Postcranial remains of Baphetes and their bearing on the relationships of the Baphetidae (= Loxommatidae)

The first unequivocal postcranial remains of baphetids (= loxommatids) associated with skull roof and lower jaw material are reported from a specimen of Baphetes from the English Upper Carboniferous, Duckmantian. Characters of the mandible, including the incorporation in the symphysis of paired parasymphysial plates, permit the identification of a previously indeterminate jaw from the Langsettian (Westphalian A) of Nova Scotia, as baphetid. The postcranial remains include vertebrae, pectoral and pelvic limb and limb girdle elements that present a combination of unique characters extending the diagnosis of the family Baphetidae, together with plesiomophic and derived characters which suggest that baphetids are primitive stem group tetrapods.     

Analysis of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians

Here, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians [Correction added after publication 28 July 2007: in the preceding sentence 'Here, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians Dinosauria Orthischia ' was corrected to 'Here, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians']. I examined forelimb bones and casts of Psittacosaurus neimongoliensis , Psittacosaurus mongoliensis , Leptoceratops gracilis and Protoceratops andrewsi . For Ps. neimongoliensis and L. gracilis , I used manual manipulations of bones and casts to determine the range of motion at available forelimb joints. I then used range of motion and morphology to test the predictions of several hypotheses of forelimb function. Forelimb morphology and range of motion indicate that Psittacosaurus was an obligate biped and that Leptoceratops and Protoceratops were capable of quadrupedal locomotion. Forelimb mobility was too limited in Psittacosaurus for the hands to reach the mouth. Leptoceratops and Protoceratops are members of an evolutionary radiation in which an extension of the glenoid enabled the forelimbs to sprawl laterally for transverse pivoting, perhaps for display, but quadrupedal locomotion was accomplished with the elbows tucked in. In Protoceratops , the radius crosses over the ulna, causing the palms to face caudally. In Leptoceratops , the radius does not cross over the ulna; the palms face largely medially and the fingers have been reoriented so that flexion produces a caudal, propulsive force, even without caudally facing palms.     

The role of the forelimb in prey capture in the Late Triassic reptile Megalancosaurus (Diapsida,Drepanosauromorpha)

The pectoral girdle and forelimb of the Late Triassic drepanosauromorph reptile Megalancosaurus are redescribed and their function reinterpreted. The whole skeleton of this diapsid is highly specialised for arboreal life, and also the peculiarities of the shoulder girdle and forelimb were interpreted as adaptations for a limb-based locomotion using gap-bridging to move from one support to another, as in chameleons. Re-examination of the pectoral girdle and forelimb revealed the presence of clavicles fused into a furcula-like structure, a saddle-shaped glenoid and a tight connection between the radius and ulna that strengthened the forearm but hindered pronation and supination movements at that joint. The new information plus a reconstruction of the pectoral and forelimb musculature suggests that the forelimb was also specialised for grasping and raking in addition to climbing and thus prey capture may have been an important function for the forelimb. The new functional interpretation fits well with the overall body architecture of Megalancosaurus’ skeleton, suggesting that this reptile was an ambush predator that may have assumed a stable tripodal position, secured by the hooked tail and hind limbs, freeing its forelimbs to catch prey by sudden extension of the arm and firm grasping with the pincer-like digits.     

Effects of hind limb denervation on the development of appendicular ossicles in the Dwarf African Clawed Frog,Hymenochirus boettgeri (Anura: Pipidae)

Sesamoids and other appendicular ossicles are common in other classes of vertebrates but comparatively rare in amphibians. The pipid frog Hymenochirus boettgeri (Boulenger, G. A. 1899. On Hymenochirus, a new type of aglossal batrachians. – Annals of the Magazine of Natural History Series 7: 122–125) is unusual among anurans in having seven (or more) appendicular ossicles in each hind limb. Sesamoids are often associated with muscles and tendons, and their development is usually regarded as mediated by or correlated with function. This study investigated the effects of paralysis (loss of function) on development of ossicles in the hind limb of Hymenochirus. Complete denervation of the right sciatic nerve was performed at developmental stages 63 and 66, and the animals maintained for a further 6–7 or 12–13 weeks. Specimens were cleared and double stained for cartilage and bone. There were no gross morphological differences between control and sham operated groups. The lunulae were not affected by paralysis, whereas the fabella arose later and/or regressed in some specimens. The distal os sesamoides tarsalia (OST) was shorter in paralysed individuals, and both the distal OST and cartilagines plantares showed delayed maturation. Denervation of the hind limb thus affected the timing of appearance, maintenance and rate of maturation of some sesamoid bones in Hymenochirus, but had no effect on others.     

Concealed weapons: erectile claws in African frogs

Vertebrate claws are used in a variety of important behaviours and are typically composed of a keratinous sheath overlying the terminal phalanx of a digit. Keratinous claws, however, are rare in living amphibians; their microstructure and other features indicate that they probably originated independently from those in amniotes. Here we show that certain African frogs have a different type of claw, used in defence, that is unique in design among living vertebrates and lacks a keratinous covering. These frogs have sectorial terminal phalanges on their hind feet that become functional by cutting through the skin. In the resting state, the phalanx is subdermal and attached to a distal bony nodule, a neomorphic skeletal element, via collagen-rich connective tissue. When erected, the claw breaks free from the nodule and pierces the ventral skin. The nodule, suspended by a sheath attached to the terminal phalanx and supported by collagenous connections to the dermis, remains fixed in place. While superficially resembling the shape of claws in other tetrapods, these are the only vertebrate claws known to pierce their way to functionality.     

中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪后肢骨的发育及骨化顺序研究

本研究对中华大蟾蜍Bufo gargarizans不同发育时期蝌蚪的腰带和后肢骨进行双染色.结果显示,在中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪中,后肢软骨化和骨化顺序都是由近端到远端,但在远端肢体的发育模式则呈轴后支配的特征.中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪Gosner 40期,两侧髂骨作合掌式对接融合,提示髂骨融合为无尾类由水生到陆生栖息环境的转换做准备.     

The effect of a nitroxide antioxidant on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat in vivo hind limb model

Microsurgical procedures such as free tissue transfer or replantations of amputated digits involve an obligatory ischemic period leading to regional tissue oedema, rhabdomyolysis, systemic acidosis, hypercalcemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome reflecting ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Since nitroxide stable radicals act as antioxidants their potential protective effects were tested. Anaesthetized Sabra rats were subjected to regional ischemia of the hind limb for 2 h using a tourniquet. Upon reperfusion rats were injected with 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TPL). Systemic I/R-induced damage was assessed by sampling blood for differential count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) serum levels. Regional injury was evaluated by analysing excised muscle samples for oedema (tissue water content) and inflammatory infiltrate (number of cell nuclei in histomorphometric analysis). I/R-induced changes of biomarkers reflecting systemic damage peaked about 8 h following the start of reperfusion and fully disappeared as the biomarkers relaxed to their pre-ischemic values after 24 h. TPL facilitated the recovery of some of these parameters and partially affected release of cellular CPK and LDH. The parameters of I/R-induced regional tissue injury did not demonstrate any recovery and were not inhibited by TPL.     

Development of hind limb bones in chicken embryos under altered temperature and humidity conditions

The data on growth and development of hind limb bones in chicken embryos under normal (standard) and altered incubation conditions are presented.     

The effect of a nitroxide antioxidant on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat in vivo hind limb model

Microsurgical procedures such as free tissue transfer or replantations of amputated digits involve an obligatory ischemic period leading to regional tissue oedema, rhabdomyolysis, systemic acidosis, hypercalcemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome reflecting ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Since nitroxide stable radicals act as antioxidants their potential protective effects were tested. Anaesthetized Sabra rats were subjected to regional ischemia of the hind limb for 2 h using a tourniquet. Upon reperfusion rats were injected with 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TPL). Systemic I/R-induced damage was assessed by sampling blood for differential count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) serum levels. Regional injury was evaluated by analysing excised muscle samples for oedema (tissue water content) and inflammatory infiltrate (number of cell nuclei in histomorphometric analysis). I/R-induced changes of biomarkers reflecting systemic damage peaked about 8 h following the start of reperfusion and fully disappeared as the biomarkers relaxed to their pre-ischemic values after 24 h. TPL facilitated the recovery of some of these parameters and partially affected release of cellular CPK and LDH. The parameters of I/R-induced regional tissue injury did not demonstrate any recovery and were not inhibited by TPL.