ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
This paper is based on evidence obtained from sectioned skull of Galesaurus planiceps, Owen. Width-length index of skull is 67.7; height-width index 47.6. Dental formula is: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm I\; 3\; or\; 4}}}{{{\rm I\; ?}}} $\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm C\; 1}}}{{{\rm C\; 1}}} $\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{{{\rm PC\; 7}}}{{{\rm PC\; 9}}} $\end{document}. Length of prevomer is 24.0 mm., that of skull 62.0 mm. Maxilla contains cavity which appears to be equivalen of sinus maxillaris of mammals. Ear structure shows large internal auditory meatus. There is no evidence that horizontal and posterior semicircular canals pass through bone. Fenestra ovalis is large. Parasphenoid, basisphenoid, and basioccipital are fused. Parasphenoid consists of short body and a medial anterior process. Sella turcica lacks floor, probably due to erosion. Detached bone may be sphenethmoid. Dentary contains two canals, probably vascular. Comparisons with related forms lead to following conclusions: (1) Specimen is of young animal. (2) Dental succession of postcanines, distichical replacement of postcanines, long prevomer, short parasphenoid, incomplete osseous incasement of semicircular canals, and other characteristics label Galesaurus as primitive cynodont. (3) Reduction of parasphenoid and development of prevomer support Broom's view that Ictidosaurus is not a cynodont. (4) Prevomer as nasal septum; fusion of parasphenoid, basisphenoid, and basioccipital; large lacrimal, splenial, and articular; and other characteristics indicate that Galesaurus is off line leading to mammals. (5) In certain respects cynodonts are more mammal-like than gorgonopsians.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050630305
