Proterogyrinus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Extinct genus of amphibians}} |
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{{One source|date=September 2018}} |
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{{Italic title}} |
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{{Automatic taxobox |
{{Automatic taxobox |
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| taxon = Proterogyrinus |
| taxon = Proterogyrinus |
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| image =Proterogyrinus |
| image =Proterogyrinus skull diagram.png |
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| image_caption = |
| image_caption = Skull diagram |
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| fossil_range = [[ |
| fossil_range = [[Mississippian (geology)|Mississippian]] ([[Viséan]] to [[Serpukhovian]]), {{fossilrange|331|323}} |
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| authority = Romer, 1970 |
| authority = Romer, 1970 |
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| type_species = '''''Proterogyrinus scheelei''''' |
| type_species = {{extinct}}'''''Proterogyrinus scheelei''''' |
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| type_species_authority = Romer, 1970 |
| type_species_authority = Romer, 1970 |
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| subdivision_ranks = Other species |
| subdivision_ranks = Other species |
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| subdivision = |
| subdivision = |
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* ''''' |
* {{Extinct}}'''''P. pancheni''''' <br/><small>Smithson, 1986</small> |
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| synonyms = |
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* ''Mauchchunkia'' <br/><small>Hotton, 1970</small> |
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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. Like other [[reptiliomorph]]s, such as ''[[Seymouria]]'', ''Proterogyrinus'' could venture further away from water than most amphibians.<ref>{{cite book|last=Haines|first=Tim|author2=Paul Chambers |title=The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life|page=38|location=Canada|publisher=Firefly Books |year=2006}}</ref> |
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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== |
==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 [[Carboniferous period]] (359~299 million years ago), the amphibians were a 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 region, 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 tetrapods such as reptiles and amphibians. |
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''Proterogyrinus'' was similar in shape to other prehistoric [[amphibia]]ns, and reptiliomorphs, such as ''[[Crassigyrinus]]'' and ''[[Eryops]]''. It was about two and a half meters (7–8 feet) long, similar in size to some of 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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Fossils have been found in Scotland, UK, and [[West Virginia]], United States and date back to the [[Serpukhovian]] from about 331-323 million years ago. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Portal|Paleontology}} |
{{Portal|Paleontology}} |
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{{Tetrapodomorpha|St.}} |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q134526}} |
{{Taxonbar|from=Q134526}} |
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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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