{"title":"Comparative Craniodental Morphology of Two Endemic Fossil Sus Species (Suidae, Mammalia) From the Middle Pleistocene of Java (Indonesia)","authors":"Rachel V. Pacheco-Scarpitta","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Over a century ago, Dutch anatomist and geologist Eugène Dubois discovered the famous “Java man” and associated mammals in Java. His collection continues to be widely recognised for its significance to palaeontology and palaeoanthropology. Mammal fossil remains from Dubois’ collections have been essential for understanding faunal migrations driven by Quaternary glacial cycles from Southeast Asia to the Sunda Shelf and beyond, and thus the evolution and present distribution of mammals across Island Southeast Asia (ISEA). An important group are the Suinae (pigs). Most extant Eurasian Suinae species belonging to the genus <i>Sus</i>, except the widely distributed <i>Sus scrofa</i>, are mostly found in ISEA, and represent an example of species radiation. Knowledge of the origin, migration, and evolution of the genus <i>Sus</i> is limited, and studies on ecomorphological disparity and phylogeny of fossil Suinae are scarce. Considering the importance of ISEA in the evolutionary history of the genus, a detailed understanding of the fossil <i>Sus</i> species from the region is key to understanding the origin, dispersal, and evolution of <i>Sus</i>. Here, I focus on the anatomy of two endemic species from the Middle Pleistocene of Java (Indonesia), <i>S. brachygnathus</i> and <i>S. macrognathus</i>. A detailed anatomical description and morphological comparison between these species and extant and fossil suids are provided, including hitherto undescribed features of two species in the context of ecomorphology. Finally, aspects of the phylogenetic relationships of both species are discussed in relation to insular evolutionary trends. The importance of these fossil <i>Sus</i> remains from Java lies not only in their key role to understanding the evolutionary history and diversification of <i>Sus</i>, but also in providing insights into the evolutionary trends of insular pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70057","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144126012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rafael da Silva Marques, Isabela Ohara, Oscar Akio Shibatta
{"title":"Cephalic Musculature of the Pacman Catfish Lophiosilurus alexandri Steindachner, 1876 (Siluriformes, Pseudopimelodidae)","authors":"Rafael da Silva Marques, Isabela Ohara, Oscar Akio Shibatta","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70056","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The cephalic musculature of the Pacman catfish <i>Lophiosilurus alexandri</i> (<i>L. alexandri</i>) is described and compared with <i>Pimelodus maculatus, Pimelodus microstoma</i>, <i>Pseudopimelodus mangurus</i> (<i>P. mangurus</i>), <i>Batrochoglanis labrosus</i> (<i>B. labrosus</i>), and <i>Lophiosilurus fowleri</i> (<i>L. fowleri</i>). Besides the distinguished Pacman catfish head shape, which is strongly depressed, broad, and with a large mouth, we hypothesize that the gross morphology of the musculature is related to the phylogenetic background. A phylogenetic analysis of selected characters evidenced three putative synapomorphies for the family Pseudopimelodidae, three for the subfamily Batrochoglaninae, three for the genus <i>Lophiosilurus</i>, two autapomorphies for <i>L. alexandri</i>, one for <i>L. fowleri</i>, one for <i>B. labrosus</i>, and five for <i>P. mangurus</i>. The absence of the <i>retractor tentaculi</i> is interpreted as a putative synapomorphy of Pseudopimelodidae and Pimelodidae. The rounded <i>adductor mandibulae</i> emerge as the predominantly voluminous musculature in <i>L. alexandri</i> and other Pseudopimelodidae, a conspicuous synapomorphy of the family. Profound differences were observed when comparing the cephalic musculatures of <i>L. alexandri</i> with <i>Lophius piscatorius</i> and <i>Chaca bankanensis</i>, which are unrelated species with similar body morphology and ambush behavior. The morphology of cephalic musculature highlights the plasticity of the musculature function and the closer relationship with the phylogenetic history of species and lineages.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70056","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144126014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariana Pascoal Boaretto, Marcos Venturieri, José Luís Olivan Birindelli
{"title":"Ontogeny of the Skeleton of Leporinus oliveirai (Characiformes, Anotomidae)","authors":"Mariana Pascoal Boaretto, Marcos Venturieri, José Luís Olivan Birindelli","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70053","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The skeleton is a rich source of characters used in phylogenetic studies of teleost fishes. However, the development of bones was studied in a limited number of species and few studies have been published describing the ontogeny of the Characiformes skeleton. We provide the first complete description of the skeleton ontogeny of an anostomid, <i>Leporinus oliveirai</i>, based on specimens bred in captivity and sampling the first 60 days post-hatching, with sizes ranging from 3.8 mm (notochord length, NL) to 33.2 mm (standard length, SL). Sixty-three specimens were cleared and double stained and subsequently dissected and photographed. The developmental sequence of 141 bony elements is documented. Photography of all anatomical complexes is presented during the development. The first bone to develop is the cleithrum (5.1 mm NL) and the last ones are infraorbitals 4, 5 and 6, extrascapular and sclerotic bones (27.2-29.7 mm SL), similar to what is observed in the development of other characiforms. The main discoveries are numerous conical teeth on the premaxilla and dentary from 5.1 mm NL to 10.4 mm SL that are replaced with three or four large incisiform multicuspid teeth, that become unicuspid in juveniles and adults. The infraorbitals 4 and 5, seen only in juveniles, develop fused, a condition that is in contrast to most anostomids. The autopalatine cartilage begins its development straight, becoming curved during development. The developmental sequence is compared with other Characiformes and the unique characteristics of Anostomidae are discussed concerning the phylogenetic relationships among the family members.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70053","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144100661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuri Simone, Anthony Herrel, Renaud Boistel, Arie van der Meijden
{"title":"Functional Divergence of Scorpion Pedipalps: Musculoskeletal Specialization Toward Opposing Performance Optima","authors":"Yuri Simone, Anthony Herrel, Renaud Boistel, Arie van der Meijden","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70055","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>When selective pressures for different functions act simultaneously on a structure, morphological diversification can be shaped by adaptation toward distinct functional optima. Systems may evolve along a performance gradient, optimizing different aspects of function in response to ecological demands. We investigated two scorpion species representing the morphological extremes of chela (pincer) shape. Scorpion chelae exhibit remarkable morphological diversity associated with ecological roles, and their performance varies along a force-velocity continuum. To explore how structural and muscular adaptations shape performance, we developed a biomechanical model integrating synchrotron microtomography, muscle architecture, and performance data. Our findings reveal that these species exhibit distinct structural and muscular arrangements, each optimized for a different performance outcome. The short-fingered species maximize closing force through increased mechanical advantage and longer sarcomeres, enhancing muscle contraction efficiency. In contrast, the slender-chela species optimizes closing velocity through muscle orientations that favor rapid acceleration. While additional functional demands likely influence these designs, one morphology appears specialized for quickly capturing prey, while the other seems to be adapted for prey crushing. These divergent performance optima may have played a key role in shaping the trophic ecology of scorpions and influencing the evolution of their venom.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144085480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tomoya Suzuki, Takashi Tanizawa, Nobuo Suzuki, Koji Tojo
{"title":"Embryonic Development of Appasus japonicus Vuillefroy, With Special Reference to Mouthparts Formation (Insecta: Heteroptera, Belostomatidae)","authors":"Tomoya Suzuki, Takashi Tanizawa, Nobuo Suzuki, Koji Tojo","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70052","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The order Hemiptera <i>s. lat</i>. (=Homoptera + Heteroptera), comprising approximately 140 families and 70,000 species, is the largest order among hemimetabolous insects in terms of species diversity. A key trait shared among these insects is their specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts, which have been considered an important factor in their diversification. However, knowledge of how these characteristic hemipteran mouthparts form during embryogenesis remains limited and biased toward model species. In this study, we observed the embryonic development of the heteropteran insect <i>Appasus japonicus</i> (Belostomatidae). We divided its embryonic development into 10 stages and provided a detailed description. Additionally, we examined its developmental processes and compared them with the embryogenesis of closely related groups. As a result, we confirmed that (1) the maxillary plate, one of the structures forming the heteropteran mouthparts, is homologous to the maxillary palp, and (2) most parts of the stylet-like mandibles and maxillae are housed within the labial palp.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70052","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143950006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ari Drummond, Tianna Holloway, Summer Nash, Alexander D. M. Wilson, Lucy M. Turner, Mark Briffa, David T. Bilton
{"title":"Intraspecific Sensory Diversity and the Decapod Claw: Patterns of Sensillation Are Heterochelic and Sexually Dimorphic In Pagurus bernhardus","authors":"Ari Drummond, Tianna Holloway, Summer Nash, Alexander D. M. Wilson, Lucy M. Turner, Mark Briffa, David T. Bilton","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70054","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Information detection affects physiological performance and behaviour and is vital to survival and fitness. Despite the recognised importance of sensory adaptations in information acquisition and manipulation, many forms of sensory variation—from within individuals to between species—remain underexplored. To better understand the role of information in evolution, it is important to examine sensory variation as part of a cohesive framework of sensory diversity. Using the decapod claw, a structure well-recognised for its morphological variation, we investigated sensory diversity at the intraspecific level by assessing heterochely and sexual dimorphism in the chelar morphologies of <i>Pagurus bernhardus</i> hermit crabs. We employed a novel methodology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess moulted chelar tissue from both the major and minor claws. The shape, size, and sensillation (i.e., the distribution and abundance of sensilla) of both chelipeds were examined by geometric morphometric landmark analysis (GMLA), generalised Procrustes analysis (GPA), and linear mixed effects models. Hermit crabs exhibited heterochely and sexual dimorphism in both gross and sensory chelar morphologies. Sexual dimorphism was greater in the sensory morphology of the major claw, suggesting sex-based sensory specialisations, likely due to differences in mating roles and behaviours. In contrast, the minor claw's sensory morphology lacked sexual dimorphism, suggesting the sensory role of this appendage is equally important for both sexes. Our results highlight sensory variation as a fundamental aspect of functional morphology and emphasise the need to consider sexual dimorphism and body asymmetry in information acquisition. These findings contribute to a broader framework for studying sensory diversity, underscoring the importance of integrating sensory morphology, function, and ecology to fully understand the evolutionary implications of sensory specialisations.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70054","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143944775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Barbara Caroline Marcondes, Pedro Henrique dos Santos Dias, Raíla Brena Araújo, Guilherme Castro Franco de Lima, Caroline Cuervo-Santos, Caroline Batistim Oswald, Rafael Felix Magalhães, Sebastião Roberto Taboga, Tiago Leite Pezzuti
{"title":"Suction Feeding in Dendropsophus cerradensis Tadpoles: New Behavioral Observations and Morphological Traits in a Member of the D. microcephalus Group (Anura, Hylidae)","authors":"Barbara Caroline Marcondes, Pedro Henrique dos Santos Dias, Raíla Brena Araújo, Guilherme Castro Franco de Lima, Caroline Cuervo-Santos, Caroline Batistim Oswald, Rafael Felix Magalhães, Sebastião Roberto Taboga, Tiago Leite Pezzuti","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We present, for the first time, the suction feeding behavior of the tadpole of <i>Dendropsophus cerradensis</i> (Hylidae, Dendropsophini), along with a detailed description of its external morphology, buccopharyngeal cavity, and musculoskeletal system. The tadpole exhibits a depressed body, anteriorly positioned nostrils, a modified oral disc (completely covered by external folds), and a low tail, resembling other members of the <i>D. microcephalus</i> group. The buccopharyngeal cavity is reduced in features, with internal nares positioned at an acute angle and covered by prenarial papillae, exclusive for this species. Muscle insertion patterns are generally consistent with other Dendropsophini tadpoles, except for the insertion of the m. levator mandibulae longus profundus on Meckel's cartilage. The feeding behavior is characterized by the use of an oral tube that protrudes exclusively during predation. This mechanism may be associated with robust mandibular and hyoid musculature, as well as a modified cranial structure—including a unique suprarostral element, quadrangular muscular processes, robust ceratohyals, and a reduced branchial basket in the hyobranchial skeleton—which enables fast suction movements. This study presents a previously unknown aspect of the protractile oral tube and feeding behavior of the <i>D. microcephalus</i> group, providing new insights into the morphology and feeding behavior of the group.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70050","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143914081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jamie A. MacLaren, Eva Corssmit, Martha MacMillan, Jorge Rojas-Jimenez
{"title":"A Quantitative Analysis of the Manus Musculature in Tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae)","authors":"Jamie A. MacLaren, Eva Corssmit, Martha MacMillan, Jorge Rojas-Jimenez","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The distal limb of many hooved mammals (ungulates) has become highly specialised, with tendonised muscles and elongate bones and ligaments. Several clades of ungulates retain fleshy, muscularised distal forelimbs; these include hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs. Of these species, tapirs (Tapiridae: <i>Tapirus</i>) represent the most plesiomorphic manus anatomy for its higher taxonomic group (Perissodactyla); the tetradactyl manus of tapirs is reminiscent of the earliest members of the lineages leading to modern horses (equids) and rhinocerotids. Within the tapir manus, osteological evidence indicates clear differences in load distribution, digit use during locomotion, and phylogenetic signal in the shape of certain bony elements. To date, no quantitative investigation has ever been performed to explore differences in the muscular anatomy of the tapir distal forelimb (manus). Here, we conducted a comparative muscle architecture quantification of the muscles which are intrinsic to the tapir manus, across all four extant species (<i>Tapirus indicus, T. bairdii, T. pinchaque, T. terrestris</i>). Despite limited sample sizes, we observed notable variation across the different species with regard to the force-generating potential of the muscles (based on physiological cross-sectional area, PCSA) and the shortening range of each muscle (based on fascicle length). High force-generating capacities were recovered for the interosseus muscles (preventing hyperextension) for the third and fourth digits, as may be expected for a mesaxonic manus such as that of <i>Tapirus</i>. Our results also indicate subtle differences in patterns of force-generating potential in the interosseus muscles between specimens housed in captivity and those from the wild, specifically living in upland rainforest and exhibiting ranging behaviour up and downhill on a regular basis. These data offer tantalising insights into the variation in the force-excursion relationship in the muscles of the ungulate manus, providing both qualitative and quantitative information for veterinarians, biologists, and palaeontologists investigating perissodactyl locomotor anatomy and evolution.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143892889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Differences in Microstructure Morphology Results in Variable Wettability Across Feather Types in a Terrestrial Bird Species","authors":"Frank M.S. Muzio, Margaret A. Rubega","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70049","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Feathers might be best known for the pivotal role they play in powered flight, yet they also serve to create a bird's protective barrier to the external environment. This, in part, includes repelling water and keeping birds dry. We argue feather water repellency is among the most crucial feather functions as many other functions rely on dryness for success. All birds interact with water to some degree, and they all evolved from a terrestrial ancestor, suggesting that the feathers of even the most terrestrial birds should have the basic structures required to keep water from penetrating to a bird's skin. Most feather water repellency studies have focused only on aquatic groups, ignoring its necessity in terrestrial birds. Additionally, most use only one feather type, typically the breast feather, assuming that wettability is the same over the whole surface of the body despite feathers differing structurally rather extensively across the body of a bird. Here, we directly measure feather wettability and multiple aspects of microstructure morphology of different feather types across the body. We focus on one species, the Cooper's hawk (<i>Accipiter cooperii</i>), a medium-sized, terrestrial raptor that has minimal exposure to water. We find that even terrestrial birds have hydrophobic feathers, yet wettability varies across different feather types. We also found correlations between barbule morphology and wettability, suggesting barbules play an important role in how feathers repel water. This study provides a baseline understanding of feather morphological variation across a bird at the most basic need for water repellency.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143856947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ontogeny of a Brazilian Late Triassic Traversodontid (Cynodontia, Cynognathia): Anatomical and Paleoecological Implications","authors":"Lívia Roese-Miron, Leonardo Kerber","doi":"10.1002/jmor.70047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.70047","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Investigating the developmental patterns of extinct species provides valuable insights into their anatomy, biology and ecomorphological adaptations. Research on the ontogeny of non-mammaliaform cynodonts has offered significant contributions to our understanding of these aspects. Here, we aim to describe and discuss the intraspecific and ontogenetic variation of the skull of the Brazilian traversodontid <i>Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum</i> (Candelária Sequence, Upper Triassic). We evaluated an ontogenetic series of the species through qualitative comparison and allometric analyses using cranial measures. Our findings reveal several trends during skull growth, including a relative increase in rostrum length, a relative decrease in orbit size, and changes in the zygomatic arch and temporal fenestra proportions. These patterns, when analyzed in the context of the adductor musculature, may be correlated with changes in feeding behaviour, similar to those described for the gomphodontosuchine <i>Exaeretodon argentinus</i>. We also report changes in cranial ornamentation, bone fusion, and suture complexity throughout ontogeny. Overall, this study provides a greater understanding of the cranial ontogenetic patterns of <i>S. niemeyerorum</i>, contributing to the knowledge of its intraspecific variation. The possible ecological implications of these findings highlight the importance of ontogenetic studies for elucidating the biology of extinct taxa.</p>","PeriodicalId":16528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Morphology","volume":"286 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmor.70047","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143846126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}