A NEW AZHDARCHOID PTEROSAUR FROM THE CRATO FORMATION (LOWER CRETACEOUS,APTIAN?) OF BRAZIL

Abstract: A partial pterosaur skull from the Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Aptian?) represents a new edentulous pterodactyloid, Lacusovagus magnificens gen. et sp. nov. The absence of teeth and a large nasoantorbital fenestra suggest assignment to Azhdarchoidea, and the combination of a particularly short, crestless and shallow rostrum and laterally flared jaw margins distinguish it from other azhdarchoid taxa. The position of the new form within Azhdarchoidea is problematic: Lacusovagus is distinguished from Tapejaridae in its straight, as opposed to ventrally displaced, jaw tip and absence of a premaxillary crest; from thalassodromids by the absence of a premaxillary crest; and from Azhdarchidae by the short length of the rostrum and shallow posterodorsal extension of the premaxilla. Lacusovagus shares a shallow, crestless rostrum and a slender posterodorsal premaxillary extension with Jiufotang Formation azhdarchoids such as Chaoyangopterus and Jidapterus. The position of these genera within Azhdarchoidea is controversial, but the suite of plesiomorphic and derived azhdarchoid characters in each suggests a placement between Tapejaridae and Neoazhdarchia. Further research is required, however, to determine the relationships of these genera both to each other and to other azhdarchoids. The new taxon elevates the faunal similarity found between the roughly contemporaneous Jiufotang and Crato formations and continues the pattern of Crato Formation azhdarchoids being much larger than those from the Jehol Group. It also has jaws at least 67 and 55 per cent longer, respectively, than those of the largest azhdarchoids and ornithocheirids from the Crato pterosaur assemblage, making Lacusovagus the largest pterosaur known from this unit.     

POLYPHYLY OF THE BLACKBIRD GENUS AGELAIUS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ASSUMPTIONS OF MONOPHYLY IN COMPARATIVE STUDIES

A phylogeny for Agelaius blackbirds was constructed using sequence data from an 890 base-pair (bp) region of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene in nine species of Agelaius and a single species from all but 1 of the 28 described blackbird genera and subgenera. The genus was found to be polyphyletic with the South American members of Agelaius more closely related to other South American blackbird genera. Application of bootstrap and jackknife manipulations supports this conclusion. That this relatively well-known genus is polyphyletic represents a warning to those attempting to construct phylogenies without first demonstrating monophyly of the ingroup. The conclusion that Agelaius is polyphyletic necessitates (1) the reinterpretation of previous studies that assumed monophyly and (2) the initiation of a variety of new comparative behavioral and ecological studies suggested by this finding.     

辽西下白垩统九佛堂组尾羽龙类—新属(英文)

记述了一件采自辽西热河群九佛堂组一新的窃蛋龙类:义县似尾羽龙(Similicaudipteryx yixianensis gen.et sp.nov.),并依据其和尾羽龙属的相似特征,及其匕首状的尾综骨,肠骨、踱骨和脚趾的形态等将其归入窃蛋龙类的尾羽龙科,但其所具有的一些特征也不同于该科已建立的尾羽龙属,如尾综骨的形态和较大的个体等。该化石具有许多典型的窃蛋龙类的特征,如短尾、较短的前肢等,有别于其他窃蛋龙类的特征还包括耻骨和肠骨的长度比为1.46,背椎上发育2个大而深的椎体下突、背椎侧部具孔等。义县似尾羽龙是又一类具有真正尾综骨的恐龙,表明尾综骨这一曾经被认为是鸟类特有的结构可能是在恐龙中独自演化的。它具有一些进步的特征如具尾综骨等,但同时也具有一些原始的特征如5个愈合的荐椎,耻骨联合长,表明在窃蛋龙类中存在着特征的镶嵌进化现象。似尾羽龙与驰龙类、其他窃蛋龙类等恐龙一样,脚趾并没有对握,已有的证据说明完全的对握目前还只是出现于鸟类中。根据其短尾、中部收缩的趾骨和灵巧的身体等都表明它是一类适于快速奔跑的动物。目前为止,已知的尾羽龙类化石均发现于北票四合屯地区的义县组下部尖山沟层(段),距今约125Ma。新标本发现于义县西二虎桥地点,属于九佛堂组,距今约120Ma,这也是迄今为止在九佛堂组发现的惟一一件尾羽龙类化石,对研究早白垩世窃蛋龙类的演化和热河生物群恐龙组合的特征具有重要的意义。     

THE ONTOGENY OF THE CRANIAL BONES, CRANIAL PERIPHERAL AND CRANIAL PARASYMPATHETIC NERVES, TOGETHER WITH A STUDY OF THE VISCERAL MUSCLES OF STRUTHIO

Abstract The skull of Struthio is typically avian. There are, however, many cranial features that are neotenic in relation to the other Dromaeognathae and Neognathae. The premaxillary-vomer arthrosis is present in the embryo of Struthio but is absent in the adult; it is present in the adults of the other Dromaeognathae; the trabeculo-capsular entity is uninterrupted: therefore, there is no mesokinetic joint; kinesis, as a result, is limited. No orbitosphenoid present; septum ossifies as mesethmoid which appears on the dorsal surface. There are only two circumorbital bones present: the lacrimal and the jugal. The auditory region has only two centres of ossification: the prootic and opisthotic. The quadrate has a single elongated condyle of the processus oticus which articulates with the prootic and squamosal. The cranial base is ossified as the basioccipital and basisphenoid, the latter being of mixed origin. There are five dermal bones in the lower jaw of Struthio ; the gonial is present. The trigeminus musculature is reduced and shows very definite neotenic features. The peripheral cranial nerves are typically avian. The cranial parasympathetic nerves are well developed in the embryo but show definite signs of resorption in the later stages of development. The hyoid apparatus is mainly cartilaginous; the hyoid musculature is reduced.     

新疆准噶尔盆地早中新世的最早众古仓鼠及其与稀古仓鼠的对比(英文)

记述了新疆准噶尔盆地早中新世地层中发现的众古仓鼠类化石。材料采集于索索泉组的两个地点,古地磁年龄介于21.9～21.16Ma之间。这是迄今为止中亚和东亚地区众古仓鼠的最早记录。材料可以归入两个种:苏氏众古仓鼠(新种)Democricetodon sui sp.nov.和众古仓鼠未定种Democricetodon?sp.,该未定种材料很少,不足以准确分类。与早中新世其他仓鼠的比较及对稀古仓鼠Spanocricetodon模式种的重新观察表明,苏氏众古仓鼠是中亚地区谢家期的指示性化石,李传夔(1977)所定义的稀古仓鼠为一个有效属,与Democricetodon和Primus属有明显区别;以前归入稀古仓鼠的某些种类应归入其他属。苏氏众古仓鼠与同一地区晚渐新世的Eucricetodon aff.E.caducus形态明显不同,表明它可能不是起源于该地区的古近纪仓鼠,而是迁移至中亚的外来种。     

THE FIRST FOSSIL PROSCOPIIDAE (INSECTA, ORTHOPTERA, EUMASTACOIDEA) WITH COMMENTS ON THE HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY AND EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY

Abstract:  Eoproscopia martilli gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation Lagerstätte of Ceará State, north-east Brazil. The new taxon is assigned to the extant family Proscopiidae and represents the first occurrence of the group in the fossil record. Eoproscopia is similar to crown group proscopiids in its stick-like habitus, elongate prothorax and absence of the cryptopleuron, but differs in the presence of well-developed wings, the short head with a small, simple fastigium, the prothoracic legs being inserted near the posterior margin of the prothorax, and the absence of spines on the metathoracic tibiae. The discovery of Eoproscopia extends the geological range of the family by approximately 110 myr and confirms the presence of stem-group proscopiids in the Atlantic rift zone of South America during the Early Cretaceous.     

THE GENUS HAMINOEA (GASTROPODA: CEPHALASPIDEA) IN PORTUGAL, WITH A REVIEW OF THE EUROPEAN SPECIES

The study of specimens of Haminoea collected on the coast ofPortugal, together with the re-evaluation of historical specimensused by Nobre (1938–40) in his main work on the Portuguesemolluscs, recognized the presence of two species, Haminoea navicula(da Costa, 1778) and H. orbignyana (Férussac, 1822),and confirmed the misidentification of H. orbignyana as H. elegans(Gray, 1825). Anatomical analysis found intraspecific variabilityin the radula of H. navicula and H. orbignyana and in the seminalduct of the latter. The systematic value of taxonomic featuresincluding the shell, external morphology, animal coloration,radula, jaws, gizzard plates, prostate gland, seminal duct,penis and egg-masses is discussed. For all European speciesbut H. orbignyana, identification is only possible when anatomicaldata are considered, and the most relevant character is themale reproductive system. SEM images of the penis and prostateof H. navicula and H. orbignyana are given for the first time.A synoptic table for the recognition of the European speciesis provided. (Received 21 January 2005; accepted 17 June 2005)     

A NEW GENUS OF ICHTHYOSAUR FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF WESTERN CANADA

Abstract:  A new fauna of Lower Cretaceous (Albian) ichthyosaurs, which includes at least one new genus and species, was recovered from deposits of the Loon River Formation at Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. All Cretaceous ichthyosaurs have been referred to a single genus, Platypterygius . The Loon River Formation material, however, does not satisfy the diagnosis for Platypterygius , and it is distinctive enough to warrant the erection of a new genus and species of ichthyosaur. Maiaspondylus lindoei gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from other ichthyosaurs by an extensive overlapping contact of the jugal and the maxilla; marginal teeth with smooth crowns, fluted cementum, lingual curvature and implantation in a dental groove; and humerus with isomorphic proximal and distal ends, featuring three distal articular facets in which the medial articular facet is smaller than the lateral facets. The holotype and referred material is described here, and the relationship of Maiaspondylus to other ophthalmosaurs is discussed.     

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN ALETRIS. I. DEVELOPMENT OF THE OVULE,MEGASPORES AND MEGAGAMETOPHYTE OF A. AUREA AND THEIR CONNECTION WITH THE SYSTEMATICS OF THE GENUS

Browne , Edward T., Jr . (U. of Kentucky, Lexington.) Morphological studies in Aletris. I. Development of the ovule, megaspores and megagametophyte of A. aurea and their connection with the systematics of the genus. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(2): 143–147. Illus. 1961.—Development in a North American species of this variously classified genus has shown great similarity with the development in several genera of Hutchinson's Liliaceae-Narthecieae: Pleea, Tofieldia, Nanhecium and ∗∗∗Metaparthecium. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic, crassinucellate and arranged in 4 rows in each locule of the tricarpellate pistil. There is a hypostase and an obturator. The primary archesporial cell is hypodermal. This undergoes a division to form a wall cell and the megaspore parent cell (MPC). The megaspores usually have a linear arrangement although occasionally a T-shaped tetrad may be formed. Most frequently the chalazal megaspore functions, but rarely the one adjacent to it may enlarge instead. Megagametophyte development is of the Polygonum type. A characteristic narrowed chalazal constriction is formed during the development of the megagametophyte. It is recommended on the basis of this information that Aletris be classified with the genera of the Liliaceae-Narthecieae.     

A REVIEW OF LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERTIDAL LIMPET GENUS SIPHONARIA (GASTROPODA: PULMONATA)

A compilation of distributional and life-history data relatingto mode of larval development is presented for 26 species ofSiphonana, a genus of intertidal pulmonates. Most species depositgelatinous benthic egg masses with two species releasing pelagicegg masses. Fifteen species hatch as planktonic-developing larvae,nine hatch as direct-developing juveniles, and in a furthertwo larvae hatch with both the swimming velar apparatus (associatedwith plank-tonic development) and a crawling foot (associatedwith direct development). Data on mode of larval developmentare interpreted with respect to some adaptive models. Despiteimportant exceptions, there is support for adaptive models basedupon egg capsule size (direct developers hatch from larger eggcapsules) and intertidal distribution (direct developers generallyoccur higher on the shore than planktonic developers). Worldwide,planktonic developers are more widespread than direct-developingspecies, and individual planktonic species have a greater meanlatitudinal range. The evidence for adaptive models relatinglatitudinal distribution to developmental mode is equivocal.There appears to be no clear relationship between body sizeand developmental mode in the genus, although the smallest specieshas direct development and the largest has planktonic development.In most siphonariid subgenera, developmental mode appears tobe constant, but two subgenera contain a mixture of developmentaltypes (Received 1 November 1993; accepted 15 April 1994)     

中国刺鳅属鱼类分类整理及两新种和一新纪录(鲈形目,刺鳅科)(英文)

系统整理了中国刺鳅属鱼类Mastacembelus,记述2新种,腹纹刺鳅M.strigiventus Zhouet Yang,sp.nov.和三叶刺鳅M.triolobus Zhouet Yang,sp.nov.及中国1新纪录种,云斑刺鳅M.oatesii(Boulenger)。新种模式标本分别保存于中国科学院昆明动物研究所(KIZ)鱼类标本库和西南林业大学(SWFC)。腹纹刺鳅与三叶刺鳅、大刺鳅的区别在于:背鳍、臀鳍与尾鳍基部大部愈合,但具缺刻相区分;体侧前部具4～5条褐色纵条纹,最下1条常断续,全部纵纹至肛门前方渐成网格交叉或断续;腹面亦具1条明显褐色纵纹,有时分歧形成小网格。三叶刺鳅区别于腹纹刺鳅及大刺鳅的主要特征包括:背鳍条、臀鳍条和尾鳍条数目均少;背鳍、臀鳍与尾鳍仅在基部相连,在端部分开,能明显区分;除背部的黑色大斑块外,体无六角状环纹或锯齿状纹,腹面亦无斑纹;头长为头宽3.5倍以下,为吻长2.8倍以下。云斑刺鳅以下面组合特征区别于三叶刺鳅和腹纹刺鳅:背鳍条,臀鳍条数目均少,尾鳍条数目相对较多;背鳍、臀鳍与尾鳍仅基部愈合;体侧具云状斑,背部具14～15个褐色斑块,腹面无纵纹或网眼斑;头长为头宽4.0倍以上,为吻长3.0倍以上。     

A REVIEW OF THE PROBLEMATIC OSTEOSTRACAN GENUS AUCHENASPIS AND ITS ROLE IN THYESTIDIAN EVOLUTION

Abstract:  The poorly understood osteostracan genus Auchenaspis , from the Upper Silurian of England, belongs to the thyestidians (Thyestiida), a controversial and important group that is key to the understanding of the evolution of the Osteostraci and paired pectoral fins. The two under-studied species of this genus are comprehensively reviewed using anatomical and novel statistical approaches. No reliable anatomical characters can be used to distinguish between the two species, yet discriminant analysis finds significant separation with respect to size. Potential causes of this conflict are discussed. The findings enable Auchenaspis to be considered in terms of wider thyestidian evolution and contradict previous interpretations of the genus as representing a paraphyletic taxon, whose morphology is intermediate between the general osteostracan condition and the highly derived tremataspids.     

江苏句容中生代晚期中华鳞齿鱼属(Sinolepidotus)一新种,兼论该属的系统位置

记述了在江苏句容发现的中华鳞齿鱼属(Sinolepidotus)一新种——长背鳍中华鳞齿鱼(Sinolepidotus longidorsalis sp.nov)。新种的一般形态特征如身体高纺锤形,背鳍长,臀鳍离尾鳍近,头骨外部骨片的形状及排列格局,口裂小,下颌骨有较高的冠状突,口缘牙齿高而尖,体侧中部和背区的一些鳞片高显著大于宽等,与浙江早白垩世的浙江中华鳞齿鱼(Sinolepidotus chekiangensis)很相似。但新种具有背鳍较长,背鳍鳍条数目较多,吻突尖,及鳞片后缘梳状齿不发育等特征区别于浙江中华鳞齿鱼。此外,评论了中华鳞齿鱼属的系统位置,认为它的形态特征与Paralepidotus很相似,对它原列入半椎鱼科提出疑问。根据长背鳍中华鳞齿鱼的性质并参考有关地质古生物资料,将含鱼层杨冲组的时代定为早白垩世。     

拟稻蝗属及一新种记述(直翅目,斑腿蝗科)

补充描述拟稻蝗属Oxyoides Zheng et Fu的2个已知种,即八面山拟稻蝗O.bamianshanensis Fu et Zheng和武陵山拟稻蝗O.wulingshanensis Zheng et Fu,并记述1新种长锚拟稻蝗O.longianxhorus sp.nov..Oxyoides Fu,Peng et Zhu,1995被确定为拟稻蝗属Oxyoides Zheng et Fu,1994的新异名,O.wulingshanensis Fu,Peng et Zhu,1995为武陵山拟稻蝗O.wulingshanensis Zheng et Fu,1994的新异名.编制了该属已知3种的分种检索表.新种长锚拟稻蝗O.longianxhorus sp.nov.与八面山拟稻蝗O.bamianshanensis Fu et Zheng相似,主要区别是:触角中段一节长为宽的2.5～3.0倍,复眼间距为颜面隆起在触角窝之间的宽度的1.5倍,阳茎基背片形状奇特,锚状突长,呈镰刀状,表面密布小刺.模式标本保存在广西师范大学生命科学学院昆虫标本室.     

A NEW BASAL PTEROSAUR GENUS FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF THE NORTHERN CALCAREOUS ALPS OF SWITZERLAND

Abstract:  A lower jaw with multicusped teeth and a number of unique characteristics was discovered in an extensive exposure of the Upper Triassic Kössen Formation in the Northern Calcareous Alps. The ramus of the jaw is high and dominated by a row of large, oval foramina that lies parallel to the tooth row. In addition, the anterior portion of the dentary exhibits a large number of nutritive foramina and small pits, which might indicate an association with a soft tissue structure and/or the presence of a keratinous cover of that area during life. All elements of the jaw are thin-walled and hollow, possibly pneumatic. Two teeth are preserved within the dentary. One is tricuspid and the other bears four cuSPS. The teeth are noticeably small in comparison with the overall size of the ramus, being only one-third of the height of the ramus. The teeth show a strong similarity to those of the well-known basal pterosaur genus Eudimorphodon , whose jaw morphology, however, clearly differs from the specimen described in this study. The dentition and the pneumatic bone structure make an assignment to the Pterosauria plausible. Based on the great number of distinct morphological characters the specimen is described as Caviramus schesaplanensis gen. et sp. nov.     

丙烯酰胺非整倍体诱发效应的荧光原位杂交和CREST染色的研究

本文以小鼠着丝粒次要卫星DNA探针FISH和抗着丝粒CREST染色,研究了可疑的非整倍体毒剂丙烯酰胺(AA)诱导的小鼠NIH3T3细胞微核(MN)的着丝粒组成情况和小鼠骨髓染色体畸变(CA)情况。结果发现AA在100—400μg/ml诱导的MN约52.7％—71.6％为FISH阳性,60.5％—68.2％的MN为CR-EST阳性,两种结果均显示AA具有较强的非整倍体诱发效应。小鼠骨髓CA的FISH表明,AA既能诱导染色体结构畸变,又能诱导非整倍体形成,而以非整倍体诱发效应更为明显。