Data from: New data on the skull of Protorosaurus speneri and their phylogenetic significance
Data files
Aug 01, 2025 version files 613.68 KB
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Character_matrix_Protorosaurus.tnt
24.09 KB
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Protorosaurus.nex
80.15 KB
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README.md
2.20 KB
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Supplementary_Information_Phylogeny.txt
72.21 KB
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Updated_phylogenetic_character_matrix.xlsx
435.04 KB
Abstract
The late Permian (Lopingian) reptile Protorosaurus speneri has long been considered the earliest-diverging archosauromorph. Although it is known from extensive skeletal material from the Kupferschiefer of the Werra Formation of Germany, its skull has remained incompletely known. Extensive preparation and CT scanning of a referred skull have provided much additional information on the cranial structure, especially the basicranial and palatal regions. Phylogenetic analysis integrating the new anatomical data supports the hypothesis that Protorosaurus speneri is the earliest-diverging archosauromorph to date.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.547d7wmm7
Description of the data and file structure
These files are related to morphological phylogenetic analysis conducted under maximum parsimony.
Files and variables
File: Character_matrix_Protorosaurus.nex
Description: Complete character matrix used for the analysis in Mesquite format. Similar to the TNT file but in a different format; includes the character matrix, taxon names, character definitions, and possibly trees or command blocks.
File: Character_matrix_Protorosaurus.tnt
Description: Complete character matrix used for the analysis in ant format. Input file for running a phylogenetic analysis in TNT. It encodes morphological character data used to infer evolutionary relationships.
File: Supplementary_Information_Phylogeny.txt
Description: Supplementary Information including the modified scorings for Protorosaurus and the complete character list. A detailed list of morphological characters (at least 234) used in the character-taxon matrix, mostly based on cranial and postcranial anatomy.
File: Updated_phylogenetic_character_matrix.xlsx
Description: Complete list of characters scorings in Excel format. A tabular version of the character-taxon matrix.- and ? represent data not determined and n/a represent unavailable data.
Variables
- Discrete character data.
Code/software
Mesquite (no additional code required)
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- N/A
Data was derived from the following sources:
- Spiekman, S. N. F., Ezcurra, M. D., Rytel, A., Wang, W., Mujal, E., Buchwitz, M., & Schoch, R. R. (2024). A redescription of Trachelosaurus fischeri from the Buntsandstein (Middle Triassic) of Bernburg, Germany: The first European Dinocephalosaurus-like marine reptile and its systematic implications for long-necked early archosauromorphs. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, 143, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-024-00309-6
Morphological character-states, based on a re-examination of the skull of Protorosaurus speneri. Primary focus on the mandible, palate and dnetiotion. CT data and their segmentation formed an important part of this study.