scholarly journals Functional Morphology of Wings from the Standpoint of Adaptation for Flight in Chiroptera : II. Growth and Changes in Mode of Life during the Young Period in Rhinolophus cornutus cornutus

10.5109/23690 ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 23 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 185-198
Author(s):  
Keiichi Yokoyama ◽  
Teruaki Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Mode Of Life

The most widely distributed trilobite species: Ordovician Carolinites genacinaca

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Mccormick ◽  
Richard A. Fortey
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Central China ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Photographic Technique ◽  
Lower Ordovician ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Morphological Identity

The distributions of trilobite species were controlled by a combination of habitat preferences and paleogeographic constraints, which tend to limit their extent. The Lower Ordovician trilobite Carolinites genacinaca Ross, 1951, however, had a remarkable range unequaled among polymerid trilobites; it has been recognized on all Ordovician paleocontinents. Its distribution has been explained by an epipelagic mode of life, based on evidence from functional morphology, analogy with modern pelagic crustaceans, and geological occurrence. In such a case, morphological identity throughout its range might be anticipated, if all occurrences can be postulated to be members of a single pandemic population. Rotational superimposition has been used to compare variation within samples drawn from Alberta, Spitsbergen, and Australia with a benchmark population from the western United States. All are morphometrically similar. By any criterion, specimens identical to the benchmark population are found within the Alberta, Spitsbergen and Australia samples, which represent the extremes of the species' geographic range. A lone cranidium from France, previously referred to Carolinites vizcainoi, may be a juvenile of C. genacinaca or C. tasmaniensis; its differences are consistent with ontogeny. A small number of specimens from Siberia and central China show differences in cranidial proportions from the Utah specimens that may be the result of preservational factors and/or photographic technique, or may represent genuine morphological disparity; this could be clarified if more specimens were to become available. This study suggests that C. genacinaca was ubiquitous in the epipelagic environment in a belt that encircled the planet between paleolatitudes of approximately 30°N and 30°S.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 237-253 ◽  
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.

The biology and functional morphology of the Southeast Asian mangrove bivalve, Polymesoda (Geloina) erosa (Solander, 1786) (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae)

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Morton
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Alimentary Canal ◽  
Mantle Cavity ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Aerial Respiration ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Mangrove Trees ◽  
Subterranean Water

The Southeast Asian mangrove is inhabited by a number of bivalves one of which, Polymesoda (Geloina) erosa (Solander, 1786), is widely distributed; it occurs on the landward fringe, in fetid pools of water formed at the bases of the mangrove trees. It is covered only by spring tides and at other times is inundated by rainwater draining through the mangrove from the land. G. erosa can withstand long periods of exposure, during which time it can use subterranean water contained in the burrow. Any particles present in this water are taken into the mantle cavity via the pedal gape and so into the alimentary canal. This is an extreme adaptation to a semiterrestrial mode of life. Aerial respiration is also achieved via the mantle margin.The functional morphology of G. erosa is described and related to the animal's life in the mangrove. The morphological adaptations of Geloina are also compared with those of other bivalves, particularly the Dreissenacea to which the Corbiculacea are possibly closely related.

First Carboniferous thylacocephalan from Europe and its significance for the understanding of functional morphology of Concavicarididae Schram, 2014

Crustaceana ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Štěpán Rak ◽  
Krzysztof Broda ◽  
Tomáš Kumpan
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Free Swimming ◽  
Lower Carboniferous ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Moravian Karst ◽  
And Function ◽  
Evolutionary Aspects

Thylacocephala Pinna, Arduini, Pesarini & Teruzzi 1982 are among the most enigmatic arthropods. Their fossil record is very patchy both geographically and stratigraphically. In this paper we describe the first thylacocephalan known from the Carboniferous (Mississippian) of Europe, Concavicaris viktoryni sp. nov. Until now Carboniferous representatives of Thylacocephala were know exclusively from the U.S.A. We discuss the stratigraphic and geological context of occurrence of this new species as well as form and function of the unique carapace micro- and macro-ornamentation. A shape and assumed function of the characteristic lirae on the C. viktoryni sp. nov. carapace present an important supporting argument for the supposed free-swimming or pelagic mode of life in thylacocephalans. Palaeobiogeographical and evolutionary aspects of surprisingly rich but local occurrence of thylacocephalans in the Lower Carboniferous of the Moravian karst are discussed. Possible sympatric evolution from its predecessor Concavicaris incola is also pointed out.

Functional morphology of Cretaceous helically-coiled ammonite shells

Paleobiology ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Ward
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Mode Of Life ◽  
Similar Mode ◽  
Liquid Removal ◽  
Size Asymmetry

Torticonic (helically-coiled) ammonoids have been most commonly interpreted as vagile, benthonic forms. Their mode of coiling, however, places the siphuncle in a functionally dorsolateral, rather than ventral position on the shell whorl due to: 1) their probable apex-upward shell orientation during life, and 2) size asymmetry of the lateral sutural saddles due to helical coiling, associated with upward siphuncle displacement. The resultant positioning of the siphuncle produces cameral liquid de-coupling soon after initiation of cameral liquid removal (emptying of liquid from a newly formed chamber within the phragmocone). Since in Recent chambered cephalopods cameral liquid de-coupling increases efficiency of vertical migration, a similar mode of life was indicated for the torticonic ammonites.

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

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
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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