Stig A. Walsh
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View article: Mosaic anatomy in an early fossil squamate
Mosaic anatomy in an early fossil squamate Open
Squamates (lizards and snakes) comprise almost 12,000 living species, with wide ecological diversity and a crown group that originated around 190 million years ago 1,2 . Conflict between morphology and molecular phylogenies indicates a com…
View article: The first and most complete dinosaur skeleton from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland
The first and most complete dinosaur skeleton from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland Open
The fossil record of dinosaurs in Scotland mostly comprises isolated highly fragmentary bones from the Great Estuarine Group in the Inner Hebrides (Bajocian–Bathonian). Here we report the first definite dinosaur body fossil ever found in S…
View article: A revision of the ‘coelophysoid-grade’ theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland )
A revision of the ‘coelophysoid-grade’ theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland ) Open
The broadest diversification of early predatory dinosaurs is represented by the ‘coelophysoid-grade’ neotheropods, but their Hettangian–Sinemurian ( c. 191–201 Ma) record is scarce worldwide. More information is needed to shed light on the…
View article: The osteology of the Late Triassic reptile <i>Scleromochlus taylori</i> from <scp>μCT</scp> data
The osteology of the Late Triassic reptile <i>Scleromochlus taylori</i> from <span>μCT</span> data Open
Scleromochlus taylori is one of the most enigmatic members of the herpetofauna from the Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation (Upper Triassic) of Elgin (Moray, Scotland). For many years it was thought to be closely related to pterosaurs and dino…
View article: A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland)
A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland) Open
Character list and dataset for phylogenetic analysis and 3D model of the tibia.
View article: A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland)
A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland) Open
Character list and dataset for phylogenetic analysis and 3D model of the tibia.
View article: A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland)
A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland) Open
Character list and dataset for phylogenetic analysis and 3D model of the tibia.
View article: Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha
Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha Open
View article: Middle Jurassic fossils document an early stage in salamander evolution
Middle Jurassic fossils document an early stage in salamander evolution Open
Salamanders are an important group of living amphibians and model organisms for understanding locomotion, development, regeneration, feeding, and toxicity in tetrapods. However, their origin and early radiation remain poorly understood, wi…
View article: Cephalic salt gland evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs
Cephalic salt gland evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs Open
Secondarily marine tetrapod lineages have independently evolved osmoregulatory adaptations for life in salt water but inferring physiological changes in extinct marine tetrapods is difficult. The Mesozoic crocodylomorph clade Thalattosuchi…
View article: ‘Ear stones’ in crocodylians: a cross-species comparative and ontogenetic survey of otolith structures
‘Ear stones’ in crocodylians: a cross-species comparative and ontogenetic survey of otolith structures Open
The vestibular system of the inner ear is a crucial sensory organ, involved in the sensation of balance and equilibrium. It consists of three semicircular canals that sense angular rotations of the head and the vestibule that detects linea…
View article: Postcrania of <i>Borealestes</i> (Mammaliformes, Docodonta) and the emergence of ecomorphological diversity in early mammals
Postcrania of <i>Borealestes</i> (Mammaliformes, Docodonta) and the emergence of ecomorphological diversity in early mammals Open
The Middle Jurassic witnessed the early diversification of mammal groups, including the stem‐mammalian clade, Docodonta. Recent discoveries in China indicate docodontans exhibited ecomorphological diversity akin to small‐bodied mammals liv…
View article: Ontogenetic variation in the crocodylian vestibular system
Ontogenetic variation in the crocodylian vestibular system Open
Crocodylians today live in tropical to subtropical environments, occupying mostly shallow waters. Their body size changes drastically during ontogeny, as do their skull dimensions and bite forces, which are associated with changes in prey …
View article: Angela Milner (1947–2021)
Angela Milner (1947–2021) Open
View article: The braincase and inner ear of ‘<i>Metriorhynchus</i>’ cf. ‘<i>M</i>.’ <i>brachyrhynchus</i> – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs
The braincase and inner ear of ‘<i>Metriorhynchus</i>’ cf. ‘<i>M</i>.’ <i>brachyrhynchus</i> – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs Open
During their long evolutionary history crocodylomorphs achieved a great diversity of body sizes, ecomorphotypes and inferred feeding ecologies. One unique group of crocodylomorphs are the thalattosuchians, which lived during the Jurassic a…
View article: The braincase and inner ear of ‘<i>Metriorhynchus</i>’ cf. ‘<i>M</i>.’ <i>brachyrhynchus</i> – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs
The braincase and inner ear of ‘<i>Metriorhynchus</i>’ cf. ‘<i>M</i>.’ <i>brachyrhynchus</i> – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs Open
During their long evolutionary history crocodylomorphs achieved a great diversity of body sizes, ecomorphotypes and inferred feeding ecologies. One unique group of crocodylomorphs are the thalattosuchians, which lived during the Jurassic a…
View article: New species of mammaliaform and the cranium of<i>Borealestes</i>(Mammaliformes: Docodonta) from the Middle Jurassic of the British Isles
New species of mammaliaform and the cranium of<i>Borealestes</i>(Mammaliformes: Docodonta) from the Middle Jurassic of the British Isles Open
Docodonta are one of the earliest diverging groups of mammaliaforms, and their morphology provides key information on the transition between non-mammalian cynodonts and Mammalia. We describe the partial skulls of two docodontans Borealeste…
View article: Tempo and Pattern of Avian Brain Size Evolution
Tempo and Pattern of Avian Brain Size Evolution Open
View article: Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to water
Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to water Open
Major evolutionary transitions, in which animals develop new body plans and adapt to dramatically new habitats and lifestyles, have punctuated the history of life. The origin of cetaceans from land-living mammals is among the most famous o…
View article: Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life
Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life Open
The global human population is increasing at a staggering rate, and more than half of that population resides in urban areas. As urbanization spreads across the landscape, animals are often confronted with a vast number of unfamiliar stimu…
View article: Comparative analysis of vestibular ecomorphology in birds
Comparative analysis of vestibular ecomorphology in birds Open
The bony labyrinth of vertebrates houses the semicircular canals. These sense rotational accelerations of the head and play an essential role in gaze stabilisation during locomotion. The sizes and shapes of the semicircular canals have hyp…
View article: The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> and new fossil mammal material from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland
The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> and new fossil mammal material from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland Open
The Middle Jurassic was a pivotal time for many vertebrate groups: recent research suggests mammals experienced a surge in ecological diversity at this time. However, vertebrate fossils from the Middle Jurassic are rare. Until now, Middle …
View article: The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> and new fossil mammal material from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland
The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> and new fossil mammal material from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland Open
The Middle Jurassic was a pivotal time for many vertebrate groups: recent research suggests mammals experienced a surge in ecological diversity at this time. However, vertebrate fossils from the Middle Jurassic are rare. Until now, Middle …
View article: A reassessment of the postcanine dentition and systematics of the tritylodontid<i>Stereognathus</i>(Cynodontia, Tritylodontidae, Mammaliamorpha), from the Middle Jurassic of the United Kingdom
A reassessment of the postcanine dentition and systematics of the tritylodontid<i>Stereognathus</i>(Cynodontia, Tritylodontidae, Mammaliamorpha), from the Middle Jurassic of the United Kingdom Open
Tritylodontidae was a successful advanced cynodont clade with a close relationship to mammals, but falling outside the clade Mammaliaformes. Stereognathus ooliticus was the first tritylodontid to be named and described in 1854, but since t…
View article: A new Mississippian tetrapod from Fife, Scotland, and its environmental context
A new Mississippian tetrapod from Fife, Scotland, and its environmental context Open
The Visean stage of the Mississippian was a time of rapid tetrapod diversification which marks the earliest appearance of temnospondyls, microsaurs and the limbless aïstopods. Tetrapod finds from this stage are very rare and only a dozen s…
View article: Floccular fossa size is not a reliable proxy of ecology and behaviour in vertebrates
Floccular fossa size is not a reliable proxy of ecology and behaviour in vertebrates Open
View article: The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> (Megazostrodontidae): a new specimen from Scotland and implications for morganucodontan tooth replacement
The dentary of <i>Wareolestes rex</i> (Megazostrodontidae): a new specimen from Scotland and implications for morganucodontan tooth replacement Open
The Middle Jurassic morganucodontan, Wareolestes rex , was previously known from only four isolated molars from Kirtlington, England. There has been debate over the position of the holotype tooth as an upper or lower molar. We describe a n…
View article: Open data and digital morphology
Open data and digital morphology Open
Over the past two decades, the development of methods for visualizing and analysing specimens digitally, in three and even four dimensions, has transformed the study of living and fossil organisms. However, the initial promise that the wid…
View article: Landmarks and semilandmarks
Landmarks and semilandmarks Open
Landmark and semi landmark data used in our analyses. Abbreviations: ASC, anterior semicircular canal; PSC, posterior semicircular canal; LSC, lateral semicircular canal.
View article: Supplementary material from "Open data and digital morphology"
Supplementary material from "Open data and digital morphology" Open
Over the past two decades, the development of methods for visualizing and analysing specimens digitally, in three and even four dimensions, has transformed the study of living and fossil organisms. However, the initial promise that the wid…