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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Synchrotron Reveals Early Triassic Odd Couple: Injured Amphibian and Aestivating Therapsid Share Burrow
PLoS ONE, Volume 8, No. 6, Article e64978, Year 2013
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Description
Fossorialism is a beneficial adaptation for brooding, predator avoidance and protection from extreme climate. The abundance of fossilised burrow casts from the Early Triassic of southern Africa is viewed as a behavioural response by many tetrapods to the harsh conditions following the Permo-Triassic mass-extinction event. However, scarcity of vertebrate remains associated with these burrows leaves many ecological questions unanswered. Synchrotron scanning of a lithified burrow cast from the Early Triassic of the Karoo unveiled a unique mixed-species association: an injured temnospondyl amphibian (Broomistega) that sheltered in a burrow occupied by an aestivating therapsid (Thrinaxodon). The discovery of this rare rhinesuchid represents the first occurrence in the fossil record of a temnospondyl in a burrow. The amphibian skeleton shows signs of a crushing trauma with partially healed fractures on several consecutive ribs. The presence of a relatively large intruder in what is interpreted to be a Thrinaxodon burrow implies that the therapsid tolerated the amphibian's presence. Among possible explanations for such unlikely cohabitation, Thrinaxodon aestivation is most plausible, an interpretation supported by the numerous Thrinaxodon specimens fossilised in curled-up postures. Recent advances in synchrotron imaging have enabled visualization of the contents of burrow casts, thus providing a novel tool to elucidate not only anatomy but also ecology and biology of ancient tetrapods. © 2013 Fernandez et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3689844/bin/pone.0064978.s001.mov
Authors & Co-Authors
Fernandez, Vincent
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Abdala, Fernando
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Carlson, Kristian J.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
United States, Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington
Cook, Della Collins
United States, Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington
Rubidge, Bruce Sidney
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Yates, Adam M.
South Africa, Johannesburg
University of the Witwatersrand
Australia, Alice Springs
Museum of Central Australia
Tafforeau, Paul
France, Grenoble
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Statistics
Citations: 77
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0064978
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Violence And Injury