Tettigarctidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China

Three new species of Tettigarctidae from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China are described: Shuraboprosbole daohugouensis nov. sp., S. minuta nov. sp., and S. media nov. sp. The revised diagnostic characters of Shuraboprosbole Becker-Migdisova are provided based on well-preserved whole-bodied fossil tettigarctids. So far, only four definitive species of Tettigarctidae are recorded from the Mesozoic of China. The pronotum concealing major of mesonotum seems to be an autapomorphy of Tettigarctinae. The “cicadellid-like tarsi” found in Cicadellidae and Brazilian Tettigarctidae are probably a parallel evolution.     

A new large barn owl (Aves, Strigiformes, Tytonidae) from the Middle Pleistocene of Sicily, Italy, and its taphonomical significance

A new species of Tytonidae, Tyto mourerchauvireae, is described from the Sicilian cave deposits of Spinagallo, Luparello and Marasà, which have yielded a common vertebrate fossil assemblages referred to the early Middle Pleistocene. T. mourerchauvireae nov. sp. shows a pronounced increase in body size compared to other congeneric taxa. It is larger than the extant Tyto alba and the extinct Tyto balearica and Tyto sanctialbani and comparable in size among the Mediterranean taxa only with the extinct Tyto robusta, which differs in some morphological characteristics of the long bones. The insular adaptations of T. mourerchauvireae nov. sp. and the differences from the other forms of the genus Tyto which spread through the Mediterranean area during Neogene and Pleistocene are discussed. The fossil assemblages of the early Middle Pleistocene of Sicily are dominated by extinct giant Gliridae of the genus Leithia and Maltamys; these taxa are regarded as the primary prey items of T. mourerchauvireae nov. sp. The Gliridae remains were analysed microscopically to detect possible modifications of bones and teeth caused by ingestion and digestion processes. This type of analysis, together with the qualitative study of the fossil assemblages, allows to show the taphonomical importance of T. mourerchauvireae nov. sp. as agent of accumulation in such Sicilian fossil assemblages. Incidentally the taxonomic validity of T. robusta is discussed and confirmed.     

Two new species of Palaeoarthroteles Kovalev and Mostovski (Diptera, Rhagionidae) from the Callovian-Oxfordian (Jurassic) Daohugou biota of China

Two new species of fossil snipe flies (Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation of Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (northeastern China) are described as Palaeoarthroteles jurassicus nov. sp. and P. pallidius nov. sp. They are the first record of the genus Palaeoarthroteles Kovalev and Mostovski beyond Siberia, which have implications for stratigraphic correlation of the formations in which they are found.     

Zooid size and growth rate of the bryozoan Cryptosula pallasiana Moll in relation to temperature, in culture and in its natural environment

The size of cheilostome bryozoan zooids has been widely discussed for its potential in inferring palaeotemperatures, based on correlations between zooid size and temperature. Studies in both the natural environment and under experimental laboratory conditions have shown that an increase in temperature significantly decreases zooid size in a range of bryozoan taxa. In order to test the effect of temperature on zooid size, the cheilostome bryozoan Cryptosula pallasiana was for the first time successfully cultured under laboratory conditions. C. pallasiana was grown at 14 °C and 18 °C using Rhodomonas sp. as a food organism. Zooid size, tentacle number and growth rate were measured over a period of 26 days. For comparison, zooids from colonies of C. pallasiana collected from the natural environment were measured in winter and summer months. Results showed that colonies grown in laboratory culture had significantly longer and wider zooids at 14 °C than at 18 °C. The specific growth rate of C. pallasiana doubled from 14 °C to 18 °C. Comparison of tentacle number in culture showed a significantly higher value at lower temperatures. This may be related to differing food availability, longer polypide life spans, or a shift of energy use at colder temperatures. In nature the zooids were significantly longer in colonies sampled in July than in January, a clear difference from laboratory results. The utility of cheilostome Bryozoa as indicators of environmental change and their potential for studies of paleotemperature are highlighted.     

Pronemouridae fam. nov. (Insecta: Plecoptera), the stem group of nemouridae and notonemouridae,from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia,China

Abstract: A new family, Pronemouridae fam. nov., with a new genus, Pronemoura gen. nov., and five new species of fossil stoneflies are described from Daohugou village (Middle Jurassic), Inner Mongolia, China: P. shii sp. nov., P. angustithorax sp. nov., P. longialata sp. nov., P. minuta sp. nov. and P. peculiaris sp. nov. Wing venation of pronemourinids presents some or considerable variety in the fore and hind wings of the same or different individuals. Pronemourinidae, retaining plesiomorphic characters (short, multisegmented cerci and CuA with forks), should be treated as the stem group of Nemouridae and Notonemouridae. Based on fossil data, we propose a model in which the extant plecopterid distribution began in the Early Cretaceous. Nemouridae and Notonemouridae must have occurred in Asia and begun to migrate from here by at least the Early Cretaceous.     

New species of Palaeobolbomyia Kovalev and Ussatchovia Kovalev (Diptera, Brachycera, Rhagionidae) from the Callovian-Oxfordian (Jurassic) Daohugou biota of China: Biostratigraphic and paleoecologic implications

Three new species of fossil snipe flies (Insecta, Diptera, Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation of Chifeng City in Nei Monggol Autonomous Region (= Inner Mongolia), northeastern China are described as Palaeobolbomyia sinica nov. sp., Ussatchovia robusta nov. sp. and Ussatchovia gracilenta nov. sp. They represent the first records of the genera Palaeobolbomyia Kovalev and Ussatchovia Kovalev in China and have implications for stratigraphic correlation of the formations in which they are found. Although the precise age of the Daohugou Formation is currently unresolved, it is most likely Callovian-Oxfordian (latest Middle Jurassic-earliest Late Jurassic) rather than early Middle Jurassic (late Aalenian-early Bajocian) or Early Cretaceous.     

Systematics and palaeoecology of middle Toarcian Asteroidea (Echinodermata) from the “Seuil du Poitou”, Western France

Complete, articulated starfish fossils are rare. However, more frequently encountered dissociated skeletal elements (ossicles) permit reliable taxonomic identification, making them a valuable data source for diversity estimates. Nearly 300 asteroid ossicles, collected from the middle Toarcian marls in western France can be assigned to five species. Four species and two genera are described: Comptoniaster vrinensis nov. sp. (Goniasteridae), Poncetaster crateri nov. gen. nov. sp. (Stauranderasteridae), Galbaster recurrans nov. gen. nov. sp. (Goniasteridae) and Pentasteria? liasica nov. sp. (Astropectinidae). The known diversity of Early Jurassic asteroids is increased from 12 to 16 species. These taxa illustrate the diversification of crown-group asteroids early in the Jurassic, following the Permo-Triassic crisis. They also reflect bias of the fossil record, and imply the existence of numerous ghost lineages in the evolutionary trees of extant groups. Variation in asteroid diversity across the “Seuil du Poitou” was driven by ecological constraints. The relative frequency (abundance of ossicles and diversity) of goniasterids and stauranderasterids increases in shallower environments. The Benthopectinidae, represented by Plesiastropecten hallovensis, occurred primarily from deep-shelf sediments. Similar ecological patterns are observed for more recent fossil and extant relatives, which further supports the idea of conservative evolution in post-Palaeozoic starfishes since the Early Jurassic.     

Etheliaceae fam. nov. (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta), with a clarification of the generitype of Ethelia and the addition of six novel species from warm waters

Based upon COI‐5P, LSU rDNA, and rbcL sequence data and morphological characteristics, six new members of the noncalcified crustose genus of red algae Ethelia are described in a new family, Etheliaceae (Gigartinales), sister to the recently described Ptilocladiopsidaceae. The novel species are described from subtropical to tropical Atlantic and Indo‐Pacific Ocean basins; E. mucronata sp. nov. and E. denizotii sp. nov. from southern and northern Western Australia respectively, E. wilcei sp. nov. from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands of Australia, E. suluensis sp. nov. from the Philippines, E. umbricola sp. nov. from Bermuda and E. kraftii sp. nov. from Lord Howe Island, Australia. The generitype, Ethelia biradiata, originally reported from the Seychelles, Indian Ocean, is added to the Western Australian flora.     

New bryozoans (Stenolaemata) from the Middle Jurassic of Moscow City and the Moscow Region

Five new species of stenolaematous bryozoans are described from the Middle Callovian of Moscow City (Krasnopresnenskii Region) and the Moscow Region (Gzhel’ Railroad Station and the quarry between the small towns of Rechitsy and Troshkovo): Entalophora alexeevi sp. nov., Cellulipora retshitsiensis sp. nov., Diplosolen pravus sp. nov., Siphodictyum primarium sp. nov., and Ceata kamushkiensis sp. nov. The last four species belong to the genera that have never been recorded from deposits older than the Lower Cretaceous. The presence of different types of heterozooecia in these bryozoans shows that the functional polymorphism of zooids developed considerably in the class Stenolaemata as early as the Middle Jurassic.     

Systematics and taphonomy of an Early Kimmeridgian belemnite fauna from the Mediterranean Tethys (Monte Nerone, Central Apennines, Italy)

About three hundred belemnite rostra were collected from Lower Kimmeridgian beds of a structural high sequence cropping out at Mt. Nerone (central Apennines, Pesaro Province, Italy). The belemnite fauna is composed mainly of new species. Nine species were recognised, ascribed to five genera, which include Hibolithes semisulcatusMünster, 1830; H. pignattii nov. sp.; Acutibelu0s sp. cf. acuariformisRiegraf, 1981; Belemnopsis neronensis nov. sp., Duvalia matteuccii nov. sp., D. nicosiai nov. sp., D. pallinii nov. sp., D. raymondi nov. sp. and Rhopaloteuthis massimoi nov. sp.; moreover a single specimen is treated in open nomenclature as Belemnopseidae incertae sedis. The stratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic significance of the new fauna is discussed. The taphonomy of the belemnite-rich level is described, with reference to borings found on the belemnite rostra.La fauna a belemniti risulta composta quasi esclusivamente da specie nuove. Sono state riconosciute le seguenti specie: Hibolithes semisulcatusMünster, 1830; H. pignattii nov. sp.; Acutibelus sp. cf. acuariformisRiegraf, 1981, Belemnopsis neronensis nov. sp., Duvalia matteuccii nov. sp., D. nicosiai nov. sp., D. pallinii nov. sp., D. raymondi nov. sp. and Rhopaloteuthis massimoi nov. sp. Inoltre un esemplare è stato discusso con nomenclatura aperta come Belemnopseidae incertae sedis. Alcuni nuovi dati stratigrafici e paleobiogeografici sono stati analizzati ed integrati con i dati della letteratura. E’ stata anche esaminata la tafonomia del livello a belemniti e le perforazioni presenti sulla superficie dei rostri.     

The genus Cyprideis Jones, 1857 (Crustacea,Ostracoda) in the Neogene of Italy: A geometric morphometric approach

As a result of the use of geometric morphometrics, multivariate statistics and classical morphological observations the authors propose a taxonomic revision of the Neogene Italian Cyprideis species. On this basis, the Cyprideis valves collected in Tortonian, Messinian and Pliocene brackish deposits of Italy are referred to 12 species, six of which are new: Cyprideis alexandri nov. sp., Cyprideis arvedoi nov. sp., Cyprideis lepianensis nov. sp., Cyprideis rooki nov. sp., Cyprideis strollae nov. sp., and Cyprideis toscana nov. sp. Some species are rather widespread in the Italian Peninsula (Cyprideis ruggierii Decima and Cyprideis crotonensis Decima) or even in the whole Palaeomediterranean (Cyprideis agrigentina Decima and Cyprideis anlavauxensis Carbonnel). For C. ruggierii, C. agrigentina and C. crotonensis, a phyletic relation is suggested. The new species are confined both geographically and stratigraphically in several Tuscan athalassic brackish basins, suggesting endemic speciation similar to those occurring in ancient lakes.     

Operculate cyclostome bryozoans (Eleidae) from the Bohemian Cretaceous

Eleidae (‘melicerititids’) are unusual cyclostome bryozoans possessing operculate zooids and mandibulate polymorphs (‘eleozooids’) resembling the avicularia of cheilostome bryozoans. Here we describe 13 eleid species from the Cenomanian-Turonian of the Bohemian Cretaceous basin in the Czech Republic. Three species of Meliceritites are new: Meliceritites kankensis, M. stillativa and M. upohlavyensis. Reptoforicula gen. nov. is introduced for free-walled eleids with multilamellar encrusting colonies, containing the type species Reptoforicula zbyslavensis sp. nov. and R. vodrazkai sp. nov. Type specimens of three species erroneously assigned to Eleidae are refigured and their true affinities discussed. This study underscores the value of eleozooids in distinguishing between otherwise closely similar eleid species. The Bohemian late Cenomanian-early Turonian eleid fauna is dominated by encrusting species, a pattern that is typical of nearshore localities and contrasts with offshore chalks where erect, vincularian species are more numerous.     

New gomphaeschnids and progobiaeshnids from the Yixian Formation in Liaoning Province (China) illustrate the tremendous Upper Mesozoic diversity of the aeshnopteran dragonflies

One new genus and five new species of dragonflies (Odonata) are described and figured from the Yixian Formation of northeastern China, viz. two gomphaeschnids Sinojoria magna nov. sp. and S. cancellosa nov. sp., plus three progobiaeshnids Mongoliaeshna hadrens nov. sp., M. exiguusens nov. sp., and Decoraeshna preciosus nov. gen., nov. sp. These new discoveries confirm the apparently sudden great diversification in China of the clade Aeshnoptera during the Middle-Upper Jurassic, together with the Upper Mesozoic to modern lineages of dragonflies. At the same time, some ‘ancient’ groups of Odonata became extinct.     

Discosorids and Oncocerids (Cephalopoda) of the Middle Ordovician Kunda and Aseri Regional Stages of Baltoscandia and the early evolution of these groups

Discosorid and oncocerid cephalopods of the Kunda and Aseri Regional Stage (Darriwilian, Middle Ordovician) from Öland Island, Sweden and North Estonia are described for the first time. We demonstrate that a high generic and specific diversity of Oncocerida was already established in the earliest Darriwilian. The new oncocerid species Neumatoceras borense nov. sp., N. breviborense nov. sp., Paramiamoceras breviventrum nov. sp., Richardsonoceras gastroscopium nov. sp., R. gerhardi nov. sp., R. goldmanni nov. sp., R. haelluddenense nov. sp., Richardsonoceroides kingi nov. sp., R. oelandense nov. sp., and R. rhytium nov. sp. are erected; Richardsonoceroides schiefferdeckeri (Dewitz) is revised. The new graciloceratid Kundoceras evansi nov. gen., nov. sp. is erected. A review of records of early oncocerids from China shows that Richardsonoceras Foerste is probably the most primitive oncocerid and supports the hypothesis that oncocerids evolved in the early Floian or latest Tremadocian from a Bassleroceras Ulrich and Foerste-like ancestor. The new discosorid genus Paldoceras nov. gen. and species Paldoceras paldiskense nov. sp. and P. neptunsakerense nov. sp. are erected. These discosorids record the morphological link between the late Darriwilian Ruedemannoceras Flower and the early Floian Apocrinoceras Teichert and Glenister, which is considered to be the earliest discosorid.     

Gymnocranius superciliosus and Gymnocranius satoi, two new large-eye breams (Sparoidea: Lethrinidae) from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions

Two related perciform fish species of the subfamily Monotaxinae (Sparoidea: Lethrinidae) Gymnocranius superciliosus sp. nov. and Gymnocranius satoi sp. nov. are described from specimens and tissue samples from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions. G. superciliosus sp. nov. is distinct from all other known Gymnocranius spp. by the following combination of characters: body elongated (depth 2.7–3.1 in standard length), caudal fin moderately forked with a subtle middle notch, its lobes slightly convex inside, distinctive blackish eyebrow, snout and cheek with blue speckles, and dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins reddish. G. satoi sp. nov. is the red-finned ‘Gymnocranius sp.’ depicted in previous taxonomic revisions. While colour patterns are similar between the two species, G. satoi sp. nov. is distinct from G. superciliosus sp. nov. by the ratio of standard length to body depth (2.4–2.5 vs. 2.7–3.1) and by the shape of the caudal fin, which is more shallowly forked, its lobes convex inside and their extremities rounded. The two species are genetically distinct from each other and they are genetically distinct from G. elongatus, G. euanus, G. grandoculis, and G. oblongus sampled from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions.     

A new species of Golunda (Rodentia, Muridae) from the Late Pleistocene of Indian Himalaya

The youngest fossil Golunda (Rodentia, Muridae) is described from the Late Pleistocene fluvio-lacustrine deposits, exposed at Dulam (Bageshwar), Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India. The age of fossiliferrous horizon is estimated as 31,000 yr BP. A new species, Golunda dulamensis nov. sp. has highly derived characters, e.g., antero-posteriorly stretched molars, upper molars with more length and less width, stephanodonty, cusps in M₃ strongly inclined backward giving the molars a very stretched aspect, and metaconid and entoconid in M₃ forming almost straight lingual row of the cusps. G. dulamensis nov. sp. is most similar to present day G. ellioti but differs from the later slightly by larger size, a thin connection between t₄ and t₅ in M¹, and comparatively larger entoconid and very weakly developed antero-labial cusp in M₃. We suggest that highly specialized molars of G. dulamensis nov. sp. and present day G. ellioti are derivable through G. kelleri. We also propose that Golunda migrated from Asia to Africa, not from Africa to Asia as was thought by earlier workers.     

Apophyses,verticiles, and denticles in skeletons of Late Paleozoic radiolarians of the subfamily Entactiniinae

Morphostructural analysis of secondary skeletal elements, such as apophyses on the main spines and verticiles on the secondary spines of certain Late Paleozoic radiolarians of the subfamily Entactiniinae allow their taxonomic rank to be raised to genus. The presence of denticles on the secondary spines is only evidence of particular species. Three skeleton morphotypes are established: primary morphotype A, verticillate morphotype B, and apophyseal morphotype C. A new species, Entactinia mariannae sp. nov., and two new genera, Apophysiacus gen. nov. with five species, A. ichikawai (Caridroit et De Wever, 1984), A. minuta (Feng, 2007), A. praepycnoclada (Nazarov et Ormiston, 1983), A. pycnoclada (Nazarov et Ormiston, 1985), and A. sakmaraensis (Kozur et Mostler, 1989), and Verticillides gen. nov. with three species, V. nazarovi nom. nov., V. nestellae sp. nov., and V. verticillatus sp. nov., are described.     

Groupe de Candona clivosa, nouveau groupe de Candoninae (Crustacea, Ostracoda) et sa diversification dans le Bassin de Turiec (Slovaquie) au Miocène supérieur

The Candona clivosa-group, a new group of Candoninae - is erected on the base of the folded inner lamella observed on the postero-ventral border of the female valve. The elongated sub-triangular and rectangular valves of this group are described from the Miocene and Quaternary deposits of Europe. A folded inner lamella is also observed in 11 species of Candona from the Upper Miocene of the Turiec Basin of which 8 are new - Candona fatrica nov. sp., C. tatrica nov. sp., C. lacustris nov. sp., C. palustris nov. sp., C. stagnosa nov. sp., C. laterisimilis nov. sp., C. jiriceki nov. sp. and C. incurva nov. sp. They show a higher variability of the outline, calcification of the valves and width of the zone of concrescence. The extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of this morphological diversification in the Turiec Basin are discussed.     

Vitis seeds (Vitaceae) from the late Neogene Gray Fossil Site, northeastern Tennessee, U.S.A.

This study focuses on morphometric and systematic analyses of the fossil Vitis seeds, recovered from the Gray Fossil Site (7-4.5 Ma, latest Miocene-earliest Pliocene), northeastern Tennessee, U.S.A. A multivariate analysis based on eleven measured characters from 76 complete fossil seeds recognizes three morphotaxa. Further comparisons with both selected modern and fossil vitaceous specimens confirm that these morphotaxa represent three new species, viz. Vitis grayensis sp. nov., Vitis lanatoides sp. nov., and Vitis latisulcata sp. nov. Furthermore, the close resemblance of the first two fossil grapes (V.grayensis and V.lanatoides) with two East Asian Vitis species provides further support concerning a strong eastern Asian aspect of the Gray fossil biota in the late Neogene southeastern North America, as previously evidenced by both animals (e.g. Pristinailurus bristoli [red panda]) and other plants (e.g. Sinomenium and Sargentodoxa).