Comparative paleohistology in osteoderms of Pleistocene Panochthus sp. Burmeister, 1886 and Neuryurus sp. (Xenarthra,Glyptodontidae)

Xenarthran osteoderms are integumentary bones with high fossilization potential presenting a high degree of morphological and histological diversity. Here, new data on the osteoderms histology of two glyptodonts, Panochthus and Neuryurus are presented. The poor spatial organization of the mineralized fibers and a large trabecular area in the middle zone identified in Neuryurus indicate a different bone pattern than the one found in Panochthus, which is mainly characterized by a middle zone with less spongiosa. Through the Bone Profiler program, the degree of compactness of the specimens was obtained, with about 70% for Neuryurus sp. and approximately 90% for Panochthus sp., showing the difference in bone pattern. These values confirm the visible difference in the histological patterns of these taxa, especially in the middle zone. This work demonstrates the microstructural variation studied in osteoderms and shows the importance of paleohistology as a starting point for a better understanding of extinct taxa.     

On the heterogeneity of the slow reassociating (“unique”) DNA

Summary The slow reassociating fraction of mouse DNA (unique DNA), when allowed to reassociate in 0.14 m sodium phosphate buffer at 50 °C showed a biphasic melting curve with a transition at 78–80 °C. On the basis of this feature, the slow reassociating DNA was separated preparatively into two fractions: unique DNA I and II. Their duplexes showed differences with respect to thermal stability, S1 nuclease resistance and rate of reassociation. About one third of the sequences in each fraction were fraction-specific. The conclusion was drawn that for unique DNA I these should be the low repetitive or single copy related sequences (multigene families) and for unique DNA II—the unrelated single copy sequences or recent families of low repetitive not yet diverged sequences.     

The Skeleton of the Manus of Scelidotherium (Xenarthra,Mylodontidae) Specimens from the Pleistocene of the Province of Córdoba,Argentina, and its Systematic Implications

Journal of Mammalian Evolution - Dental and craniomandibular data have been predominantly used to infer relationships among mylodontid ground sloths. Recent studies indicate the osteology of the...     

Chronological implications of the nothrotheriid ‘Xyophorus’ (Mammalia,Xenarthra) from the Collón Curá Formation (Miocene of Patagonia,Argentina)

The specimen described herein and assigned to ‘Xyophorus’ sp. (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Tardigrada) was collected in the locality Cerro Zeballos, northwestern Chubut Province, Argentina. The fossiliferous sediments bearing the specimen are correlated with Collón Curá Formation. The specimen has the features described for other members of ‘Xyophorus’ (e.g. shape and size of the molariforms, relationship between diastema length, m1 and m2 length) and has a Diastema Length/Tooth Row Length index (DL/TRL index) of ca. 14, between that of ‘X.’ villarroeli (12.07) from the Mauri Formation, Bolivia (ca. 10.3 Ma) and that of ‘X.’ bondesioi (16.45) from Arroyo Chasicó Formation, Argentina (ca. 10–8.7 Ma). The relationship between DL/TRL index and age of the bearing sediments, would suggest a Tortonian age (late Miocene) for the deposits of Collón Curá Formation at Cerro Zeballos, which results in a ‘younger age’ compared to the middle Miocene age traditionally accepted for the Collón Curá Formation bearing the Colloncuran fauna sensu stricto. Although no absolute ages for Cerro Zeballos are available yet, the geographic proximity of Cerro Zeballos to Cushamen River (with levels dated at ca. 11.2 Ma) supports the tentative Tortonian age indicated by the presence of ‘Xyophorus’ sp.     

On the Phenomenon of “Perezhivanie”

The author presents a short historical review of the concept of “perezhivanie” beginning with L.S. Vygotsky. She compares this concept with reflection as two central concepts revealing a person's consciousness. A systemic picture of these two phenomena is elaborated by introducing a hierarchy of reflection. A further step is made that relates the “perezhivanie—reflection” system to (psychoanalytic) self-formations. Empirical studies shed light on phenomena connected to “perezhivanie.”     

Male genitalia of Charimachilis (Insecta: Archaeognatha) and the status of archaeognathan “paleoforms”

Organisms Diversity & Evolution - The paper continues the exploration of the morphological and functional diversity of male genitalia in Archaeognatha by the study of an undescribed...     

On the muscles of expression in the geladaTheropithecus gelada (Rüppell) (primates,Cercopithecidae)

Musculature innervated by the N. facialis inTheropithecus gelada (Rüppell) is patterned on broad lines in agreement with related genera of catarrhine monkeys, but presents some specializations and divergences in detail. Noteworthy is the extension to the labial margins superficially of the combined levator labii superioris and zygomaticus in the upper and the pars mandibularis of trachelo-platysma in the lower lip. A specialization of the medial fibres of levator labii superioris forms a sling-like structure within the upper lip and serves to implement the lip-flip gesture characteristic of the genus. Its antagonist is the orbicularis oris. Special features of all other facialis muscles are considered.Abbreviations ABD Anterior belly of digastricus - AE Arteria facialis - ALS Arteria labialis superior - ANL Arteria lateralis nasi - AP Auricularis posterior - APA Arteria auricularis posterior - AS Arteria auricularis superior - A.Se. Arteria septi nasi - A.Sy. Arteria symphysialis - BP Buccal pouch - LAO Depressor anguli oris - FTA Fronto-temporo-auricularis - GLI Glandulae labialis inferiores - GLS Glandulae labialis superioris - LAO Levator anguli oris - LG Artery to labial glands - LLAN Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi - LLS Levator labii superioris - M Masseter - MM Musculus mentalis - NP Notoplatysma - O Occipitalis - OO Orbicularis oris - O.Oc Orbicularis oculi - P Procerus - SH Sterno-hyoideus - TP Trachelo-platysma - VL Vena labialis communis - VP Venous plexus of dorsum nasi - ZM Zygomaticus minor - Zy Zygomaticus     

Taxonomic status of the genera Entactinia Foreman, 1963 and Stigmosphaerostylus Rüst, 1892 (Radiolaria of the Paleozoic)

The genera Entactinia Foreman, 1963 and Stigmosphaerostylus Rüst, 1892 are revised. The major differences between the two genera are manifested in the structure of the outer shell, internal spicule, and the number of the main spines; this suggests that they should be assigned to different families (Entactiniidae and Haplentactiniidae) of different classes (Sphaerellaria and Spumellaria).     

On micronekton and ichthyoplankton of the frontal zone of the gulf stream and subpolar waters (Polygone “Titanic”)

Results of studies of the species composition of micronektonic fish and ichthyoplankton in the frontal zone of the Gulf Stream and subpolar waters at the stationary polygone “Titanic” performed in years with different hydrological situations (2000 and 2003) are provided. In July through August of 2000 during the penetration in the polygone of warm waters of the Gulf Stream, a considerable (almost by an order of magnitude) increase in the species composition of fish due to numerous tropical and subtropical species was recorded in comparison with the period of studies in 2003, close by dates, when the region was occupied by the cold waters of the Labrador Current. In the summer of 2000, of the 80 taxonomic forms found on the polygone, 48 were represented only by larval stages of development; 27, only by juvenile and adult specimens; and 5, by both larvae and juvenile and adult specimens. The last five species include Ceratoscopelus maderensis and Lampanyctus pusillus (Myctophidae), Arctozenus risso (Paralepididae), Stomias boa (Stomiidae), and Gonostoma elongatum (Gonostomatidae). In the summer of 2003, larval fish were absent in collections, and only juvenile and adult specimens of eight species from ten families were found. The bulk of the population of micronektonic fish in this period, as in the summer of 2000, was formed by the same arcto-boreal species of myctophids Benthosema glaciale.     

On the nomenclature of Chinese drug “Cangzhu”

This paper is the documentation of specimens and literature reffered to Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. etc. As a result, it is found that, in taxonomy of the genus Atractylodes, what represcents by four long-established names, i. e. Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC., A. ovata (Thunb.) DC., A. chinensis (Bunge) Koidz. and A. lyrata Sieb. et Zucc., in fact, is the one and same species. According to the law of priority in nomenclature, the first name should be given to Chinese drug “Cangzhu”, while theother three names have to be treated as its synonyms.     

Additions to the knowledge ofUrumaquia robusta (Xenarthra, Phyllophaga, Megatheriidae) from the Urumaco Formation (Late Miocene), Estado Falcön, Venezuela

We describe new remains ofUrumaquia robusta Carlini, Brandoni &; Sänchez, 2006, which significantly improve the knowledge of the species and allow a more precise discussion about the relationships with the rest of the South American Megatheriinae. The new remains (ulna, phalanx, femora, patella, tibia, astragalus, navicular, metatarsals IV–V) described here suggest close affinities of this taxon with the species ofPyramiodontherium and withMegatheriops rectidens, based on morphological similarities of the ulna (length, gracility), femur (general morphology, shape of the medial margin), and astragalus (angle between the discoidal and odontoid facets). In fact, the shape of femoral medial margin is a shared derived character amongUrumaquia, Pyramiodontherium andMegatheriops. However, and despite the increasing information concerning Tertiary species, their phylogenetic relationships are only partially understood.