New insights into the morphology of the Carboniferous tetrapod Crassigyrinus scoticus from computed tomography

摘要: The Carboniferous tetrapod Crassigyrinus scoticus is an enigmatic animal in terms of its morphology and phylogenetic position. had extremely reduced forelimbs, was aquatic, perhaps secondarily. Recent analyses tentatively place close to the whatcheeriids. Many tetrapods exhibit several characteristics associated with terrestrial locomotion, much research has focused on how this novel locomotor mode evolved. However, estimate selective pressures constraints during important time vertebrate evolution, it also study early like that either remained aquatic or secondarily became aquatic. We used computed tomographic scanning search for more data about skeletal discovered elements previously hidden by matrix. These include ribs, another neural arch, potential evidence ossified pubis maybe pleurocentra. additional metatarsals interesting asymmetrical may have functional implications. Finally, we reclassify what thought be a left sacral rib as fibula show unknown aspects radius. discoveries are examined contexts.