| A gliding lizard from the Early Cretaceous of China. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17376871 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Gliding is an energetically efficient mode of locomotion that has evolved independently, and in different ways, in several tetrapod groups. Here, we report on an acrodontan lizard from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Group of China showing an array of morphological traits associated with gliding. It represents the only known occurrence of this specialization in a fossil lizard and provides evidence of an Early Cretaceous ecological diversification into an aerial niche by crown-group squamates. The lizard has a dorsal-rib-supported patagium, a structure independently evolved in the Late Triassic basal lepidosauromorph kuehneosaurs and the extant agamid lizard Draco, revealing a surprising case of convergent evolution among lepidosauromorphans. A patagial character combination of much longer bilaterally than anteroposteriorly, significantly thicker along the leading edge than along the trailing edge, tapered laterally to form a wing tip, and secondarily supported by an array of linear collagen fibers is not common in gliders and enriches our knowledge of gliding adaptations among tetrapods. |
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Authors:
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Pi-Peng Li; Ke-Qin Gao; Lian-Hai Hou; Xing Xu |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2007-03-21 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Volume: 104 ISSN: 0027-8424 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. Publication Date: 2007 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-03-28 Completed Date: 2007-05-14 Revised Date: 2009-11-18 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7505876 Medline TA: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 5507-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, People's Republic of China. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Bone and Bones China Evolution Flight, Animal* Fossils History, Ancient Lizards* Models, Anatomic Paleontology Phylogeny Reptiles |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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