Proterogyrinus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Extinct genus of amphibians}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Automatic taxobox |
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| taxon = Proterogyrinus |
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|image =Proterogyrinus DB.jpg |
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| image =Proterogyrinus skull diagram.png |
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| image_caption = Skull diagram |
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|image_width = 200px |
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| fossil_range = [[Mississippian (geology)|Mississippian]] ([[Viséan]] to [[Serpukhovian]]), {{fossilrange|331|323}} |
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|fossil_range = Late [[Carboniferous]] |
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| authority = Romer, 1970 |
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|regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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|phylum = [[Chordata]] |
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| type_species_authority = Romer, 1970 |
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|superclassis = [[Tetrapoda]] |
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| subdivision_ranks = Other species |
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|superordo = [[Reptiliomorpha]] |
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| subdivision = |
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|ordo = [[Anthracosauria]] |
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* {{Extinct}}'''''P. pancheni''''' <br/><small>Smithson, 1986</small> |
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|subordo = [[Embolomeri]] |
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| synonyms = |
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|familia = [[Proterogyrinidae]] |
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* ''Mauchchunkia'' <br/><small>Hotton, 1970</small> |
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|species = '''''P. scheeleri''''' ([[Type (biology)|type]]) |
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* '''''P. pancheni''''' |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:Proterogyrinus DB.jpg|left|thumb| Life restoration of ''Proterogyrinus'']] |
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'''''Proterogyrinus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of early [[tetrapod]]s from the order [[Embolomeri]]. Fossil remains of ''Proterogyrinus'' have been found in Scotland, UK, and [[West Virginia]], United States, and date back to the [[Serpukhovian]] (mid-[[Carboniferous]] period), which is from about 331 to 323 million years ago.<ref>{{cite book|last=Haines|first=Tim|author2=Paul Chambers |title=The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781554071258|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781554071258/page/38 38]|location=Canada|publisher=Firefly Books |year=2006}}</ref> The genus was originally named by renowned vertebrate paleontologist [[Alfred Romer|Alfred Sherwood Romer]] in 1970.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Romer|first=A.S.|date=30 April 1970|title=A new anthracosaurian labyrinthodont, ''Proterogyrinus scheelei'', from the Lower Carboniferous|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/51810758#page/135/mode/1up|journal=Kirtlandia|volume=10|pages=1–16}}</ref> A comprehensive redescription was later published by Canadian paleontologist Robert Holmes in 1984.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Holmes|first=R.|date=2 November 1984|title=The Carboniferous Amphibian ''Proterogyrinus scheelei'' Romer, and the Early Evolution of Tetrapods|journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences|volume=306|issue=1130|pages=431–524|doi=10.1098/rstb.1984.0103|doi-access=}}</ref> The generic name "''Proterogyrinus''" is [[Greek language|Greek]] for "earlier wanderer" or "earlier [[tadpole]]". This name was chosen by Romer in keeping with a trend of naming long-bodied early tetrapods (such as ''[[Eogyrinus]]'' and ''[[Crassigyrinus]]'') with the suffix "-''gyrinus''".<ref name=":0" /> |
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'''''Proterogyrinus''''' was an [[anthracosaur]], a large group of reptilian [[reptiliomorph]]s. It is likely that the first reptiles, such as ''[[Petrolacosaurus]]'', evolved from reptilomorphs. Like other [[reptiliomorph]]s, such as ''[[Seymouria]]'', ''Proterogyrinus'' could venture further away from water than most amphibians. |
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Romer hesitated from designating ''Proterogyrinus'' as a true embolomere, because its intercentra (the forward portion of each vertebra) were smaller than its pleurocentra (the rear portion). He used the group [[Anthracosauria]] to encompass embolomeres and their close relatives such as ''Proterogyrinus''.<ref name=":0" /> However, other sources prefer a wider definition of Embolomeri similar in usage to Romer's Anthracosauria, thus counting ''Proterogyrinus'' as an embolomere.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Its name is [[Greek language|Greek]] for "early wanderer" or "earlier [[tadpole]]".<!-- 'proteros' is a comparative ("earlier"); I (= [[User:Anthony Appleyard]]) know Greek well. --> |
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==Description== |
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In most respects ''Proterogyrinus'' resembled other embolomeres such as ''[[Archeria (animal)|Archeria]]'', with a moderately elongated skull that was taller than that of other early tetrapods such as [[Colosteidae|colosteids]] and [[Temnospondyli|temnospondyls]]. Members of the genus had strong limbs with several fully-[[Ossification|ossified]] ankle and wrist bones. This would have given ''Proterogyrinus'' the ability to walk and hunt on land. However, the presence of [[Lateral line|lateral line grooves]] and [[otic notch]]es which likely held [[Spiracle (vertebrates)|spiracle]]s show that they were probably more well-adapted for the water. The tail was long and tall, and was likely a powerful method of locomotion. The eyes were positioned high on the skull, supporting the idea that ''Proterogyrinus'' had an active lifestyle near the surface of the water.<ref name=":1" /> |
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During the Late [[Carboniferous period]] (326 - 318 million years ago), the amphibians were an exciting and diverse group of animals that had come to dominate the waterlogged forest world. They also were evolving into reptiles, which produced the unique and interesting reptiliomorphs. |
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''Proterogyrinus'' was one of the largest of its reigion, and was perfectly adapted for life in the swamps. It was a top predator that hunted both on land and in the water. Its powerful jaws had sharp teeth that could handle animals that were quite large, such as fish, large [[arthropod]]s, and other reptiles and amphibians. |
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''Proterogyrinus'' was similar in shape to other prehistoric [[Amphibia|amphibian]]s, and reptiliomorphs, such as ''[[Crassigyrinus]]'' and ''[[Eryops]]''. It was about two and a half meters (7-8 feet) long, similar in size to the biggest modern [[lizard]]s. |
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Most Carboniferous amphibians were good swimmers and could move fast through the rivers, lakes, and bogs surrounding the lowland forests, but also could walk on land like some amphibians today. Many species either stayed in the water at all times or could only wriggle through the mud on the banks; reptiliomorphs (including Proterogyrinus) ventured further into the forest. Being able to hunt away from the water's edge meant that ''Proterogyrinus'' could catch food in places where its rivals could not go. It also meant that it could escape water-borne enemies, such as predatory fish, by clambering on shore, or over the logs and other obstacles that frequently choked the [[swamp]]s' river channels. |
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=== Physical Description === |
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''Proterogyrinus'' |
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==In popular culture== |
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Several Proterogyrinus appeared in the British documentary film ''[[Walking with Monsters]]''. They were shown acting like [[crocodiles]]; basking on the shorelines and leaping out of the water like modern [[alligators]] to catch a [[Meganeura]]. In the episode, a lone female fought an [[Arthropleura]] and won by knocking the Arthropleura off balance so it fell upside down and impaled itself on a bush stump. The Proterogyrinus then ate the Arthropleura's soft insides via its underbelly. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Haines|first=Tim|coauthors=Paul Chambers|title=The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life|page=38|location=Canada|publisher=Firefly Books |year=2006}} |
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{{Tetrapodomorpha|St.}} |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q134526}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Extinct animals of North America]] |
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[[Category:Embolomeres]] |
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[[Category:Carboniferous reptiliomorphs]] |
[[Category:Carboniferous reptiliomorphs]] |
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[[Category:Transitional |
[[Category:Transitional fossils]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Alfred Romer]] |
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[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1970]] |
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[[es:Proterogyrinus]] |
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[[it:Proterogyrinus]] |
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[[pl:Proterogyrinus]] |
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[[ru:Протерогиринус]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:03, 22 May 2024
| Proterogyrinus | |
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| Skull diagram | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Sarcopterygii |
| Clade: | Tetrapodomorpha |
| Order: | †Embolomeri |
| Family: | †Proterogyrinidae |
| Genus: | †Proterogyrinus Romer, 1970 |
| Type species | |
| †Proterogyrinus scheelei Romer, 1970
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| Other species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Proterogyrinus is an extinct genus of early tetrapods from the order Embolomeri. Fossil remains of Proterogyrinus have been found in Scotland, UK, and West Virginia, United States, and date back to the Serpukhovian (mid-Carboniferous period), which is from about 331 to 323 million years ago.[1] The genus was originally named by renowned vertebrate paleontologist Alfred Sherwood Romer in 1970.[2] A comprehensive redescription was later published by Canadian paleontologist Robert Holmes in 1984.[3] The generic name "Proterogyrinus" is Greek for "earlier wanderer" or "earlier tadpole". This name was chosen by Romer in keeping with a trend of naming long-bodied early tetrapods (such as Eogyrinus and Crassigyrinus) with the suffix "-gyrinus".[2]
Romer hesitated from designating Proterogyrinus as a true embolomere, because its intercentra (the forward portion of each vertebra) were smaller than its pleurocentra (the rear portion). He used the group Anthracosauria to encompass embolomeres and their close relatives such as Proterogyrinus.[2] However, other sources prefer a wider definition of Embolomeri similar in usage to Romer's Anthracosauria, thus counting Proterogyrinus as an embolomere.[3]
Description
[edit]In most respects Proterogyrinus resembled other embolomeres such as Archeria, with a moderately elongated skull that was taller than that of other early tetrapods such as colosteids and temnospondyls. Members of the genus had strong limbs with several fully-ossified ankle and wrist bones. This would have given Proterogyrinus the ability to walk and hunt on land. However, the presence of lateral line grooves and otic notches which likely held spiracles show that they were probably more well-adapted for the water. The tail was long and tall, and was likely a powerful method of locomotion. The eyes were positioned high on the skull, supporting the idea that Proterogyrinus had an active lifestyle near the surface of the water.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Haines, Tim; Paul Chambers (2006). The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life. Canada: Firefly Books. p. 38.
- ^ a b c Romer, A.S. (30 April 1970). "A new anthracosaurian labyrinthodont, Proterogyrinus scheelei, from the Lower Carboniferous". Kirtlandia. 10: 1–16.
- ^ a b c Holmes, R. (2 November 1984). "The Carboniferous Amphibian Proterogyrinus scheelei Romer, and the Early Evolution of Tetrapods". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 306 (1130): 431–524. doi:10.1098/rstb.1984.0103.
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