Scythes, sickles and other blades: Defining the diversity of pectoral fin morphotypes in Pachycormiformes

Jeff J. Liston; Anthony E. Maltese; Paul H. Lambers; Dominique Delsate; William E.H. Harcourt-Smith; Anneke H. Van Heteren

doi:10.7717/peerj.7675

Scythes, sickles and other blades: Defining the diversity of pectoral fin morphotypes in Pachycormiformes

Jeff J. Liston^*, Anthony E. Maltese, Paul H. Lambers, Dominique Delsate, William E.H. Harcourt-Smith, Anneke H. Van Heteren

^*Corresponding author for this work

University Museum

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

The traditional terminology of 'scythe' or 'sickle' shaped is observed to be flawed as an effective descriptor for pectoral fin shape in pachycormids. The diversity of pachycormid pectoral fin shapes is assessed across the 14 recognised genera that preserve complete pectoral fins, and improved terms are defined to more effectively describe their form, supported by anatomical observation and aspect ratio analysis of individual fins, and corroborated by landmark analysis. Three clear and distinct pectoral fin structural morphotypes emerge (falceform, gladiform, falcataform), reflecting a diversity of pachycormid lifestyles throughout the Mesozoic, from agile pursuit predator to slow-cruising suspension feeder.

Original language	English
Article number	e7675
Number of pages	26
Journal	PeerJ
Volume	7
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7675
Publication status	Published - 7 Nov 2019

Keywords

Aspect ratio
Bonnerichthys
Character creep
Leedsichthys
Lifestyle indicator
Pachycormidae
Pectoral fin morphotype
Planform
Protosphyraena
Saurostomus

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title = "Scythes, sickles and other blades: Defining the diversity of pectoral fin morphotypes in Pachycormiformes",

abstract = "The traditional terminology of 'scythe' or 'sickle' shaped is observed to be flawed as an effective descriptor for pectoral fin shape in pachycormids. The diversity of pachycormid pectoral fin shapes is assessed across the 14 recognised genera that preserve complete pectoral fins, and improved terms are defined to more effectively describe their form, supported by anatomical observation and aspect ratio analysis of individual fins, and corroborated by landmark analysis. Three clear and distinct pectoral fin structural morphotypes emerge (falceform, gladiform, falcataform), reflecting a diversity of pachycormid lifestyles throughout the Mesozoic, from agile pursuit predator to slow-cruising suspension feeder.",

keywords = "Aspect ratio, Bonnerichthys, Character creep, Leedsichthys, Lifestyle indicator, Pachycormidae, Pectoral fin morphotype, Planform, Protosphyraena, Saurostomus",

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AU - Liston, Jeff J.

AU - Maltese, Anthony E.

AU - Lambers, Paul H.

AU - Delsate, Dominique

AU - Harcourt-Smith, William E.H.

AU - Van Heteren, Anneke H.

PY - 2019/11/7

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KW - Bonnerichthys

KW - Character creep

KW - Leedsichthys

KW - Lifestyle indicator

KW - Pachycormidae

KW - Pectoral fin morphotype

KW - Planform

KW - Protosphyraena

KW - Saurostomus

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ER -

Scythes, sickles and other blades: Defining the diversity of pectoral fin morphotypes in Pachycormiformes

Abstract

Keywords

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