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Evolution (Biology)

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Variable Levels Of Atmospheric Oxygen Do Not Affect Microanatomy And Limb Bone Geometry In Alligator Mississippiensis, Susan Lee Lujan Jan 2013

Variable Levels Of Atmospheric Oxygen Do Not Affect Microanatomy And Limb Bone Geometry In Alligator Mississippiensis, Susan Lee Lujan

Theses Digitization Project

Striking changes in atmospheric oxygen levels have occured since the beginning of the Phanerozic 542 million years ago. Alligators belong to a clade of vertebrates with a long evolutionary history spanning much of this variability in atmospheric oxygen. An investigation into the effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on skeletal growth and physiology in alligators may help to reconstruct the life history of archosaurs, explain patterns in the fossil record, and broaden our understanding of the processes underlying long term success of this clade.