New ankylosaurian material from the Upper Cretaceous of Transylvania

Ankylosaurian remains from the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, are extremely rare. More than 100 years after the discovery of the first and only better-known assemblage, namely the type material of Struthiosaurus transylvanicus, new ankylosaurian material has been discovered in the Maastrichtian of the Ha?eg Basin, as well as at another locality (Vurp?r), in the Transylvanian Basin, that is described here. The material consists of one tooth in a small jaw fragment (from the Ha?eg Basin) and at least two accummulations of associated, as well as several isolated, postcranial elements (from Vurp?r). No diagnostic elements are preserved that would overlap with the type of S. transylvanicus, so we cannot assign any of the new specimens to this species. The tooth shows marked differences compared to those of other anklyosaurs including S. austriacus and Hungarosaurus in having only six, more or less equally sized, apically pointed cusps separated by deep grooves. The postcranial material from Vurp?r represents at least three different individuals. The humerus is the most diagnostic element among the postcranial remains being most similar both in size and morphology to humeri referred to as Struthiosaurus from different European localities, thus here we refer the humerus and probably associated elements preserved in one assemblage to as cf. Struthiosaurus sp.; the remaining specimens from Vurp?r are retained as Nodosauridae indet. Histological studies have confirmed the adult nature of all sampled bones in the Vurp?r ankylosaur material suggesting that these fully grown animals were of similar size to Struthiosaurus, a small-bodied nodosaurid the ontogenetic status of which, however, has never been investigated histologically. The obviously diminished body size of the Transylvanian ankylosaurs compared to other members of the clade could be explained by insular dwarfism using the same histology-based argument as presented for Magyarosaurus.     

Carnivora from the Plio-Pleistocene hominin site of Drimolen, Gauteng, South Africa

Drimolen is one of the newest and most productive hominin sites in South Africa, and is dated on faunal grounds between 2.0 Ma to 1.5 Ma. This paper provides the first overview of the Carnivora from Drimolen, updating the previously published preliminary faunal list, and describing all currently prepared craniodental and postcranial material. The Drimolen specimens are described in comparison with other modern and fossil South African carnivore material. The carnivores cover a range of taxa including hyaenids, felids, canids and herpestids. Most notable amongst these are the sabretooth Dinofelis aff. piveteaui craniodental and postcranial remains, which are described in detail, and a Chasmaporthetes nitidula cranium. The genus Chasmaporthetes is found at three other sites in the area - Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Coopers D. There are two models for the geographic origin of Dinofelis piveteaui, in that it may have arisen in either eastern or southern Africa. These possibilities are discussed in the light of the new South African Dinofelis material, as the Drimolen material appears to represent a more primitive form with affinities with D. piveteaui. Fossil leopard material from Kromdraai B and Drimolen is also discussed, as the metapodia assigned to P. pardus from these two sites are very small, but lie within the variation of modern leopards. Such size differences in fossil postcrania may have implications for the niches that these animals may have occupied in the past.     

Semicircular canal system in early primates

Mammals with more rapid and agile locomotion have larger semicircular canals relative to body mass than species that move more slowly. Measurements of semicircular canals in extant mammals with known locomotor behaviours can provide a basis for testing hypotheses about locomotion in fossil primates that is independent of postcranial remains, and a means of reconstructing locomotor behaviour in species known only from cranial material. Semicircular canal radii were measured using ultra high resolution X-ray CT data for 9 stem primates (“plesiadapiforms”; n = 11), 7 adapoids (n = 12), 4 omomyoids (n = 5), and the possible omomyoid Rooneyia viejaensis (n = 1). These were compared with a modern sample (210 species including 91 primates) with known locomotor behaviours. The predicted locomotor agilities for extinct primates generally follow expectations based on known postcrania for those taxa. “Plesiadapiforms” and adapids have relatively small semicircular canals, suggesting they practiced less agile locomotion than other fossil primates in the sample, which is consistent with reconstructions of them as less specialized for leaping. The derived notharctid adapoids (excluding Cantius) and all omomyoids sampled have relatively larger semicircular canals, suggesting that they were more agile, with Microchoerus in particular being reconstructed as having had very jerky locomotion with relatively high magnitude accelerations of the head. Rooneyia viejaensis is reconstructed as having been similarly agile to omomyids and derived notharctid adapoids, which suggests that when postcranial material is found for this species it will exhibit features for some leaping behaviour, or for a locomotor mode requiring a similar degree of agility.     

A hominoid distal tibia from the Miocene of Pakistan

A distal tibia, YGSP 1656, from the early Late Miocene portion of the Chinji Formation in Pakistan is described. The fossil is 11.4 million years old and is one of only six postcranial elements now assigned to Sivapithecus indicus. Aspects of the articular surface are cercopithecoid-like, suggesting some pronograde locomotor activities. However, YGSP 1656 possesses an anteroposteriorly compressed metaphysis and a mediolaterally thick medial malleolus, ape-like features functionally related to orthograde body postures and vertical climbing. YGSP 1656 lacks specializations found in the ankle of terrestrial cercopithecoids and thus Sivapithecus may have been primarily arboreal. Nevertheless, the morphology of this tibia is unique, consistent with other interpretations of Sivapithecus postcranial functional morphology that suggest the locomotion of this ape lacks a modern analog. Based on the limited postcranial remains from S. indicus, we hypothesize that this taxon exhibited substantial body size dimorphism.     

The morphological distinction between the postcranial skeleton of Cervalces/Alces and Megaloceros giganteus and comparison between the two Alceini genera from the Upper Pliocene-Holocene of Western Europe

Alces alces, Cervalces and Megaloceros giganteus are deer of approximately the same size whose limb bones could be exchanged if fragmentary so morphological features are needed, enabling identification of postcranials remains. In this work the limb bone features described by Pfeiffer (1999a) as distinguishing Cervalces latifrons from M. giganteus are re-analyzed and further developed, considering also the vertebral column, the articular girdles and the carpals and tarsal elements. This analysis is extended to the other Cervalces species (C. gallicus, C. carnutorum and C. scotti) and to the present-day moose Alces alces. It results in a substantial uniformity in the postcranial skeleton of the species of the genus Cervalces, confirming what has already been stated by Sher (1987), that the Alceini, in the Upper Pliocene, constituted an already well-defined morphological type that did not undergo further structural postcranial remodeling.     

Ein neues captorhinomorphes reptil aus dem thüringischen rotliegend (Unter-Perm; Ost-Deutschland)

Thuringothyris mahlendorffae n.gen. n.sp. is described on the basis of the skull roof, palate, stapes and much of the postcranial skeleton from the Upper Rotliegend (Tambach-Schichten) of the Thuringian Forest in eastern Germany. The new taxon shows both protorothyridid and some captorhinid features. The interrelationships of the »Protorothyrididae«, primitive Captorhinidae, and earliest Diapsida are reviewd. The tetrapod material is used to reassess the biostratigraphic position of the fossil-bearing horizon.     

Sydowia polyspora associated with current season needle necrosis (CSNN) on true fir (Abies spp.)

Current season needle necrosis (CSNN) has been a serious foliage disorder on true fir Christmas trees and bough material in Europe and North America for more than 25 y. Approximately 2–4 weeks after bud break, needles develop chlorotic spots or bands that later turn necrotic. The symptoms have been observed on noble fir (Abies procera), Nordmann fir (A. nordmanniana) and grand fir (A. grandis) on both continents. CSNN was reported as a physiological disorder with unknown aetiology from USA, Denmark, and Ireland, but was associated with the fungus Kabatina abietis in Germany, Austria and Norway. In 2007, a fungus that morphologically resembled K. abietis was isolated from symptomatic needle samples from Nordmann fir from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and USA. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA of these cultures, plus a K. abietis reference culture from Germany (CBS 248.93), resulted in Hormonema dematioides, the imperfect stage of Sydowia polyspora, and thus the taxonomy is further discussed. Inoculation tests on Nordmann fir seedlings and transplants with isolates of S. polyspora from all five countries resulted in the development of CSNN symptoms. In 2009, S. polyspora was also isolated from symptomatic needles from Nordmann fir collected in Slovakia.     

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.     

Juvenile ornithopod (Dinosauria: Rhabdodontidae) remains from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Campanian, Gosau Group) of Muthmannsdorf (Lower Austria)

The fragmentary remains of a juvenile rhabdodontid ornithopod from the Coal-bearing Complex of the Gosau Group (Lower Campanian, Grünbach syncline) at Muthmannsdorf near Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria are revised. The material, probably belonging to a single individual, includes a right dentary (lectotype of Iguanodon suessi Bunzel, 1871, designated herein), teeth, a fragmentary parietal, fragments of scapula, ?radius, femur, tibia, two vertebrae (lost) and a manual ungual.The lectotype dentary does not provide clear autapomorphies or sufficient diagnostic features to determine its position within the Rhabdodontidae at generic level. By this “Iguanodon suessi” Bunzel, 1871 and the genus “Mochlodon” Seeley, 1881, to which it was latter referred as type species, cannot be characterized sufficiently by differential diagnosis and these are best considered nomina dubia. Based upon combined character comparisons (mainly postcranial features) the Muthmannsdorf ornithopod is referred herein to Zalmoxes Weishampel, Jianu, Csiki and Norman, 2003, a genus so far known from the late Maastrichtian of Romania. It probably but not evidently represents a yet unnamed species, most closely related to Zalmoxes shqiperorum Weishampel, Jianu, Csiki and Norman, 2003. At the present state of knowledge the Austrian material is not further diagnostic at the species level and kept in open nomenclature as Zalmoxes sp.     

Über einige Vertreter der Eryopoidea (Amphibia: Temnospondyli) aus dem europäischen Rotliegend (? höchstes Karbon — Perm) 1.Sclerocephalus

The chronospeciesSclerocephalus bavaricus andSclerocephalus haeuseri, with the chronosubspeciesS. h. haeuseri andS. h. jeckenbachensis n. ssp., are redescribed based on material from the lower Rotliegend of the Saar-Nahe region (southern Germany). For the first time numerous features of the skull and postcranial skeleton as wellas the ontogenetic development of the skull are documented. The evolution of these species is discussed.     

A new abelisaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of southern France: Palaeobiogeographical implications

The Abelisauridae are a family of mainly Cretaceous theropod dinosaurs with a wide distribution across the Gondwanan land masses. Although their presence in Europe was reported twenty-five years ago, it has often been considered as controversial largely because of the incompleteness of the available specimens. We report here the discovery of well-preserved abelisaurid material, including a highly diagnostic braincase, at a Late Cretaceous (late Campanian) locality in the Aix-en-Provence Basin, near the eponym city in south-eastern France. A new abelisaurid taxon is erected, Arcovenator escotae gen. nov., sp. nov., on the basis of cranial and postcranial material. A phylogenetic analysis reveals that the new Abelisauridae from Provence is more closely related to taxa from India and Madagascar than to South American forms. Moreover, Genusaurus, Tarascosaurus and the previous Late Cretaceous discoveries are identified as basal abelisaurids. Contrary to previously proposed palaeobiogeographical models of abelisaurid evolution, the presence of the new taxon in Europe suggests that Europe and Africa may have played a major role in abelisaurid dispersal, which apparently involved crossing marine barriers.     

First substantial Middle Eocene record of the Lithornithidae (Aves): A postcranial skeleton from Messel (Germany)

A postcranial skeleton of a representative of the palaeognathous Lithornithidae (Aves) is described from the Middle Eocene of Messel in Germany. The specimen is slightly smaller than Lithornis plebius from which it, however, differs in limb bone proportions. It constitutes the latest fossil record of the Lithornithidae in Europe, whose only other Middle Eocene record is a fragmentary tibiotarsus from North America.     

Gargantuavis philoinos: Giant bird or giant pterosaur?

Gargantuavis philoinos was described as a giant terrestrial bird on the basis of various postcranial elements (synsacrum and pelvis, femur) from Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) localities in Southern France. It has recently been suggested that these remains in fact belong to giant pterosaurs. A detailed comparison between bones referred to Gargantuavis and the corresponding skeletal elements of pterosaurs reveals considerable differences and confirms the avian nature of Gargantuavis. The broad pelvis of Gargantuavis is similar to that of various extinct graviportal terrestrial birds.     

A review of Semigenetta (Viverridae,Carnivora) from the Miocene of Eurasia based on material from the hominid locality of Hammerschmiede (Germany)

The present article offers a detailed review of the taxonomy, distribution and palaeoecology of the genus Semigenetta. The study is based on new craniodental and postcranial remains of the genus from the early late Miocene (Tortonian) locality of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany). Most of the new specimens are attributed to the medium-sized species Semigenetta sansaniensis, whereas one lower carnassial is assigned to the large-sized Semigenetta grandis, making Hammerschmiede 4 the first known locality with two species of the genus. The variability of the material of S. sansaniensis from Europe allows us to revise the taxonomic weight of some previously used characters, and to identify the smaller-sized late Miocene form Semigenetta ripolli as a junior synonym of the former. Such an evolutionary transition of S. sansaniensis towards smaller forms is explained by niche partitioning with larger carnivorans of similar ecology, such as the herein reported S. grandis. Additionally, the species Semigenetta huaiheensis is here considered as a junior synonym of Semigenetta elegans.     

Evidence for the longest stratigraphic range of a post-Triassic Ichthyosaur: a Leptonectes tenuirostris from the Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic) of Switzerland

A three-dimensional well-preserved ichthyosaur skull and parts of the postcranial skeleton are attributed to the species Leptonectes tenuirostris (Conybeare, 1822). It was found vertically embedded in Pliensbachian deposits representing three successive biozones (ibex to margaritatus Zone). The find is dated as early Late Pliensbachian (margaritatus Zone) by a rich ammonite and ostracod fauna. It is the first record of the genus Leptonectes from Switzerland and from the Late Pliensbachian. It is so far the best preserved and most complete ichthyosaur from this time interval worldwide. With diagnostic specimens known from the Rhaetian (Late Keuper) up to the early Late Pliensbachian (Middle Liassic), L. tenuirostris (Conybeare, 1822) has the most extensive stratigraphic range documented for any post-Triassic ichthyosaur so far.     

Postcranial morphology of a basal Pistosauroidea (Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk,The Netherlands

Two partial postcranial skeletons from the Lower Muschelkalk (early Anisian) of Winterswijk, The Netherlands, are described in detail. The specimens were assigned to basal Pistosauroidea, presumably to cf. Cymatosaurus or a closely related taxon. Cymatosaurus is currently the earliest member of the Pistosauroidea and is only known from skull material. Taxonomical assignment is based on humerus morphology and histology, and on morphological differences from other Sauropterygia (Nothosauria and Pachypleurosauria).     

A new genus of pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Lower Jurassic of Holzmaden,Germany

Abstract: The exquisitely preserved holotype of the pliosaur ‘Rhomaleosaurus’victor (SMNS 12478) is described from the Toarcian Posidonien‐Schiefer (Upper Lias, Lower Jurassic) of Holzmaden (Baden‐Württemberg), Germany. The specimen presents a novel combination of synapomorphies and unique morphometric proportions separating it from Rhomaleosaurus sensu stricto and warranting the erection of a new genus, Meyerasaurus gen. nov. Historically, the name ‘Thaumatosaurus’ has been interchangeable with Rhomaleosaurus and is frequently associated with SMNS 12478 in the literature. However, this is an invalid taxon and cannot be reinstated. The anatomy of Meyerasaurus victor is compared in detail with other pliosaurs, and its taxonomic affinity is reviewed. M. victor belongs to the family Rhomaleosauridae and shares several anatomical characters with Rhomaleosaurus including a short and robust premaxillary rostrum (length‐to‐width ratio c. 1.0), parallel premaxilla–maxilla sutures anterior to the nares, vomers contacting the maxillae posterior to the internal nares, and c. 28 cervical vertebrae minus the atlas–axis. The known geographical distribution of Rhomaleosaurus, which previously extended across the German and English palaeobiogeographical zones, is reduced to the English zone as a consequence of the referral of SMNS 12478 to a new genus. This is significant because it contributes to an ongoing trend of increasing generic separation between the German and English zones, while increasing the generic diversity within the German zone itself.     

Postcranial morphology and growth of the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus heterodontus (Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk, The Netherlands

Sauropterygia from the Muschelkalk are only found in lag deposits known as bone beds, and most of the material consists of isolated bones. Alpha taxonomy of Sauropterygia from the Germanic Basin which include Pachypleurosauria is thus based mainly on skull morphology of a few specimens. Articulated or associated postcranial material of pachypleurosaurs, associated with diagnostic skull material, is very rare in the Germanic Basin and currently occurs in larger numbers only in the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk (Gelderland Province, The Netherlands), which continuously produces new material. For the first time, the morphology of several partially articulated skeletons of the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus heterodontus is described and compared. Some of those specimens have skull material attached; others were identified as pachypleurosaurs on the basis of their long bone histology. The current study revealed that postcranial bones of A.?heterodontus feature a diverse morphology reflecting differences during ontogeny. Thus, A.?heterodontus specimens could be assigned to size classes (I?CIII). However, on the basis of morphology, histology, and maximal known size of isolated skulls and humeri, none of these specimens represent fully grown individuals. Growth mark counts of midshaft-femur samples, morphologically assigned to size class?III, document that this size class was reached within the first year of life. Size class?III continued into the second year of life, and then afterwards skeletal maturity was reached. Thus, a juvenile A.?heterodontus grew very fast, which is also indicated by its bone tissue type, composed of a high number of radial vascular canals and a fast-deposited bone matrix. The assignment of isolated bones from Lower to Middle Muschelkalk localities to A.?heterodontus is now possible with an extensive amended diagnosis of this taxon. This largely contributes to the understanding of taxonomical diversity and distribution. Morphological comparison of the postcranial skeleton of A.?heterodontus with that of the two other valid pachypleurosaurs from the Germanic Basin, Anarosaurus pumilio and Dactylosaurus, supports their close phylogenetic relationship. Furthermore, the skeleton of A.?heterodontus has no morphological or histological aquatic adaptation such as pachyostosis or pachyosteosclerosis and thus represents the least degree of aquatic adaptation within Pachypleurosauria.     

Revision of the rhinoceros remains (Rhinocerotidae,Mammalia) from the late Pliocene of Etouaires (Auvergne,France) and the morphological distinction between the postcranial bones of Stephanorhinus elatus and S. etruscus

This work revises the rhinoceros remains from the well-known early Villafranchian locality of Étouaires (Auvergne, France), which have been collected on multiple occasions since the late 18th century. The species Stephanorhinus elatus and S. etruscus are present, both represented mainly by postcranial elements. To identify them, a detailed preliminary analysis of the morphological differences between the postcranial skeletons of the two species has been undertaken, using the material from Vialette (Haute-Loire, early Villafranchian) and Senèze (Haute-Loire, early late Villafranchian) as comparison for S. elatus and S. etruscus respectively, plus some specimens of S. etruscus from Upper Valdarno (Tuscany, middle Villafranchian). These localities have been chosen because they all yielded only one of the two species. The morphological distinction between the two species is not easy, since the interspecific variability often overlaps and includes polymorphic characters. However, a few diagnostic characters are described, and intra-specific variability has been investigated as much as possible with the fossil material under investigation.