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
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33248 |
| Date | 05 May 2000 |
| Creators | Jones, Terry D. |
| Contributors | Ruben, John A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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