Another charadriiform-like bird from the lower Eocene of Denmark

We describe an exceptionally well-preserved partial skeleton of a new bird from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Like other fossils from these marine deposits, the partial skeleton is three-dimensionally preserved and articulated. This new Danish specimen consists of a skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and hindlimbs. Concerning characters of the pelvis, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus, the new fossil bears morphological affinities to charadriiform birds (shorebirds and relatives). A phylogenetic analysis of higher neomithine (modern birds) taxa also supports a close relationship between the new specimen and modern Charadriiformes. The morphologies of the skull and vertebrae, however, distinguish the new fossil from all recent charadriiform families.     

New trogons from the early Tertiary of Germany

A new trogon (Aves, Trogoniformes), Primotrogon? pumilio sp. nov., is described from the Middle Eocene (49 Ma) of Messel in Germany. It is the first articulated skeleton of an Eocene trogon, of which only very few fragmentary remains were hitherto known. It is also the earliest complete skeleton of a trogon, exceeding previous finds (Primotrogon wintersteini Mayr 1999) by at least 15 million years. An isolated wing of a trogon is further identified from the early Oligocene (about 30–34 Ma) of the fossil site Frauenweiler in Germany. Primotrogon? pumilio and all other sufficiently well‐preserved early Tertiary trogons appear to be stem group representatives of the Trogoniformes, corresponding with molecular clock data indicating a mid‐Tertiary origin of crown group Trogoniformes.     

A specimen of Eocuculus Chandler, 1999 (Aves, ? Cuculidae) from the early Oligocene of France

A postcranial skeleton of a small bird from the early Oligocene locality Pichovet in Southern France is described and identified as Eocuculus cf. cherpinae Chandler, 1999. It is the second fossil record of Eocuculus which was hitherto known from a postcranial skeleton from the late Eocene of North America only. Although Eocuculus shares some derived similarities with Cuculidae (cuckoos), it distinctly differs in a number of osteological features from crown group members of this taxon. If future, more complete skeletons prove its cuculiform affinities, Eocuculus is a stem lineage representative of this taxon and not within the crown group. Recognition of Eocuculus in the early Oligocene of France provides evidence for the presence of an extinct late Eocene/early Oligocene avian taxon with an intercontinental Northern Hemisphere distribution.     

A tiny stem group representative of Pici (Aves, Piciformes) from the early Oligocene of the Czech Republic

We describe a new stem group representative of Pici (woodpeckers, honeyguides, barbets, and allies) from the early Oligocene (Rupelian) of the Czech Republic. The holotype of Picavus litencicensis, gen. et sp. nov. is a postcranial skeleton with well-preserved feather remains. The new species is distinguished from crown group Pici in several plesiomorphic features and is assigned to the new taxon Picavidae, fam. nov. The absence of an elongated accessory trochlea for the reversed fourth toe shows P. litencicensis to be the most basal representative of Pici, and concerning the morphology of the distal tarsometatarsus the species represents a morphological link between Pici and their sister taxon, the Galbulae. Like all other early Oligocene piciform birds, P. litencicensis is a tiny bird, the size of the smallest extant Pici. Because all Palaeogene Pici were found in Europe and some of these are outside the crown group, an Old World origin of Pici is likely. With definitive crown group representatives of Pici being unknown before the late Oligocene/early Miocene, the fossil record does not support earlier molecular calibrations, which resulted in a late Cretaceous divergence of crown group Pici.     

A small, “wader-like” bird from the Early Eocene of Messel (Germany)

A small bird with a shorebird-like beak and a very long hind toe is described from the Early Eocene of Messel in Germany. Vanolimicola longihallucis, gen. et sp. nov. is one of the few candidate species for a “wading bird” from Messel, that is, a bird that may have foraged along the shoreline of the ancient lake. A few features indicate a relationship to charadriiform birds and Jacanidae (jacanas) in particular, but charadriiform affinities are only weakly supported. In the preserved skeletal elements, V. longihallucis also resembles the taxon Songzia from the Early Eocene of China, which is considered to be a representative of the Ralloidea (rails and allies). A potential biogeographic significance of the new Messel fossil is strengthened by similar fossils from the North American Green River Formation.     

New specimens of the early Eocene stem group galliform Paraortygoides (Gallinuloididae), with comments on the evolution of a crop in the stem lineage of Galliformes

Two new specimens of the fossil stem group galliform Paraortygoides messelensis Mayr 2000 (Gallinuloididae) are described from the Middle Eocene of Messel in Germany, including a complete skeleton in which the hitherto unknown skull of this species is preserved. The shorter and more protruding crista deltopectoralis of the humerus, also for the first time visible in one of the new specimens, shows gallinuloidids to be the sister taxon of all other, extinct and extant, galliform birds. Gallinuloidids distinctly differ from modern Galliformes in several other plesiomorphic osteological features, mainly of the pectoral girdle, of which the absence of a spina interna on the sternum is here reported for the first time. It is assumed that major evolutionary transformations in the stem lineage of Galliformes are related to the evolution of a large crop, which appears to have been absent in gallinuloidids. The vegetarian food component of gallinuloidids thus probably mainly consisted of soft plant matter rather than coarse material such as seeds.     

A well‐preserved ‘charadriiform‐like’ fossil bird from the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark

Abstract: We describe a new, exceptionally well‐preserved fossil bird recovered from marine deposits of the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Morsoravis sedilis gen. et sp. nov. is known by a single specimen that consists of a three‐dimensional skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and left hindlimb and associated parts of the right hindlimb. Comparisons based on overall morphology and particularly characters of the skull, vertebrae and pelvis indicate that the new specimen is morphologically similar to charadriiform birds (the shorebirds and relatives). This similarity is also expressed by a phylogenetic analysis of higher neornithine (modern birds) taxa, which supports a close relationship between the new fossil and modern charadriiforms. The morphology of the hindlimbs, in particular, shows that the new fossil corresponds to a new taxon that is distinguishable from modern charadriiform clades. One interesting aspect of its morphology is the presence of hindlimb specializations that are most commonly found among perching birds – these suggest that ecologically the new Danish fossil bird may have differed from the wading habits typical of most charadriiforms.     

First Record of Fossil Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomidae,Gasterosteiformes) in Russia

A skeleton of a ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae) from the Pshekha Subformation of the Khadum Formation (Lower Oligocene) in the Republic of Adygea was discovered. This is the first fossil record of Solenostomidae in Russia; moreover, it is the only ghost pipefish found in the Oligocene. To date, only two fossil solenostomid genera and species from the Eocene of Monte Bolca (Italy) have been recorded. The only Recent genus of this family, Solenostomus Lacepède, 1903, contains four species. The new specimen is incompletely preserved; it lacks a fragment of the body and some fins, precluding the establishment of genus and species of this form. However, the unique geographical position and age of the new fossil expand our knowledge of the evolution and geographical range of the family Solenostomidae.     

The phylogeny of charadriiform birds (shorebirds and allies) – reassessing the conflict between morphology and molecules

Multiple molecular analyses provide a congruent and well‐supported phylogeny of the charadriiform family‐level taxa, which conflicts with previous hypotheses based on osteological data. In order to revise the latter and to identify new characters of phylogenetic significance, skeletons of most charadriiform family‐level taxa were examined and 49 characters analysed. Tree topology was sensitive to outgroup choice, but the result of the analysis rooted with Columbidae (doves and pigeons) recovered a monophyletic Scolopaci, Charadrii, and nonturnicid Lari. With regard to the inclusion of Alcidae and Glareolidae in the Lari, the results of the present study are also in better concordance with the new molecular phylogenies than previous analyses of morphological data. Furthermore, for the first time an apomorphy of a clade including Thinocoridae, Pedionomidae, Rostratulidae, and Jacanidae was identified. Inclusion of Turnicidae in the Lari could not be supported, but there is no strong morphological evidence for an alternative placement. Pluvianus shares derived osteological features with the Burhinidae, and its position in the molecular analyses likewise cannot be corroborated with morphological data. Based on the topology of the molecular consensus tree, the ancestral state of selected characters is reconstructed. It is finally noted that recent calibrations of molecular analyses, which indicate an origin of extant charadriiform lineages in the Cretaceous, are based on incorrectly identified fossils. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 916–934.     

Systematic relationships of the palaeogene family Presbyornithidae (Aves: Anseriformes)

The early Tertiary (Paleocene and Eocene) family Presbyornithidae is one of the most completely known group of fossil birds. Essentially all parts of the skeleton are represented in the fossil record, allowing a thorough analysis of the phylogenetic position of the family. Forty-two families of nonpasserine birds representing the orders Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes and Charadriiformes, were included in a cladistic analysis of 71 skeletal characters. The previously suggested anseriform affinity of the Presbyornithidae was confirmed. Furthermore, the family proved to be closer to the Anatidae than to the Anhimidae or Anseranatidae. The many postcranial similarities with certain charadriiform birds as the Burhinidae, obviously are plesiomorphies. By this observation, a better undestanding of character evolution in nonpasserine skeletal morphology is gained. The often suggested close relationship of anseriform and galliform birds is not confirmed by osteology. Instead, the Anseriformes and the Phoenicopteridae form a monophyletic clade that is the sister to the remaining ciconiiform birds. This result renders the Ciconiiformes sensu Wetmore (1960) polyphyletic.     

The first record of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isurichthys</Emphasis> (Perciformes,Ariommatidae) in the Lower Oligocene of the Northern Caucasus

An ariommatid fish, Isurichthys breviusculus sp. nov. (Perciformes), from the Lower Maikopian (Lower Oligocene) of the northern Caucasus (Apsheronsk District) is described based on an almost complete skeleton. This is the first record of the Oligocene genus Isurichthys in the Caucasus. Direct evidence of the presence of a toothed pharyngeal sac in the oesophagus of Isurichthys is obtained for the first time. Of two known species of Isurichthys, the new species is closer to I. roumanus Baciu et Bannikov, 2004 from the Oligocene of Romania. The fossil record of Stromateoidei sensu stricto is reviewed.     

A small loon and a new species of large owl from the Rupelian of Belgium (Aves: Gaviiformes,Strigiformes)

The early Oligocene Boom Formation in Belgium yielded many avian remains from the Rupelian unit-stratotype, most of which have remained unstudied so far. Here, I describe a small loon (Gaviiformes) and a new species of large owl (Strigiformes) that are represented by associated bones of a single individual each. The loon, of which wing and pectoral girdle bones are preserved, is assigned to Colymboides (?) metzleri, a species previously known from a partial skeleton from the Rupelian of Germany. The owl is based on a tarsometatarsus and distal tibiotarsus and described as a new species, Selenornis steendorpensis. It constitutes the most substantial fossil record of the taxon Selenornis, which was before known from a distal tibiotarsus from an unknown horizon of the Quercy fissure fillings in southwestern France. It is detailed that there are differences in the higher level taxonomic composition of the known early Oligocene avifaunas of northern and southern Europe, which may reflect true zoogeographic facts owing to a different climate and vegetation.     

Sponge borehole size as a relative measure of bioerosion and paleoproductivity

Bioerosion intensity has been proposed as a measure of paleoproductivity in fossil reefs, but it is difficult to measure directly because fossil corals are often incomplete and because it is difticult to infer the length of time a given coral was exposed to bioeroding organisms. Both nutrient availability and taphonomic factors can affect bioerosion intensity as measured in dead corals. Here, we examine these two effects separately using data from previous studies on bioerosion in modern and fossil corals. Size of individual sponge borings accurately reflects total bioerosion in modern massive and branching corals on the Great Barrier Reef. Total bioerosion in both massive and branching corals decreases outward across the continental shelf, paralleling trends in nutrient availability. Size of individual Cliothosa hancocki borings decreases across the shelf in branching Acropora but not in massive Porites. Fossil sponge borings Entobia convoluta and Uniglobites glomerata in massive corals from Oligocene and Miocene reefs in Puerto Rico are smallest in Oligocene shelf-edge reefs, intermediate in Oligocene patch reefs, and largest in Miocene patch reefs. Both facies-related influence, represented by Oligocene shelf-edge reefs vs. Oligocene patch reefs, and nutrient-related influence, represented by Oligocene vs. Miocene patch reefs, were reflected in the size of sponge boreholes. Size of sponge borings also varies among species of host corals, apparently in relation to skeletal architecture. Borehole size is inversely correlated with skeletal density as measured by the relative proportion of skeleton and pore space in transverse thin section. There is a weak positive correlation between borehole size and corallite diameter. These findings contradict reported positive correlations between total bioerosion and bulk density in modern corals. Borehole size appears accurately to reflect intensity of total internal bioerosion in fossil corals. Facies-controlled taphonomic overprints and influence of skeletal differences between coral species limit the use of sponge borehole size to a rough indicator of paleoproductivity in fossil coral reef environments.     

A fossil osteoglossoid fish from Tanzania (E. Africa)

A new genus and species ( Singida jacksonoides ) and a new family (Singididae) of osteoglossoid fishes are described from the lacustrine deposits in Tanzania which have already yielded the primitive clupeomorph Palaeodenticeps. Singida differs from all Osteoglossomorpha in being toothless. Although it shows some affinity with the living Asiatic genus Scleropages , it also exhibits certain characters, particularly in the caudal skeleton, which are usually associated with the recent and fossil Hiodontoidei of North America. Singida shows little affinity with either of the living African genera of Osteoglossoidei. The age of the Singida deposits is unknown, but the fish fauna suggests a Palaeogene (? Oligocene) age.     

Lithostratigraphic context of Oligocene mammalian faunas from Ulantatal,Nei Mongol,China

The Ulantatal area is well-known for its extraordinarily rich Oligocene mammalian fossils. The Ulantatal fauna was originally considered to be the representative fauna for the Chinese Land mammalian Age, Ulantatalian. However, the abundant fossils collected in the 1980s lack coordinates and/or detailed stratigraphic levels, and have been lumped together as either single, coeval fauna or grouped into three units. This lack of stratigraphic information hampers more precise biostratigraphic division and correlation of the faunas. Here we present a complete lithostratigraphic profile of the Ulantatal Formation with new fossil localities calibrated into the profile. Lithologically, the sequence shows a rather uniform pattern characterized by interbedded reddish to yellowish brown claystones and siltstones, with minor fine-grained sandstones. Preliminary biostratigraphic analysis shows that the Ulantatal Formation covers most of the Oligocene, and offers a long sequence and successive fossil records for understanding the evolution of mammal faunas after the critical Eocene/Oligocene transition.     

A morid cod (Gadiformes,Moridae) from the early Oligocene deposits of the Czech Republic

An articulated skeleton of a morid cod (Gadiformes, Moridae) is described from the Oligocene Menilitic Formation, exposed in the Kelč-Strážné locality (Moravia; Subsilesian Unit; Western Carpathians). The fossil, preserved in dorsal view, is only partially complete, and lacking most of the postcranial part of the body. It shows a suite of features that clearly separate it from other gadiform taxa frequently found in the Oligocene-Miocene deposits of the region, and suggest its attribution to the family Moridae (mainly due to the general architecture of the skull). Due to the incompleteness of the fossil, it is not possible to define precisely its taxonomic status. However, the possession of two pterotic processes suggests that the fossil documented herein represents a member of the “Pseudophycis Group” (according to Paulin, 1989), related to the genus Lotella Kaup, 1858.     

Afrotropical and Nearctic genera of Odonata in the French Oligocene: biogeographic and paleoclimatic implications (Insecta: Calopterygidae,Aeshnidae)

New species of the genera Sapho and Epiaeschna are recorded in the Oligocene of Aix- en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. Sapho legrandi n. sp. is the third fossil representative of this recent African genus and Epiaeschna pseudoheros n. sp. is the fifth fossil species of this recent North American genus. The fossil species Triaeschna gossi from the Eocene of England, Epacantha magnifica from the Late Oligocene of Kazakhstan, and Mediaeschna matutina from the Oligocene of China, are considered species of Epiaeschna and the three fossil genera Triaeschna Campion 1916, Mediaeschna Zhang 1989, and Epacantha Martynov 1929 are synonymized with Epiaeschna. The closely related genera Umma and Sapho inhabit warm humid forests of Western Africa. Their presence in two Oligocene deposits of France supports the hypothesis of a warm humid palaeoenvironment for Armissan (Aude, France), and Aix-en-Provence.     

Fossil Dolphin Otekaikea marplesi (Latest Oligocene,New Zealand) Expands the Morphological and Taxonomic Diversity of Oligocene Cetaceans

The Oligocene Epoch was a time of major radiation of the Odontoceti (echolocating toothed whales, dolphins). Fossils reveal many odontocete lineages and considerable structural diversity, but whether the clades include some crown taxa or only archaic groups is contentious. The New Zealand fossil dolphin “Prosqualodon” marplesi (latest Oligocene, ≥23.9 Ma) is here identified as a crown odontocete that represents a new genus, Otekaikea, and adds to the generic diversity of Oligocene odontocetes. Otekaikea marplesi is known only from the holotype, which comprises a partial skeleton from the marine Otekaike Limestone of the Waitaki Valley. Otekaikea marplesi was about 2.5 m long; it had procumbent anterior teeth, and a broad dished face for the nasofacial muscles implicated in production of echolocation sounds. The prominent condyles and unfused cervical vertebrae suggest a flexible neck. A phylogenetic analysis based on morphological features places Otekaikea marplesi in the extinct group Waipatiidae, within the clade Platanistoidea. The phylogeny implies an Oligocene origin for the lineage now represented by the endangered Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica), supporting an Oligocene history for the crown Odontoceti.     

First Cordulephyidae dragonfly in America: A new genus and species from the Paleogene of Argentina (Insecta: Odonata)

Palaeophya argentina gen. et sp. n. is the first American representative of the Cordulephyidae. The fossil belongs to Neophyinae and is closely related to the unique genus Neophya present in the Early Oligocene of England and extant in Africa. This fossil record supports the evidence of a Cretaceous age and a wide ancient distribution in Palaeogene warm regions for the Neophyinae, which acquire the status of relict in recent intertropical Africa.     

Fossil involucres of Ostrya (Betulaceae) from the early Oligocene of Yunnan and their biogeographic implications

A new fossil occurrence of Ostrya (Betulaceae) is reported based on 14 involucre impressions from the lower Oligocene of Löhe Basin, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. They are characterized by their bladder-like shape with longitudinal veins and perpendicular or branched intercostal veins that form a reticulate venation. The discovery of these fossil involucres represents the earliest unequivocal fossil record of Ostrya in East Asia and the record at the lowest latitude. Its fossil history suggests that the modern distribution pattern of Ostrya might have been established since the early Oligocene, and that this genus has inhabited low altitude areas since then.