Just Another Hole in the Wall: The Origin, Function and Loss of Temporal Fenestrae in Sauropsida

Chair(s)

• 

  Tomasz Owerkowicz

  California State University, San Bernardino

Temporal fenestrae (TFs) – openings in the skull of most amniotes - are key characters in the broad classification of amniotes into synapsid or euryapsid (one TF), diapsid (two TFs) and anapsid (no TF) lineages. Extant Sauropsida (everything but synapsid mammals) are comprised of diapsid lizards (and snakes), crocodylians and birds, as well as secondarily anapsid turtles. But the larger clade also includes extinct stem amniotes which may not neatly fall into any of the extant categories, such as anapsid captorhinids and euryapsid ichthyosaurs. The morphologic diversity of TFs – their size, shape and bony margins – is well described in crown and stem sauropsids, but the selective pressures behind the origin and loss of TFs are hotly debated, as is their function. This symposium brings together scientists whose research interests focus on TFs in living animals but who investigate them via different disciplinary lens: comparative anatomy, development and physiology. The symposium aims to shine a spotlight on the evolutionary pressures which shaped TFs, the developmental mechanisms which contributed to TF loss, and the potential function(s) of TFs.

Presentations:

• 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM US PDT

  Are Dorsal Temporal Fenestrae Thermal Windows for Brain Temperature Control in Crocodylians?
  

  Speaker: Breanna S. Ramirez, Master's of Science – California State University, San Bernardino
• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM US PDT

  Turtle Skull Development Unveils a Molecular Basis for Amniote Cranial Diversity
  

  Speaker: Masayoshi Tokita – Toho University
• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM US PDT

  The Lepidosaurian Lower Temporal Region - Losses or Gains?
  

  Speaker: Susan E. Evans, PhD – University College London