Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the late Cenozoic. Yurlunggur and Wonambi are two of these late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of Yurlunggur was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of Yurlunggur most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of Wonambi is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology is very different from Yurlunggur and suggests a more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data, and the palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all consistent with these inferred ecological differences
Among the palaeontologically most important reptiles, and perhaps phylogenetically the most inter... more Among the palaeontologically most important reptiles, and perhaps phylogenetically the most interesting finds of any kind in the last decade, belong without doubt those lizards which were found in recent times in Istria. No less than three very thorough descriptions have been presented by Dr Kornhuber, of just as many lizards: Pontosaurus, Carsosaurus and Opetiosaurus ; one other lizard-like animal has been described by each of Herman von Meyer (Acteosaurus), Seeley (Adriosaurus) and Gorjanovic-Kramberger (Aigialosaurus), and a similar form (Dolichosaurus) has been made known by Owen from the Cretaceous formation of England. Their systematic position has been discussed by Owen, Boulenger, Baur, Kornhuber and Gorjanovic-Kramberger, and all these authors agree that in some of them, more pythonomorph characters can be found than on any other recent or fossil lizards. Their last classification was given by Gorjanovic-Kramberger (1892) in the following schema: Group (Suborder:) Dolichosa...
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. <i>Yurlunggur</i> and <i>Wonambi</i> are two of these Late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on Early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of <i>Yurlunggur</i> was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of <i>Yurlunggur</i> most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of <i>Wonambi</i> is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology is very different from that of <i>Yurlunggur</i> and suggests a more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data and the palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all consistent with these inferred ecological differences.
ABSTRACT Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Austr... more ABSTRACT Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Australia throughout the Cenozoic, as far as represented in the fossil record. For most groups, this is no earlier than the late Oligocene (roughly 25 million years ago). Fossil deposits of this age contain the earliest known examples in Australia of terrestrial mekosuchine crocodiles, large madtsoiid snakes, pythons, and varanid lizards, alongside the oldest known members of important carnivorous marsupial lineages (thylacines, thylacoleonids, and propleopine kangaroos); crocodyline crocodiles and elapid snakes arrive later. This chapter briefly reviews the fossil history and palaeobiology of each of these carnivorous reptilian groups, with an emphasis on large (megafaunal) species.
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. and are two of these late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morph...
A single, large snake vertebra was recovered from a quarry in Chinchilla, southwestern Queensland... more A single, large snake vertebra was recovered from a quarry in Chinchilla, southwestern Queensland. Its description is consistent with Yurlunggur and confirms that this genus persisted beyond the Miocene in Australia.
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the late Cenozoic. Yurlunggur and Wonambi are two of these late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of Yurlunggur was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of Yurlunggur most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of Wonambi is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology is very different from Yurlunggur and suggests a more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data, and the palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all consistent with these inferred ecological differences
Among the palaeontologically most important reptiles, and perhaps phylogenetically the most inter... more Among the palaeontologically most important reptiles, and perhaps phylogenetically the most interesting finds of any kind in the last decade, belong without doubt those lizards which were found in recent times in Istria. No less than three very thorough descriptions have been presented by Dr Kornhuber, of just as many lizards: Pontosaurus, Carsosaurus and Opetiosaurus ; one other lizard-like animal has been described by each of Herman von Meyer (Acteosaurus), Seeley (Adriosaurus) and Gorjanovic-Kramberger (Aigialosaurus), and a similar form (Dolichosaurus) has been made known by Owen from the Cretaceous formation of England. Their systematic position has been discussed by Owen, Boulenger, Baur, Kornhuber and Gorjanovic-Kramberger, and all these authors agree that in some of them, more pythonomorph characters can be found than on any other recent or fossil lizards. Their last classification was given by Gorjanovic-Kramberger (1892) in the following schema: Group (Suborder:) Dolichosa...
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. <i>Yurlunggur</i> and <i>Wonambi</i> are two of these Late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on Early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of <i>Yurlunggur</i> was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of <i>Yurlunggur</i> most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of <i>Wonambi</i> is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology is very different from that of <i>Yurlunggur</i> and suggests a more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data and the palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all consistent with these inferred ecological differences.
ABSTRACT Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Austr... more ABSTRACT Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Australia throughout the Cenozoic, as far as represented in the fossil record. For most groups, this is no earlier than the late Oligocene (roughly 25 million years ago). Fossil deposits of this age contain the earliest known examples in Australia of terrestrial mekosuchine crocodiles, large madtsoiid snakes, pythons, and varanid lizards, alongside the oldest known members of important carnivorous marsupial lineages (thylacines, thylacoleonids, and propleopine kangaroos); crocodyline crocodiles and elapid snakes arrive later. This chapter briefly reviews the fossil history and palaeobiology of each of these carnivorous reptilian groups, with an emphasis on large (megafaunal) species.
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. and are two of these late forms, and also the best-known madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morph...
A single, large snake vertebra was recovered from a quarry in Chinchilla, southwestern Queensland... more A single, large snake vertebra was recovered from a quarry in Chinchilla, southwestern Queensland. Its description is consistent with Yurlunggur and confirms that this genus persisted beyond the Miocene in Australia.
In: AS Glen & CR Dickman. Carnivores of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Nov 2014
Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Australia thro... more Large carnivorous reptiles have been an important part of non-marine ecosystems in Australia throughout the Cenozoic, as far as represented in the fossil record. For most groups, this is no earlier than the late Oligocene (roughly 25 million years ago). Fossil deposits of this age contain the earliest known examples in Australia of terrestrial mekosuchine crocodiles, large madtsoiid snakes, pythons, and varanid lizards, alongside the oldest known members of important carnivorous marsupial lineages (thylacines, thylacoleonids, and propleopine kangaroos); crocodyline crocodiles and elapid snakes arrive later. This chapter briefly reviews the fossil history and palaeobiology of each of these carnivorous reptilian groups, with an emphasis on large (megafaunal) species.
Ctenotus ora, the ‘Coastal Plains Skink’, is a recently described species of medium sized skink w... more Ctenotus ora, the ‘Coastal Plains Skink’, is a recently described species of medium sized skink with a restricted range in the south-west of Western Australia, most of which has been cleared for agriculture and urban development. It cannot reliably be distinguished from the more widespread C. labillardieri except by DNA sequences, but the two species appear to have disjunct distributions.
C. ora is considered to be of high conservation significance (recently listed as Priority 1 by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation). It is thought to be dependent on sandy substrates, appears to have low population density where it occurs, and populations are fragmented both by the discontinuous distribution of sandy soils, and of remnant vegetation providing suitable habitat. Any clearing of suitable habitat within the range of this species could have at least temporary and potentially significant impacts on local populations, because of the low population density and prior fragmentation of habitat by urban and agricultural development.
Review of locality records of museum specimens and survey reports indicates that additional populations of ‘Ctenotus labillardieri’ occur outside and between the known ranges of either species, and potentially represent C. ora. The identity of populations on and adjacent to the Whicher Scarp (northern margin of Blackwood Plateau) may be important in assessment of impact, because this area represents a large area of contiguous woodland habitat where the resident species (whichever that is) is likely to be secure.
The identity of the Ctenotus species at Armstrong Reserve, Dunsborough, has yet to be confirmed genetically but it is likely to be C. ora. Maps are constructed indicating the estimated distribution of suitable habitat within Armstrong Reserve, based on vegetation structure (as related to known capture sites, and behavioural and ecological data on other Ctenotus species), and at local up to regional scales based on the distribution of sandy soil types and existing remnant vegetation. These maps indicate that the Dunsborough population is likely to extend to several contiguous blocks of bushland as well as Armstrong Reserve, but may be effectively isolated from larger areas of occupied habitat to the east and west. The proposed development area does not break any existing linkages that might be important to a population of C. ora.
[Translated text of works by H. von Meyer (1860), A. Kornhuber (1873), C. Gorjanovic-Kramberger (... more [Translated text of works by H. von Meyer (1860), A. Kornhuber (1873), C. Gorjanovic-Kramberger (1892), F. Nopcsa (1903, 1908, 1923, 1925), W. Janensch (1906), and St J. Bolkay (1925), describing taxa including Actaeosaurus, Pontosaurus, Aigialosaurus, Archaeophis, Eidolosaurus, Pachyophis, Simoliophis and Mesophis.]
University of Sydney (Zoology 3rd Year assignment), 1984
Specimens of a male and female Pseudocheirus peregrinus were dissected and their anatomy was reco... more Specimens of a male and female Pseudocheirus peregrinus were dissected and their anatomy was recorded photographically and diagramatically. A study of the literature was undertaken and the taxonomy, behaviour, feeding, distribution and physiology were summarized in light of the Ringtail's anatomy and ecology.
Demansia torquata (Günther), previously regarded as a single species of Australian elapid snake, ... more Demansia torquata (Günther), previously regarded as a single species of Australian elapid snake, is found to be composite, and separable into three species in Queensland and New South Wales. These are described, keyed and figured, and herein referred to as Demansia torquata (Günther), D. sp. A nov., and D. sp. B nov. Populations are shown to be significantly distinct morphologically: variations with size and sexual dimorphism are described and analysed in D. torquata and D. sp. A. Habits and habitat are described as known for each species, largely based on unpublished records. This revision is based on specimens in the Australian Museum, Sydney, and Queensland Museum, Brisbane.
Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil
record dating back to the Upper Cretace... more Madtsoiids are among the most basal snakes, with a fossil record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. Yurlunggur and Wonambi are two of these late forms, and also the bestknown madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast of the inner ear of Yurlunggur was compared to those of 81 species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner ear of Yurlunggur most closely resembles both that of certain semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes. Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of the inner ear of Wonambi is too incomplete to be included in a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology is very different from that of Yurlunggur and suggests a more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data and the palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all consistent with these inferred ecological differences.
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C. ora is considered to be of high conservation significance (recently listed as Priority 1 by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation). It is thought to be dependent on sandy substrates, appears to have low population density where it occurs, and populations are fragmented both by the discontinuous distribution of sandy soils, and of remnant vegetation providing suitable habitat. Any clearing of suitable habitat within the range of this species could have at least temporary and potentially significant impacts on local populations, because of the low population density and prior fragmentation of habitat by urban and agricultural development.
Review of locality records of museum specimens and survey reports indicates that additional populations of ‘Ctenotus labillardieri’ occur outside and between the known ranges of either species, and potentially represent C. ora. The identity of populations on and adjacent to the Whicher Scarp (northern margin of Blackwood Plateau) may be important in assessment of impact, because this area represents a large area of contiguous woodland habitat where the resident species (whichever that is) is likely to be secure.
The identity of the Ctenotus species at Armstrong Reserve, Dunsborough, has yet to be confirmed genetically but it is likely to be C. ora. Maps are constructed indicating the estimated distribution of suitable habitat within Armstrong Reserve, based on vegetation structure (as related to known capture sites, and behavioural and ecological data on other Ctenotus species), and at local up to regional scales based on the distribution of sandy soil types and existing remnant vegetation. These maps indicate that the Dunsborough population is likely to extend to several contiguous blocks of bushland as well as Armstrong Reserve, but may be effectively isolated from larger areas of occupied habitat to the east and west. The proposed development area does not break any existing linkages that might be important to a population of C. ora.
record dating back to the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian).
Most representatives went extinct by the end of the Eocene, but
some survived in Australia until the Late Cenozoic. Yurlunggur
and Wonambi are two of these late forms, and also the bestknown
madtsoiids to date. A better understanding of the
anatomy and palaeoecology of these taxa may shed light on the
evolution and extinction of this poorly known group of snakes
and on early snake evolution in general. A digital endocast
of the inner ear of Yurlunggur was compared to those of 81
species of snakes and lizards with known ecological preferences
using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The inner
ear of Yurlunggur most closely resembles both that of certain
semiaquatic snakes and that of some semifossorial snakes.
Other cranial and postcranial features of this snake support
the semifossorial interpretation. While the digital endocast of
the inner ear of Wonambi is too incomplete to be included in
a geometric morphometrics study, its preserved morphology
is very different from that of Yurlunggur and suggests a
more generalist ecology. Osteology, palaeoclimatic data and the
palaeobiogeographic distribution of these two snakes are all
consistent with these inferred ecological differences.