Comparative Functional Morphology of the Skeletal Forelimb, Pectoral Girdle, and Sternum in Japanese Native Domestic Fowls

ABSTRACTA description of the head, mandible, pectoral girdle, humerus, medial fins and their supports, and the dissociated vertebral column has been prepared for Onychodus jandemarrai n. sp. from the Gogo Formation (Frasnian) of Western Australia. This is the most completely known species of the genus. The feature influencing most of the head morphology is the retractable parasymphysial tusk whorls. Their presence has caused a reorganisation of the braincase, palate (including the loss of the vomers), and lateral displacement of the nasal capsules. The extensive mandibular articulation is in cartilage, and the mandibular symphysis is weak. This makes for a kinetic skull. There is a single submandibular on each side. The vertebral column is poorly ossified, consisting of intercentra which have no ventral contact, and pleurocentra. The neural arches have no longitudinal ligament, have unequal sides, and asymmetrical placing of the dorsal and ventral nerve root foramina. Each arch has an anterior surface that often attaches to the next anterior arch. The caudal fin is almost diphycercal; all the medial fins have strong support structures. An attempt is made to discuss the functional morphology of many features of the skeleton.

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The functional morphology of the pectoral fin girdle of the Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias): Implications for the evolutionary history of the pectoral girdle of vertebrates

Senckenbergiana lethaea ◽

10.1007/bf03043787 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 241-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michael Gudo ◽

Dominique G. Homberger

Keyword(s):

Functional Morphology ◽

Evolutionary History ◽

Squalus Acanthias ◽

Spiny Dogfish ◽

Pectoral Girdle ◽

Pectoral Fin ◽

History Of

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A morphological revision of Keraterpeton, the earliest horned nectridean from the Pennsylvanian of England and Ireland

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ◽

10.1017/s1755691018000579 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 109 (1-2) ◽

pp. 237-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angela C. MILNER

Keyword(s):

Functional Morphology ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Pectoral Girdle ◽

Anatomical Features ◽

Mode Of Life ◽

Primitive Condition

ABSTRACTThe aquatic diplocaulid nectridean Keraterpeton galvani is the commonest taxon represented in the Jarrow Coal assemblage from Kilkenny, Ireland. The Jarrow locality has yielded the earliest known Carboniferous coal-swamp fauna in the fossil record and is, therefore, of importance in understanding the history and diversity of the diplocaulid clade. The morphology of Keraterpeton is described in detail with emphasis on newly observed anatomical features. A reconstruction of the palate includes the presence of interpterygoid vacuities and new morphological details of the pterygoid, parasphenoid and basicranial region. The hyoid apparatus comprising an ossified basibranchial element has not been reported previously in nectrideans. The structure of the scapulocoracoid and primitive nature of the humerus is described and the presence of a five-digit manus confirmed. Previously unrecognised accessory dermal ossifications are present in the pectoral girdle. Keraterpeton longtoni from the Bolsovian in Staffordshire, England, is also described and newly figured. The primitive condition in diplocaulids is defined on the basis of the earliest occurrence at Jarrow and discussed in relation to functional morphology and mode of life. The evolution of the diplocaulid clade is assessed in relation to the revised diagnoses that define the primitive condition in Keraterpeton.

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On the cephalic and pectoral girdle muscles of the deep sea fish Alepocephalus rostratus, with comments on the functional morphology and phylogenetic relationships of the Alepocephaloidei (Teleostei)

Animal Biology ◽

10.1163/157075608x303636 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 23-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rui Diogo*

Keyword(s):

Functional Morphology ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Pectoral Girdle ◽

Sea Fish

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Functional significance of preserved color patterns of mollusks from the Gosport Sand (Eocene) of Alabama

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1017/s0022336000058911 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 62 (01) ◽

pp. 83-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Patricia H. Kelley ◽

Charles T. Swann

Keyword(s):

Functional Morphology ◽

Functional Significance ◽

Intraspecific Variability ◽

Color Pattern ◽

Color Patterns ◽

Historical Factors ◽

Life Mode ◽

Molluscan Fauna ◽

Excellent Preservation ◽

Architectural Constraints

The excellent preservation of the molluscan fauna from the Gosport Sand (Eocene) at Little Stave Creek, Alabama, has made it possible to describe the preserved color patterns of 15 species. In this study the functional significance of these color patterns is tested in the context of the current adaptationist controversy. The pigment of the color pattern is thought to be a result of metabolic waste disposal. Therefore, the presence of the pigment is functional, although the patterns formed by the pigment may or may not have been adaptive. In this investigation the criteria proposed by Seilacher (1972) for testing the functionality of color patterns were applied to the Gosport fauna and the results compared with life mode as interpreted from knowledge of extant relatives and functional morphology. Using Seilacher's criteria of little ontogenetic and intraspecific variability, the color patterns appear to have been functional. However, the functional morphology studies indicate an infaunal life mode which would preclude functional color patterns. Particular color patterns are instead interpreted to be the result of historical factors, such as multiple adaptive peaks or random fixation of alleles, or of architectural constraints including possibly pleiotropy or allometry. The low variability of color patterns, which was noted within species and genera, suggests that color patterns may also serve a useful taxonomic purpose.

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