Cranial Morphology and Systematics of Late Pliocene <em>Alligator</em> from Florida, with Notes on <em>Alligator</em> Evolution and Distribution.

<p><em>Alligator mississippiensis</em> is only distantly related to the other extant alligator (<em>A. sinensis</em>), with much closer relatives known from the geologic past of North America. While <em>A. mississippiensis</em> is well known from the early Pleistocene and later, no <em>Alligator</em> was known from the middle and late Pliocene until the discovery of Haile 7C and 7G late Pliocene (~2 Ma) sites from Florida. These specimens were analyzed using a diagnostic character matrix along with systematic analyses of the results. This research upholds <em>A. mefferdi</em> as a valid taxon, and the utility of the species in fossil identification is further established. The Haile material cannot be placed within either of the aforementioned taxa, and a new species description is planned in a later publication. Furthermore, the systematic analysis used in this research suggests that the line leading to <em>A. sinensis</em> diverged before the earliest known <em>Alligator</em>. An Eocene dispersal of the genus into Asia is plausible.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Stout, Jeremy Brett

• Alligator
• cladistic analysis
• cranial morphology
• Haile 7C
• Haile 7G
• Earth Sciences
• Paleontology
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1786

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3138