JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE (2001) 16 (1) 4959 Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ..... more JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE (2001) 16 (1) 4959 Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ... Electron spin resonance dating of the fossil ... RAINER GRU¨ N1*, KEVIN MORIARTY2 and ROD WELLS3 1Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National ...
PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT & SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon d... more PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT & SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon dates for Wet Cave and the timing of megafaunal extinctions in the Naracoorte region of South Australia. Alcheringa Special Issue 1, 277-279. ISBN 0 9757894 5 7.
... Richard H. Tedford [tedford@amnh.org],Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum ... more ... Richard H. Tedford [tedford@amnh.org],Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA, Rod T. Wells, School of ... Terrestrial climate in Australia moved toward cool-dry winters by the end of the Pliocene (Gallagher et al. ...
<p>Dorsal view of the cervical (dark grey), thoracic (white) and lumbar (light grey) verteb... more <p>Dorsal view of the cervical (dark grey), thoracic (white) and lumbar (light grey) vertebral columns of (A) <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i>; (B) <i>P</i>. <i>cinereus</i>; (C) <i>L</i>. <i>latifrons</i>; (D) <i>Tri</i>. <i>vulpecula</i>; (E) <i>M</i>. <i>rufus</i>; (F) <i>D</i>. <i>viverrinus</i>; (G) <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i>; and (H) <i>Thy</i>. <i>cynocephalus</i>. Scale bar equals 100 mm for <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i>, other taxa are scaled for proportional comparison. Phylogenetic relationships displayed at bottom of figure are based on [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0208020#pone.0208020.ref041" target="_blank">41</a>].</p
Using demonstrated relationships between body mass and humeral and femoral circumferences, we cal... more Using demonstrated relationships between body mass and humeral and femoral circumferences, we calculate the weight of the only specimen of Thylacoleo carnifex known from a near-complete skeleton. Body weights of 112–143 kg were estimated for this individual, from Moree, north-western New South Wales. Extrapolating on the basis of geometric similtude, we further estimated the weight of the largest T. carnifex for which we had cranial data at 128–164 kg. Moreover, estimates for at least three of the thirteen available specimens exceeded 124–160 kg, suggesting that individuals of this size were common. Our estimates of average weight for the species range from 101 to 130 kg. These results clearly show that Pleistocene Australia had a 'large' cat equivalent and that 'large' terrestrial predator niches were not then occupied exclusively by reptiles.They may also diminish the argument that soil-nutrient deficiency constrained the evolution of large mammalian carnivores on ...
Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 2006
PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon d... more PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon dates for Wet Cave and the timing of megafaunal extinctions in the Naracoorte region of South Australia. Alcheringa Special Issue 1, 277-279. ISBN 0 9757894 5 7.
<p>(A-D) Comparisons between the vertebral columns of <i>T</i>. <i>carnif... more <p>(A-D) Comparisons between the vertebral columns of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i>. (A) Assembled vertebral column of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> (WAM 02.7.2) with tail in natural position based on orientation of articular facets; (B) with tail ventrally flexed; (C) compared with the nearest extant morphological analogue <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i> traced from x-ray [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0208020#pone.0208020.ref011" target="_blank">11</a>]; (D) <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i> vertebral column from Tasmanian Museum mounted skeleton (grey bars represent the orientation of the pelvis relative to the vertebral column, A-D have all been scaled to the same size for comparative purposes, note the dorso-ventral flexion of the cervical-thoracic column and rigid lumbar, sacral and proximal caudal region); (E) articulated thoraco-lumbar region of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> as preserved in SAMA P43221 (scale bar equals 50 mm); (F) pathologies on thoracic vertebrae 1/2, 6/7 & 8 of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> WAM 02.7.2 (scale bar equals 50 mm, note the fusion of the of T1/2 centra possibly the result of calcification of tendons, erosional damage at interface of T6/7 and lipping of the ventral anterior aspect of T8); the tail of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> assembled (WAM 02.7.2) (G) ventral view, (H) dorsal view (the sacrum comprising four fused vertebrae is followed by three forms of caudal vertebrae (i) proximal nos. 1–6 (ii) transitional no. 7 (iii) distal nos. 8–16., remaining 5 distal caudals in the series omitted, (scale bar equals 100 mm); (I) the tail of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> showing maximum extent of dorsal flexion in proximal caudal vertebrae (arrow indicates transitional vertebra caudal 7[, scale bar equals 100 mm); and (J) chevron bones collected in the vicinity of the tail of WAM 02.7.1 (scale bar equals 100 mm).</p
This report announces the discovery of a diverse vertebrate fauna from exposures of the Namba For... more This report announces the discovery of a diverse vertebrate fauna from exposures of the Namba Formation in the soothem Frome Embayment (Tarkarooloo Basin), South Australia. The Duvio-Iacustrine Namba Formation can be divided into two informal members based on regional lithological changes. The lower member bears Balcombian-Batesfordian (medial Miocene) pollen floras representing subtropical rainforest and adjacent savanna habitats. The top of the lower member yields the PIopa Fauna of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates including fish, turtles, crocodiles, two genera of dasyurids and seven genera of diprotodontan marsupials and a platanistid porpoise. The base of the upper member contains a similar vertebrate fauna (Ericmas Fauna) bot includes a platypus and, significantly, diprotodontid marsupials which are the dominant large mammals in the contemporaneous Ngapakaldi Fauna of the Lake Eyre basin.
Radiocarbon age determinations and stratigraphy suggest that the deposits in Black Creek Swamp on... more Radiocarbon age determinations and stratigraphy suggest that the deposits in Black Creek Swamp on Kangaroo Island record 3 phases of deposition and associated soil development which spanned at least the last 20,000 yr. Four new 14C age determinations on bulk soil organic matter and their stratigraphic context are presented in this paper. Three of these age determinations (FP6: 15,687 ± 110 BP [WK11487]; FP7: 16,326 ± 385 BP [WK11488]; and FP8: 17,618 ± 447 BP [WK11489]), are from the organic-rich fossil layer located 45–75 cm below the current floodplain surface. The fourth, a much younger date, FP5: 5589 ± 259 BP (WK11486), was obtained from the base of the overlying modern soil. The dates for the fossil layer increase systematically with depth and correlate well with 5 previous 14C dates (Hope et al., unpublished), ranging between 15,040 ± 120 BP and 19,000 ± 310 BP. This suggests that the data set represents a possible minimum age of the bulk organic matter, and considering the h...
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE (2001) 16 (1) 4959 Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ..... more JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE (2001) 16 (1) 4959 Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ... Electron spin resonance dating of the fossil ... RAINER GRU¨ N1*, KEVIN MORIARTY2 and ROD WELLS3 1Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National ...
PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon d... more PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon dates for Wet Cave and the timing of megafaunal extinctions in the Naracoorte region of South Australia. Alcheringa Special Issue 1, 277-279. ISBN 0 9757894 5 7.
... Richard H. Tedford [tedford@amnh.org],Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum ... more ... Richard H. Tedford [tedford@amnh.org],Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA, Rod T. Wells, School of ... Terrestrial climate in Australia moved toward cool-dry winters by the end of the Pliocene (Gallagher et al. ...
<p>Dorsal view of the cervical (dark grey), thoracic (white) and lumbar (light grey) verteb... more <p>Dorsal view of the cervical (dark grey), thoracic (white) and lumbar (light grey) vertebral columns of (A) <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i>; (B) <i>P</i>. <i>cinereus</i>; (C) <i>L</i>. <i>latifrons</i>; (D) <i>Tri</i>. <i>vulpecula</i>; (E) <i>M</i>. <i>rufus</i>; (F) <i>D</i>. <i>viverrinus</i>; (G) <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i>; and (H) <i>Thy</i>. <i>cynocephalus</i>. Scale bar equals 100 mm for <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i>, other taxa are scaled for proportional comparison. Phylogenetic relationships displayed at bottom of figure are based on [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0208020#pone.0208020.ref041" target="_blank">41</a>].</p
Using demonstrated relationships between body mass and humeral and femoral circumferences, we cal... more Using demonstrated relationships between body mass and humeral and femoral circumferences, we calculate the weight of the only specimen of Thylacoleo carnifex known from a near-complete skeleton. Body weights of 112–143 kg were estimated for this individual, from Moree, north-western New South Wales. Extrapolating on the basis of geometric similtude, we further estimated the weight of the largest T. carnifex for which we had cranial data at 128–164 kg. Moreover, estimates for at least three of the thirteen available specimens exceeded 124–160 kg, suggesting that individuals of this size were common. Our estimates of average weight for the species range from 101 to 130 kg. These results clearly show that Pleistocene Australia had a 'large' cat equivalent and that 'large' terrestrial predator niches were not then occupied exclusively by reptiles.They may also diminish the argument that soil-nutrient deficiency constrained the evolution of large mammalian carnivores on ...
Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 2006
PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon d... more PATE, FD, MCDOWELL, MC, WELLS, RT &amp;amp;amp; SMITH, AM, 2006. Additional AMS radiocarbon dates for Wet Cave and the timing of megafaunal extinctions in the Naracoorte region of South Australia. Alcheringa Special Issue 1, 277-279. ISBN 0 9757894 5 7.
<p>(A-D) Comparisons between the vertebral columns of <i>T</i>. <i>carnif... more <p>(A-D) Comparisons between the vertebral columns of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i>. (A) Assembled vertebral column of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> (WAM 02.7.2) with tail in natural position based on orientation of articular facets; (B) with tail ventrally flexed; (C) compared with the nearest extant morphological analogue <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i> traced from x-ray [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0208020#pone.0208020.ref011" target="_blank">11</a>]; (D) <i>S</i>. <i>harrisii</i> vertebral column from Tasmanian Museum mounted skeleton (grey bars represent the orientation of the pelvis relative to the vertebral column, A-D have all been scaled to the same size for comparative purposes, note the dorso-ventral flexion of the cervical-thoracic column and rigid lumbar, sacral and proximal caudal region); (E) articulated thoraco-lumbar region of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> as preserved in SAMA P43221 (scale bar equals 50 mm); (F) pathologies on thoracic vertebrae 1/2, 6/7 & 8 of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> WAM 02.7.2 (scale bar equals 50 mm, note the fusion of the of T1/2 centra possibly the result of calcification of tendons, erosional damage at interface of T6/7 and lipping of the ventral anterior aspect of T8); the tail of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> assembled (WAM 02.7.2) (G) ventral view, (H) dorsal view (the sacrum comprising four fused vertebrae is followed by three forms of caudal vertebrae (i) proximal nos. 1–6 (ii) transitional no. 7 (iii) distal nos. 8–16., remaining 5 distal caudals in the series omitted, (scale bar equals 100 mm); (I) the tail of <i>T</i>. <i>carnifex</i> showing maximum extent of dorsal flexion in proximal caudal vertebrae (arrow indicates transitional vertebra caudal 7[, scale bar equals 100 mm); and (J) chevron bones collected in the vicinity of the tail of WAM 02.7.1 (scale bar equals 100 mm).</p
This report announces the discovery of a diverse vertebrate fauna from exposures of the Namba For... more This report announces the discovery of a diverse vertebrate fauna from exposures of the Namba Formation in the soothem Frome Embayment (Tarkarooloo Basin), South Australia. The Duvio-Iacustrine Namba Formation can be divided into two informal members based on regional lithological changes. The lower member bears Balcombian-Batesfordian (medial Miocene) pollen floras representing subtropical rainforest and adjacent savanna habitats. The top of the lower member yields the PIopa Fauna of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates including fish, turtles, crocodiles, two genera of dasyurids and seven genera of diprotodontan marsupials and a platanistid porpoise. The base of the upper member contains a similar vertebrate fauna (Ericmas Fauna) bot includes a platypus and, significantly, diprotodontid marsupials which are the dominant large mammals in the contemporaneous Ngapakaldi Fauna of the Lake Eyre basin.
Radiocarbon age determinations and stratigraphy suggest that the deposits in Black Creek Swamp on... more Radiocarbon age determinations and stratigraphy suggest that the deposits in Black Creek Swamp on Kangaroo Island record 3 phases of deposition and associated soil development which spanned at least the last 20,000 yr. Four new 14C age determinations on bulk soil organic matter and their stratigraphic context are presented in this paper. Three of these age determinations (FP6: 15,687 ± 110 BP [WK11487]; FP7: 16,326 ± 385 BP [WK11488]; and FP8: 17,618 ± 447 BP [WK11489]), are from the organic-rich fossil layer located 45–75 cm below the current floodplain surface. The fourth, a much younger date, FP5: 5589 ± 259 BP (WK11486), was obtained from the base of the overlying modern soil. The dates for the fossil layer increase systematically with depth and correlate well with 5 previous 14C dates (Hope et al., unpublished), ranging between 15,040 ± 120 BP and 19,000 ± 310 BP. This suggests that the data set represents a possible minimum age of the bulk organic matter, and considering the h...
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