Permian to Triassic igneous rocks cropping out in the Coastal and Frontal cordilleras in northern Chile between 28 degrees 00'S and 30 degrees 15'S have long been interpreted to represent products of magmatism related to an extensional tectonic setting, either as the result of crustal anatexis or asthenospheric mantle decompression melting, in a passive continental margin. Eighty-six samples of plutonic (61) and volcanic (25) rocks from this region are characterized petrographically and geochemically. They are Permian to Early Jurassic in age, but the majority of the studied rocks correspond to the Lower to Middle Triassic Chollay Plutonic Complex, the volumetrically most important unit in the area. The rock samples have features typical of magmas derived from flux-induced melting of a depleted mantle such as: broad range of petrographic composition with predominance of intermediate to acid members, highly porphyrytic volcanic rocks, magnetite as the Fe-Ti oxide mineral phase, enrichment in LILE over HFSE, marked depletion in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P and moderate to no negative Eu anomalies. Few of the studied rock samples (<10%) have alkaline signature and trace element contents representative of anorogenic magmatism. In this work, we propose that subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the South American continent is responsible for the evolution of the margin from the Permian to Early Jurassic, at the studied latitudes. A preliminary interpretation of the margin architecture of the Andean margin from the Permian to the Triassic would be that the Chanchoquin and Chollay plutonic complexes represent the roots of a magmatic arc developed from the Permian to the Middle or early Late Triassic, whereas the Guanaco Sonso and Pastos Blancos formations would be the shallower parts of such arc. The La Totora Formation and some volumetrically minor Upper Triassic intrusive units represent magmatic products with alkaline signatures, which developed immediately before the establishment of the magmatic arc in the present-day Coastal Cordillera (during the Rhaetian to Early Jurassic).

The dicynodont genus Lystrosaurus, a relative of the Kannemeyerids, is one of few terrestrial vertebrate genera which can be found on both sides of the Permian-Triassic (P-T) boundary (Botha and Smith, 2006); indeed, a single species, Lystrosaurus curvatus, is known from both periods. In the Permian, Lystrosaurus was of average abundance relative to other genera. Shortly following the P-T extinction, it drastically increased in abundance until it dominated the faunas it was present in (Botha and Smith, 2006). To date, Lystrosaurus fossils have been found in South Africa, India, Antarctica, China, and Russia (Grine et al., 2006). Abundance, survivorship, and expansive geographic presence give Lystrosaurus extreme potential as a model organism for multiple questions involving ideas such as extinction survivorship, biogeography, and ecology; however, Lystrosaurus has been subject to the practice of an extreme version of "splitter" taxonomy in the past. Here I quantify Lystrosaurus morphology using geometric morphometrics. Chinese Lystrosaurus taxonomy has not been analyzed in light of this. My results show that they are different from Gondwanan Lystrosaurus and represent at least one if not two unique species.

Studies in the 1970's reporting the occurrence of fossil pollen types in the Cretaceous, coupled with surveys of extant pollen morphology of primitive flowering plants, laid the foundation for proposing a Lower Cretaceous origin of angiosperms. Over the last 30 years, morphological, ultrastructural, and ontogenetic studies of both extant and fossil pollen have provided an array of new characters, as well as greater resolution in defining character polarities. Moreover, a range of fossil pollen types exhibiting angiosperm characters occur in low frequency within Triassic and Jurassic sediments. The pollen data provide evidence of a pre-Cretaceous origin of angiosperms. Speciation and extinction rates were likely equal during the Triassic and Jurassic, resulting in the paucity of angiosperm pollen types from different geographic areas in the Atlantic - South American/African rift zone. It was not until the Lower Cretaceous that origination rates exceed extinction rates, resulting in the subsequent diversification of angiosperms and the origin of the eudicots.

The end-Triassic Mass Extinction (ETME) was one of the "Big 5" mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic and is thought to have been caused by a series of environmental changes triggered by the emplacement of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). While the overall driver of the ETME is well-accepted, the specific roles of subsequent environmental changes in driving the extinction remain unresolved due to both spatial and temporal biases within existing geochemical records. Additionally, recent studies suggest that environmental deterioration may have preceded the emplacement of both CAMP and the ETME. Here, we present nitrogen isotope (δ15N) and iron speciation data from a sedimentary succession located in Grotto Creek, Alaska in order track changes in the marine nitrogen cycle and redox across the upper Norian Stage of the Triassic through lower Hettangain Stage of the Jurassic (~215 to 198 million years ago). The geologic succession at Grotto Creek represents deeper water marine deposition in eastern equatorial Panthalassa, likely capturing regional oceanic redox trends. δ15N records from Grotto Creek show a pronounced positive excursion of +3‰ that initiates in the upper Norian, peaks near the Norian-Rhaetian boundary (NRB; ~208.5), and declines through the ETME and into the Hettangian. Throughout this interval, iron speciation data show persistent anoxic conditions and occasional euxinia occurred in the local bottom waters. We propose that the positive δ15N and iron speciation data from Grotto Creek reflect a progressive deoxygenation of the upper water column with the expansion of the equatorial oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Specifically, the δ15N excursion reflects a shift in the dominant processing of bioavailable nitrogen from uptake and nitrification under oxic conditions to incomplete denitrification followed by complete denitrification as deoxygenation progressed. Records from existing study sites in other regions of the Panthalassa reflect similar redox fluctuations and support that this deoxygenation was a regional phenomenon. Other recent studies of the Late Norian and Rhaetian also document declines in biodiversity that predate the ETME, as well as, carbon isotope excursions, likely reflecting perturbations to the carbon cycle. Together, this evidence suggests that increasingly low-oxygen conditions initiated at least ~8 Ma before the emplacement of CAMP and likely paved the way for the ETME. / Master of Science / The end-Triassic mass extinction (ETME) occurred ~ 201 million years ago and was associated with a large drop in global diversity. The extinction is thought to be due to a warming climate resulting from greenhouse gasses released during the eruption of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Although the ETME is one of the largest extinction events of the last ~500 million years, the environmental changes leading to the extinction, and before the CAMP eruption, are not well understood. We studied the Grotto Creek section in Alaska which is a sequence of sedimentary rocks that record the deep ocean environment from the ancient Panthalassa or Paleo-Pacific Ocean. This section also provides a relatively complete record of the time before, during, and after the ETME. Here, we present the stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) from these rocks that show disturbances to the nitrogen cycling that occurred in the ocean more than ~ 8 million years before the ETME. We show that δ15N and iron data from Grotto Creek document falling ocean oxygen levels before the ETME. We also find that our δ15N agrees with other environmental proxies that also reflect declining oxygen levels in the oceans along with decreases in marine animal diversity well before the ETME. These geochemical records help to show a more complete picture of how environments changed in the Panthalassa before the ETME

abstract: There is a growing body of evidence that the evolving redox structure of the oceans has been an important influence on the evolutionary trajectory of animals. However, current understanding of connections between marine redox conditions and marine extinctions and recoveries is hampered by limited detailed knowledge of the timing, duration, and extent of marine redox changes. The recent development of U isotopes (δ238U) in carbonates as a global ocean redox proxy has provided new insight into this problem. Reliable application and interpretation of the δ238U paleoproxy in geological records requires a thorough understanding of the reliability of δ238U recorded by bulk carbonate sediments. In this dissertation, I evaluate the robustness of δ238U paleoproxy by examining δ238U variations in marine carbonates across Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) sections from different paleogeographic locations. Close agreement of δ238U profiles from coeval carbonate sections thousands of kilometers apart, in different ocean basins, and with different diagenetic histories, strongly suggests that bulk carbonate sediments can reliably preserve primary marine δ238U signals, validating the carbonate U-isotope proxy for global-ocean redox analysis. To improve understanding of the role of marine redox in shaping the evolutionary trajectory of animals, high-resolution δ238U records were generated across several key evolutionary periods, including the Ediacaran-to-Early Cambrian Explosion of complex life (635-541 Ma) and the delayed Early Triassic Earth system recovery from the PTB extinction (252-246 Ma). Based on U isotope variations in the Ediacaran-to-the Early Cambrian ocean, the initial diversification of the Ediacara biota immediately postdates an episode of pervasive ocean oxygenation across the Shuram event. The subsequent decline and extinction of the Ediacara biota is coincident with an episode of extensive anoxic conditions during the latest Ediacaran Period. These findings suggest that global marine redox changes drove the rise and fall of the Ediacara biota. Based on U isotope variations, the Early Triassic ocean was characterized by multiple episodes of extensive marine anoxia. By comparing the high-resolution δ238U record with the sub-stage ammonoid extinction rate curve, it appears that multiple oscillations in marine anoxia modulated the recovery of marine ecosystems following the latest Permian mass extinction. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Geological Sciences 2018

No description available.

The osteology of the Upper Triassic podokesaurid Syntarsus rhodesiensis is described, based on a series of 30+ individuals representing all skeletal elements, recovered since the description of the holotype (Raath, 1969). A brief account of the geology of the finds is given, with an attempt at a reconstruction of the palaaoenvironment. The excellence of preservation of the bones has permitted an attempt at the restoration of soft tissues including the brain, cranial nerves, main cranial blood vessels and the musculature of the jaws, neck and limbs. Histological sections of limb bones have shown that the compact bone was highly vascular, and this, together with the structure of the brain, palaeoenvironmental considerations, social behaviour and group structure, leads to the conclusion that Syntarsus was an endothermic homeotherm inhabiting a hot arid region at the end of the Triassic, with a social organisation into "flocks" in which females predominated numerically. Clear evidence of sexual dimorphism is presented. Syntarsus is reconstructed as a bipedal, saltatorial predator which differs in subtle, but probably generically significant, characteristics from the closely related North American genus, Coelophysis. Its anatomy characterises it as a medium-sized agile animal with a highly kinetic skull; incipiently opposable pollex in the raptorial manus; highly cursorial hindlimb; and with features in the dentition and hallux which suggest a grooming function. It is concluded that the Triassic coelurosaurian stock provided an advanced and well adapted base from which the successful coelurosaur radiation into the later Mesozoic sprang, and that this stock was physiologically pre-adapted for the emergence of the avian (and possibly the pterosaur) lineages in the Jurassic

Mixosaurid ichthyosaurs (mixosaurs) are a dominant group of Middle Triassic marine reptiles that was widely distributed in both Tethyan and Panthalassic terranes. They are represented by many excellently preserved specimens from all around the world and have been studied for more than one hundred years. Even so, their morphology is not adequately known. The systematics of mixosaurs is not well understood and their phylogeny has been controversial. The nomination of several Chinese mixosaurs makes the situation even worse. This thesis aims to provide a comprehensive review of Chinese mixosaurs and discuss their phylogenetic relationships. The detailed anatomy of only valid Chinese mixosaurid species Mixosaurus panxianensis is well established in this thesis. Its ontogenetic changes are also noted and a better diagnosis is given. A new morphotype of mixosaurs from a recently discovered fossil Lagerst?tte, the Luoping biota, is described in detail. This morphotype is similar to M. panxianensis but consistent differences are also present. The ecological comparison to M. panxianensis demonstrates that this morphotype represents a new taxon that is different from M. panxianensis. A nearly complete and articulated specimen of Phalarodon atavus from the Middle Triassic Luoping biota, Yunnan, South China is described. This is the first specimen of P. atavus discovered outside the Germanic Basin. The discovery of this specimen demonstrates a cosmopolitan distribution of P. atavus across the whole Tethyan ocean. The new specimen is also the first one preserving the postcranial anatomy of this species, providing the potential to evaluate its swimming ability for the first time. Functional morphology shows that this species is well adapted for a pursuit attack of prey, consistent with the distribution pattern of the species. Tooth crown morphology suggests that P. atavus may prefer externally soft prey such as belemnoids. Mixosaurs are divided into three ontogenetic stages based on the humeral morphology. The juvenile stage is characterized by a textured dorsal humeral shaft surface. The subadult stage is characterized by a smooth humeral shaft in dorsal view with a rugose humeral head. The adult stage is characterized by a smooth humeral head. The consistent presence of the surface texture of ventral humeral shaft is most probably caused by the strong muscle insertion presumably related to the function of steering of the fore fins in mixosaurs. Five morphotypes of Chinese mixosaurs are recognized in this study. Twenty-five more or less new characters are introduced to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of mixosaurian-like specimens from China. The monophyly of mixosaurs including all studied Chinese morphotypes is well corroborated. Further investigation on the mixosaurs from Monte San Giorgio is recommended to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of mixosaurs. / published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The Late Permian mass extinction occurring at 252.6 ± 0.2 Ma is the most severe Phanerozoic extinction event and was preceded and followed by additional disturbances. Patterns and processes of extinction and recovery of marine vertebrates have been little studied compared to marine invertebrates. This project focuses on Chondrichthyes, which, together with other marine fish, appeared to have been relatively unaffected by the extinction, while most of their supporting ecosystem collapsed. This study explores the authenticity of extinction among chondrichthyans and possible explanations for the observed patterns, because extinction severities on the taxonomic and ecological levels may be decoupled or the quality of the fossil record may be variable. The presented analyses are based on a newly compiled database that supercedes older compilations. It is supplemented by material obtained from numerous localities globally, which includes newly described taxa. Hence, this study attempts to be the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of patterns and trends in chondrichthyan diversity and distribution that is currently available. The data demonstrate that, despite some variability in the Permian–Triassic chondrichthyan fossil record, the Lopingian record is shown to be of adequate completeness and, furthermore, range-through genus diversity is not significantly correlated with the number of taxonomic occurrences. Genus diversity declined from the mid-Guadalupian following an increasing extinction rate, which intensified throughout the Lopingian and thus supports a combined overall extinction as a result of the end-Guadalupian and Late Permian events. Furthermore, global distribution of chondrichthyan diversity shifted away from tropical regions and particularly the Boreal Sea gained in diversity, tracking extinction and recovery in marine benthic invertebrates in both time and space. No significant dependence of extinction on taxonomic structure or palaeoecological traits exists, which suggests proportional losses, except during the end-Smithian crisis. Also, a significant size decrease is absent among Permian/Triassic boundary-crossing taxa, suggesting selective loss of large-sized chondrichthyans rather than adaptive size decrease. Ultimately, the Hybodontiformes, Neoselachii, Xenacanthiformes and Holocephali are identified as the survivors, which possessed a varying combination of characteristics such as moderate body-size, adaptation to brackish/freshwater environments, benthic or generalist littoral (clutching) feeding behaviour, and a wide palaeogeographic range.

Os rauissúquios constituem um grupo relacionado à linhagem pró-crocodiliana e apresentam um registro amplamente distribuído pelo mundo, com exceção da Austrália e Antártida. No Brasil, ocorrem apenas na Formação Santa Maria, Mesotriássico do Rio Grande do Sul. O material em estudo (UFRGS-PV-0152-T) constitui-se de elementos cranianos e póscranianos que foram coletados no Município de Vale Verde, em níveis bioestratigráficos correspondentes à Z. A. de Dinodontosaurus, embora não existam registros do local exato do afloramento ou os dados de sua coleta. Após a descrição anatômica e um estudo comparativo com os demais rauissúquios, incluímos os dados morfológicos de UFRGS-PV-0152-T na matriz de dados de Butler et al. (2011), para testar suas relações filogenéticas. Um total de 32 táxons tiveram 149 estados de caracteres recodificados e, como resultado, a árvore de consenso estrito mostrou UFRGS-PV-0152-T como um rauissúquio que expressa uma relação de grupo-irmão com o espécime BSPHG AS 1933L (holótipo de Prestosuchus chiniquensis) com base na presença de uma crista supra-acetabular do ílio que é ântero-dorsalmente inclinada. A análise revelou também duas autapomorfias para UFRGS-PV-0152-T: 1) o astrágalo exibe uma lâmina óssea separando a faceta tibial da margem posterior (sendo este caráter, porém, homoplásico com diversos integrantes do clado Pseudosuchia); 2) presença, na porção rostro-lateral do maxilar, de uma superfície tubercular sobresaliente, com aspecto de carretel, que serve para articulação com o processo póstero-dorsal do pré-maxilar. O exemplar diferencia-se de BSPHG AS 1933L por “possuir um o tubérculo calcaneal com um comprimento (ântero-posterior) um pouco maior do que a largura/espessura de sua base”. Difere dos demais espécimes de Prestosuchus chiniquensis (UFRGS-PV-0156-T e UFRGSPV- 0629-T) por 6 características da caixa craniana e 3 maxilares, e de todos os espécimes (publicados) já atribuídos a Prestosuchus chiniquensis por uma característica do ísquio e outra femural. Tais diferenças parecem não ter um significado tafonômico – devido ao excelente estado preservacional - ou ontogenético, pois apesar do menor tamanho, UFRGSPV- 0152-T não exibe suturas soltas em seu esqueleto. Logo, tais diferenças podem ter um significado taxonômico, possibilitando uma denominação taxonômica distinta para UFRGSPV- 0152-T. Além disso, o estudo comparativo do exemplar em questão com demais exemplares atribuídos a Prestosuchus revela uma grande diversidade anatômica nas formas reunidas sob esta denominação. / Rauisuchia is a group related to the pro-crocodilian lineage and present a record widely distributed throughout the world except Australia and Antarctica. In Brazil, it only occurs in the Santa Maria Formation, Mesotriassic of Rio Grande do Sul. The material under study (UFRGS-PV-0152-T) consists of cranial and post-cranial elements that were collected in the municipality of Vale Verde, in the corresponding biostratigraphic levels of Dinodontosaurus AZ, although there is no record of the exact location of the outcrop or data about your collection. After the anatomical description and a comparative study with other rauisuchians, we include morphological data of UFRGS-PV-0152-T on the Butler et al. (2011) data matrix, to test its phylogenetic relationships. A total of 32 taxa had 149 states of characters recoded and as a result, the strict consensus tree showed UFRGS-PV-0152-T as a rauisuchian that expresses a sister-group relationship with the specimen BSPHG AS 1933L (holotype of Prestosuchus chiniquensis) based on the presence of a crest dorsal to the supraacetabular crest/rim anterodorsally inclined. The analysis also revealed two autapomorphies for UFRGS-PV-0152-T: 1) astragalus with a thin lamina separating the tibial facet from the posterior edge (being this character, however, homoplasic with several members of the Pseudosuchia clade); 2) rostrolateral surface of maxilla with a salient tubercular surface (spool like surface) for the articulation with the posterodorsal process of the premaxilla. UFRGS-PV-0152-T differs from BSPHG AS 1933L by having "the calcaneal tuber longer (anteroposteriorly) than broad” and differs from other specimens of Prestosuchus chiniquensis (UFRGS-PV-0156-T and UFRGS-PV-0629-T) in 6 features of the skull and 3 of jaws. It also differs from all specimens published as Prestosuchus chiniquensis (UFRGS-PV- 0156-T e UFRGS-PV-0629-T) by a feature of the ischium and other of the femur. Such differences do not seem to have a taphonomic significance - due to the excellent preservacional state - or ontogenetic because despite the smaller size, UFRGS-PV-0152-T does not display loose sutures in its skeleton. Therefore, such differences may have a taxonomic meaning, allowing a distinct taxonomic designation for UFRGS-PV-0152-T. Moreover, the comparative study of the exemplar in question with other specimens assigned to Prestosuchus reveals a great diversity in anatomical forms united under this name.