Volume 44 December 2009

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https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/13287

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Browsing Volume 44 December 2009 by Author "Rubidge, Bruce S."

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    Assessing content and bias in South African Permo-Triassic Karoo tetrapod fossil collections
    (Bernard price Institute for Palaeontological Research, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009-12) Nicolas, Merrill; Rubidge, Bruce S.
    A standardized taxonomic database as well as a Geographical Information System (GIS) database of all fossil tetrapods collected from the Permo-Triassic Beaufort Group rocks of South Africa has been compiled from a number of South African museum catalogues. The data capture required rigorous evaluation of the accuracy of the original records and the degree of collecting bias. The outcome of this evaluation endorsed the accuracy of the two databases and showed no significant degree of collecting bias. This standardized database, now linked to a new GIS-based database, will be a valuable resource to scientists researching Permo-Triassic biodiversity and faunal distribution patterns.
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    The postcranial skeleton of the basal therocephalian Glanosuchus macrops (Scylacosauridae) and comparison of morphological and phylogenetic trends amongst the Theriodontia
    (Bernard Price institute for Palaeontological Research, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009-12) Fourie, Heidi; Rubidge, Bruce S.
    The postcranial morphology of the early scylacosaurid therocephalian Glanosuchus macrops from the Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone of the Beaufort Group is described and compared with that of later therocephalians. This database is used as a basis to identify postcranial differences between therocephalians, gorgonopsians and cynodonts in an attempt to increase understanding of the postcranial anatomy of theriodont therapsids. It is demonstrated that some postcranial elements can be used to identify particular theriodont groups. The T-shaped interclavicle, absence of ossified sternum, humerus without shaft area, and large pubic foramen are characteristics of therocephalians from the Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone of the Beaufort Group of South Africa.