Pierce, whose lab has studied the evolution of the mammalian body plan for nearly a decade, notes that these findings are consistent with patterns seen in other parts of the synapsid body ...

Some ancient traits were lost and had a major influence on mammal evolution. One of the significant losses among mammal ancestors was gastralia, or belly ribs. Early synapsids like Ophiacodon had ...

With over 80 holotype specimens and a broad taxonomic spread, the Synapsid Collection is one of the most important in the world. It is actively visited by scientists who use it to study the origin of ...