Early Evolutionary History of the Synapsida [Paperback]

Non-mammalian synapsids were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates from the Late Carboniferous to the Middle Triassic and play a key role in understanding the origin and evolution of mammals. Despite these facts and the outstanding fossil record of the group, early synapsids remain obscure. This book showcases the full breadth of contemporary research on non-mammalian synapsids, ranging from taxonomy and phylogenetics to functional morphology, biogeography, paleoecology, and patterns of diversity. It also underscores the importance and potential of studying non-mammalian synapsid paleobiology in its own right, not just in the context of mammalian evolution.This book showcases the full breadth of contemporary research on non-mammalian synapsids, ranging from taxonomy and phylogenetics to functional morphology, biogeography, paleoecology and patterns of diversity.

Part I. Pelycosaur-grade Synapsids

1. Introduction

Robert R. Reisz

2. New Information on the Basal Pelycosaurian-grade Synapsid Oedaleops

Stuart S. Sumida, Valerie Pelletier, and David S Berman

3. Was Ophiacodon (Synapsida: Eupelycosauria) a Swimmer? A Test Using Vertebral Dimensions

Ryan N. Felice and Kenneth D. Angielczyk

4. Postcranial Description and Reconstruction of the Varanodontine Varanopid Aerosaurus wellesi (Synapsida: Eupelycosauria)

Valerie Pelletier

5. First European Record of a Varanodontine (Synapsida: Varanopidae): Member of a Unique Early Permian Upland Paleoecosystem, Tambach Basin, Central Germany

David S Berman, Amy C. Henrici, Stuart S. Sumida, Thomas Martens, and Valerie Pelletier

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