河南明港—始新世鸟类形态观察

本文记述了一发现于河南明港始新世较小型涉禽类的尺骨和胫跗骨远端化石。依据尺骨远端腱凹窄而浅,桡骨凹大,外侧具一纵沟和胫跗骨外关节髁外侧面中央有一窄纵嵴等特征定一新属种:张沟明港鹮Minggangiachanggouensis gen.et sp.nov. 明港鹮的时代为晚始新世,它代表迄今为止我国发现的鹳形目最早的鸟类。     

辽宁早白垩世一新的反鸟化石

本文记述了在辽宁朝阳地区,早白垩世地层中发现的一种新的小型鸟类。依据它所具有的以下几点特征：（1）胫跗骨远端髁间沟窄,远视内髁前缘较为平缓;（2）第四骨相对较为细弱;（3）坐骨近端向背方伸出一个显著突起;（4）胸骨侧突细长,并在远端扩大。本文将其归入反鸟亚纲（Enantiornithes）。此外,依据新材料所特有的,头骨及跗骨远端的结构,不同于其它反鸟亚纲鸟类的特点,本文建立了一鸟类的新属新种：郑氏波罗赤鸟Boluochiazhengi。最后,本文通过对新材料和现生鸟类在爪的形态,头骨结构等方面的比较后认为,Boluochia可能为一类以树栖生活为主,并较为凶猛的鸟类。     

我国新发现古新世秧鸡化石

本文记述了产自安徽潜山古新世痘姆组一鹤形目鸟类化石。依据其肱骨、胫跗骨和跗骨等具有的不同于已知鹤形目鸟类的特征,订一新属种,隶属于秧鸡科,它既填补了鹤形目在古新世的空白,也是秧鸡科最早和形态比较原始的代表。     

辽宁西部下白垩统反鸟类一新科——Alethoalaorvithidae fam.nov.

记述发现于辽宁省朝阳县原家洼村中生代地层中的反鸟类一新科:真翼鸟科(Alethoalaornithidae fam.nov.)。由于该科鸟类具有肩胛骨直,第1、2指仍有爪,腓骨和胫跗骨不愈合,趾骨不太钩曲等特征,将真翼鸟科归入华夏鸟目(Cathayornithiformes)。真翼鸟科的特有特征包括:吻尖,齿少,牙齿退化的趋势明显,腕掌骨基本形成,乌喙骨远端宽,肱骨近端具明显的气窝,尾综骨长,跗蹠骨末端三趾骨等长且滑车末端基本处于同一水平面,趾骨爪长,不甚钩曲等。通过对新材料和其它早期鸟类的对比认为,反鸟类的灭绝不仅有自身构造的原因,还有它们所生活的生态环境多变的原因。     

辽宁县白垩世一新的反鸟化石

本文了在辽宁朝阳地区,早白垩世地层中发现的一种新的小型鸟类。依据所具有的以下几点特征：（１）胫跗骨远端髁间沟窄,运视肉髁前缘较为平缓;（２）第四庶骨相对较为细弱;（３）坐骨逝端向背方伸出一个显著突起;（４）胸骨侧突细长,并在远端扩大。本文将其其归入反鸟亚纲。此外,依据新材料所特有的,头骨及跗庶骨远端的结构,不同于其它反鸟亚类的特点,本文建立了一鸟类的新属新种：郑氏波罗赤鸟Ｂｏｕｌｕ－ｃｈｉａ ｚｈ     

辽宁早白垩世今鸟类一新属种(Jianchangornis microdonta gen.et sp.nov.)(英文)

依据一近完整的相关节的骨骼化石,记述了辽宁建昌早白垩世九佛堂组原始今鸟类一新属种:小齿建昌鸟(Jianchangornis microdonta gen.et sp.nov.)。新鸟个体较大,但从骨化程度分析,正型标本可能属于一亚成年个体。具有一些进步特征,如胸骨及龙骨突加长,乌喙骨具有发育的前乌喙突以及和肩胛骨关联的关节窝,叉骨"U"字型,愈合荐椎包括9-10枚荐椎,尾综骨短小,第二、三掌骨远端愈合,跗跖骨完全愈合等,表明新属无疑属于今鸟类。在以下特征组合上很容易和已知的早白垩世今鸟类化石相区别:齿骨上至少有16枚细小牙齿,从齿骨前端向后沿齿骨大部密集排列;肩胛骨强烈弯曲;第一掌骨粗壮,较其他掌骨宽;第一指长并且远端延伸明显超过第二掌骨;肱骨+尺骨+第二掌骨与股骨+胫跗骨+跗跖骨的长度比例约为1.1。系统发育分析表明新属属于基干的今鸟类。新发现的材料第二、三掌骨远端愈合很好,但近端却未完全愈合,这一特征尚未见于其他已知鸟类,或许表明今鸟类腕掌骨的愈合和现生鸟类的跗跖骨一样是从远端开始的,不同于反鸟类和其他基干鸟类。建昌鸟的下颌还保存了一个前齿骨,这是继早白垩世红山鸟之后的另一例报道,可能进一步表明这一结构在今鸟类中曾普遍出现。新鸟肩带、胸骨和前肢的特征显示了和现代鸟类相近的飞行能力,其后肢、脚趾的比例以及趾爪的形态等显示和燕鸟、义县鸟等相似的地栖特征。保存于标本上的鱼类残骸可能显示了建昌鸟食鱼类的习性。今鸟类新属种的发现进一步表明,早白垩世这一进步鸟类类群的分化已不亚于反鸟类,湖滨环境在今鸟类的早期演化中确实扮演了重要的角色。     

鸟类后肢骨骼组合的长度比例及其机理初步分析

鸟类后肢骨骼是组成鸟类运动系统的主要部分,也是协助鸟类完成各项功能行为的骨骼组成.不同生态类型的鸟类在后肢骨骼的组成上存在明显的特征,并以此相区别.本文通过大量对比分析不同类型、不同生态系统鸟类后肢骨骼的组成特点初步认为:鸟类后肢骨骼的长度组成及比率特征是与其运动栖息习性等机能紧密联系的.习于地面行走、奔跑为特征的典型地栖鸟类,后肢骨骼中胫跗骨最长,其次跗跖骨长度大于股骨;而以树上栖息、跳跃为特征的典型树栖鸟类,后肢骨骼中胫跗骨最长,而股骨长度大于跗跖骨;猛禽类因生活习性介于前两类鸟类之间,故股骨与跗跖骨长度比较也是在二者之间变化的.同时应用三元图表方法得出的直观统计结果也同样说明上述结论,并尝试对不同鸟类后肢骨骼的运动机能进行推断.本研究从系统解剖学角度将鸟类后肢骨骼系统与运动功能进行对比剖析,同时对于了解、解释鸟类的运动机理也具有直接的意义,而且依此结论也可作为恢复古鸟后肢骨骼长度和判断其生态行为的参考依据.     

辽宁朝阳九佛堂组今鸟类(红山鸟科)一新属种

记述了辽宁朝阳原家洼九佛堂组发现的原始今鸟类一新属种:朝阳副红山鸟(Parahongshanornischaoyangensis gen.et sp.nov.)。尽管缺失头骨,但其头后特征和红山鸟及一件属于红山鸟科的长腿鸟最为接近,具有该科的一些明显鉴定特征,如前肢相对后肢十分短小,"U"字形的叉骨长明显大于宽等,因此可以归入红山鸟科。新鸟在以下特征上可与红山鸟及长腿鸟相区别,如叉骨支近端侧向压扁,联合处有一条深沟;胸骨末端有两对后凹陷,在龙骨突与侧突之间有短的后突;第Ⅱ指第1指节相对更加短粗,第2指节细长;耻骨具有膨大的耻骨脚等。新材料的发现为红山鸟类提供了新的解剖学特征,还为研究早期今鸟类的多样性提供了新材料。     

中国中生代鸟类的体重估计及其演化趋势

体重是一项重要的生物学指标,生物的体重受到发育、繁殖和进化等诸多因素的影响。对于灭绝生物体重的估计有助于进一步恢复它们的各种生物学信息。本研究采用统计学的方法,对422件现生鸟类(分属于21目229种)的体重和18项骨骼量度指标分别进行一元回归分析,结果显示判定系数的分布范围在0.5～0.91之间,多数指标的判定系数均集中在0.8～0.9之间。采用另外64件测量有体重数据和骨骼量度的鸟样本对回归方程的估算准确率进行检验,发现前肢中肱骨长度和尺骨宽度以及后肢中胫跗骨宽度3项指标的估算准确率高于其他指标。分析结果还表明前肢两项指标对于估算鸣禽、猛禽和攀禽类等树栖鸟类的体重准确率较后肢显著;后肢指标对于估算陆禽类等地栖鸟类体重的准确率高于前肢指标。这一结果反映出与体重相关程度较高的骨骼量度指标在不同习性的鸟类当中存在着一定的差异。对于化石鸟类的体重估计,采用估算准确率较高并且便于测量的肱骨长度和胫跗骨宽度两项回归方程加以计算。通过对中国中生代鸟类的体重进行估算,结果显示中生代鸟类在系统发育过程中,反鸟类经历了体重逐渐减轻的过程,而今鸟类的体重开始不断增大并且出现显著的分异。     

MASS ESTIMATE AND EVOLUTIONARY TREND IN CHINESE MESOZOIC FOSSIL BIRDS

体重是一项重要的生物学指标,生物的体重受到发育、繁殖和进化等诸多因素的影响.对于灭绝生物体重的估计有助于进一步恢复它们的各种生物学信息.本研究采用统计学的方法,对422件现生鸟类(分属于21目229种)的体重和18项骨骼量度指标分别进行一元回归分析,结果显示判定系数的分布范围在0.5 ～0.91之间,多数指标的判定系数均集中在0.8 ～0.9之间.采用另外64件测量有体重数据和骨骼量度的鸟样本对回归方程的估算准确率进行检验,发现前肢中肱骨长度和尺骨宽度以及后肢中胫跗骨宽度3项指标的估算准确率高于其他指标.分析结果还表明前肢两项指标对于估算鸣禽、猛禽和攀禽类等树栖鸟类的体重准确率较后肢显著;后肢指标对于估算陆禽类等地栖鸟类体重的准确率高于前肢指标.这一结果反映出与体重相关程度较高的骨骼量度指标在不同习性的鸟类当中存在着一定的差异.对于化石鸟类的体重估计,采用估算准确率较高并且便于测量的肱骨长度和胫跗骨宽度两项回归方程加以计算.通过对中国中生代鸟类的体重进行估算,结果显示中生代鸟类在系统发育过程中,反鸟类经历了体重逐渐减轻的过程,而今鸟类的体重开始不断增大并且出现显著的分异.     

贵州的短尾鼩(Anourosorex)化石

贵州发现的属于食虫类 Anourosorex 属的182件标本按齿式可分为两种类型,齿式为的是 A kui; 齿式为的是两新种, A. edwardsi sp. nov. 和 A. qianensis sp. nov.. 含有 A. kui 的岩灰洞、天门洞及穿洞动物群的地质时代可与四川盐井沟及歌乐山中更新世中晚期动物群相对比. A. kui 与较原始的 A. edwardsi 共生的岩灰洞和穿洞动物群的时代可能较之天门洞稍早.较进步的绝灭种 A. qianensis 单独存在于挖竹湾洞、天桥裂隙、白脚岩洞并和云南呈贡三家村晚更新世地点的材料可以对比. 根据齿式及形态特征 A. kui 应是现生种 A. squamipes 的直接祖先.     

新疆二叠纪西蒙螈类化石

本文记述了西蒙螈类一新属——乌鲁木齐鲵,这是我国首次发现的完好的迷齿两栖类化石。     

云南禄丰晚中新世鸟类

云南禄丰晚中新世古猿产地的鸟类化石,共计3目、3科、6属、6种,包括2新属4新种。另外尚有科、目未定之一特殊鸟类标本。     

THE MICRO-OPTICS OF LEAVES. I. PATTERNS OF REFLECTION FROM THE EPIDERMIS

Low-magnification photographs of glabrous upper surfaces using white light show that no matter whether the visual appearance is shiny or matte, the outer cuticles are specularly reflective. In all cases, the individual epidermal cells are seen as bright spots of reflected light, due to their convex outer surfaces. This shows that at least some of the apparently diffuse reflection from leaves is specularly reflected from the outer surface. Quantitative data were obtained for both upper and lower surfaces of a variety of leaves, using light of 632.8 nm incident at 60° from the normal. Light departing the leaf was detected in two directions: normal to the leaf (“diffuse”), and at 60° (“specular”), and compared with the reflection from a standard white block. By this criterion, some leaves were quite shiny, confirming the visual impression, but others were not. In only two cases did the “diffuse” reflection exceed the “specular” (as would be expected from a true diffuse reflector); these were leaves with thick coatings of hairs. Less than 10% of the incident light is reflected by the cuticle of a glabrous leaf.     

Early hominid feeding mechanisms.

Three predominant influences mark the evolution of human head form: big brain, erect bipedalism, modified oral apparatus. Confusing interplay between different adaptive requirements of each feature has made explanation of skull structure extremely difficult in the past. It now seems possible to isolate each influence in early fossil forms. A model of mammalian modes of feeding adaptation is proposed in the form of a “Natural Experiment” for tighter analysis of fossil forms. Two forms of australopithecines are recognized, “gracile” and “robust.” Both had closely similar brains, both had erect bipedalism, but each had different masticatory construction. Separation of the first two similar influences isolates the adaptive differences in oral mechanics. The gracile form had a projecting oral apparatus, distinct canine and zygomatic buttresses, moderate jaw-lever development, jaw joint not unlike most higher primates, large unusual anterior teeth, moderately sized posterior teeth. The robust form had a retruded, greatly deepened oral apparatus, “dished-in” face with fused canine and zygomatic buttresses, powerful jaw-lever development, distinctively different joint construction, remarkably small anterior teeth, enormous posterior teeth. Striking evidence for extraordinary jaw movements emerges from these features in the robust form. This is strongly supported by remarkably close parallels in Ursidae: grizzly bear and giant panda.     

Paleocene and Lower Eocene shallow-water limestones of Tibet: Microfacies analysis and correlation of the eastern Neo-Tethyan Ocean

Microfacial investigations of the Lower Paleogene sediments were based on four sections of the passive Indian (Ladakh, Tingri County, Gamba County and Yadong County) and one of the active Asian continental margin (Zhongba County). Eleven microfacies from the Tethyan Himalaya (prefixed with P for passive continental margin) and four from the Xigaze forearc basin (prefixed with A for active continental margin) were observed. The distribution of fossil assemblages in the environment ranges from the tidal flat and restricted lagoonal part of the inner carbonate ramp to the outer carbonate ramp: (P1) green algae pack-/grainstone with small miliolids, (P2) bioclast grainstone, (P3) Rotaliidae packstone, (P4) Miscellaneidae-Rotaliidae-Nummulitidae pack-/grainstone, (P5) laminated and bioturbated mud- and grainstone, (P6) Alveolina wacke-/packstone with Soritidae, (P7) Nummulites-Alveolina-Orbitolites pack-/floatstone, (P8) Discocyclinidae-Nummulitidae pack-/floatstone, (P9) Rhodolith wacke-/packstone, (P10) mudstone with anhydrite nodules, (P11) planktonic foraminiferal wackestone, (A1) molluskan float-/rudstone, (A2) Nummulitidae wacke-/packstone, (A3) rhodolith wacke-/packstone, (A4) Discocyclinidae-Nummulitidae float-/rudstone. The correlation of our observations provides a detailed overview of the paleoenvironmental development and the sedimentary history of the eastern Neo-Tethyan Ocean, showing a deepening trend in two stages from Lower Paleocene to Lower Eocene.     

TAXODIACEOUS BARK FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF ALBERTA

The structure of a piece of silicified bark of Taxodioxylon gypsaceum from near Medicine Hat in Southern Alberta is described. The fossil specimen probably came from Upper Cretaceous beds. The fossil shows affinities with the bark of modern Sequoia. Vectia luccombensis Stopes (1915) from the Lower Greensand (Aptian) of England probably constitutes an isolated piece of taxodiaceous bark, similar to the inner bark of the Alberta specimen.     

STUDIES ON THE SEED OF BANANA. I. ANATOMY OF THE SEED AND EMBRYO OF MUSA BALBISIANA

Mc Gahan , Merritt W. (United Fruit Co., Norwood, Mass.) Studies on the seed of banana. I. Anatomy of the seed and embryo of Musa balbisiana. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(3): 230–238. Illus. 1961.—The seed coat of Musa balbisiana Colla consists of a relatively thick outer integument and a 2–cell-layered inner integument. The entire seed coat is sclerified, but routine tests for lignin are negative. Within the outer integument there is a zone of unusual sclereids tentatively termed “multiluminate.” Between the inner integument and the remnants of the nucellus is a cuticle 10–12 μ thick. The micropylar plug and collar are typical of the genus. The chalazal mass is an annular region of gelatinous cells. The mature embryo is comprised of a massive cotyledon, an epicotyl with 1 leaf primordium, a primary root primordium, and several adventitious root primordia. Procambium is well developed, but no mature vascular elements are present in the embryo.     

台湾海峡晚更新世人类肱骨化石

产自台湾海峡海底的人类右肱骨石化程度高; 个体大而粗壮 ,三角肌粗隆发育 ,骨干上下两半段不在同一纵轴上 ,形成 6 5°的夹角 ,这些显示不同于新石器时代和现代人的原始性状 ,其演化水平和日本的港川人及欧洲的克罗马农人相当。与人化石一同捞出的哺乳动物化石有古菱齿象、野马、最后鬣狗、达氏四不像鹿等 ,表明其时代为晚更新世晚期。