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Study of the Euchambersia localities

CaseViews

CaseHeader

HeritageAuthority(s): 

Case Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

The aim of this project is to collect fossils in two farms that have delivered fossils of the enigmatic Euchambersia: Vanwyksfontein (now Chargo Game Reserve,Northern Cape, GPS: 30°39'20.1"S 25°22'21.0"E) and Washbank (Free State, GPS: 30°36'34.2"S 25°28'04.8"E).

Expanded_Motivation: 

Euchambersia mirabilis is an enigmatic and iconic species of therocephalian (Therapsida) from the late Permian of South Africa (Benoit, 2016; Benoit et al., 2017). As it exhibits two maxillary fossae that likely accommodated venomous glands and a ridged dentition that helped inject venom to its prey, it is currently recognised as the oldest land vertebrate with an envenoming bite (Benoit, 2016; Benoit et al., 2017). As such, it has featured prominently in documentaries and TV shows (eg. The BBC series “Walking with Beasts” and “Primeval”). Euchambersia is known from two skulls without a lower jaw only that were found in two farms around the Gariep Dam area: Vanwyksfontein (Northern Cape) and Washbank (Free State)(Broom, 1931; Kitching, 1977). As these reports are relatively old, very few contextual data were collected on the stratigraphic position of the localities and the palaeoenvironment of these specimens, and even fewer were published. The goals of this project are to re-explore these two farms, re-locate the Euchambersia original outcrops and collect fossil data to: 1) Determine the exact stratigraphic provenance of the material. It is currently not clear whether the two specimens come from age-equivalent levels or not. The original notes by Broom (1931) and Kitching (1932) will be used to help re-locate the horizons where the specimens came from. 2) Reconstruct the paleoenvironmental condition that Euchambersia was living in. Euchambersia was a relatively small carnivore devoid of post-canine teeth. A venomous bite suggests that it was actively hunting larger prey than himself, but its small body size and absence of cheek teeth are more consistent with a scavenging way of life or a diet made of invertebrates (Benoit et al., 2017). These inconsistencies could be solved by understanding the type of prey available to Euchambersia. 3) Find more specimens of Euchambersia. Even though Benoit et al. (2017) discovered an isolated lower incisor of Euchambersia, the lower jaw and post-cranial anatomy of Euchambersia remain unknown. Discovering more material of this animal is crucial to elucidate its unique biology and address if the rest of its morphology is consistent with adaptations to hunting using venom. Methods: The localities will be prospected by Dr. Benoit and his team during the last two weeks of August 2021. All fossils discovered will be logged using GPS, photographed, and recording of geological, stratigraphic, and taphonomic details will be undertaken before excavation. Fossils are usually discovered on the surface but will be excavated where appropriate using handheld tools. Fragile fossils will be consolidated with Paraloid B72 and, for larger specimens, plaster of Paris. Fossil material will be transported back to the collections of the Evolutionary Studies Institute for safe storage. Fossils will be prepared by experienced preparators at the ESI fully equipped facility using tungsten-carbide-tipped air-scribes.

ApplicationDate: 

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 17:50

CaseID: 

16606

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

CitationReferenceTypeDate Retrieved
Benoit, J., 2016. A review of the “venomous therocephalian” hypothesis and how multiple re-portrayals of Euchambersia have influenced its success and vice versa. Bull. Société Géologique Fr. 187, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.2113/gssgfbull.187.4-5.217
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Benoit, J., Norton, L.A., Manger, P.R., Rubidge, B.S., 2017. Reappraisal of the envenoming capacity of Euchambersia mirabilis (Therapsida, Therocephalia) using μCT-scanning techniques. PLOS ONE 12, e0172047. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172047
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Broom, R., 1931. Notices of some new genera and species of Karroo fossil reptiles. Rec. Albany Mus. 41, 161–166.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Kitching, J.W., 1977. The Distribution of the Karroo Vertebrate Fauna: With Special Reference to Certain Genera and the Bearing of this Distribution on the Zoning of the Beaufort Beds. Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, University of the Witwatersrand.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
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