Anomalies in skull bones of the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus Forsteri, compared with aberrations in fossil Dipnoan skulls

Kemp, A. R. (1999) Anomalies in skull bones of the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus Forsteri, compared with aberrations in fossil Dipnoan skulls. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19 3: 407-429.

Author Kemp, A. R.
Title Anomalies in skull bones of the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus Forsteri, compared with aberrations in fossil Dipnoan skulls
Journal name Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 1999
Sub-type Article
Volume number 19
Issue number 3
ISSN 0272-4634
Start page 407
End page 429
Total pages 23
Place of publication Northbrook
Publisher Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Collection year 1999
Language eng
Subject C1
780104 Earth sciences
260112 Palaeontology
Abstract Abnormalities that appear during the development of the dermal, chondral and visceral cranium of the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, are common and many of these anomalies are reflected in the skulls of fossil lungfish. In addition to asymmetry of individual bones, elements may be missing altogether, or may have fused with one or more adjacent bones. Bones may be divided, with the separate bones having the outline of a normal bone. Elements may be malformed, and sometimes additional elements are present alongside a normal structure. Ossicles of the infraorbital, mandibular and preopercular series vary both in shape and in number. Aberrations may be genetic or teratogenic in origin, or may result from inappropriate osteogenic stimuli from the sensory lines that appear before the bones. The incidence of abnormalities is low in the Recent lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri, and anomalies appear early in development and persist throughout life. Fossil dipnoans appear to have a high incidence of similar aberrations. Abnormalities have implications for taxonomic determinations, and phylogenetic analyses that rely on precise patterns of fusion and loss in the skull roofing bones of dipnoans should be treated with caution. Similar constraints apply to attempts to relate the skull roofing bones of dipnoans to those of other vertebrates.
Keyword Paleontology
Gnathorhiza Osteichthyes
Evolution
Sagenodus
Q-Index Code C1

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collection: Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis Publications
 
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Created: Tue, 10 Jun 2008, 13:58:44 EST