More crest laminations, this time in a pterosaur
When animals develop crests, it’s rarely just one bone that creates it. We just looked at Lambeosaurus, in which the crest is made of two bones, the premaxilla and nasal (no matter how you divide it). Today we’ll look at Tupuxuara, a crested pterosaur of the Early Cretaceous. It’s interesting to compare how crests grow by watching which bones grow to create them.
Figure 1. Juvenile Tupuxuara. Colors denote various bones. Note the expansion of the nasal dorsally as in laminates the premaxilla to strengthen it. The premaxilla, frontal and parietal contribute to the cranial portion of the crest.
Several years ago I was lucky enough to photograph a juvenile Tupuxuara skull at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Not only did it have the proportions of an adult (isometric growth in tritosaur lizards), it more clearly differentiated the various bones used to create it. It was also preserved uncrushed and completely worked out of the matrix.
The crest in Tupuxuara is homologous to that in Germanodactylus cristatus, another sharp-jawed pterosaur with a single tooth at the tip. With skull bones often about one millimeter in thickness it helps to laminate one bone upon another for strength, something like a paper sculpture.
As always, I encourage readers to see specimens, make observations and come to your own conclusions. Test. Test. And test again.
2012-11-09 09:08:57
Source: http://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/more-crest-laminations-this-time-in-a-pterosaur/
Source:
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
