Crinoids from the Ouarsenis Massif (Algeria) fill the Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian and Valanginian) gap of northern Africa

The Ouarsenis Massif belongs to the Algerian Tell domain, which is considered as the eastern part of the Maghrebian Tethys former margin. The Berriasian-Valanginian Oued Fodda Formation outcropping in the Kef Aïn El Hadjela section, at the foot of the great peak of the Ouarsenis Massif, is composed of marls and laminated and bioturbated limestone alternations. The marl facies reveals diverse microfauna, including crinoids. These latter are represented by: Isocrinida [isocrinids Balanocrinus cf. gillieroni (de Loriol), Percevalicrinus aldingeri Klikushin, Isocrinus? lissajouxi (de Loriol)], Cyrtocrinida [cyrtocrinids (Phyllocrinus sp., Hemibrachiocrinus sp.)], and Roveacrinida gen. indet. sp. indet. [roveacrinids]. All these, with exception of roveacrinids and phyllocrinids, are noted for the first time from Algeria and African continent (southern margin of Tethys in the Maghreb). Knowledge on Cretaceous crinoids formerly described from Algeria is presented. It is also shown that crinoid assemblage and associated invertebrates are typical for relatively shallow, distal depositional setting situated below storm wave base.     

Spinosaurid teeth from the Lower Cretaceous of Ko Kut,eastern Thailand

Isolated theropod dinosaur teeth from Ko Kut (Kut Island) in eastern Thailand are referred to an indeterminate spinosaurid on the basis of their morphology and ornamentation. On the basis of other spinosaurid occurrences in Thailand and other parts of Asia, they support the attribution of the fossil-bearing beds on Ko Kut to the Lower Cretaceous rather than the Jurassic. The lack of ornithischian remains in the Ko Kut faunal assemblage suggests that it is coeval with the Sao Khua Formation (Barremian) of NE Thailand.     

A Sauropod Dinosaur tooth from the Lower Cretaceousof Galve (Province of Teruel,Spain)

A sauropod tooth, from the Barremian-Aptian ofGalve (Teruel), is described in Spain for the first time. This tooth probably belongs to the sauropod reported by A.F. de Lapparent (1), a Brachiosaurinae different of that reported by J.V. Santafé, M.L. Casanovas & J.L. Sanz (2) and J.L. Sanz, J.V. Santafé & M.L. Casanovas (3) from Morella (Castellón, Spain), Lower Aptian in age. It is probably a lower left piece with a developped worn surface. The subfamily Brachiosaurinae-sensuR. Steel, 1970 (4)-has a certain coherence of tooth morphology in respect of other Camarasauridae-sensuR. Steel, 1970 (4). The piece from Galve belongs to a Brachiosaurinae close to Brachiosaurus, though could differ of this genus in the structure and distribution of enamel ornamentation.     

Cretaceous and Paleogene Bourgueticrinina (Echinodermata,Crinoidea) of the USSR

The theca and the columnals of twenty-two lateCretaceous species of the genus Bourgueticrinus (including two new species), of one species of the genus Democrinus, of four species of the genus Conocrinus (including one new species) and of one species of the genus Paleobathycrinus known from USSR are figured and shortly described. Biometric reconstructions of stems for B. aequalis, B. bellus, B. danicus, B. fischeri and C. tauricus nov. sp. are given. A new index is used to suggest the relative flexibility of stem. Decrease in dimension and flexibility of the arms in several species take place simultaneously with an increase of stem flexibility. This fact seems to be closely related to environmental changes.     

An unusual lizard (Reptilia: Squamata) from the Early Cretaceous of Las Hoyas, Spain

The Early Cretaceous (Barremian) lepidosaurian assemblage of Las Hoyas (Cuenca Province, Castilla-La Mancha), Spain, resembles that of roughly contemporaneous localities at Montsec (Catalonia), Una (Castilla-La Mancha) and Galve (Aragon) in being dominated by the scincomorph lizard Meyasaums ( Ilerdaesaurus ). It differs in the presence of two previously unknown taxa, one of which, described here, shows a strikingly unusual morphology in its ribs and distal limb skeleton suggestive of climbing specialization. This form is sufficiently distinct from other known taxa to warrant the erection of a new genus and species, Scandensia ciervensis gen. et sp. nov. Cladistic analysis of Scandensia suggests that it forms a sister taxon to living squamates (Iguania + Scleroglossa and all descendants of their most recent common ancestor).     

Stratigraphic distribution of shallow-water benthic foraminifera from the Lower Cretaceous Taft formation,Central Iran (Yazd Block), with evidence for the importance of hiatuses

In this contribution, two stratigraphic sections are described through the Lower Cretaceous shallow-water platform sediments (Taft formation) from the northern Tethys, which are located in the Yazd Block, Central Iran. Benthic foraminifera are used to propose a biostratigraphy for these successions. They are grouped around several assemblage zones, and several genera and species are reported from the Yazd Block basin for the first time (e.g., Arenobulimina cochleata, A. meltae, Belorusiella sp., Bolivinopsis cf. labeosa, Decussoloculina barbui, Martinotiella jucunda, Myncina bulgarica, Novalesia cornucopia, Sabaudia briacensis, Simplorbitolina manasi). Their presence can provide a better understanding for the paleogeographic reconstruction of the Tethyan seaways. Furthermore, they represent candidates as potential index fossils in the Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Yazd Block. The new biostratigraphic data allow to date the Lower Cretaceous successions between the probable Valanginian and the late Aptian. Based on the absence of early Barremian indicators and also late Aptian markers, two hiatuses are recognized through the Taft formation. This formation also displays a diachrony in ages at its base and top, which suggests the effect of long-term subsidence in the Yazd Block during the Early Cretaceous, following the Cimmerian phase of orogeny.     

Revised radiolarian zonation of the Upper Cretaceous Izumi inter-arc basin (SW Japan)

The radiolarian zonation of the Izumi Group is revised for an integrated biostratigraphy across the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary, together with the ammonite occurrence, fission track and magnetostratigraphic calibration of the acidic tuff key beds. The significance of direct correlation in the same sections, between macro- and micro-fossils (i.e. between relatively near-shore nektonic and turbiditic planktonic-fauna) is discussed in relation to the litho- and bio-facies of the Izumi group. Late Cretaceous paleoceanographic changes inferred from the studied radiolarian fauna represent a regional marker event for the chronostratigraphic correlation of continental shelf to turbidite deep-sea sequences, which accumulated on a mid latitudinal margin facing towards the NW paleo-Pacific. The proposed Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary is at the limit between Pachydiscus awajiensis and Nostoceras hetonaiense ammonite zones. This boundary corresponds to the radiolarian last occurrence of Amphipyndax pseudoconulus (= A. enesseffi), Archaeodictyomitra sliteri, Dictyomitra formosa, D. koslovae and Rhopalosyringium magnificum at the top of the Myllocercion acineton Assemblage Zone (uppermost Campanian), and the first occurrence of Clathrocyclas gravis and Dorcadospyris sp. A, at the base of the Maastrichtian C. gravis Assemblage Zone. The new data settle partly a chronostratigraphic discrepancy between radiolarian and ammonite zonations in the Izumi Group, which was pointed out previously by Ishida et al. (2010).     

Lancetfish teeth (Neoteleostei, Alepisauroidei) from the Early Cretaceous of Alcaine, NE Spain

Isolated teeth of fossil lancetfishes (Neoteleostei, Alepisauroidei) are reported from Early Cretaceous strata of the Oliete subbasin (Iberian basin) in NE Spain. These are the oldest remains attributable to alepisauriform teleosts. The fossil-bearing strata are dated as lower Barremian. The teeth were recovered from shallow marine to lagoonal sediments. They closely resemble teeth of the fossil alepisauriforms Enchodus and Cimolichthys in overall morphology. The combination of fang-like morphology, sculpture consisting of apico-basal striations, postapical barb, absence of distal cutting edge, and wide pulp cavity surrounded by a rather thin layer of dentine is interpreted as the most basal tooth pattern in alepisauriforms. These remains may be isolated, but this study emphasizes the true value of such remains for palaeobiological studies, predicting the fossils provide characters for phylogenetic analyses.     

A human parietal fragment from the late Early Pleistocene Gran Dolina-TD6 cave site,Sierra de Atapuerca,Spain

The TD6-2 level of the Gran Dolina cave site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain) has yielded an assemblage of about 170 human fossil remains dated to > 800 ka (probably MIS 21) and assigned to the species Homo antecessor. In this study, we describe for the first time a large portion of a parietal bone (ATD6-100/168). The morphology of the fractures on the bones is compatible with a peri-mortem trauma. The superior parietal areas are flat. There is a large parietal foramen and one smaller accessory parietal foramen. Middle meningeal vessels are not particularly developed, but they are distributed in both anterior and posterior districts, with the parietal vasculature originating from the posterior branch. The meningeal vessels show multiple minor connections with the pericranial and diploic vascular systems. The diploe is not particularly developed, and large diploic channels are not detected. The bone is thin when compared with adult fossil humans, and equivalent to juvenile values. All these characters suggest that the parietal ATD6-100/168 probably belonged to a juvenile individual, with plesiomorphic endocranial traits similar to those described for H. ergaster/erectus. The derived temporal, maxillary and dental traits in Homo antecessor and the primitive parietal morphology further point to distinct (mosaic) patterns of morphological evolution of face and braincase.     

Paranthodon africanus (broom) a stegosaurian dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of South Africa

The holotype of Paranthodon africanus (Broom) from the Kirkwood Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of the Algoa Basin, Cape Province, South Africa consists of a partial skull, the bones of which are very similar to those of Stegosaurus. Both sides of the maxillary tooth crowns have a bulbous cingulum and a very prominent central vertical ridge above the large apical denticle that is bordered anteriorly and posteriorly by four to seven smaller denticles. Diagnostically stegosaurian material is also known from the Lower Cretaceous of England (Craterosaurus) and China (Wuerhosaurus) and the Upper Cretaceous of India (Dravidosaurus).     

A tall-spined ornithopod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Salas de los Infantes (Burgos, Spain)

A tall-spined ornithopod dinosaur from the Pinilla de los Moros Formation (Upper Hauterivian-Lower Barremian) of Salas de los Infantes (Burgos, Spain) is described. The material consists of seven associated axial remains, including five middle dorsal vertebrae, a fragmentary neural spine and a dorsal rib, from a single medium-sized individual. This material was previously referred to Iguanodon cf. fittoni. It is characterised by having a high dorsal neurapophysis that is approximately 4.5 times the height of the centrum. The elongation and vertical orientation of the dorsal neural spines allow it to be distinguished from other ornithopods from the Wealden of Europe, including Hypselospinus and Barilium from the Valanginian, and Iguanodon and Mantellisaurus from the Barremian-Aptian. The material is here referred to Iguanodontia indet. because it is so incomplete, but it is potentially a distinct taxon. Among the ornithopods, only Ouranosaurus and the hadrosaurid Hypacrosaurus possess higher dorsal neural spines.     

Neoselachians (Chondrichthyes,Elasmobranchii) from the Lower and lower Upper Cretaceous of north‐eastern Spain

Extensive sampling of several Barremian and Albian–Cenomanian levels across the Aguilón, Oliete and Aliaga subbasins of the Iberian Basin, north‐east Spain, yielded abundant material of new or so far poorly known neoselachians. The faunas consist of 16 different species, five of which represent new species and two new genera: Cantioscyllium brachyplicatum sp. nov. , Platypterix venustulus gen. et sp. nov. , Ptychotrygon pustulata sp. nov. , Ptychotrygon striata sp. nov. and Iberotrygon plagiolophus gen. et sp. nov. In addition, teeth of Heterodontus cf. H. carerens, Lamniformes indet., Pteroscyllium sp., Scyliorhinidae indet., Rhinobatos sp., Spathobatis sp., Belemnobatis sp., Ptychotrygon geyeri, Ptychotrygon sp. and Celtipristis herreroi are described. The new family Ptychotrygonidae is defined. The localities comprise palaeoenvironments ranging from lacustrine and shallow lake to open marine settings. Neoselachians are almost completely absent from continental settings in the Barremian, as a result of prevailing freshwater conditions, but became more abundant in marine strata. The Albian–Cenomanian selachian assemblage is the most profuse and diverse of the three assemblages studied. It is dominated by small, benthic and near‐coastal taxa, for instance Cantioscyllium and Ptychotrygon, and contains several new species, including an endemic batoid, Iberotrygon plagiolophus gen. et sp. nov. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 316–347.     

Inclusions of conifers,echinoids, foraminifers and sponges in flints from the Cenomanian of Charente-Maritime (France): Contribution of synchrotron microtomography

Deposits containing silica-rich nodules were recently collected from the Font-de-Benon quarry, between Archingeay and Les Nouillers, Charente-Maritime, western France. Nodules contain diverse fossil inclusions such as conifers, urchins, foraminifers and sponge spicules. Cenomanian deposits were transformed during the Eocene-Oligocene by a delayed silicification. This occurred under a warm climate and a long pedogenic alteration. X-ray synchrotron tomography was used to locate and produce three-dimensional reconstruction of flint fossil inclusions. The plant fossils constitute an unusual case of late permineralization. The conifer and invertebrate fossil assemblage suggests a coastal palaeoenvironment close to a forest.     

Ostéologie de Clupavus maroccanus(Crétacé supérieur du Maroc) et considérations sur la position systématique et les relations des Clupavidae au sein de l'ordre des Clupéiformes sensu stricto (Pisces,Teleostei)

Osteology proves definitively that Clupavusmaroccanus is a typical Cluepoid (lateroparietal skull, ethmoidean and fronto-occipital fontanels, recessus lateralis, latero-sagittal fronto-parietal crest, clupeid ural complex, etc…). Clupavus represents a particular non-serrated family, the Clupavidae, different from the Dussumieriidae and the Congothrissidae, the two other primitive non-serrated Clupeoid families. Nor is Clupavus the ancestor of these two families. The systematic position and the relationships of the Clupavidae within the order Clupeiformes sensu stricto are discussed.     

Further evidence for the presence of holoptychiid porolepiforms (Sarcopterygii,Dipnomorpha) from the Frasnian of Colombia

The Devonian (Frasnian) of Colombia has provided important information on the taxonomical diversity and palaeobiogeographic relationships of the Late Devonian marginal marine vertebrate faunas of South America (northwestern margin of Gondwana). This fauna is mostly composed of Gondwanan endemics, but includes two taxa also known in Euramerica: the antiarchan placoderm Asterolepis and the porolepiform sarcopterygian Holoptychius. The occurrence of holoptychiid porolepiforms in Colombia was previously suggested based solely on the presence of scales attributed to Holoptychius, although with caution. Here, we describe further holoptychiid remains that include a large isolated tooth with dendrodont microstructure, typical of porolepiforms, and additional Holoptychius scales. These new findings increase the record of holoptychiid porolepiform occurrences in Gondwana and suggest that dispersion of fish faunas between Euramerica and Gondwana by the beginning of the Late Devonian was possible through South America.     

Plants of Leptostrobus Heer （Czekanowskiales） from the Early Cretaceous and Late Triassic of China, with Discussion of the Genus

Investigation of the Mesozoic seed plant Leptostrobus Heer from the Yangcaogou Formation of the Late Triassic and the Yixian Formation of the Early Cretaceous, Liaoning Province, China, provides new Insight Into Its general morphology and geographical distribution. The materials of L. cancer from the Yixian Formation described herein are later than all the past findings of this species and add to the record of L. cancer during the Early Cretaceous. Based on well-preserved specimens, the specific diagnosis Is slightly emended and the reconstructlon of L. cancer Is perfected. The materials from the Yangcaogou Formation of the Late Triassic are placed in L. spheericus, in addition, we review the history of investigation of the genus Leptostrobus since its establishment in 1876 and discuss the main characteristics of each species.     

Paleoecological and microenvironmental aspects of the first European hominids inferred from the taphonomy of small mammals (Sima del Elefante,Sierra de Atapuerca,Spain)

Unit TE9 of the Sima del Elefante (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain), where the remains of Homo sp. have been discovered (1.2–1.3 Ma), is also a level rich in small mammals. The taphonomic study of these small vertebrates sheds light on the landscape that provided the setting for the activities of these early hominids and allows us to describe what the cave was like during the formation of the level. Small mammal predators identified in the study indicate that during this period the Sierra de Atapuerca was part of a large biome consisting of semi-open riparian forests with meadows nearby. Postdepositional alterations reveal that the production of fossils took place outside the cave, being transported inside by water currents. During the formation of TE9, the cave presented conditions of high humidity, which made it difficult for hominids to establish occupations inside, although these conditions became somewhat less severe in TE9c, the sublevel where human remains are found.     

Marsileaceaephyllum, a new genus for marsileaceous macrofossils: leaf remains from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of southern Gondwana

Three new taxa from Albian, Early Cretaceous assemblages in Gondwana (Australia and Antarctica) and two previously described fossils from the Late Cretaceous and Eocene of North America are attributable to the heterosporous semi-aquatic fern family Marsileaceae. They are assigned to Marsileaceaephyllum, a morphotaxon erected here for sterile remains (whole plants, and isolated leaves and leaflets) of Marsileaceae. The Gondwanan taxa, Marsileaceaephyllum lobatum and Marsileaceaephyllum spp. B-C, have either a cruciform leaflet arrangement or dichotomous and anastomosing venation characteristic of modern Marsileaceae. Two previously established taxa, Marsilea johnhallii and Marsilea sp., which represent sterile Marsileaceae, are also transferred to the new genus (now Marsileaceaephyllum johnhallii and Marsileaceaephyllum sp. A, respectively). Examination of all fossil venation patterns reveals four new venation types not present in extant taxa, suggesting that most fossil Marsileaceae (leaves) are distinct from extant genera, and are likely members of extinct lineages. This is further supported by the absence of modern megaspore types in the Early Cretaceous.     

Variability of the upper incisors in the cave bears (Carnivora,Ursidae) from the Caucasus and Urals

Morphometric and morphotypic variability of the cave bear upper incisors from two different geographic regions (Caucasus and Urals), different stratigraphic periods (middle and late Pleistocene), and bearing different mitochondrial haplogroups (kudarensis and ingressus) was studied. The specific diet of the cave bears, i.e. hard vegetables, led to noticeable differences between their incisors and the incisors of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). It was found that the upper incisors of the Caucasian cave bears from different stratigraphic periods demonstrate consistent development of their morphology. The late Pleistocene cave bears from the Urals show a greater similarity to the Caucasian cave bears from earlier periods than with the cave bears from later periods. Our results suggest that the incisor morphology has evolved independently in the Caucasian and Ural cave bears as they belong to different phylogenetic lineages and display different ways of adaptation to local environmental conditions.