RIBS
The proximal ends of the ribs expand dorsoventrally to a width approximately four times that of their slender shafts. The tuberculum and capitulum on each of the trunk ribs are separated only by a shallow concavity. These two articular surfaces are so situated that the rib must tilt downward from the horizontal plane. The shaft flares terminally in some ribs, and the distal end is convex. Ribs in the trunk region differ little if any in size. Five that can be measured vary in length from 5.0 to 7.0 mm. One short, bent rib 3.5 mm. long perhaps is sacral or caudal.
PECTORAL GIRDLE (Figs. [8], [9], [10])
The right scapulocoracoid is almost complete, and the left one is present but partly broken into three pieces, somewhat pushed out of position. With the advantage of this new material, we may comment on the scapulocoracoid of H. garnettense as described by Peabody (1958). In size and contour, the slight differences between the type (KU 9976) and the new skeleton (KU 10295) are considered to be no more than individual variation. We have redrawn the type (Fig. [8]) in order to show the resemblances more clearly.
The small sections that were missing from the type are present in KU 10295. The jagged edge directly posterior to the area occupied by the neural arch in the type extends 0.5 mm. farther back in our specimen. The angle formed between the recurved dorsal ramus and the edge of the ventral flange is seen in our specimen to be less than 90°. The glenoid fossa, appearing as a concave articular surface for the cap of the humerus, was in part covered by cartilage and shows as "unfinished" bone (Peabody, 1958, p. 572); this area is more oval than triangular, as Peabody thought. The obstruction of a clear view of this part of the type is the result of the accidental position of a neural arch. The raised portion immediately dorsal to the glenoid fossa exhibits an unfinished surface, suggesting the presence of either cartilage or a ligament.
Fig. 8. Hesperoherpeton garnettense Peabody. Type specimen redrawn. Right scapulocoracoid in external view (at left), and internal view (at right). KU 9976, × 4.
Fig. 9. Hesperoherpeton garnettense Peabody. Right scapulocoracoid in external view, showing part of interclavicle, and position occupied by clavicle. The specimen is flattened and lies entirely in one plane. KU 10295, × 4.
Fig. 10. Hesperoherpeton garnettense Peabody. Right clavicle in external view. Anterior edge to right. KU 10295, × 4.
The right clavicle is complete, and resembles a spoon having a slender handle. The dorsal tip of the handle is L-shaped. The expanded ventral part is convex externally, and rested upon the anteroventral surface of the scapulocoracoid. The lateral edge next to the "stem" is distinctly concave, abruptly becoming similar in contour to the opposite edge, and giving the impression of an unsymmetrical spoon. The left clavicle is present in scattered fragments, its dorsal hooklike end being intact.
The posterior end of the interclavicle lies in contact with the right scapulocoracoid. There are short lateral processes at the point where the interclavicle was overlapped by the clavicles, but we cannot be sure of the extent of this bone anteriorly or posteriorly.
The presumed left cleithrum, a long rectangle, is approximately equal in length to the rodlike stem of the clavicle, and is about as wide as the dorsal L-shaped tip of the clavicle. The posterior end of the cleithrum presumably met the tip of the clavicle, while the rest of it was directed anteriorly and a little dorsally. There seems to be a small articular surface near the anterior extremity which suggests the presence of a supracleithrum. The upper border of the cleithrum is slightly convex and the lower concave.
FORELIMB (Fig. [11])
The left forelimb is the only one present and appears to be nearly complete, although the elements are scattered almost at random. The only parts of the forelimb known to be missing are two subterminal and two terminal phalanges, probably of the first and third digits, and the proximal end of the second metacarpal. The smooth and relatively flat surfaces suggest an aquatic rather than terrestrial limb; only the proximal half of the humerus bears any conspicuous ridges or depressions. As we restore the skeleton of the limb, several features are remarkable: The humerus, ulna, and ulnare align themselves as the major axis of the limb, each carrying on its posterior edge a process or flange comparable to those in the axial series of a rhipidistian fin. The remaining elements take positions comparable to the diagonally placed preaxial radials in such a fin. The digits appear to have been short, perhaps with no more than two phalanges. There is only one row of carpals present (the proximal row of other tetrapods). A second and third row would be expected in primitive Amphibia; if they existed in Hesperoherpeton they must either have been wholly cartilaginous or washed away from the specimen. Neither of these alternatives seems at all likely to us in view of the well-ossified condition of the elements that are present, and the occurrence of both the proximal carpals and the metacarpals. The space available for metacarpals probably could not have contained more than the four that are recognized.
Fig. 11. Hesperoherpeton garnettense Peabody. Left forelimb, showing characters of both a crossopterygian fin and an amphibian foot. KU 10295, × 4.
The proximal end of the humerus is more rounded anteriorly than posteriorly, and has a thin articular border that bore a cartilaginous cap as the primary surface for articulation with the scapulocoracoid. Although the unfinished surface of the head extends down the anterior margin about a third the length of the humerus, the shaft has been broken and so twisted that the distal part is not in the same plane as the proximal. Immediately posterior to the cartilaginous cap is a round, deep notch bordered posteriorly by the dorsal process of the head.
The shaft is longer and narrower than would be anticipated in a primitive amphibian limb (cf. Romer, 1947). The distal end bears two surfaces for articulation with the radius and ulna. The full extent of the former surface was not determined because the more anterior part of the expanded end is represented only by an impression. The surface nearest the ulna was partially rounded for articulation with that element, the remaining posterior edge being broadly concave. The most striking feature of the humerus is a slender hooklike process on the posterior edge near the distal end, probably homologous with (1) the posterior flange on the "humerus" in Rhipidistia, and (2) the entepicondyle of the humerus in Archeria (Romer, 1957) and other tetrapods.
The radius is about the same width proximally as distally. The curvature of the shaft is approximately alike on both sides. Distally the surface is rounded for articulation with the radiale and perhaps the intermedium.
The proximal end of the ulna is similar to that of the radius but is slightly larger. Posteriorly, there is a short, broad expansion resembling the entepicondyle of the humerus, and even more nearly like the postaxial flanges in a crossopterygian fin.
The ends of the radiale are expanded and rounded, the entire bone being approximately twice as long as wide. The three sides of the intermedium are similarly convex. The surface of this bone is unfinished, showing that it must have been embedded in cartilage. The ulnare is conspicuously similar to the ulna in bearing a posterior hooklike expansion, and is larger than the radiale.
The four metacarpals are slightly expanded proximally and distally. Although measurements of length and width are tabulated below (Table 2), we are not certain of the sequence of these bones in the row.
The dimensions of the two proximal phalanges are alike. The shape of these elements is similar to that of the metacarpals. The two terminal phalanges are somewhat triangular in shape, the lateral edges being concave and the proximal convex.
Table 2.—Approximate Measurements of the Forelimb (in mm.)
| Element | Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Width | |||
| Proximal | Midway | Distal | ||
| Humerus | 16.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 7.5? |
| Radius | 9.0 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| Ulna | 8.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| Radiale | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| Intermedium | 1.5 | — | 2.0 | — |
| Ulnare | 3.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Metacarpal A | 4.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Metacarpal B | 4.5 | 3.0? | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| Metacarpal C | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| Metacarpal D | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Proximal Phalanx A | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Proximal Phalanx B | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Terminal Phalanx A | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Terminal Phalanx B | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 |