication: Ontogenetic variability of the intertympanic sinus distinguishes lineages within Crocodylia

License
CC BY
Open access status
hybrid
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://folia.unifr.ch/unifr/documents/327566
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