Weigeltisauridae
Weigeltisauridae | |
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Skeleton of Weigeltisaurus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Clade: | Neodiapsida |
Family: | †Weigeltisauridae Kuhn, 1939 |
Genera | |
†Coelurosauravus
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Synonyms | |
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Weigeltisauridae is a
Skeleton
The skulls and jaws of weigeltisaurids are ornamented with horns and tubercles, including chameleon-like frills. Weigeltisaurids have been suggested to be arboreal insectivores.[5] Their limb morphology was well adapted for grasping tree bark, including vertical tree trunks. Due to their limb morphology, they were highly adapted for movement in the trees, and would likely have not been capable of moving quickly or efficiently on the ground.[4] The cranial ornamentation may have served a display purpose.[6]
The gliding membrane of weigeltisaurids is distinct from those of other gliding reptiles, which are modified ribs originating from the upper-lateral surface of the body. In contrast, in weigeltisaurids, the rods originate from the lower-lateral surface of the body. The furling and unfurling of the gliding membrane were likely controlled by the abdominal muscles. Preserved fossils show that the bony rods had a high degree of flexibility, similar to the ribs of living gliding lizards. Due to the low-wing configuration, it is likely that the gliding surface was angled upwards to increase stability.[3] In living gliding lizards, it has been found that the forelimbs grab hold of the membrane during takeoff, allowing them to adjust their trajectory mid-flight. Similar behaviour has been proposed for weigeltisaurids,[7] which is supported the presence of an additional phalange in the fourth digit of the hands of weigeltisaurids, which would have allowed them to more effectively grasp the wing.[8] In a 2011 study comparing Coelurosauravus and other extinct gliding reptiles to modern Draco species, Coelurosauravus was found to be a less efficient glider than modern Draco due to its larger body size, with a substantial drop in height per glide.[9]
Weigeltisaurids have generally been interpreted as Paleobiology
Gliding
Relationships
Taxonomy
- Coelurosauravus Lower Sakamena Formation, Madagascar
- Marl Slate, England
- Rautiania Vyasovka Formation, Russia
- Glaurung Kupferschiefer, Germany
Wapitisaurus from the Early Triassic of North America was initially suggested to be a member of this family, but this was subsequently doubted. A study published in 2023 found that was likely closely related to thalattosaurs instead.[11]
References
- ^ V. V. Bulanov; A. G. Sennikov (2015). "Glaurung schneideri gen. et sp. nov., a New Weigeltisaurid (Reptilia) from the Kupfershiefer (Upper Permian) of Germany". Paleontological Journal. 49 (12): 1353–1364. doi:10.1134/S0031030115120035.
- S2CID 84310001.
- ^ PMID 34055483.
- ^ S2CID 85212782.
- S2CID 84310001.
- S2CID 237517962.
- PMID 29236777.
- S2CID 252173865.
- PMID 21798987.
- S2CID 83840423.
- PMID 38026014.