Journal article
Modern cryptic species and crocodylian diversity in the fossil record
Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.189(2), pp.700-711
06/11/2020
DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa039
Abstract
Abstract
Advances in molecular biology and genetics are revealing that many recognized crocodylian species are complexes of two or more cryptic species. These discoveries will have a profound impact on interpretation of the crocodyliform fossil record. Our understanding of ranges of intraspecific variation in modern crocodylian morphology may be based on multiple species and thus express both intraspecific and interspecific variation. This raises questions about our ability to recognize modern species in the fossil record, and it also indicates that specimens from disparate localities or horizons may represent not single widespread species, but multiple related species. Ranges of variation in modern species require a thorough re-evaluation, and we may have to revisit previous perceptions of past crocodyliform diversity, rates of evolution or anagenetic lineages in stratigraphic succession. These challenges will not be unique to those studying crocodyliforms and will require sophisticated approaches to variation among modern and fossil specimens.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Modern cryptic species and crocodylian diversity in the fossil record
- Creators
- Christopher A Brochu - University of IowaColin D Sumrall - University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.189(2), pp.700-711
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- DOI
- 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa039
- ISSN
- 0024-4082
- eISSN
- 1096-3642
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100008982, name: National Science Foundation, award: DEB 1257786
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/11/2020
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984229176102771
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