Evolution of the mammalian middle ear

@article{Allin1975EvolutionOT,
  title={Evolution of the mammalian middle ear},
  author={Edgar F. Allin},
  journal={Journal of Morphology},
  year={1975},
  volume={147}
}
  • E. Allin
  • Published 1 December 1975
  • Biology
  • Journal of Morphology
The structure and evolution of the mandible, suspensorium, and stapes of mammal‐like reptiles and early mammals are examined in an attempt to determine how, why, and when in phylogeny the precursors of the mammalian tympanic bone, malleus, and incus (postdentary jaw elements and quadrate) came to function in the reception of air‐borne sound. The following conclusions are reached. 
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266 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
30
Background Citations
102
Methods Citations
4
Results Citations
7

266 Citations

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The ear in the theropsida

Comment on "Independent Origins of Middle Ear Bones in Monotremes and Therians" (I)

The middle ear ossicles of all extant, adult members of crown-group Mammalia are homologous with a series of bones in the lower jaw of nonmammalian amniotes, suggesting that the structurally complex mammalian ear evolved independently.

Non-Mammalian Synapsids: The Beginning of the Mammal Line

The anatomy of the middle ear region of the known sequence of fossil stem-group mammals—pelycosaurs, basal therapsids, and several cynodonts—is reviewed in this chapter and the interpretation offers support for the second view.

Coevolution of the Mammalian Middle Ear and Neocortex

Phylogenetic analysis with x-ray computed tomography of fossilized and recent crania implicates differential growth of the neocortex in the evolution and development of the mammalian middle ear. In…

Morphological evolution of the mammalian jaw adductor complex

The evolution of the mammalian jaw during the transition from non‐mammalian synapsids to crown mammals is thought to have allowed the evolution of a more‐efficient masticatory system in comparison to the plesiomorphic synapsid condition.

Monotreme middle ear is not primitive for Mammalia

Concerns are raised about terminology and identification of the incus presented by Wang et al. and show that their analysis does not support their hypothesis that a middle ear with a monotreme-like incus and malleus and incudomallear articulation was primitive for mammals.

Evolution of the Middle and Inner Ears of Mammaliaforms: The Approach to Mammals

The homoplasies of ear structures in early mammalian evolution, although seemingly complex, are consistent with the new understanding of a labile morphogenesis of mammalian ears under a complex developmental genetic network.

The evolution of the mammalian pharynx

The hypothesis of neuromuscular conservativism in the evolution of the mammalian feeding mechanism is considered and it is concluded that few data exist to support this hypothesis.

Evolution of the mammalian middle ear: a historical review

The present review emphasizes the problem of how the mammalian middle ear structures that developed at the angle of the lower jaw were transferred to the basicranium; the ontogenesis of extant marsupials provides important information on this question.
...

References

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Several implications of new work on the anatomy of the middle ear region of mammal-like reptiles were discussed and it was suggested that the primitive reptilian-tympanic cavity was supplemented by a recessus mandibularis related to the region of the notched angular bone.

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  • Medicine
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  • Biology
    Evolution; international journal of organic evolution
  • 1972
The functional significance of changes in the middle ear transmission system is discussed, particularly in connection with the origin of the mammalian middle ear, the development of large inner ear potentials and dimensionalChanges in the inner ear.

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