Monash University
Browse

Restricted Access

Reason: Access restricted by the author. A copy can be requested for private research and study by contacting your institution's library service. This copy cannot be republished

Geochronology, taxonomy and morphology of select fossils of the Buchan Caves, south-eastern Australia

thesis
posted on 2017-11-09, 02:56 authored by Danielle A. Shean
The Buchan Caves, in the northeast of Victoria, contain a diverse and fascinating palaeofauna, reflecting a wide range of environmental conditions from the Pleistocene through to the present. Prominent within the assemblage is the Pleistocene-aged megafauna, represented at Buchan by Thylacoleo carnifex, Simosthenurus occidenta/is, 'Procoptodon' gilli, Zygomaturus trilobus, Diprotodon optatum, Protemnodon anak, Protemnodon sp., Sthenurus sp., Palorchestes azael and Palorchestes parvus. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the antiquity, morphology and myology of a newly discovered cranium of Palorchestes azael. Using Uranium-Thorium dating technique on calcite encrusting the fossil, a new date of 275 ± 0.03 Ka was determined, which allows correlation of this fossil locale with other fossiliferous cave deposits throughout Australia. Examination of comparative myology and osteology of vestibular-proboscis-bearing placental mammals, including Tapirus terrestris, Elephas maximus, Saiga tatarica andAlces alces, it is suggested that unlike older species within the genus, such as P painei, P azael did not possess a proboscis. Distinct differences in cranial morphology (such as the unusual positioning of the jugal, nasals and zygomatic arch, as well as foreshortening of the antero-dorsal surface of the cranium) indicates that P azael differs from all other species observed in this investigation. The differences observed in the masticatory musculature proposed a change in dietary behaviour from older species of Palorchestes. The large sinus cavities observed throughout the cranium of P azael are structurally analogous to those of Diprotodon optatum, a contemporary of P azael, and may represent a functional multi-derived feature, possibly evolved to reduce skull weight and increase surface area for the insertion of masticatory musculature.

History

Campus location

Australia

Principal supervisor

Patrica Vickers-Rich

Year of Award

2008

Department, School or Centre

Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

Additional Institution or Organisation

School of Geosciences

Course

Master of Science

Degree Type

Masters

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Usage metrics

    Faculty of Science Theses

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC