Ben Creisler
Some recent papers:
We examined a selection of three-dimensionally preserved quadrate bones from representatives of all major clades of mosasauroid reptiles, an extinct group of marine lizards inclusive of aigialosaurs and mosasaurs (Squamata, Mosasauroidea). The quadrate bones appear to be very diverse within and across mosasauroid clades, and show variable combinations of ridges, crests, and processes. Because of its complex features and diversity, taxonomists have often relied quite heavily on quadrate morphology both in alpha-level classification of mosasauroids and for use as characters in phylogenetic analyses. However, the terminology applied to some quadrate features has been inconsistent, in particular regarding the 'infrastapedial process.' Such a lack of clarity of even anatomical terms hampers our understanding of the evolution of the morphology of this complex bone. Here we provide a comprehensive comparison of mosasauroid quadrates contextualized against a recent phylogeny of the group, and demonstrate that some features of the posteroventral region of these bones are likely homoplastic and require the establishment of a new set of anatomical terms.
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Free pdf:
Thanit Nonsrirach, Sita Manitkoon, and Komsorn Lauprasert (2021)
First occurrence of brachyopid temnospondyls in Southeast Asia and review of the Mesozoic amphibians from Thailand.
Fossil Record 24: 33â47
doi:
https://doi.org/10.5194/fr-24-33-2021https://fr.copernicus.org/articles/24/33/2021/The non-marine Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Thailand, which consist of the Indochina block and the Sibumasu block, have yielded several terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate fossils, but only few amphibian remains have been reported. Here, we present an overview on the Thai amphibian palaeo-diversity based on the literature, re-examination of published material, new findings, and unpublished material. Thai amphibian fossil remains are assigned to Stereospondyli (Cyclotosauridae, Plagiosauridae, and Brachyopoidea) and Anura and were discovered from four formations, ranging from the Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous of Thailand. The occurrence of Brachyopidae in Thailand, which are related to Chinese forms, supports the previous hypothesis of physical connections between the Indochina blocks and the Sibumasu block during the Mesozoic era.