1998/12/28 by Michel Laurin · 6 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Ichthyology and Marine Biology #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/02724634.1998.10011105
openalex publication_date 1998/12/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Study of a skull attributed to Lycaenops angusticeps reveals the presence of a ventral flange of the jugal that supports the transverse flange of the pterygoid. The quadrate was apparently not streptostylic, contrary to previous reports because its articulation with the epipterygoid and the pterygoid would only allow slight bending and because extensive movement of the quadrate would have been accompanied by similar movements of the stapes. Several characters previously used to argue for streptostyly of the gorgonopsian quadrate are primitive characters that were present in Permo-Carboniferous synapsids. The reduction of the contact between quadrate and pterygoid may have been selected for improved hearing of air-borne sounds. The reflected lamina was possibly involved in the reception of air-borne sounds (if gorgonopsians could detect them), along with the tympanum.