Geometric morphometric analysis of an ontogenetic cranial series of the Permian dicynodont Diictodon feliceps

Abstract

The Karoo Basin of South Africa is renowned for its abundance and diversity of therapsid fossils. Among the most ubiquitous and persistent of the Permian fauna is the small herbivorous dicynodont Diictodon feliceps. Intraspecific variation in Diictodon is historically confounding, and while ontogeny is frequently cited as a potential source of variation, observable developmental changes have never been calibrated. The present study revisits this issue, comparing three-dimensional landmark configurations of 82 Diictodon crania to investigate the association between shape, size and dimorphism. Beyond the statistically significant relationship between shape and allometry, our results determine the shape differences between juvenile and adult skulls of Diictodon, aligned with common craniofacial features documented in other tetrapod taxa. Functionally, these changes are attributed to development of the jaw musculature for feeding on larger, tougher plant matter during later ontogeny. Cranial morphological variation owing to sexual dimorphism is negligible, but distinct differences are noted in the allometric trajectories of each morphotype. A component of non-allometric variation cannot be accounted for, and we propose that this represents natural variation, rather than an artefact of taphonomic deformation.