Lecture Test 2 Flashcards
(149 cards)
How old is our planet estimated to be?
Around 4.5 billion years old
From which subclass did mammals arise?
Synapsida
Approximately how many years ago did synapsids first appear?
About 320 million years ago
What subclass led to turtles and has no holes in the skull?
Anapsids
Pleasaurs are extinct marine reptiles are part of the which subclass?
Uriapsids
Which subclass led to lizards and snakes and has two holes in the skull?
Diapsids
What structural feature of skulls is used to classify these subclasses?
Holes in the skull for muscle attachment
What are the two different orders into which Synapsida split?
- Pelycosauria
- Therapsida
What characteristics define Pelycosauria?
- More primitive
- Smaller temporal opening
- Reptilian-like teeth
- Homodent dentition
- Multiple bones in jaw
- Smaller dentary
What defines Therapsida?
- Advanced mammal-like reptiles
- Large temporal opening
- Differentiated teeth
- Much larger dentary
Which group within Therapsida technically gave rise to mammals?
Cynodontia
In the 140 million years from the late Paleozoic to the early Mesozoic what were the changes seen in fossil records that indicated a shift to becoming mammals
• Enlargement of the temporal opening
• Transition from 1 occipital condyle to 2
•Maxillary and palatine bones extend posteriorly and medially
•Dentition becomes heterodont
• Dentary bone become larger other bones reduced
• Ribs are reduced
•Limbs move under body
•Reduction in carpal and tarsal bones
Underlaying themes to these changes are improving ability to process food and increase mobility
What is the significance of the enlargement of the temporal opening in early mammals?
Greater muscle attachment for chewing
This adaptation facilitated more efficient food processing.
How did the transition from one to two occipital condyles affect early mammals?
Allowed for more precise movement
This change improved head mobility.
What structural change occurs in the maxillary and palatine bones of early mammals?
They extend posteriorly and medially
This separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, aiding in simultaneous chewing and breathing.
What does heterodont dentition indicate about early mammals?
A wider range of specialized food
This adaptation allows for more diverse diets.
What happens to the dentary bone in early mammals?
It becomes larger while other bones are reduced
This change contributes to a stronger jaw structure.
What is the effect of reduced ribs in early mammals?
Increased flexibility of movement
This adaptation enhances agility and mobility.
How does moving the limbs under the body benefit early mammals?
Reduces energy demand for movement and increases stamina
This change supports more efficient locomotion.
What change occurs in the number of carpal and tarsal bones in early mammals?
Reduction from 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 to 2, 3, 3, 3, 3
This reduction increases dexterity in limb movement.
Why do they need more food?
They had to become nocturnal to avoid becoming prey, they are starting to evolve endothermy which is calorically expensive, and other physiological changes are assumed to be happening but are not preserved in fossil records.
Physiological changes include metabolism, lactation, endothermy, and reproduction.
When do you say they became mammals?
Currently considered Monophylic Monotremes included.
Monophyly refers to a group of organisms that share a common ancestor.
How small were the smallest dinosaurs compared to mammals?
The smallest dinosaurs were 10 times the size of mammals at the time.
This highlights the significant size difference between early mammals and small dinosaurs.
What were the three feeding guilds of early mammals?
- Multituberculates - herbivores
- Triconodants - carnivores
- Pantotheres - omnivores
These groups are determined by jaw structure and teeth.