What are the major characteristics of the Synapsids?
What are the major characteristics of the Synapsids?
Synapsids are characterized by having differentiated teeth. These include the canines, molars, and incisors. The trend towards differentiation is found in some labyrinthodonts and early anapsid reptilians in the form of enlargement of the first teeth on the maxilla, forming a form of protocanines.
Why are mammals so successful?
The success of mammals can be explained by three factors. They can can live in all habitats thanks to being warm-blooded, their behaviour is complex and adaptable thanks to their large brains and long period of parental care and their teeth are highly adaptable for a broad range of diets.
What features of mammals provide unique opportunities for success?
According to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, there are only three characteristics unique to mammals. The three characteristics are mammary glands, hair and three middle ear bones. Other characteristics often thought to be unique to mammals are found in other species including birds, insects and reptiles.
Are mammals successful in terms of evolution?
Mammals can never rival insects or microbes in terms of abundance or diversity, but their large body size and adaptability have made them highly successful over the past 65 million years, and presumably for a long time into the future. Benton, M. J. (1991) The rise of the mammals.
What characteristics do cynodonts possess that identify them as the ancestors of mammals?
Early cynodonts have many of the skeletal characteristics of mammals. The teeth were fully differentiated and the braincase bulged at the back of the head. Outside of some crown-group mammals (notably the therians), all cynodonts probably laid eggs.
What are the characteristics of cynodonts?
Cynodonts have nearly all the characteristics of mammals. Their teeth were fully differentiated, the braincase bulged at the back of the head, and many of them walked in an upright manner unlike reptiles. Cynodonts still laid eggs, as all Mesozoic proto-mammals probably did.
What is another name for Cynodontia?
Alternative Title: Cynodontia. Cynodont, (suborder or infraorder Cynodontia), mammal-like reptiles of the order Therapsida (see therapsid) that existed from the Late Permian to the Early Jurassic Epoch (260.4 million to 175.6 million years ago). Cynodont fossils have been found in China, South Africa, South America, and North America.
Are cynodonts the same as gorgonopsians?
Together with the extinct gorgonopsians and the therocephalians, the cynodonts themselves are part of a group of therapsids called theriodonts .
Why did cynodonts breathe through their nostrils?
This caused air flow from the nostrils to travel to a position in the back of the mouth instead of directly through it, allowing cynodonts to chew and breathe at the same time. This characteristic is present in all mammals. Early cynodonts have many of the skeletal characteristics of mammals.
