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{{Automatic taxobox
{{Taxobox
⚫
| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|265|247|[[Late Permian]] - [[Early Triassic]]}}
|name = Coelurosauravidae
⚫
| image = Coelurosauravus BW.jpg
⚫
|fossil_range = {{fossilrange|265|247|[[Late Permian]] - [[Early Triassic]]<ref name = PBDB>{{cite web |title=Paleobiology Database
⚫
| image_caption = Life restoration of ''Coelurosauravus jaekeli''
|url=http://www.paleodatabase.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=92210
| authority = Kuhn, 1939
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
⚫
| subdivision_ranks = Species
|title=SpringerLink
⚫
| subdivision =
|url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/8674u17p48p03895/
{{extinct}}''[[Coelurosauravus]]''
}}</ref>}}
<br>{{extinct}}''[[Rautiania]]''
⚫
|image = Coelurosauravus BW.jpg
<br>?{{extinct}}''[[Wapitisaurus]]''
|image_width =
<br>{{extinct}}''[[Weigeltisaurus]]''
⚫
|image_caption = ''Coelurosauravus jaekeli''
|status = fossil
|domain = [[Eukarya]]
|regnum = [[Animalia]]
|phylum = [[Chordata]]
|subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]
|unranked_classis = [[Sauropsida]]
|classis = [[Reptilia]]
|subclassis = [[Diapsida]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Avicephala]] †
⚫
|familia = '''Coelurosauravidae''' † <small>Kuhn, 1939</small><ref name = PBDB/>
⚫
|subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]
⚫
|subdivision =
*''[[Coelurosauravus]]'' † <small>([[type genus|type]]) Piveteau, 1926</small>
*''[[Rautiania]]'' † <small>Bulanov & Sennikov, 2006</small><ref name = PBDB/>
*''[[Wapitisaurus]]'' †<ref name = PBDB/>
*''[[Weigeltisaurus]]'' † <small>Weigelt, 1930</small><ref name = PBDB/>
|synonyms =
|synonyms =
⚫
* Coelurosauravidae <small>Evans, 1982</small>
*'''Weigeltisauridae'''
}}
}}


'''Weigeltisauridae''' is a [[family (biology)|family]] of gliding [[neodiapsid]] [[reptile]]s that lived during the [[Permian]] period. Fossils of weigeltisaurids have been found in Madagascar, Germany, Great Britain, and Russia. Possible weigeltisaurid fossils have been found in [[Triassic]] strata in North America.<ref name=BS10>{{cite doi|10.1134/S0031030110060109}}</ref> They are characterized by long rod-shaped bones extending from the torso that most likely supported wing-like membranes.<ref name = PBDB>{{cite web |title=Paleobiology Database |url=http://www.paleodatabase.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=92210}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SpringerLink |url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/8674u17p48p03895/}}</ref><ref name="PrehistoricLife">{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life |editor1-first=Kitty |editor1-last=Blount |editor2-first=Maggie |editor2-last=Crowley |editor3-first=Kathleen |editor3-last=Bada |editor4-first=Susan |editor4-last=Malyan |editor5-first=Giles |editor5-last=Sparrow |editor6-first=Rosalyn |editor6-last=Thiro |editor7-first=Marek |editor7-last=Walisiewicz |year=2001, 2008 |publisher=DK Publishing Special Markets |location=[[New York City|New York]], [[New York]] |isbn=978-0-7566-3836-8 |page=77 |pages=376 |url= |accessdate=May 21, 2010}}</ref> Similar membranes are also found in several other extinct reptiles such as [[kuehneosaurid]]s and ''[[Mecistotrachelos]]'', as well as living [[gliding lizard]]s, although each group evolved these structures independently. The gliding membranes in these other groups differ from those of weigeltisaurids in that they are formed by elongated ribs rather than distinct rod-like bones. Weigeltisaurids are also characterized by the large crest-like structures at the back of their skulls, which are lined with spikes formed from bony [[osteoderm]]s.
'''Coelurosauravidae''' was a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[avicephala]]ns from the [[Permian]] and [[Triassic]] time periods. They lived in trees, and were typically two feet long.<ref name="PrehistoricLife">{{cite book
|title=Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life
|editor1-first=Kitty
|editor1-last=Blount
|editor2-first=Maggie
|editor2-last=Crowley
|editor3-first=Kathleen
|editor3-last=Bada
|editor4-first=Susan
|editor4-last=Malyan
|editor5-first=Giles
|editor5-last=Sparrow
|editor6-first=Rosalyn
|editor6-last=Thiro
|editor7-first=Marek
|editor7-last=Walisiewicz
|year=2001, 2008
|publisher=DK Publishing Special Markets
|location=[[New York City|New York]], [[New York]]
|isbn=978-0-7566-3836-8
|page=77
|pages=376
|url=
|accessdate=May 21, 2010
}}</ref> These [[reptile]]s glided from high places by using spines connected with skin membranes used as [[wing]]s.<ref name="PrehistoricLife"/>


In addition to gliding membranes, weigeltisaurids have several other adaptations to an arboreal or tree-living lifestyle. Their skeletons are lightened by large air spaces within the bones. The region of the spinal column that connect to the hip, called the [[sacrum]], is formed by three [[vertebra]]e rather than two as in most early reptiles, which would have stabilized the skeleton from stresses experienced while climbing. The limb bones of weigeltisaurids have well-developed joint surfaces and prominent ridges for the attachment of muscles, an indication that their limbs were strong enough to support vertical climbing up tree trunks. The shaft of the [[humerus]] or thigh bone is twisted, allowing for greater flexibility of the hind limbs. The long finger and strongly recurved claw bones with large attachment points for flexor muscles may be adaptations for clinging to tree bark.<ref name=BS10/>
==Distribution==
The members of Coelurosauravidae were from what is now [[Russia]] and [[Canada]].<ref name = PBDB/>


The wide distribution of weigeltisaurid fossils suggests that the group underwent a global dispersal in a relatively short amount of [[geologic time]]. The widespread dispersal of weigeltisaurids may be attributed to their radiation into an arboreal, [[insectivorous]] [[ecological niche]] previously unoccupied by land vertebrates.<ref name=BS10/>
==Classification==
===Scientific Classification===
(see box on right)

For more taxonomical information, see [http://taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl/TaxonTree.aspx?id=48733&tree=0.2&syn=1 The Taxonomicon]

===Relatives of coelurosauravids===
{{Main|Avicephala}}

*''[[Dolabrosaurus]]''
*''[[Drepanosaurus]]''
*''[[Hypuronector]]''
*''[[Longisquama]]''
*''[[Megalancosaurus]]''
*?''[[Protoavis]]''
*''[[Vallesaurus]]''

==Synonym==
[[Robert L. Carroll|Robert Carroll]] found '''Coelurosauravidae''' to be synonymous with '''Weigeltisauridae''' in 1978.<ref name = PBDB/>

==See also==
⚫
{{Portal|Paleontology}}
*[[Drepanosauridae]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Avicephalans]]
[[Category:Avicephalans]]


⚫
{{Portal|Paleontology}}

{{Eureptilia}}


{{triassic-reptile-stub}}
{{triassic-reptile-stub}}

Revision as of 02:40, 24 February 2013

Weigeltisauridae
Temporal range: Late Permian - Early Triassic
Life restoration of Coelurosauravus jaekeli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Neodiapsida
Family: †Weigeltisauridae
Kuhn, 1939
Species

†Coelurosauravus
†Rautiania
?†Wapitisaurus
†Weigeltisaurus

Synonyms
  • Coelurosauravidae Evans, 1982

Weigeltisauridae is a family of gliding neodiapsid reptiles that lived during the Permian period. Fossils of weigeltisaurids have been found in Madagascar, Germany, Great Britain, and Russia. Possible weigeltisaurid fossils have been found in Triassic strata in North America.[1] They are characterized by long rod-shaped bones extending from the torso that most likely supported wing-like membranes.[2][3][4] Similar membranes are also found in several other extinct reptiles such as kuehneosaurids and Mecistotrachelos, as well as living gliding lizards, although each group evolved these structures independently. The gliding membranes in these other groups differ from those of weigeltisaurids in that they are formed by elongated ribs rather than distinct rod-like bones. Weigeltisaurids are also characterized by the large crest-like structures at the back of their skulls, which are lined with spikes formed from bony osteoderms.

In addition to gliding membranes, weigeltisaurids have several other adaptations to an arboreal or tree-living lifestyle. Their skeletons are lightened by large air spaces within the bones. The region of the spinal column that connect to the hip, called the sacrum, is formed by three vertebrae rather than two as in most early reptiles, which would have stabilized the skeleton from stresses experienced while climbing. The limb bones of weigeltisaurids have well-developed joint surfaces and prominent ridges for the attachment of muscles, an indication that their limbs were strong enough to support vertical climbing up tree trunks. The shaft of the humerus or thigh bone is twisted, allowing for greater flexibility of the hind limbs. The long finger and strongly recurved claw bones with large attachment points for flexor muscles may be adaptations for clinging to tree bark.[1]

The wide distribution of weigeltisaurid fossils suggests that the group underwent a global dispersal in a relatively short amount of geologic time. The widespread dispersal of weigeltisaurids may be attributed to their radiation into an arboreal, insectivorous ecological niche previously unoccupied by land vertebrates.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1134/S0031030110060109, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1134/S0031030110060109 instead.
  2. ^ "Paleobiology Database".
  3. ^ "SpringerLink".
  4. ^ Blount, Kitty; Crowley, Maggie; Bada, Kathleen; Malyan, Susan; Sparrow, Giles; Thiro, Rosalyn; Walisiewicz, Marek, eds. (2001, 2008). Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life. New York, New York: DK Publishing Special Markets. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7566-3836-8. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |year= (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help)
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