Temnospondyl fingers: 1-4? or 2-5?
If you’re going to have a good understanding
of reptile origins, you’re going to need a good topology of pre-reptiles (aka basal tetrapods). So today, tomorrow and the next day, we’ll cover temnospondyls and how they relate to their sisters and to reptiles.
According to Wikipedia
“Temnospondyls have been known since the early 19th century, and were initially thought to be reptiles. They were described at various times as batrachians, stegocephalians, and labyrinthodonts, although these names are now rarely used. Animals now grouped in Temnospondyli were spread out among several amphibian groups until the early 20th century, when they were found to belong to a distinct taxon based on the structure of their vertebrae. Experts disagree over whether temnospondyls were ancestral to modern amphibians (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians), or whether the whole group died out without leaving any descendants.” The large reptile tree (LRT) indicates that temnospondyls are now extinct and not related to lepospondyls (extant amphibians and their kin).
Pertinent to todays discussion
Wikipedia also reports, “most temnospondyls have small limbs with four toes on each front foot and five on each hind foot.” So, the question is: which finger (not toe) is missing from the temnospondyl manus? Traditionally temnospondyl fingers have been labeled 1-4, perhaps based on the hypothesis that the medial digit has two phalanges, as in pentadactyl taxa. That would mean digits 2 and 3 lose one phalanx and digit 4 loses two phalanges — IF you’re starting with a complete pentadactyl limb — but you’re not.
After comparing sister taxa
(and they are few at present) the digits have been relabeled here: 2-5. That means digit 1 is absent in temnospondyls. Thus, digits 2-5 lose one or two phalanges.
In the old days
paleontologists added a hallux to museum mounts and illustrations of Eryops (Fig. 3). So they were thinking the same thing with regard to digit numbers. The correct identification of the fingers is key to scoring these traits correctly in phylogenetic analyses that involve temnospondyls.
References
wiki/Temnospondyli
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/temnospondyl-fingers-1-4-or-2-5/
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.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).