Mandible histology in (Temnospondyli, Stereospondyli) from the Upper Triassic of Poland.

Recent studies that have systematically augmented our knowledge of dermal bones of the Late Triassic temnospondyl amphibian have mostly focused on shoulder girdle elements and the skull. So far, histological data on the mandible are still scant. For the present study, two mandibles have been examined, using 50 standard thin sections.

Pentadactyl manus of the Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland, the first record of pentadactyly among Temnospondyli.

Temnospondyli are commonly believed to have possessed four digits in the manus and five in the pes. However, actual finds of articulated autopodia are extremely rare. Therefore, an articulated, slightly incomplete forelimb skeleton with preserved manus of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from the Late Triassic of Poland is important in providing new details about the structure and ossification sequence in the temnospondyl limb.

Cranial suture biomechanics in Metoposaurus krasiejowensis (Temnospondyli, Stereospondyli) from the upper Triassic of Poland.

Cranial sutures connect adjacent bones of the skull and play an important role in the absorption of stresses that may occur during different activities. The Late Triassic temnospondyl amphibian Metoposaurus krasiejowensis has been extensively studied over the years in terms of skull biomechanics, but without a detailed description of the function of cranial sutures. In the present study, 34 thin sections of cranial sutures were examined in order to determine their histovariability and interpret their biomechanical role in the skull.

Ornamentation of dermal bones of and its ecological implications.

Background: Amphibians are animals strongly dependent on environmental conditions, like temperature, water accessibility, and the trophic state of the reservoirs. Thus, they can be used in modern palaeoenvironmental analysis, reflecting ecological condition of the biotope.

Methods: To analyse the observed diversity in the temnospondyl from Late Triassic deposits in Krasiejów (Opole Voivodeship, Poland), the characteristics of the ornamentation (such as grooves, ridges, tubercules) of 25 clavicles and 13 skulls were observed on macro- and microscales, including the use of a scanning electron microscope for high magnification.

Cranial bone histology of (Amphibia, Temnospondyli) from the Late Triassic of Poland.

In this study, 21 skull bones of from the Late Triassic of Poland were investigated histologically. Dermal bones show a diploë structure, with an ornamented external surface. The ridges consist of mostly well vascularized parallel-fibered bone; the valleys are built of an avascular layer of lamellar bone.