This thesis began as an investigation into evolution of the platypus family (Ornithorhynchidae, Monotremata), now known from both Australia and South America. The thesis broadened its scope with inclusion of non-ornithorhynchid Mesozoic monotremes from Lightning Ridge, NSW. This change in direction brought an unexpected result: a fossil mammal from Lightning Ridge investigated for this thesis (presumed to be monotreme: Flannery et al., 1995) appears to be a new and unique type of mammal. Specimens were procured through Queensland Museum (Riversleigh material); Australian Museum (Lightning Ridge material); and Museum of Victoria and the South Australian Museum (fossil ornithorhynchids). Specimens were examined under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope; specimens were photographed using light photography and a scanning electron microscope; and illustrations and reconstructions were done with a camera lucida microscope attachment and photographic references. Parsimony analysis utilised the computer programs PAUP and MacClade. Major conclusions: 1) analysis and reconstruction of the skull of the Miocene platypus Obdurodon dicksoni suggest this robust, large-billed platypus was a derived northern offshoot off the main line of ornithorhynchid evolution; 2) the well-preserved skull of Obdurodon dicksoni shows aspects of soft anatomy previously unknown for fossil ornithorhynchids; 3) two upper molars from Mammalon Hill (Etadunna Formation, late Oligocene, central Australia) represent a third species of Obdurodon; 4) the South American ornithorhynchid Monotrematum sudamericanum from the Paleocene of Argentina is very close in form to the Oligocene-Miocene Obdurodon species from Australia and should be considered congeneric; 5) a revised diagnosis of the lower jaw of the Early Cretaceous monotreme Steropodon galmani includes the presence of two previously undescribed archaic features: the probable presence of postdentary bones and a meckelian groove; 6) morphological evidence is presented supporting a separate family Steropodontidae; and 7) analysis of new fossil material for Kollikodon ritchiei suggests that this taxon is not a monotreme mammal as originally identified but is a basal mammal with close relationships to allotherian mammals (Morganucodonta; Haramiyida). Kollikodon is provisionally placed as basal allotherian mammal (Allotheria sensu Butler 2000) and is unique at the ordinal level, being neither haramiyid nor multituberculate. A new allotherian order ??? Kollikodonta ??? is proposed.

Inferences regarding the biology of extinct taxa are often founded primarily on cladistically-based phylogenetic hypotheses. However, these inferences are frequently inconsistent with the morphology and physiology of modern animals. I suggest that reference to the biology of modern animals might be a more appropriate tool to aid in the reconstruction of the morphology and physiology of extinct animals. Here, this methodology is applied to: (1) reconstruction of the respiratory anatomy and physiology of some Paleozoic archosaurs (dinosaurs, early birds, pterosaurs, and early crocodilians), (2) understanding cursorial locomotion in birds and bipedal dinosaurs, and (3) a reinterpretation of an enigmatic archosaur, Longisquama. The conclusions drawn from these data raise questions regarding current thinking regarding relationships between birds and dinosaurs. / Graduation date: 2000

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This thesis began as an investigation into evolution of the platypus family (Ornithorhynchidae, Monotremata), now known from both Australia and South America. The thesis broadened its scope with inclusion of non-ornithorhynchid Mesozoic monotremes from Lightning Ridge, NSW. This change in direction brought an unexpected result: a fossil mammal from Lightning Ridge investigated for this thesis (presumed to be monotreme: Flannery et al., 1995) appears to be a new and unique type of mammal. Specimens were procured through Queensland Museum (Riversleigh material); Australian Museum (Lightning Ridge material); and Museum of Victoria and the South Australian Museum (fossil ornithorhynchids). Specimens were examined under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope; specimens were photographed using light photography and a scanning electron microscope; and illustrations and reconstructions were done with a camera lucida microscope attachment and photographic references. Parsimony analysis utilised the computer programs PAUP and MacClade. Major conclusions: 1) analysis and reconstruction of the skull of the Miocene platypus Obdurodon dicksoni suggest this robust, large-billed platypus was a derived northern offshoot off the main line of ornithorhynchid evolution; 2) the well-preserved skull of Obdurodon dicksoni shows aspects of soft anatomy previously unknown for fossil ornithorhynchids; 3) two upper molars from Mammalon Hill (Etadunna Formation, late Oligocene, central Australia) represent a third species of Obdurodon; 4) the South American ornithorhynchid Monotrematum sudamericanum from the Paleocene of Argentina is very close in form to the Oligocene-Miocene Obdurodon species from Australia and should be considered congeneric; 5) a revised diagnosis of the lower jaw of the Early Cretaceous monotreme Steropodon galmani includes the presence of two previously undescribed archaic features: the probable presence of postdentary bones and a meckelian groove; 6) morphological evidence is presented supporting a separate family Steropodontidae; and 7) analysis of new fossil material for Kollikodon ritchiei suggests that this taxon is not a monotreme mammal as originally identified but is a basal mammal with close relationships to allotherian mammals (Morganucodonta; Haramiyida). Kollikodon is provisionally placed as basal allotherian mammal (Allotheria sensu Butler 2000) and is unique at the ordinal level, being neither haramiyid nor multituberculate. A new allotherian order ??? Kollikodonta ??? is proposed.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Pletmos Basin is a Mesozoic half graben located in the southern part of South Africa and has undergone numerous tectonic changes which involve alteration of structure and reworking of sediments. Clay diagenesis has become a more prominent factor affecting the quality of the tight shaly sandstone reservoirs in the southern Pletmos Basin. The present study focused on Block 11a as a primary area of interest .The tight sandstone reservoirs encountered in the four wells, viz. Ga-Q1, Ga- Q2, Ga-Z1 and Ga- E2 were studied using four different methods to incorporate and infer the overall diagenetic effect on the reservoirs, caused by materials of argillaceous origin. The methods adopted in the present research are formation evaluation using wireline logs and calibration of core data using Interactive Petrophysics software, thin section petrography, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) along with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The availability of core samples were limited to wells Ga- Q1 and well Ga- Z1. Four reservoirs within the Cretaceous age were identified in each well and the best reservoirs were associated with facies B and D. / 2022-04-30

No description available.

Mawsoniidae é uma família de actinístios fósseis, conhecidos popularmente como celacanto, sendo encontrados em paleoambientes continental e marinho. O táxon foi proposto na década de 1990, apresentando, a partir de então, alguns estudos abordando sua filogenia num contexto cladístico. Trata-se de um grupo monofilético, sendo representado por cinco gêneros inquestionáveis (i. e., Axelrodichthys, Chinlea, Diplurus, Mawsonia e Parnaibaia), além de outros dez que possuem alguma discordância na sistemática (i. e., Alcoveria, Garnbergia, Heptanema, Indocoelacanthus, Libys, Lualabaea, Megalocoelacanthus, Moenkopia, Rhipis e Trachymetopon). Cabe ressaltar que nem todos estes gêneros foram contemplados nas análises cladísticas de Mawsoniidae. Mawsoniidae possui considerável interesse biogeográfico, considerando sua extensa amplitude temporal (Triássico Médio ao Cretáceo Superior) e ampla distribuição geográfica (Américas do Sul e do Norte, África e Europa). Os gêneros restritos à América do Norte (Diplurus e Chinlea) e Europa (Alcoveria) possuem os registros mais antigos (Triássico Médio-Jurássico Inferior). Já os gêneros restritos ao Hemisfério Sul (Mawsonia, Axelrodichthys e Parnaibaia) distribuem-se do Jurássico Superior ao Cretáceo Superior, no Brasil e na África. A presente dissertação propôs analisar a Biogeografia Histórica de todos os gêneros (os válidos e os de posicionamento taxonômico controverso) de Mawsoniidae, aplicando o método panbiogeográfico de análise de traços. A partir desta análise, foram obtidos 11 traços individuais das espécies e três traços generalizados (TGs). O TG1, que foi denominado Newark Nordeste, ocorre nos estratos do Grupo Newark (Triássico Superior); o TG2, que foi denominado Centro-oeste gondwânico, ocorre na Formação Lualaba (Jurássico Superior); e o TG3, que foi denominado Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana, ocorre nas formações Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana (Cretáceo Inferior). Com base no padrão de distribuição encontrado, sugere-se que a origem do grupo ocorreu a partir do Triássico Médio/Superior na Pangeia Oriental, com subsequente expansão no Jurássico Inferior, corroborada por registros de Indocoelacanthus e Trachymetopon. A expansão do grupo em direção à Gondwana Ocidental ocorreu a partir do Cretáceo Inferior, com registros dos gêneros Mawsonia e Axelrodichthys. A análise panbiogeográfica também foi aplicada para produzir traços individuais para os gêneros em determinados períodos geológicos, os quais mostraram congruência com os traços individuais das espécies. Os resultados aqui obtidos reforçaram o potential do método panbiogeográfico na obtenção dos padrões de distribuição e, consequentemente, nas áreas de endemismo de Mawsoniidae, ao longo de todo o Mesozoico. / Mawsoniidae is a fossil family of actinistians popularly known as coelacanth, being found in continental and marine paleoenvironments. The taxon was proposed in the 1990 and, since then, some studies on its phylogeny in a cladistic context were accomplished. It is considered monophyletic in the most recent reviews and includes five unquestionable genera (i. e., Axelrodichthys, Chinlea, Diplurus, Mawsonia, and Parnaibaia), besides ten others with some taxonomical controversy (i. e., Alcoveria, Garnbergia, Heptanema, Indocoelacanthus, Libys, Lualabaea, Megalocoelacanthus, Moenkopia, Rhipis, and Trachymetopon). Notwithstanding, not all of these genera were included in the cladistic analysis of Mawsoniidae. Mawsoniidae possesses a remarkable biogeographical significance due to its extensive temporal range, from the Middle Triassic to the Late Cretaceous, and a wide geographical distribution in the South and North Americas, Africa, and Europe. The genera restrict to the North America (Diplurus and Chinlea) and Europe (Alcoveria) possess the oldest records (Middle Triassic-Early Jurassic), whereas those found in the South Hemisphere (Mawsonia, Axelrodichthys, and Parnaibaia) extend from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous, in Brazil and Africa. This study proposed to analyze the Historical Biogeography of Mawsoniidae, including the valid genera as well as those of controverse systematic position, applying the panbiogeographical method of track analysis. Based on this analysis, 11 individual tracks of the species and three generalized tracks (GTs) were obtained. The GT1, named Northeastern Newark, occurs in strata of the Newark Group (Upper Triassic); GT2, named Midwest Gondwana, occurs in the Lualaba Formation (Upper Jurassic); and GT2, named Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana, occurs in the Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana formations (Lower Cretaceous). Regarding the distribution pattern herein found, the origin of the probably occurred from the Middle/Upper Triassic in the Eastern Pangeia, with subsequent expansion in the Lower Jurassic, corroborated by records of Indocoelacanthus and Trachymetopon. The expansion of the group towards the Western Gondwana occurred in the Lower Cretaceous, with records of Mawsonia and Axelrodichthys. The panbiogeographical analysis was also applied to produce individual tracks of the genera by certain geological periods, which showed congruence with the individual tracks of the species. The results herein obtained accentuated the potential of the panbiogeographical method for obtaining the distribution patterns and, consequently, the areas of endemism of Mawsoniidae, throughout all Mesozoic.

Mawsoniidae é uma família de actinístios fósseis, conhecidos popularmente como celacanto, sendo encontrados em paleoambientes continental e marinho. O táxon foi proposto na década de 1990, apresentando, a partir de então, alguns estudos abordando sua filogenia num contexto cladístico. Trata-se de um grupo monofilético, sendo representado por cinco gêneros inquestionáveis (i. e., Axelrodichthys, Chinlea, Diplurus, Mawsonia e Parnaibaia), além de outros dez que possuem alguma discordância na sistemática (i. e., Alcoveria, Garnbergia, Heptanema, Indocoelacanthus, Libys, Lualabaea, Megalocoelacanthus, Moenkopia, Rhipis e Trachymetopon). Cabe ressaltar que nem todos estes gêneros foram contemplados nas análises cladísticas de Mawsoniidae. Mawsoniidae possui considerável interesse biogeográfico, considerando sua extensa amplitude temporal (Triássico Médio ao Cretáceo Superior) e ampla distribuição geográfica (Américas do Sul e do Norte, África e Europa). Os gêneros restritos à América do Norte (Diplurus e Chinlea) e Europa (Alcoveria) possuem os registros mais antigos (Triássico Médio-Jurássico Inferior). Já os gêneros restritos ao Hemisfério Sul (Mawsonia, Axelrodichthys e Parnaibaia) distribuem-se do Jurássico Superior ao Cretáceo Superior, no Brasil e na África. A presente dissertação propôs analisar a Biogeografia Histórica de todos os gêneros (os válidos e os de posicionamento taxonômico controverso) de Mawsoniidae, aplicando o método panbiogeográfico de análise de traços. A partir desta análise, foram obtidos 11 traços individuais das espécies e três traços generalizados (TGs). O TG1, que foi denominado Newark Nordeste, ocorre nos estratos do Grupo Newark (Triássico Superior); o TG2, que foi denominado Centro-oeste gondwânico, ocorre na Formação Lualaba (Jurássico Superior); e o TG3, que foi denominado Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana, ocorre nas formações Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana (Cretáceo Inferior). Com base no padrão de distribuição encontrado, sugere-se que a origem do grupo ocorreu a partir do Triássico Médio/Superior na Pangeia Oriental, com subsequente expansão no Jurássico Inferior, corroborada por registros de Indocoelacanthus e Trachymetopon. A expansão do grupo em direção à Gondwana Ocidental ocorreu a partir do Cretáceo Inferior, com registros dos gêneros Mawsonia e Axelrodichthys. A análise panbiogeográfica também foi aplicada para produzir traços individuais para os gêneros em determinados períodos geológicos, os quais mostraram congruência com os traços individuais das espécies. Os resultados aqui obtidos reforçaram o potential do método panbiogeográfico na obtenção dos padrões de distribuição e, consequentemente, nas áreas de endemismo de Mawsoniidae, ao longo de todo o Mesozoico. / Mawsoniidae is a fossil family of actinistians popularly known as coelacanth, being found in continental and marine paleoenvironments. The taxon was proposed in the 1990 and, since then, some studies on its phylogeny in a cladistic context were accomplished. It is considered monophyletic in the most recent reviews and includes five unquestionable genera (i. e., Axelrodichthys, Chinlea, Diplurus, Mawsonia, and Parnaibaia), besides ten others with some taxonomical controversy (i. e., Alcoveria, Garnbergia, Heptanema, Indocoelacanthus, Libys, Lualabaea, Megalocoelacanthus, Moenkopia, Rhipis, and Trachymetopon). Notwithstanding, not all of these genera were included in the cladistic analysis of Mawsoniidae. Mawsoniidae possesses a remarkable biogeographical significance due to its extensive temporal range, from the Middle Triassic to the Late Cretaceous, and a wide geographical distribution in the South and North Americas, Africa, and Europe. The genera restrict to the North America (Diplurus and Chinlea) and Europe (Alcoveria) possess the oldest records (Middle Triassic-Early Jurassic), whereas those found in the South Hemisphere (Mawsonia, Axelrodichthys, and Parnaibaia) extend from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous, in Brazil and Africa. This study proposed to analyze the Historical Biogeography of Mawsoniidae, including the valid genera as well as those of controverse systematic position, applying the panbiogeographical method of track analysis. Based on this analysis, 11 individual tracks of the species and three generalized tracks (GTs) were obtained. The GT1, named Northeastern Newark, occurs in strata of the Newark Group (Upper Triassic); GT2, named Midwest Gondwana, occurs in the Lualaba Formation (Upper Jurassic); and GT2, named Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana, occurs in the Itapecuru-Alcântara-Santana formations (Lower Cretaceous). Regarding the distribution pattern herein found, the origin of the probably occurred from the Middle/Upper Triassic in the Eastern Pangeia, with subsequent expansion in the Lower Jurassic, corroborated by records of Indocoelacanthus and Trachymetopon. The expansion of the group towards the Western Gondwana occurred in the Lower Cretaceous, with records of Mawsonia and Axelrodichthys. The panbiogeographical analysis was also applied to produce individual tracks of the genera by certain geological periods, which showed congruence with the individual tracks of the species. The results herein obtained accentuated the potential of the panbiogeographical method for obtaining the distribution patterns and, consequently, the areas of endemism of Mawsoniidae, throughout all Mesozoic.

Poorly preserved fossil wood collected throughout the terrane had been the basis of a Cretaceous age assignment. New age constraints come from paleomagnetic data which fail the fold test at both regional and local levels. These data indicate that the paleomagnetism was produced by a post-folding metamorphic event. The resulting paleomagnetic pole at 58.9°N, 114.6°E falls on the North American apparent polar wander path very near a pole from the Callovian Summerville Formation. These data imply that Callovian is a minimum age for the metamorphism and that the proto1ith is older.