Mammalia split into aerial, aquatic, arboreal and terrestrial niches
Once again,
graphics (Fig 1) tell the tale of mammal disbursement into the four niches they now occupy: aerial, aquatic, arboreal and terrestrial (five if you count burrowing) according to the large reptile tree (LRT, 2327 taxa). Note the original arboreal niche (green), followed by several terrestrial excursions (tan), a few aquatic ventures (blue) and one aerial adaptation (cyan). Gliders are lumped in with arboreal taxa. Burrowers are lumped in with terrestrial.
Figure 1. Subset of the LRT focusing on Mammalia here split into niches.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg?w=108″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg?w=367″ class=”size-full wp-image-89994″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Subset of the LRT focusing on Mammalia here split into niches. ” width=”584″ height=”1629″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg?w=584&h=1629 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg?w=54&h=150 54w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg?w=108&h=300 108w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-terrestrial588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Subset of the LRT focusing on Mammalia here split into niches.
During the Mesozoic,
as everyone knows, mammals were likely restricted to nocturnal arboreal realms, avoiding the daylight theropod dinosaurs. When that threat disappeared, mammals literally hit the ground running.
Figure 2. Mammal reproductive strategies include egg-laying (gray) marsupial reproduction (white) and three convergent developments of the placenta (light red) in the LRT.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg?w=108″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg?w=367″ class=”size-full wp-image-89995″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg” alt=”Figure 2. Mammal reproductive strategies include egg-laying (gray) marsupial reproduction (white) and three convergent developments of the placenta (light red) in the LRT. ” width=”584″ height=”1629″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg?w=584&h=1629 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg?w=54&h=150 54w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg?w=108&h=300 108w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mammals.diagram-placental588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Mammal reproductive strategies include egg-laying (gray) marsupial reproduction (white) and three convergent developments of the placenta (light red) in the LRT.
Worthy of note:
A long list of Mesozoic premammal cynodonts, like Repenomamus and Castorocauda, were also present alongside the Mesozoic mammals. These were likely egg-layers, unless they, too developed live birth by convergence.
Traditionally
mammals were divided by their reproductive scheme (Fig 2) egg-laying (gray), marsupial (white) and placental (light red). The LRT further splits placentals into three convergent clades (P1, P2 and P3) following Wortman 1902.
Chronology
Mammals originated in the Late Triassic and radiated rapidly. Marsupials split from Monostremes at the beginning. The LRT recovers Jurassic multituberculates as placental3 taxa close to the extant aye-aye, Daubentonia. That is a clue to a wide and early dispersal – before the asteroid impact. After the impact there were more niches filled with a variety of morphologies.
Hopefully we’ll find more of those Mesozoic mammals as time goes by.
References
Wortman JL 1901-1903. Studies of Eocene Mammalia in the Marsh Collection, Peabody Museum. Am. Jour. Sci. 11:333–348.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2024/11/23/mammalia-split-into-aerial-aquatic-arboreal-and-terrestrial-niches/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,656,760,612 |
| Stories: | 8,293,965 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
