Palate evolution in early-branching crocodylomorphs: Implications for homology, systematics, and ecomorphology.

ABSTRACT: Living crocodylomorphs have an ossified secondary palate with a posteriorly positioned choana that enables their semi-aquatic, predatory ecology. In contrast, the earliest branching members of Crocodylomorpha have an open palate with anteriorly positioned choanae. The evolution of an ossified secondary palate and a posteriorly positioned choana features strongly in hypotheses of broad-scale phylogenetic relationships within Crocodylomorpha. Renewed investigations into palatal morphology among extinct members of the clade show surprising variability in the anatomy of the palate, with at least one and potentially a second independent occurrence of "eusuchian-type" palate outside of Eusuchia. Understanding the trajectory of crocodylomorph palatal evolution is, therefore, a key to inferring cr

SUBMITTER: Dollman KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9543995 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature