Open AccessCrocodylian forelimb musculature and its relevance to Archosauria
Author(s) -
Meers Mason B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the anatomical record part a: discoveries in molecular, cellular, and evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-4892
pISSN - 1552-4884
DOI - 10.1002/ar.a.10097
Subject(s) - forelimb , biology , context (archaeology) , terrestrial locomotion , extant taxon , myology , manus , anatomy , clade , evolutionary biology , phylogenetics , paleontology , biochemistry , gene
The musculoskeletal anatomy of the crocodylian forelimb is documented to facilitate functional morphological studies of extant and extinct archosaurs. Comparative descriptions of muscles of the forelimb of several crocodylian species are presented, including attachment sites, innervation, and anatomical functions. The muscular anatomy of the crocodylian forelimb is highly conservative among the different species; however, interspecific differences do occur. Interspecific anatomical variation is interpreted functionally, and discussed in the context of the terrestrial locomotion of crocodylians as it applies to the forelimb. In addition, muscular apomorphies are identified among a phylogenetically diverse sample of extant crocodylians, providing insight into the evolution of forelimb anatomy in a clade of archosaurs possessing highly variable terrestrial locomotor behaviors. Anat Rec Part A 274A:891–916, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.