Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Geosciences
Date of Award
5-2017
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Blaine Schubert
Committee Members
Steven Wallace, Chris Widga
Abstract
Fossil Agamidae from Western Australia have been the subject of limited study. To aid in fossil agamid identification, Hocknull (2002) examined the maxilla and dentary of several extant species from Australia and determined diagnostic characters for various species groups. In the study here, fossil agamids from two localities in Western Australia, Hastings Cave and Horseshoe Cave, were examined, grouped, and identified to the lowest unambiguous taxonomic level. Morphometric analyses were conducted to compare morphotypes, and find additional diagnostic characters. From Hastings Cave there were two maxilla morphotypes and three dentary morphotypes. Based on identifications, taxa present at this locality were Pogona and Ctenophorus. Horseshoe Cave contained three maxilla morphotypes and two dentary morphotypes; taxa present were Pogona, Tympanocryptis, and Ctenophorus. Morphometric analyses showed separation between groups; however, the dentary morphotype separation was not as clear. Each morphotype identification matched a species in the respective localities today, but identifications are cautious.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Rej, Julie, "Late Quaternary Dragon Lizards (Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3210. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3210
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.