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Description of new materials of lanthasaurus hardestiorum (Eupelycosauria: Edaphosauridae) and a re-evaluation of its phylogenetic relationships by David M. Mazierski A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto © Copyright by David M. 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Canada Description of new materials of Ianthasaurus hardestiorum (Eupelycosauria: Edaphosauridae) and a re-evaluation of its phylogenetic relationships M.Sc. EEB 2008 David M. Mazierski Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto ABSTRACT Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, a basal edaphosaurid from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Garnett, Kansas, has been described on the basis of two incomplete, juvenile specimens and a series of disarticulated vertebral elements. New material of this poorly known species includes previously unknown bones and increases knowledge of the anatomy and variation in this taxon. The complete ossification of the neural arches and the overall larger size of the vertebrae relative to those previously described suggests that they were part of an adult individual. Tooth morphology in the marginal dentition more closely resembles that seen in the genus Edaphosaurus. Phylogenetic analysis of edaphosaurid synapsids supports the hypothesis that Ianthasaurus is the sister taxon of all other members of the clade. However, the incomplete fossil record of other referred edaphosaurids such as Lupeosaurus and Glaucosaurus makes full resolution of their phylogenetic interrelationships difficult to assess. //' ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to begin by thanking my supervisor Dr. Robert R. Reisz for his moral, academic, personal and financial support in granting me the opportunity to embark on a Masters degree at this late but pivotal point in my career as a medical and scientific illustrator and faculty member in Biomedical Communications at the University of Toronto. It has been a privilege to work with him, and in his lab. In return, I promise never again to mix up "Ghzelian" and "gazillion" as measures of time and stratigraphic age. Special thanks also go to Diane Scott, whose extraordinary paleontological illustrations got me interested in working in the Reisz Lab in the first place, for her guidance and patience with preparation (especially the intricacies of tiny palatal teeth). Diane took most of the photographs, which also served as the starting point for my illustrations. I am also grateful to have shared in the company, knowledge and sustenance of the UTM Reisz Lab biome: Nic Campione, Jorg Frobisch (and McGill's honorary Reisz Lab member Nadia Frobisch), Kaila Folinsbee, (Dr.) David Evans, Hillary Maddin and Linda Tsuji. I could not have wished for a more welcoming, supportive and engaging group of colleagues. In particular, I will forever be indebted to Nic, who helped me out so often that I daresay that I could not have gotten through this without him. If I have retained any knowledge of phylogenetics at all, it is through his efforts. Dr. Sean Modesto, of Cape Breton University (another Reisz Lab alumnus), was also an inspiration and primary source of information on the Edaphosauridae. His phylogenetic data matrices for Glaucosaurus megalops and Edaphosaurus boanerges formed the basis for my evaluation, and he provided advice and answered questions throughout my research period. Kevin Seymour of the Royal Ontario Museum and David Berman of the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh assisted me with access to their collections for study. I would also like to extend thanks to my committee member Dr. Sasa Stefanovic, who proposed many useful ideas for my /// phylogenetic analysis, Dr. Jason Head, for suggestions regarding potential research related to extant herbivorous reptiles, and California State University grad student Adam K. Huttenlocker, for sharing his biostratigraphic data with me. Outside of the world of vertebrate paleontology, I would like to thank my colleagues in Biomedical Communications, especially Linda Wilson-Pauwels and Shelley Wall. In her role as BMC Program Director, Linda encouraged and supported my pursuit of this degree. Fellow BMC faculty member and dear friend Shelley provided incalculable amounts of moral support and helped me keep my head on straight as we managed our undergraduate and graduate teaching responsibilities throughout the past two years. Finally, I save my deepest and most heartfelt thanks for the Home Team: my wife Julia Rogers and my children Evan and Rachel. Without their love and support, this paper could never have been written, let alone started, and I hope that the rewards from this endeavor will make up for the gifts they have given me. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii List of Figures vi Introduction 1 Abbreviations 6 Systematic Paleontology 6 Description 8 Phylogenetic Analysis 30 Discussion 38 References 42 Appendix 1: Character Description 46 Appendix 2: Data Matrix 52 Appendix 3: Supplemental Figures 53 Appendix 4: PAUP* Data 60 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Cladogram illustrating hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships of basal synapsids p.l Figure 2: Valid taxa assignable to the Edaphosauridae p.2 Figure 3: Stratigraphy of Rock Lake Shale Member, Upper Pennsylvanian of Kansas p. 3 Figure 4: Approximate location of Garnett, Kansas during the late Pennsylvanian, ~315 M.A p. 4 Figure 5: Location of Garnett, Kansas p. 7 Figure 6: Schematic illustration of ROM 59933 (block) p.8 Figure 7: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left maxilla photo, lateral view (ROM 59933) p.10 Figure 8: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left maxilla, lateral view (ROM 59933) p.l 1 Figure 9: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left maxilla (detail), lateral view (ROM 59933) p. 11 Figure 10: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, right quadrate and dorsal rib photo (ROM 59933) p. 12 Figure 11: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, right quadrate and dorsal rib (ROM 59933) p.12 Figure 12: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left postorbital, presacral vertebral spines (ROM 59933) p.14 Figure 13: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, right pterygoid (ROM 59933) p.15 Figure 14: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, right pterygoid and dorsal rib photo (ROM 59933) p.15 Figure 15: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, right pterygoid and palatal teeth photo (ROM 59933) p.16 Figure 16: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left mandible, medial surface photo (ROM 59933) p. 18 Figure 17: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left mandible, medial surface (ROM 59933) p. 19 Figure 18: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, left mandible, medial surface detail (ROM 59933) p.19 Figure 19: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, paired articulated vertebral bodies (ROM 59933) p.21 Figure 20: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, paired articulated mid-thoracic vertebrae (ROM 59933) p.21 Figure 21: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, mid-thoracic vertebra, ribs and phalanges photo (ROM 59933) ..p.22 Figure 22: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, mid-thoracic vertebra, ribs and phalanges (ROM 59933) p.23 Figure 23: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, presacral & caudal vertebrae, hemal arches photo (ROM 59933) p.25 Figure 24: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, presacral & caudal vertebrae, hemal arches (ROM 59933) p.26 Figure 25: Ianthasaurus hardestiorum, dorsal ribs, cervical rib, phalangeal elements (ROM 59933) p. 29 Figure 26. Phylogenetic analysis: Ianthasaurus & Edaphosauridae p.32 Figure 27: Phylogenetic analysis: Ianthasaurus & Edaphosauridae minus dental characters p.33 Figure 28: Phylogenetic analysis: Ianthasaurus & Lupeosaurus kayi p.34 vi Figure 29: Phylogenetic analysis: Ianthasaurus & Edaphosaurus colohistion p.35 Figure 30: Phylogenetic analysis: Ianthasaurus & Edaphosauridae, all taxa p.36