Utaherpeton: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
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| name = ''Utaherpeton'' |
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| image = Utaherpeton.jpg |
| image = Utaherpeton.jpg |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| image_caption = Restoration of ''Utaherpeton franklini'' |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| authority = Carroll ''et al.'', [[1991 in paleontology|1991]] |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| classis = [[Amphibia]] |
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| type_species_authority = Carroll ''et al.'', 1991 |
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| ordo = |
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| unranked_familia = |
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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2009}} |
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'''''Utaherpeton''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of prehistoric [[amphibian]]. |
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'''''Utaherpeton''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of [[lepospondyl]] amphibian from the [[Carboniferous]] of [[Utah]]. It is one of the oldest and possibly one of the most [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] ("primitive") known lepospondyls. The genus is [[monotypic]], including only the [[type species]] '''''Utaherpeton franklini'''''. ''Utaherpeton'' was named in 1991 from the [[Manning Canyon Shale Formation]], which dates to the [[Mississipian]]-[[Pennsylvanian]] boundary.<ref name=CBT91>{{cite journal |last=Carroll |first=R.L. |coauthors=Bybee, P.; and Tidwell, W.D. |year=1991 |title=The oldest microsaur (Amphibia) |journal=''Journal of Paleontology'' |volume=65 |issue=2 |pages=314-322}}</ref> It was originally classified within [[Microsauria]], a group of superficially lizard- and salamander-like lepospondyls that is now no longer considered to be a valid [[clade]] or evolutionary grouping, but rather an [[evolutionary grade]] consisting of the most basal lepospondyls. ''Utaherpeton'' has been proposed as both the most basal lepospondyl and the oldest "microsaur", although more [[derived]] lepospondyls are known from earlier in the Carboniferous. However, its position within Lepospondyli remains uncertain due to the incomplete preservation of the only known specimen. The inclusion of ''Utaherpeton'' in various [[phylogenetic]] analyses has resulted in multiple [[phylogenies]] (hypotheses of evolutionary relationships) that are very different from one another, making it a significant [[taxon]] in terms of understanding the interrelationships of lepospondyls. |
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==Description== |
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Like many other lepospondyls, ''Utaherpeton'' is salamander-like in appearance. It has an elongated body made up of 26 presacral (neck and back) vertebrae. The total body length excluding the tail is about {{convert|4|cm|in}}.<ref name=CBT91/> The forelimbs are markedly smaller than the hind limbs and the hind feet are unusual in that they are larger than the rest of the hind limbs. A unique anatomical feature that distinguishes ''Utaherpeton'' from other "microsaur" lepospondyls is a connection between the [[prefrontal]] and [[premaxilla]] bones at the front of the skull.<ref name=CBT91/> |
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==Classification== |
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When ''Utaherpeton'' was first described in 1991, it was tentatively classified within a group of "microsaurs" called [[Microbrachomorpha]], which included the better-known ''[[Microbrachis]]''.<ref name=CBT91/> A 2001 [[phylogenetic]] analysis found ''Utaherpeton'' to be the most basal lepospondyl, followed by the "microsaur" ''[[Hyloplesion]]'', which has also been considered a microbrachomorph. However, Microbrachomorpha was not recognized as a true clade because ''Microbrachis'' was found to be more deeply nested within Lepospondyli, more closely related to derived lepospondyls like [[nectridea]]ns and [[aïstopod]]s than to other "microsaurs".<ref name=AJS01>{{cite doi|10.1080/10635150119889}}</ref> A 2004 analysis including ''Utaherpeton'' produced a very different phylogeny for lepospondyls, placing aïstopods and nectrideans as the most basal lepospondyls, followed by a [[paraphyletic]] assemblage of "microsaurs". ''Utaherpeton'' was still recovered as one of the most basal "microsaurs", but not as the most basal lepospondyl. Tentative support for a close relationship between ''Utaherpeton'' and ''Microbrachis'' was also found.<ref name=VL04>{{cite doi|10.1671/5.1}}</ref> In a 2010 analysis, all "microsaurs" except ''Utaherpeton'' were recovered within a [[monophyletic]] group, but ''Utaherpeton'' was found to be the most basal member of a separate clade that included all other lepospondyls.<ref name=MJA10>{{cite doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0050743}}</ref> |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==See also== |
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* [[Prehistoric amphibian]] |
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* [[List of prehistoric amphibians]] |
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{{Portal|Paleontology}} |
{{Portal|Paleontology}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Carboniferous amphibians]] |
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[[Category:Prehistoric amphibians of North America]] |
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{{paleo-amphibian-stub}} |
{{paleo-amphibian-stub}} |
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Revision as of 03:58, 29 December 2013
| Utaherpeton | |
|---|---|
| |
| Restoration of Utaherpeton franklini | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Microsauria |
| Genus: | †Utaherpeton Carroll et al., 1991 |
| Type species | |
| †Utaherpeton franklini Carroll et al., 1991
| |
Utaherpeton is an extinct genus of lepospondyl amphibian from the Carboniferous of Utah. It is one of the oldest and possibly one of the most basal ("primitive") known lepospondyls. The genus is monotypic, including only the type species Utaherpeton franklini. Utaherpeton was named in 1991 from the Manning Canyon Shale Formation, which dates to the Mississipian-Pennsylvanian boundary.[1] It was originally classified within Microsauria, a group of superficially lizard- and salamander-like lepospondyls that is now no longer considered to be a valid clade or evolutionary grouping, but rather an evolutionary grade consisting of the most basal lepospondyls. Utaherpeton has been proposed as both the most basal lepospondyl and the oldest "microsaur", although more derived lepospondyls are known from earlier in the Carboniferous. However, its position within Lepospondyli remains uncertain due to the incomplete preservation of the only known specimen. The inclusion of Utaherpeton in various phylogenetic analyses has resulted in multiple phylogenies (hypotheses of evolutionary relationships) that are very different from one another, making it a significant taxon in terms of understanding the interrelationships of lepospondyls.
Description
Like many other lepospondyls, Utaherpeton is salamander-like in appearance. It has an elongated body made up of 26 presacral (neck and back) vertebrae. The total body length excluding the tail is about 4 centimetres (1.6 in).[1] The forelimbs are markedly smaller than the hind limbs and the hind feet are unusual in that they are larger than the rest of the hind limbs. A unique anatomical feature that distinguishes Utaherpeton from other "microsaur" lepospondyls is a connection between the prefrontal and premaxilla bones at the front of the skull.[1]
Classification
When Utaherpeton was first described in 1991, it was tentatively classified within a group of "microsaurs" called Microbrachomorpha, which included the better-known Microbrachis.[1] A 2001 phylogenetic analysis found Utaherpeton to be the most basal lepospondyl, followed by the "microsaur" Hyloplesion, which has also been considered a microbrachomorph. However, Microbrachomorpha was not recognized as a true clade because Microbrachis was found to be more deeply nested within Lepospondyli, more closely related to derived lepospondyls like nectrideans and aïstopods than to other "microsaurs".[2] A 2004 analysis including Utaherpeton produced a very different phylogeny for lepospondyls, placing aïstopods and nectrideans as the most basal lepospondyls, followed by a paraphyletic assemblage of "microsaurs". Utaherpeton was still recovered as one of the most basal "microsaurs", but not as the most basal lepospondyl. Tentative support for a close relationship between Utaherpeton and Microbrachis was also found.[3] In a 2010 analysis, all "microsaurs" except Utaherpeton were recovered within a monophyletic group, but Utaherpeton was found to be the most basal member of a separate clade that included all other lepospondyls.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Carroll, R.L. (1991). "The oldest microsaur (Amphibia)". Journal of Paleontology. 65 (2): 314–322.
{{cite journal}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|journal=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1080/10635150119889, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1080/10635150119889instead. - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1671/5.1, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1671/5.1instead. - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050743, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0050743instead.
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