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2021
Journal article
Paranasal sinus system and upper respiratory tract evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs
Thalattosuchians were a predominately marine clade of Mesozoic crocodylomorphs, including semi-aquatic teleosauroid and obligately pelagic metriorhynchid subclades. Recent advances in our understanding of thalattosuchian endocranial anatomy have revealed new details of the evolutionary transition from terrestrial to marine to pelagic taxa. Paranasal sinuses, however, have received little attention. Herein, we...Cowgill, Thomas ; Young, Mark T ; Schwab, Julia A ; Walsh, Stig ; Witmer, Lawrence M …
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2021
Journal article
Evolution of vision and hearing modalities in theropod dinosaurs
Owls and nightbirds are nocturnal hunters of active prey that combine visual and hearing adaptations to overcome limits on sensory performance in low light. Such sensory innovations are unknown in nonavialan theropod dinosaurs and are poorly characterizedChoiniere, Jonah N ; Neenan, James M ; Schmitz, Lars ; Ford, David P ; Chapelle, Kimberley E J …
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2020
Journal article
Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to water
Major evolutionary transitions, in which animals develop new body plans and adapt to dramatically new habitats and lifestyles, have punctuated the history of life. The origin of cetaceans from land-living mammals is among the most famous of these events. Much earlier, during the Mesozoic Era, many reptile groups also moved...Schwab, Julia A ; Young, Mark T ; Neenan, James M ; Walsh, Stig A ; Witmer, Lawrence M …