New enantiornithine bird (Aves, Ornithothoraces) from the Late Cretaceous of NW Argentina

A new enantiornithine bird, Intiornis inexpectatus gen. et sp. nov, is described here. It is based on a partial hind limb found in beds of the Upper Cretaceous Las Curtiembres Formation (Campanian), North-West Argentina. The new taxon is referred to the family Avisauridae on the basis of its cranially convex third metatarsal. Several features suggest close relationships between Intiornis and the avisaurid Soroavisaurus, from the Lecho Formation (Maastrichtian; North-West Argentina). Intiornis was the size of a sparrow, thus representing the smallest Enantiornithes known from South America. The new species shows adaptations for a perching mode of life. Moreover, the hypothesis suggesting that the flying pterosaur reptiles decrease in taxonomic diversity due to competitive interaction with birds is discussed. The new species shows adaptations for a perching mode of life. Moreover, the hypothesis suggesting that the flying pterosaur reptiles decrease in taxonomic diversity due to competitive interaction with birds is discussed.     

A small stem-galliform bird (Aves: Paraortygidae) from the Eocene of Uzbekistan

Landfowl (order Galliformes) are among the most characteristic birds of the modern avian faunas, but their early evolutionary history is insufficiently known. The diversity of previously described Eocene galliforms implies a great role of Eocene diversification in the early evolution of this group. However, almost nothing is known about the Eocene diversity of galliforms in Asia, even though this large continent with a variety of habitats might have played a significant role in their early evolution. Here we describe a partial coracoid from the Lutetian–Bartonian of Uzbekistan, which is the oldest diagnosable galliform bird in Asia, and is further the first landbird known from this geographical area. The specimen displays a unique morphology with few autapomorphies and an unexpected combination of similarities with the African genus Scopelortyx and Eurasian Paraortyx, and hence is described as a new taxon, Xorazmortyx turkestanensis gen. et sp. nov., within the extinct family Paraortygidae, being the first Asian representative of this clade. Similarities with the African genus Scopelortyx indicate a connection of land bird faunas between northern Africa/Arabia and Asia in the middle Eocene. Better dispersal abilities of the early galliforms Paraortygidae are inferred from the osteology of their pectoral girdle and the humerus, which do not show adaptations to the powerful burst take off (escape flight), characteristic of most modern Phasianidae.     

A New Species of Pengornithidae (Aves: Enantiornithes) from the Lower Cretaceous of China Suggests a Specialized Scansorial Habitat Previously Unknown in Early Birds

We describe a new enantiornithine bird, Parapengornis eurycaudatus gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, China. Although morphologically similar to previously described pengornithids Pengornis houi, Pengornis IVPP V18632, and Eopengornis martini, morphological differences indicate it represents a new taxon of the Pengornithidae. Based on new information from this specimen we reassign IVPP V18632 to Parapengornis sp. The well preserved pygostyle of the new specimen elucidates the morphology of this element for the clade, which is unique in pengornithids among Mesozoic birds. Similarities with modern scansores such as woodpeckers may indicate a specialized vertical climbing and clinging behavior that has not previously been inferred for early birds. The new specimen preserves a pair of fully pennaceous rachis-dominated feathers like those in the holotype of Eopengornis martini; together with the unique morphology of the pygostyle, this discovery lends evidence to early hypotheses that rachis-dominated feathers may have had a functional significance. This discovery adds to the diversity of ecological niches occupied by enantiornithines and if correct reveals are remarkable amount of locomotive differentiation among Enantiornithes.     

On the Diversity and Morphology of Anserini (Aves: Anatidae) from the Late Miocene of Western Mongolia

Paleontological Journal - New previously unstudied geese bones (two coracoids and tarsometatarsus) are described from the late Miocene locality Hyargas Nuur 2 in Western Mongolia. A...     

Ontogenetic changes in long-bone histology of the cryptobranchid Eoscapherpeton asiaticum (Amphibia: Caudata) from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

This paper presents histological data on the long bones of different size (age) individuals of the basal cryptobranchid salamander Eoscapherpeton asiaticum from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) of Uzbekistan. E. asiaticum is similar to modern members of Cryptobranchidae in being relatively large (estimated body length up to 50–60 cm), aquatic, and neotenic. The analysis of growth series of femora demonstrates a significant histological maturation during ontogeny, expressed by the progressive appearance of highly organized parallel-fibred bone in the peripheral part of the periosteal cortex, appearance and increasing number of bone remodeling features, progressive resorption of calcified cartilage in the diaphyseal areas and formation of endochondral bone lining the erosion cavities in the calcified cartilage, progressive thickening of endosteal inner circumferential layer and increasing of vascularity and appearance of vascular network of longitudinal and oblique canals in the cortex. These ontogenetic changes in the long-bone histology of E. asiaticum generally correspond to those of other salamanders, except the appearance of the vascular network in the periosteal cortex — the feature that is characteristic for cryptobranchids and connected with their large body size. According to new data, the large Cenozoic cryptobranchids appear to have attained their larger size by extending the skeletal growth period.     

A new basal hadrosauroid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan and the early radiation of duck-billed dinosaurs

Levnesovia transoxiana gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Cretaceous (Middle–Late Turonian) of Uzbekistan, is the oldest well-documented taxon referable to Hadrosauroidea sensu Godefroit et al. It differs from a somewhat younger and closely related Bactrosaurus from Inner Mongolia (China) by a tall sagittal crest on the parietals and the absence of club-shaped dorsal neural spines in adult specimens. Levnesovia, Bactrosaurus and possibly Gilmoreosaurus represent the earliest radiation of Hadrosauroidea, which took place during the Cenomanian–Turonian and possibly in North America. The second, Santonian-age radiation of Hadrosauroidea included Aralosaurus, Hadrosauridae and lineages leading to Tanius (Campanian) and Telmatosaurus (Maastrichtian). Hadrosauridae appears to be monophyletic, but Hadrosaurinae and Lambeosaurinae originated in North America and Asia, respectively.     

A beaked basal ornithurine bird (Aves, Ornithurae) from the Lower Cretaceous of China

We report here one of the earliest known beaked ornithurine birds from the Lower Cretaceous deposits in Liaoning, northeast China. The new basal ornithurine, Archaeorhynchus spathula gen. et sp. nov., has a rhynchokinetic skull with toothless jaws. It also contains over three dozen preserved gizzard stones, suggesting an herbivorous diet. The distal end of the tibiotarsus is unfused, enabling recognition of the astragalus with a broad ascending process, generally similar to that of Archaeopteryx . The new discovery sheds new light on our understanding of the early radiation and diet diversification of early birds in the Lower Cretaceous.     

Reconstruction of Late Cretaceous coastal paleotemperature from halite deposits of the Late Cretaceous Nongbok Formation (Khorat Plateau,Laos)

Cretaceous evaporites of the Maha Sarakhan Formation in Thailand (e.g., the Nongbok Formation, Laos) have been studied for almost a century as the huge potash deposits in the world. The consistently high local paleotemperatures should lead to huge salt deposits during the evaporation process. Primary fluid inclusions in halite can provide surface brine water temperatures directly and quantitatively. Until now, there have been no data published from paleotemperature of primary fluid inclusions of Cretaceous halite. The non-marine halite from the Cretaceous Nongbok Formation (Laos) precipitated from shallow brine waters with temperatures of 17.7–42.3 °C.     

A new mosasauroid (Squamata) from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Morocco

Tethysaurus nopcsai gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of both cranial and postcranial material from the Late Cretaceous (Early Turonian) of the Goulmima region, southern Morocco. This new mosasauroid is mainly characterized by a parietal table ending posteriorly in two pointed pegs; jugal with a large ascending ramus; splenial with a large and notched dorsomedial process; surangular exposed medially ventral to the coronoid; large paracotylar and parazygosphenal foramina on vertebrae. A phylogenetic analysis shows that Tethysaurus is the sister-group of Mosasauridae. It fills the gap between the aigialosaurids (mainly Cenomanian) and the mosasaurids (known from the Middle-Late Turonian to the Latest Maastrichtian). To cite this article: N. Bardet et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Sauropod teeth from the Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan

The isolated adult teeth of titanosaurian sauropods from the Upper Cretaceous Bissekty Formation at Dzharakuduk, Uzbekistan, differ little in overall structure but show considerable variation in enamel sculpturing and wear patterns. The crown shape of unworn juvenile teeth ranges from lanceolate to conical. Most specimens have enamel texture resembling crumpled paper or completely smooth enamel. Longitudinal grooves along the mesial and distal edges are present on only a few tooth crowns and might be developed on both the labial and lingual sides. Among 252 worn tooth crowns there are eight variants of wear patterns, all possible combinations of 0–2 apical and 0–2 lateral wear facets. The most common is wear pattern A1L0 (one apical facet, no lateral facets; 62.7%). The next most common variant has two apical and no lateral facets (A2L0, 12.3%). These apical wear facets include the primary wear facets, which are produced by an opposing functional tooth, and secondary wear facets, which are produced by a replacing upper tooth coming into contact with the functional lower tooth at a late wear stage. The relative abundance of tooth crowns with two apical wear facets possibly suggests incipient development of a tooth battery in the Bissekty titanosaur.     

A new species of Late Pleistocene rail (Aves: Rallidae) from Abaco, the Bahamas

We describe a new species of rail from the Sawmill Sink blue hole on Abaco Island in the northern Bahamas. Known from abundant, beautifully preserved Late Pleistocene fossils, Rallus cyanocavi sp. nov. was a medium-sized, flightless species that probably was endemic to the Little Bahama Bank, which is a carbonate platform surrounded by deeper water. We are uncertain whether R. cyanocavi survived into the Holocene, when higher sea levels transformed the Little Bahama Bank from a single large, Late Pleistocene island (ca. 12000 km²) to the scattering of smaller islands seen today, the largest of which is Abaco (1681 km²). Fossils of additional extinct, flightless species of Rallus probably await discovery on some of the 21 other carbonate banks that span the Bahamian Archipelago.     

Track analysis of the marine palaeofauna from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous)

Aim  To analyse the worldwide distribution patterns of Turonian marine biotas using a panbiogeographical approach.
Location  Turonian localities of southern and north-eastern Brazil, Mexico, Canada, central Europe, England and Morocco.
Method  Panbiogeographical track analysis.
Results  Nine generalized tracks and six nodes were found. The generalized tracks comprise two vicariant track patterns (one northern and one mid-southern) across the Atlantic.
Main conclusions  The generalized tracks show clearly two separate marine biotas, which were associated with the proto-South Atlantic and the proto-North Atlantic oceans. These generalized tracks, as well as the two vicariant track clusters between the north and south Atlantic, are identified by vicariant relationships shared by most of the taxa analysed, and illustrate the final break up of the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents and the consequences of vicariant events for the biogeography of the Atlantic Ocean.     

Quantifying the gastral mass in Early Cretaceous ornithuromorphs (Aves,Ornithothoraces) from the Jehol avifauna

Some birds intentionally ingest stones to facilitate digestion of hard foodstuffs, a behaviour inherited from non-avian dinosaurs and present in some of the earliest birds, as evidenced by clusters of gastroliths preserved within the abdominal cavity of a wide range of dinosaurs and Cretaceous birds. For the first time, high-resolution computed laminographic and computed tomographic scans were used to reconstruct the gastral mass in two species of non-neornithine ornithuromorph birds from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group. Four specimens of each taxon were analysed. Preservation of the gastral mass in most of these specimens is in situ and regarded as complete or nearly so. The number of gastroliths, their total volume, and their total mass relative to the estimated body mass were calculated for each specimen. The resultant gastral mass to body mass ratios fall within the range observed in extant birds, supporting previous inferences that the digestive system in non-neornithine ornithuromorphs was comparable to that of extant taxa. Compared to available data for non-volant non-avian theropods, the gastral mass is proportionately smaller in birds suggesting that the evolution of flight constrained gastral mass size in the theropod lineage. Currently available data on gastral mass characteristics suggests that Iteravis ate larger food particles compared to Archaeorhynchus but cannot be used to determine diet more precisely. Better understanding of the relationship between gastral mass characteristics and food items across a broader range of extant taxa may provide an indirect but important method through which to infer diet and digestive function in archosaurs.     

Campanian-Maastricthian (Late Cretaceous) veneroids (Bivalvia: Heterodonta) from the Ariyalur Group,South India

Eleven veneroid (Bivalvia) species are systematically described from the Campanian-Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) sediments of Ariyalur sub-basin of South India. Among these, only Crassatella (Crassatella) macrodonta (Sowerby) and Arctica lacianata (Stoliczka) were earlier recorded by Stoliczka. Protocardia (Pachycardium) madagascariensis (Colignon), Protocardia (Pachycardium) pauli (Cocquand), Epicyprina angulata (Sowerby), Venilicardia truncata (Sowerby), and Calva (Egelicalva) buttensis (Anderson) were previously unknown from the Late Cretaceous horizons of the Indian sub-continent. The present record also includes a new species Palaeomoera stoliczkai n. sp. erected on the basis of its unique hinge characters and surface features. Lucina (Lucina) cf. fallax Forbes, Nicaniella (Nicaniella) aff. trigonoides (Stoliczka), and Corbicula? sp. indet., are tentatively identified because of their imperfect preservation. The present record may add useful information to the understanding of the Late Cretaceous palaeobiology of the region.     

A new polycotylid plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Morocco

A new Polycotylidae (Plesiosauria) from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of southern Morocco is described. Thililua longicollis gen. et sp. nov. is based on a complete cranium and 37 associated vertebrae. It differs from other polycotylids in several cranial and especially vertebral characters, such as the occurrence of 30 cervical vertebrae, whose centra are nearly as long as high and bear laterally longitudinal ridges. Thililua is the first polycotylid hitherto found in Africa and under subtropical palaeolatitudes. To cite this article: N. Bardet et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

New Late Cretaceous dinosaur findings from northwestern Transylvania (Romania)

In 1905, Nopcsa tentatively identified a fragmentary rib from the Jibou Formation at Someş Odorhei as belonging to an ornithopod dinosaur. Therefore, he concluded that the base of this formation is Late Cretaceous, but this hypothesis was subsequently ignored or rejected by other authors. New dinosaur bones discovered in this locality by new excavations are here interpreted as belonging to the euornithopod Zalmoxes shqiperorum Weishampel, Jianu, Csiki and Norman, 2003. The base of the Jibou Formation can therefore be regarded as Maastrichtian, correlative to the Sânpetru Formation and to the middle member of the Densuş Ciula Formation from the Haţeg Basin, as well as the base of the Şard Formation in the southwestern Basin of Transylvania, in the Alba Iulia area. The presence of Zalmoxes at Someş Odorhei also confirms the northeastern extension for the ‘Haţeg Island’ in Transylvania.     

A new baurusuchid crocodyliform (Archosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina)

A new baurusuchid, Wargosuchus australis gen. et sp. nov., coming from the Bajo de La Carpa Formation, Neuquén Province (Argentina), is described. This new taxon is based on a fragment of snout and a portion of the cranial roof. Wargosuchus differs from other crocodyliforms by possessing a deep median groove on the frontals, a contact between nasals and frontals extremely reduced, a large depression for the olfactory bulbs, three large foramina surrounding the large, smooth perinarial depression, and a hypertrophied, conical last premaxillary tooth followed by a large paracanine fossa. The finding of Wargosuchus in Patagonia (Argentina), a taxon with a strong resemblance to Brazilian baurusuchids, reinforces the hypothesis of a similar biota between both regions by the Late Cretaceous. Wargosuchus and Cynodontosuchus represent the only Argentinian mesoeucrocodylians to be included within Baurusuchidae. This finding extends the number of crocodyliforms from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which, in turn, corresponds to the most taxonomically diverse one in Argentina.     

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Sporo-Pollen Assemblages from Northern Nei Monggol

Sporo-pollen assemblages, with proteaceous pollen and Normapolles, are obtained from the boring cores and some black clay deposits in the vicinity of Er-Lian-Hao-Te city of northern Nei Monggol (Inner-Mongolia). Seventy species are reported, in which Proteacidites microverrucatus, Beaupreaidites striatus, Triatriapollenites echina- tus and Echitriporites magnus, are described as new. These assemblages are conspicuously poor in pteridophytes and rich in gymnosperms of the families and genera: Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae and Ephedraceae, especially Cedripites, Podocarpidites and Ephedripites. Angiosperms are quite diverse in types, besides the proteaceous pollen and Normapolles (Altantopollis, Pseudoatlantopollis cf. simulatus, Choanopollenites), Momipites coryloides, Momipites tenuipolus, Paraal- nipollenites confusus, Platycarga, Ulmoideipites tricostatus, U. krempii, Cranwellia cf rumseyensis, Disyllabipollis labeosus, Rhoipites, Lonicerapollis gallwitzi, L. scabratus etc. These pollen assemblages are assigned to the families Myricaceae, Juglandaceae, Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Ulmaceae, Proteaceae, Lorathaceae, Anacordiaceae, Symplocaceae, Aquifoliaceae and others. Most of them are tropical and subtropical. This indicates; that a warm-temperate and dry climate was prevailing at that time. Based upon the nature of sporo-pollen assemblages, the age of the black clay deposits is assigned to Maastrichtian. Maastrichtian pollen flora of northern Nei Monggol is associated with Siberian- Pacific Province by the abundanee of proteaceous pollen on one side and with the Euro-American Province by the presence of Normapolles on the other.