Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Comparative osteology'

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 1998
Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Botany & Zoology.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There has been a long-standing need to systematically analyze and classify South African fossil Lacertilia. Although extensive assemblages of fossil lizard and amphibian material from Langebaan on the West Coast and elsewhere exist in museum collections, the fragmentary nature of the material has largely prevented in-depth analyses and identification. In this comparative study the skulls and lower jaws of 7 lizard genera, representing the six extant South African families, were disassembled and the bones analyzed individually. The aim was to compile a comparative database of each bone against which current and future fossil finds could be matched. Detailed descriptions of the isolated elements were given. The results showed that despite some intra-generic variation, unique structural differences do exist in individual bones which may be utilized in the taxonomic assessment of fragmentary fossil material.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar bestaan lank reeds 'n behoefte vir die sistematiese analise en klassifisering van fossielmateriaal van Suid-Afrikaanse Lacertilia. Alhoewel uitgebreide versamelings van akkedis- en amfibier-fossiele van Langebaan aan die Weskus en elders in museums bestaan, het die fragmentariese aard van die materiaal grootliks diepgaande analises en identifikasie belemmer In hierdie vergelykende studie is die skedels en onderkake van 7 akkedisgenera, wat die ses resente Suid-Afrikaanse families verteenwoordig, gedisartikuleer en elke been individueel geanaliseer. Die doel was om 'n vergelykende databasis van elke been saam te stel waarmee huidige en toekomstige fossielvondse vergelyk kan word. Gedetaileerde beskrywings van die ge'isoleerde elemente word gegee. Die resultate toon dat desondanks 'n mate van intra-generiese variasie, unieke strukturele verskille tussen individuele bene weI bestaan en dat hierdie verskille gebruik kan word om fossielfragmente taksonomies te analiseer.

Modem squamates (lizards, snakes and amphisbaenians) form a highly successful group of terrestrial reptiles with a range of habitats and lifestyles. Some features of their anatomy (head, limbs) are relatively well-studied, but there are significant gaps in our knowledge. The neck is one such area. It provides the mobile unit between the head and the body, serving for the attachment of the musculature to the head, the forelimb and the pharyngeal region. The mobility of the head is dependent on arrangement of such muscles and on the structure of the craniovertebral and intervertebral joints across which the muscles act. Preliminary studies have shown interesting patterns of variation in both skeletal anatomy and musculature. The aim of the project was to explore, catalogue and analyse this variation, and to find functional and/ or taxonomic explanations for it. Details of the surface morphology of bones, and the origin and insertion of muscles were recorded for Caiman, Sphenodon and squamates (including the amphisbaenian Diplometopon and the snake Trimeresurus). Where possible, comparisons were also made within and between taxa to determine levels of inter- and intraspecific variation, as well as variation between genera. Several limbless or limb-reduced taxa were compared to assess levels of convergence in these forms. The results of the study suggest that some craniocervical characters may be phylogenetically useful although there is a high level of variation within and between species. Craniocervical characters generally support the monophyly of Lepidosauria, Squamata and Sderoglossa (all non-iguanian squamates); and major clades like Iguarda, Gekkota, Sdncomorpha and Angtiimorpha. Also supported are groups like Acrodonta (agamids + chamaeleons) and Scincoidea; and families like Chamaeleonidae and Varanidae. Within Squamata, craniocervical features seem to place Gekkota closer to Anguimorpha than Sdncomorpha. Varanid lizards and snakes (Trimeresurus) share muscular features (origin and extension of longus colli in the craniocervical region), although varanids themselves are distinctive in their neck morphology. Amongst the limbless taxa examined, the amphisbaenian Diplometopon and the snake Trimeresurus had a spedalised neck morphology which differs from that of lizards, but the craniocervical features of Diplometojjon resembled those of gekkotans and limbed anguimorphs (e.g. varanids) more than sdncomorphs.

The past thirty years have seen a tripling in the number of Xenopus species recognized. The complexp atterno f speciesd istributiond emonstrateadc rossth es ub-Sahararna nger eflectse cological constraintsi mposedb y climate conditionst hroughoutt he Pleistocenea, nd highlights a numbero f areas of specific biogeographic interest. Although previous application of comparative osteology as a method for phylogenetic investigation at the species level in Anura has been limited, the approach, adopted in this study, has proven to be highly informative in its application to specific taxonomic studies. An overview of osteologicalc haractersin the type specieso f the genusX enopusi s presented for the first time and forms the basis for subsequent osteology-based species descriptions. Results implicate two tetraploids, X 1. victorianus and X fraseri in the hybrid origin of an octoploid species pair, X. wittei and X. vestitus in the Central African highlands. Existing ambiguity surrounding the taxonomic distinction between two cryptic taxa, also living in these highlands, XL victorianus and X 1. bunyoniensis is considered. Osteologically, the two are distinct. Corroboration for the sub-division of X. muelleri into eastern and western forms is provided by studies on comparative osteology and mating-call, amongst others. The taxonomic significance of thesef indings is overshadowedh owever,b y evidenceo f widespreadh ybridization and introgression with distantly relatedX . 1.l aevis in the southeasternp art of the X. muelleri range. Although only two species are currently known from Ethiopia, evidence of morphology indicates that museum collections of X. clivii comprise at least two distinct forms, one appearing to be intermediate between the two Xenopus sub-genera. Furthermore, osteology reveals that X largeni also straddles this taxonomic boundary, casting doubt on the robustness of this phylogenetic division. Results are consistent with recent findings from molecular-based phylogenies, qualifying the use of comparative osteology as an informative method for investigation of evolutionary interactions

The genus Aneides (Caudata: Plethodontidae) is an arboreal salamander with a prehensile tail and a distribution that spans North America. It is hypothesized that adaptations for arboreality will be visible in the osteology of the sacral vertebra either by qualitative analysis or linear and morphometric analysis in comparison with other plethodontid salamanders. This study demonstrates that while qualitative and quantitative analyses are successful at making genus-level distinctions between taxa, identification to lower taxonomic levels remains inconclusive. Linear morphometrics and dorsal Procrustes landmarks were the most successful metrics to identify known taxa. Two unidentified fossil salamander sacral vertebrae from Oregon Caves National Monument are examined with the same techniques and are tentatively identified as Hydromantes based on qualitative similarities to modern Hydromantes specimens, as the quantitative analyses were unable to confidently diagnose the unknown specimens.

Um dos principais desafios na ictiologia Neotropical moderna refere-se à sistemática de Characidae, uma família com aproximadamente 950 espécies, dois terços da diversidade de Characiformes. Recentemente, tem sido sugerido que subunidades de Characidae sejam primeiramente estudadas e reconhecidas visando um melhor entendimento da sistemática da família como um todo. Characinae é uma destas subunidades que guarda especial importância por incluir Charax, gênero-tipo de Characidae e Characiformes. Doze gêneros e 79 espécies têm sido incluídos em Characinae, mas a subfamília ainda não havia sido foco de estudo filogenético. No presente trabalho, 35 espécies de todos os gêneros de Characinae e 29 representantes de outras linhagens de Characiformes foram incluídas em uma matriz com 151 caracteres provenientes do estudo comparado da morfologia externa, miologia e osteologia, submetida a duas análises cladísticas. Uma delas, sem incluir o gênero Priocharax, resultou em 50 árvores igualmente parcimoniosas (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). No cladograma de consenso estrito, Characinae como tradicionalmente reconhecido não é um grupo monofilético. Os gêneros usualmente atribuídos à subfamília resultaram em dois clados separados, cada qual mais proximamente relacionado a diferentes subunidades de Characiformes. Sete gêneros formam o primeiro clado (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))), ao qual o nome Characinae é restrito. Ele é sustentado por onze sinapomorfias não ambíguas e é mais relacionado em uma politomia a outros gêneros de Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe e Tetragonopterus). O segundo clado inclui a tribo Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) como grupo-irmão de Gnathocharax. Seis sinapomorfias não ambíguas sustentam o monofiletismo deste clado que, por sua vez, é mais proximamente relacionado a um clado formado por Roestes e Gilbertolus, com base em oito sinapomorfias não ambíguas. O resultado da análise não corrobora a hipótese de relacionamento próximo entre Roestes e Gilbertolus e Cynodontinae. A inclusão do gênero Priocharax, que compreende duas espécies miniatura (100 árvores, L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73) sugere que ele é mais relacionado aos Heterocharacini com base na morfologia do pseudotímpano, aparelho de Weber e esqueleto caudal. No entanto, as profundas modificações de sua anatomia possivelmente relacionadas a eventos de truncamento ontogenético dificultam um melhor entendimento a cerca das relações deste gênero. Um estudo anatômico detalhado de Priocharax pretende fornecer evidências adicionais no que se refere às suas relações filogenéticas. Com base na hipótese de relações obtida através da análise, é proposta uma nova classificação de Characinae e Roestinae
One of the main challenges in modern Neotropical ichthyology refers to the systematics of the Characidae, a family with approximately 950 species, two-thirds of the diversity in Characiformes. It has been suggested that subunits of the Characidae should first be studied and recognized for a better understanding of the family as a whole. Characinae is one such subunit with special importance for including Charax, type-genus of the Characidae and Characiformes. Twelve genera and 79 species have been included in the Characinae, but the subfamily still lacked a phylogenetic diagnosis. In the present study, 35 species of all genera of the Characinae and 29 representing other lineages within Characiformes were included in a matrix with 151 characters from external morphology, myology and osteology, submitted to two cladistic analyses. One of them (excluding Priocharax from the dataset) resulted in 50 equally most parsimonious trees (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). In the strict consensus cladogram, Characinae as traditionally recognized is not a monophyletic group. Genera usually assigned to the subfamily resulted in two separate clades, each more related to different lineages in Characiformes. Seven genera form the first clade (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))) to which the name Characinae is restricted. It is supported by eleven non-ambiguous synapomorphies and is more related in a politomy to other genera of the Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe and Tetragonopterus). The second clade includes the tribe Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) as the sister-group of Gnathocharax. Six non-ambiguous synapomorphies support this clade, which is more related to a clade formed by Roestes and Gilbertolus based on eight non-ambiguous synapomorphies. Results presented in this study do not corroborate a close relationship between Roestes and Gilbertolus and the Cynodontinae. Inclusion of the genus Priocharax, with two miniature species (100 trees, L=697, CI=0.29, RI=0.73) suggests that it is more related to the Heterocharacini based on the morphology of the pseudotympanum, Weberian apparatus and caudal skeleton. The profound modifications in its anatomy possibly related to ontogenetic truncations, however, obscure a better understanding on the relations of this genus. A detailed anatomical study of Priocharax is being designed intended to provide additional evidence regarding its phylogenetic relationships. A new classification of the Characinae and the Roestinae is proposed based on the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained herein

Despite the potential of a biocultural methodology, osteology and archaeology are often approached separately in some parts of Central Europe. This osteoarchaeological thesis presents a rare comparative study of populations occupying modern-day Slovakia, Moravia, and Bohemia from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). By examining skeletal indicators of health and lifestyle, it aims to contribute to bioarchaeological research within the study region. It also provides new insights into a series of important sites where no osteological evaluation of skeletal remains have previously been performed. Human remains from thirty-four sites in Slovakia, Moravia and Bohemia, 152 adults and 136 subadults, were analysed. Demographic, pathological and metric data were recorded and evaluated, and compared with previously published data for contemporaneous populations in order to create a more comprehensive representation of the populations in the area. The results suggest several differences between the Neolithic and the following periods, mostly as regards health status. Higher dietary and environmental stress was indicated in the Neolithic period, as suggested by lower mortality peak (especially of females and subadults) and about 5cm shorter stature, and generally worse health status of Neolithic population when compared to the Chalcolithic and EBA individuals. The Neolithic is also the only period where females were more numerous than males. Such a trend is quite common in the Neolithic of the study region. This may be a result of increased migration of Neolithic females, as raids for wives are suggested to have been practiced. As indicated by both the osteological and archaeological record, one of the sites examined, Svodín, could have been a site of contemporary elites and their family members. Chalcolithic populations revealed differences in cranial shape, being mesocephalic (medium-headed) or brachycephalic (short-headed), whereas both the Neolithic and the EBA populations were dolichocephalic (long-headed). Differences in male and female cranial features suggest a possible mixing of indigenous and incoming populations. Such results may contribute to the ongoing discussion about the ‘foreignness‘ of Chalcolithic Bell Beaker people in the area. Traumatic lesions suggest that males were more physically active than females in all three periods, including violent encounters. Even though violence was recorded in all three periods, especially in the western part of the region, and the intensity and brutality of the assaults appears to increase in the Chalcolithic and culminating in the EBA. In addition, poorer health status of EBA children was recorded, possibly related to more marked social differentiation in the period. In general, poorer health was implied for the prehistoric populations of today’s Slovakia. The results of this study can serve as the basis for future research and contribute to a more comprehensive image of lifestyle and development of prehistoric populations in the study area.

The discovery and taxonomic history of fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia (Forster) and Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni Mathews) are reviewed. Taxonomic theory, where appropriate to this thesis, is discussed. The external morphology of P. gavia and P. huttoni is compared. No single external measurement or plumage character separates more than 60% of birds examined. The best system of identification is to compare the ratio of different body parts within an individual bird. The distribution of P. gavia and P. huttoni is compared. Hutton's shearwater feeds further out to sea and it is believed to be a migrant species wintering in north west Australian waters. The fluttering shearwater is believed to be a semi-migrant species with only the juveniles spending time in south east Australia. The red cell enzymes of P. gavia, P. huttoni and P. griseus are compared. There are differences in two esterase loci between gavia and huttoni, while P. griseus is more distantly related. Nei's genetic identity values are calculated. The systematic value of electrophoretic data is discussed. The relationship of an undescribed subfossil shearwater to P. gavia and P. huttoni is discussed. An outgroup analysis to other shearwater species is carried out according to phylogenetic (cladistic) theory. The subfossil shearwater is most closely related to the fluttering shearwater, and these two form a sister group to Hutton's shearwater. These three species are a sister group of P. opisthomelas. The relationship between the many P. assimilis subspecies, the black-backed Manx shearwaters, and the gavia, huttoni and opisthomelas group was not resolved. Puffinus nativitatis is more closely related to the Manx and the little shearwaters than to the P. griseus, P. tenuirostris group.

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
水產養殖學系
107
Most of the groupers(Epinephelini) are high economic and species-rich assemblage species, however the classification is controversial. Research of epinephelinae taxonomy nowadays are often using molecular or morphology phylogenetics, only few researches using osteology to study hatchery‐reared grouper’s osteological development. The result between molecular and morphology have some differents, therefore we use osteology to examine the classification of epinephelini. In our research, we collected 7 genus 37 species of epinephelini and 2 species of Odontanthias for outgroup, chose 37 bone characters in 10 bones to do similarity analysis, result shows morphology of bones is stable in same species, using multiple bone characters at the same time can be useful in grouper classification. In this thesis, we reveal Aethaloperca shares same character in preopercle, subopercle, interopercle, maxillary, urohyal and the palatine teeth ratio with Cephalopholis, we suggest that Aethaloperca should be allocated to Cephalopholis. Although Cromileptes and Anyperodon are in the same clade with Epinephelus, however the similarity is too low, we suggest that Cromileptes and Anyperodon exclude from Epinephelus, retain in a monotypic genus. Also we show 37 species of epinephelini skull’s photo to compare in the future.

Lepidosirenidae is a clade of freshwater lungfishes that comprise the South American Lepidosiren paradoxa and four African species of the genus Protopterus. These two genera have been geographically separated since the Early Cretaceous break-up of Gondwana, but they share similar biology and skeletal morphology. The lepidosirenid species traditionally were distinguished by a combination of features such as head-to-body ratios, the number of pairs of vertebral ribs, and the presence or absence of external gills, but there are no published discrete skeletal characteristics and no published comparative studies including all extant species. I used High Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT), X-Ray photography, and alcohol-preserved, cleared-and-stained, and dry skeletal specimens from museum collections to describe the skeletal morphology of all species of lepidosirenid lungfishes in a comparative context. I digitally disarticulated the bones in each CT scan to compile a comprehensive comparative atlas of the cranial and pectoral elements of all extant lungfish. I discovered that the anocleithrum in Lepidosiren paradoxa, which was previously thought to be lacking, is actually present. I also identified skeletal differences between species in the frontoparietal, parasphenoid, supraorbital, and suboperculum. I incorporated those characters into the first morphological phylogenetic analysis to determine the interrelationships of the lepidosirenids. I also used previously published molecular sequence data from the ribosomal RNA gene 16s to run combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. To generate phylogenetic hypotheses using different types of data and different methods of determining phylogeny, I employed the maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. Lepidosirenidae is monophyletic in almost all analyses, Protopterus is monophyletic in each analysis, and Protopterus annectens and Protopterus aethiopicus are sister taxa in every analysis. The phylogenetic positions of Protopterus dolloi and Protopterus amphibius are incongruent in many of the analyses, which indicates that further examination of the skeletal variation and addition of molecular sequences of different genes is needed. Based on the comparative morphological atlas and the phylogenetic analyses, questions of lepidosirenid biogeography, morphological variation within lungfish, and better identification of lungfish fossils can now be investigated in a more rigorous context.
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碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
水產養殖學系
107
The porgies (Sparidae) are important economic species in Taiwan, but its classification has long been controversial. Early research focused on the classification of traditional morphological features or the description of new species. With the advancement of science and technology, molecular biology is often used for classification. However, scholars have different opinions on the results of different molecular markers and traditional taxonomy. The phylogenetic relationship of the porgies remains to be further studied. At present, there are few studies on the classification of bone morphology, mostly for the study of growth and development, so this study will explore whether bone morphology can classify Taiwan's porgies. We have been collected 6 genera and 10 species of porgies, and 1 species of threadfin breams (Nemipteridae) for outgroup, and 28 bone morphological features of 14 skeletons are selected to make data matrix by two-state method, and similarity clustering analysis is carried out. The results showed that the morphological characteristics of the skeleton can be used as the basis for the classification of the porgies in Taiwan. However, it is difficult to describe the complex skeleton by the two-state method, and the skeletal morphology of the same genus is similar.The skeletal feature details must be described in detail to distinguish species of the same genus. This study can distinguish the three genera of Argyrops, Evynnis and Pagrus by neurocranium and vomer, that the three genera should not be combined into one genera. Among them, E. sp. 1 and E. sp. 2 are two of the Evynnis were found in the collected samples, which is different from species of the Evynnis currently recorded. It is inferred that it should be a new species. Because the sample is insufficient, it is still difficult to identify, but the specimen photo and bone description are still provided. For subsequent research use. In addition, when I read the literature,I found that the records of Parargyrops edita Tanaka were mostly misidentifications of Evynnis cardinalis (Lacepède), but many documents were cited continuously, which led to the misidentification of most document records. The P. edita needs to revisit its definition and literature. The specimen needs to be re-examined. Finally, this document provides a specimen photograph of the study samples, as well as a description of the morphological features of the bones, hand-painted and photo records, which are provided for subsequent classification studies.

Despite a rich fossil record and much attention from paleontologists, the phylogeny of mammalian order Perissodactyla (including extant horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs) is poorly understood. There are at present no well-supported phylogenetic hypotheses of the interrelationships of perissodactyls, nor has the position of this order among other eutherian orders been established. The main hindrance to this understanding is a lack of thorough and rigorous analysis of characters and taxa. This study attempts to overcome this problem by analyzing characters from all aspects of the skeleton in a broad diversity of taxa for one major perissodactyl lineage, the Tapiromorpha. Studies of interordinal and intraordinal relationships of the Perissodactyla have previously been effectively incompatible, because these two types of studies utilized different types of characters. Interordinal studies focused on cranial and postcranial characters, whereas intraordinal studies relied heavily on tooth morphology. This study focuses on cranial and postcranial osteology. The cranial and postcranial skeleton of a broad range of tapiromorphs is described. These descriptions have two purposes: (1) to identify potentially useful characters for use in a phylogenetic analysis of tapiromorphs; and (2) to provide a reference on tapiromorph osteology that will facilitate the inference of primitive tapiromorph character states for higher-level analyses. Putative tapiromorphs include "tapiroids," rhinocerotoids, and chalicotherioids. Numerous representatives of these groups are compared with other perissodactyls (equoids and brontotheres) and eutherians thought to be closely related to perissodactyls. Cranial and postcranial characters drawn from the afore-mentioned descriptions are combined with selected dental characters in a phylogenetic analysis of tapiromorph genera. For the sake of clarity, higher-level taxonomic groups are defined a priori. The results of the phylogenetic analysis demonstrate that there is no unequivocal evidence for including chalicotherioids or the traditional primitive "tapiroid" Homogala in the Tapiromorpha (as defined here). The analysis supports the close relationship between tapirs and rhinoceroses relative to horses, as well as clades that fulfill the definitions of Tapiroidea and Rhinocerotoidea. The results of the phylogenetic analysis provide the basis for a revised classification of the Tapiromorpha.

Several recent morphological studies have addressed the interrelationships of Osteoglossomorpha, a group that sometimes is considered the sister group of all other living teleostean fishes. Many characters used in these studies were found to be poorly defined, to be coded incorrectly or illogically, or to display more variation than was described. The goal of this study is to address these concerns and contribute generally to knowledge of the morphology and systematic relationships of osteoglossomorphs. Analysis of 72 characters scored for 20 genera resulted in 2 most parsimonious cladograms. The only difference in the topologies of these cladograms is in the position of †Lycoptera (recovered as either the sister group of all other osteoglossomorphs sampled or of †Eohiodon + Hiodon). †Ostariostoma is recovered as the sister group of all non-hiodontiform osteoglossomorphs. Mormyrids are sister group of notopterids + osteoglossids (including Pantodon). Mormyrids and notopterids usually are considered more closely related to each other than to any other group; characters not included here support this relationship and future consideration of these characters must be made. † Palaeonotopterus is interpreted as sister-group of all mormyrids sampled; however, only 22% of characters could be scored for it and its resemblance to notopterids are undeniable. General problems of character definition are discussed in my review of characters used in previous analyses.

Canids have long been considered to be conservative in their postcranial anatomy, so there are few studies examining individual canid taxa for locomotor adaptations. Canids are generally considered to be the most cursorial of the carnivorans. The limbs of large canids are generally adapted for rapid terrestrial locomotion, as these animals frequently rely on speed for prey capture. The prey animal is captured and killed using the jaws and teeth. Smaller canids, such as the red fox Vulpes and gray fox Urocyon, do not use their limbs primarily for fast running. The red fox appears to have many adaptations for running, including long slender legs, but these foxes do not run in their daily activities except when chased. The red fox uses its forelimbs to help in prey capture and its hind legs for leaping. The gray fox is an unusual canid since it regularly climbs trees. The limbs of the gray fox, especially the forelimb, are utilized in climbing. This dissertation contains a detailed description of the postcranial osteology and myology Vulpes and Urocyon cinercoargenteus and includes an analysis of these anatomical features in a functional framework. An examination of both the osteology and myology of the fore and hind limbs of these two foxes reveals that their behavior is reflected in a number of anatomical characters. Adaptations for leaping in the red fox include the presence of unusually long hind legs relative to the front legs, and an increase in the length of the distal bony limb elements relative to more proximal ones. In addition, the limb bones are very slender. Muscle bellies of tarsal and digital flexors and extensors are restricted to a proximal position on the limb, and muscles in general are emphasized that act along the long axis of the limbs. Adaptations of the gray fox for climbing include the presence of relatively short legs, a greater ability to rotate the radius on the ulna relative to other canids, and a relatively greater ability to abduct the hind limb. In addition, both red and gray foxes are able to retract their claws, an ability that is not generally associated with canids.

Text in English and abstract in English, Afrikaans and isiZulu
This archaeozoological study was undertaken to distinguish between the two hare species of South Africa, Lepus capensis (Cape hare) and Lepus saxatilis (scrub hare), from fragmentary archaeological faunal remains. It was previously not possible to taxonomically differentiate between these species. The research focused on Lagomorpha remains previously identified in Later Stone Age assemblages from two rock shelters, Blydefontein and Meerkat, in the Karoo. Analyses of modern skeletal material housed in museum collections demonstrated that there are indeed morphological and morphometric differences between Lepus capensis and Lepus saxatilis. The Lagomorpha material from the two archaeological assemblages were then re-examined utilising the newly established protocols. The reanalyses proved that it is now possible to distinguish between the two hare species even when in fragmentary form. It is also possible to identify Pronolagus. The dietary and likely cultural roles of the Lagomorpha and other small mammals in archaeological contexts are also explored.
Hierdie argeosoölogiese studie is onderneem om te onderskei tussen die twee haasspesies in Suid-Afrika, Lepus capensis (vlakhaas) en Lepus saxatilis (kolhaas), aan die hand van gefragmenteerde argeologiese fauna-oorblyfsels. Dit was nie voorheen moontlik om hierdie spesies taksonomies van mekaar te onderskei nie. Die navorsing fokus op Lagomorpha-oorblyfsels wat voorheen geïdentifiseer is in rotsskuiling-versamelings wat uit die Laat Steentydperk dateer. Die genoemde rotsskuilings is gevind by Blydefontein en Meerkat in die Karoo. Ontledings van moderne skeletmateriaal in museumversamelings het getoon dat daar wel morfologiese en morfometriese verskille tussen Lepus capensis en Lepus saxatilis is. Lagomorpha-materiaal afkomstig van die twee argeologiese versamelings is toe herondersoek aan die hand van nuut gevestigde protokolle. Die herontledings het bewys dat dit nou moontlik is om te onderskei tussen die twee haasspesies, selfs indien hulle gefragmenteerd is. Dit is ook moontlik om Pronolagus te identifiseer. Die rolle wat die Lagomorpha en ander klein soogdiere in argeologiese kontekste in dieet en kultuur vervul het, is ook ondersoek.
Ucwaningo maqondana nezitho zomzimba ezisalayo uma isilwane sesifile lwenziwelwa ukuba kukwazeke ukuhlukanisa phakathi kwalezi zinhlobo ezimbili zonogwaja eNingizimu Afrika, okuyiLepus capensis kanye neLepus saxatilis ngokubheka izingcucu zezinsalela zazo. Kwakungelula kudala ukuhlukanisa lezi zinhlobo zesilwane ngokwamaqoqo okwakheka noma okwenza kwazo. Ucwaningo lugxile kwizinsalela zohlobo lweLagomorpha olwaluvame ukubonakala ngenkathi yakudala okwakusetshenziswa kuyo amatshe ukwakha izinto (iStone Age) emiphemeni emibili eyayakhiwe ngamadwala eyayihlangene eyayaziwa ngokuthi yiBlydefontein neMeerkat esigodini esisagwadule esiseNingizimu Afrika, iKaroo. Ukuhlaziywa kwezingebhezi zemizimba yezinto ezigcinwe kwizigcinamagugu lwaveza ukuthi impela ukhona umehluko ekwakhekeni kanye nasezilinganisweni zogebhezi lwekhanda ngokomumo kumbe ugebhezi lwesiqu somzimba phakathi konogwaja abawuhlobo lweLepus capensis neLepus sexatilis. Uhlobo lweLagomorpha lwasesakhiweni semipheme ehlangene lwabe seluhlolwa kabusha kusetshenziswa izinhlobo ezintsha eziseqophelweni. Ukuhlaziywa kabusha kwaveza ubufakazi bokuthi sekuyinto engenzeka kalula ukuhlukanisa phakathi kwalezi zinhlobo ezimbili zonogwaja ngisho ngabe sezitholakala sezingcezungcezu. Kuyinto engenzeka kalula futhi ukubona uhlobo lwePronolagus. Indlela yokudla kanye nemisebenzi ehambisana nosikompilo kohlobo lweLagomorpha kanye nezinye izilwane ezincelisayo nakho kuyabhekwa.
Anthropology and Archaeology
M.A. (Archaeology)