Weigeltisauridae

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Weigeltisauridae
Temporal range:
Ma
Skeleton of Weigeltisaurus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Neodiapsida
Family: Weigeltisauridae
Kuhn, 1939
Genera

Coelurosauravus

Glaurung[1]

Rautiania
Weigeltisaurus

Synonyms
  • Coelurosauravidae Evans, 1982

Weigeltisauridae is a

gliding lizards
, although each group evolved these structures independently.

Skeleton

Coelurosauravus skull

The skulls and jaws of weigeltisaurids are ornamented with horns and tubercles, including chameleon-like frills.

Weigeltisaurus jaekeli

Paleobiology

Weigeltisaurus jaekeli

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]

Gliding

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]

Relationships

Weigeltisaurids have generally been interpreted as

synapomorphies of the clade include "absence of intercentra in cervical region; absence of intercentra in dorsal region; scapulocoracoid, ratio of anteroposterior length at base of scapular blade to dorsoventral height of scapular blade between 0.4 and 0.25; outer process of fifth metatarsal absent."[3]

Taxonomy

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. S2CID 84310001
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