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The role of climate on the emergence of giant caimanines (Crocodylia, Alligatoroidea) from the Miocene western Amazonian region

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Autor(es):
Paiva, Ana Laura S. ; Godoy, Pedro L. ; Dunne, Emma M. ; Farnsworth, Alexander ; Valdes, Paul J. ; Lunt, Daniel J. ; Klein, Wilfried ; Langer, Max C. ; Hsiou, Annie S.
Número total de Autores: 9
Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
Fonte: PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY; v. 656, p. 10-pg., 2024-12-15.
Resumo

Extant caimanines include the six modern species of caimans, which occur predominantly in South and Central America and are mostly medium-sized crocodylians. Nevertheless, the fossil record of the group reveals a significantly higher diversity, with remarkable body size variation. In particular, the giants Purussaurus and Mourasuchus, from the Miocene western Amazonian region, are two of the most prominent representatives. Previous work has demonstrated a correlation between the body size of crocodylians and abiotic factors throughout the Cenozoic; however, this relationship is poorly understood, particularly within the Caimaninae lineage. Here, we explore evolutionary body size patterns within Caimaninae, investigating the potential influence of climatic factors. Using a phylogenetically-informed method, we estimated the body size of 33 caimanine specimens, coupled with climatic variables from a General Circulation Model to reconstruct deep-time patterns. Our results indicate that giant Miocene caimanines are restricted to warmer conditions, with significantly less seasonal temperature variation. This suggests that the unmatching climatic conditions of the Miocene western Amazonian region possibly allowed the emergence of unique palaeoecosystems, favouring the sustenance of these very large crocodylians. (AU)

Processo FAPESP: 20/07997-4 - Explorando a diversidade dos dinossauros do Cretáceo Sul-Americano e suas faunas associadas
Beneficiário:Max Cardoso Langer
Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
Processo FAPESP: 19/14153-0 - A fauna de pequenos vertebrados do Neógeno da Amazônia Brasileira, com ênfase na resolução temporal da Formação Solimões, Mioceno da Bacia do Acre
Beneficiário:Annie Schmaltz Hsiou
Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
Processo FAPESP: 22/02249-5 - Quantificando as diferenças em proporções corporais em Crocodylomorpha
Beneficiário:Ana Laura da Silva Paiva
Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado