Apterodon intermedius, sp. nov., a new European Creodont Mammal from MP22 of Espenhain (Germany)

A mandible fragment of a medium-sized creodont mammal representing a new species of Apterodon, A. intermedius has been discovered in a open cast mine near Leipzig (Germany), dated Late Ruppelian (MP22). For the first time an Apterodon species is well dated in Europe. The dental wear of molars is investigated under SEM. It looks like those described extant carnivores known as preferential flesh eaters. The new specimen together other mammal species questions possible migration ways from Africa to Europe, between the upper Eocene and lower Oligocene.     

Mandibular ontogeny in the miocene great apeDryopithecus

The type mandible of Dryopithecus fontani,Lartet 1856, has been discovered to be not fully adult. Its development corresponds in dental age to that of a 6-to 8-year-old chimpanzee. Because of its immaturity, a number of seemingly distinctive features of this mandible (some of which resemble hominids) would have been lost with full adulthood. Closed tooth rows, a recurved canine, and a vertical ascending mandibular ramus are related to the age of the specimen. They therefore do not foreshadow hominid characteristics. It is stressed that consideration of individual age is an important factor in interpreting the dentitions of fossil and extant hominoids.     

A new stem-sperm whale (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Physeteroidea) from the Latest Miocene of Peru

A finely preserved skull with mandible and teeth associated, from the Latest Miocene beds (ca. 6 Ma) of the Pisco Formation, Sud-Sacaco, Peru, represents a new physeteroid genus and species, Acrophyseter deinodon. This moderate size sperm whale is characterized, among others, by: the short rostrum, the mandible distinctly curved upwards, large teeth very close together (12 on each upper tooth row and 13 on each lower tooth row), the lateral margin of the maxilla along the rostrum base much lower than the orbit roof, a wide supracranial basin dorsally overhanging the right orbit and limited to the cranium and a large temporal fossa dorsomedially elevated. A preliminary cladistic analysis provides a phylogenetic position of Acrophyseter nested within the stem-Physeteroidea, more basal than the clade Kogiidae + Physeteridae. The morphology of the oral apparatus and of the temporal fossa suggests that Acrophyseter was able to feed on large preys.     

A new primitive hadrosauroid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China)

The right dentary of a new hadrosauroid dinosaur, Penelopognathus weishampeli, has been discovered in the Bayan Gobi Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous) of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China). This new taxon is characterised by its elongated, straight dental ramus, whose lateral side is pierced by about 20 irregularly distributed foramina. Its dentary teeth appear more primitive than those of Probactrosaurus, but more advanced than those of Altirhinus, both also from the Lower Cretaceous of the Gobi area. Non-hadrosaurid Hadrosauroidea were already well diversified in eastern Asia by Early Cretaceous time, suggesting an Asian origin for the hadrosauroid clade. To cite this article: P. Godefroit et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

A new mosasauroid (Squamata) from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Morocco

Tethysaurus nopcsai gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of both cranial and postcranial material from the Late Cretaceous (Early Turonian) of the Goulmima region, southern Morocco. This new mosasauroid is mainly characterized by a parietal table ending posteriorly in two pointed pegs; jugal with a large ascending ramus; splenial with a large and notched dorsomedial process; surangular exposed medially ventral to the coronoid; large paracotylar and parazygosphenal foramina on vertebrae. A phylogenetic analysis shows that Tethysaurus is the sister-group of Mosasauridae. It fills the gap between the aigialosaurids (mainly Cenomanian) and the mosasaurids (known from the Middle-Late Turonian to the Latest Maastrichtian). To cite this article: N. Bardet et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

New evidence for the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) in the Late Pleistocene of western Europe

This article reports a new record of the greater noctule Nyctalus lasiopterus (Schreber, 1780) in the Late Pleistocene of Europe. A fragment of a left mandible from this species was collected in Layer O (around 55 ka) from the Abric Romaní rock shelter, providing evidence of the presence of the greater noctule in north-eastern Spain during the latest Late Pleistocene. The relevance of this new record, which is geographically not reported up to now in the area, is discussed in terms of environmental changes.     

An exceptional Pleistocene specimen of Panochthus Burmeister (Xenarthra, Glyptodontoidea) from Bolivia: Its contribution to the understanding of the Early-Middle Pleistocene Panochthini

Knowledge of the Early-Middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan Age/Stage ; ca. 1.8-0.4 Ma) South American Glyptodontidae (Cingulata) is still poor compared with the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene taxa (Lujanian Age/Stage). This is especially true for the Glyptodontidae Panochthini, in which it is possible to recognize two Ensenadan species from the Pampean region of Argentina, Panochthus intermedius and P. subintermedius, known only by their type material. Prior to this contribution, the knowledge of P. intermedius, a taxon with biostratigraphic importance for being considered as a guide taxon of the Ensenadan Age/Stage of South America, was limited to a dorsal carapace. The finding of an exceptional almost complete specimen from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of Bolivia has allowed us to greatly improve the morphological characterization of this species, and discuss some taxonomic aspects related to the other Ensenadan Panochthini. This specimen represents the most completely known Panochthini and one of the most complete Glyptodontidae from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of South America.     

Seasonal and Scale Size Relationships between Citricola Scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Its Parasitoid Complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley Citrus

The phenology of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), and its associated parasitoid complex were studied on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of central California over the period April 1995–March 1997. A total of 10,237 parasitoid specimens of 10 species were collected. Two of these species, Marietta mexicana (Howard) and Encyrtus lecaniorum (Mayr), each recovered from individually isolated scales, represent new parasitoid records for citricola scale. A third species, Encarsia citrinus citrinus (Craw), may represent a new parasitoid record, but this requires further confirmation because a single (male) specimen was recovered from individually isolated scales. The three most dominant parasitoid species, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Metaphycus helvolus (Compere), and Metaphycus luteolus (Timberlake), accounted for the majority (>97%) of the specimens recovered. In contrast to the situation on citrus in southern California, where citricola scale is under effective biological control and is very rarely seen, citricola scale on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley is reemerging as a major pest, especially in groves employing integrated pest management with minimal use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Possible reasons uncovered in this study for the lack of effective biological control of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley include: (i) reduced presence of Metaphycus spp. because of hyperparasitism by the heteronomous hyperparasitoid C. lycimnia; (ii) absence of alternate hosts for those species of Metaphycus present; and (iii) absence of hosts of suitable size for Metaphycus at critical times of the year. Recommendations for improving the level of biological control in the San Joaquin Valley are discussed.     

The last hadrosaurid dinosaurs of Europe: A new lambeosaurine from the Uppermost Cretaceous of Aren (Huesca, Spain)

A new hadrosaurid dinosaur, Arenysaurus ardevoli gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Maastrichtian of Aren (Huesca, South-central Pyrenees) is described on the basis of a partial, articulated skull, mandibular remains and postcranial elements, including vertebrae, girdle and limb bones. Arenysaurus is characterized by having a very prominent frontal dome; nearly vertical prequadratic (squamosal) and jugal (postorbital) processes, and deltopectoral crest of the humerus oriented anteriorly. Moreover, it possesses a unique combination of characters: short frontal (length/width approximately 0.5); midline ridge of parietal at level of the postorbital-squamosal bar; parietal excluded from the occiput; squamosal low above the cotyloid cavity. A phylogenetical analysis indicates that Arenysaurus is a rather basal member of Lambeosaurinae and the sister-taxon to Amurosaurus and the Corythosaurini-Parasaurolophini clade. The phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of Arenysaurus and other lambeosaurines suggest a palaeogeographical connection between Asia and Europe during the Late Cretaceous.     

A new species of Megalonychidae (Mammalia, Xenarthra) from the Quaternary of Poço Azul (Bahia, Brazil)

The new genus and species Ahytherium aureum (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Megalonychidae) from the Quaternary of Poço Azul (Bahia, Brazil) is described. It is the first Brazilian megalonychid known from reasonably complete and well-preserved remains. Purported Brazilian megalonychids described in the past, such as Ocnopus gracilis and Xenocnus cearesis, are noted as belonging to other sloth clades, and the acceptance by past paleontologists of the existence of ‘strange’ megalonychids in Brazil is shown to be erroneous. Ahytherium aureum, in fact, exhibits typical megalonychid morphology. It differs from other known members of Megalonychidae in several characters, including a markedly shortened, but high rostral region, with dorsally inflated frontals, wide zygomatic processes of the frontal, narrow, blade-like and anterolaterally oriented lacrimals, curved, slender and oval caniniforms, gracile humerus with less developed deltopectoral shelf, and relatively distal position of the greater trochanter of the femur. A second specimen from São Paolo state is tentatively assigned to the new genus and species.     

Palaeoneuroanatomy of Brachiosaurus

An overview of the palaeoneuroanatomy (brain and spinal cord) of the sauropod dinosaur Brachiosaurus is given. Although having a flexed brain configuration, Brachiosaurus presents on the whole a rather moderately derived neuroanatomical pattern. As other sauropods, Brachiosaurus shows an enlargement of the spinal cord in the sacral area. New Encephalization Quotients are calculated and found to be about 0.62 or 0.79 (depending on the body volume taken into consideration) when Hurlburt's formula is used. This suggests that Brachiosaurus, although it may not have been as a low encephalized taxon (by reptilian standards) as previously believed, did have an undersized relative brain volume.     

Homologies of cephalic lateral line canals in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Engyprosopon grandisquama </Emphasis>(Pleuronectiformes): innervation and upper eye floor formation

Cephalic lateral line canals in two pleuronectiforms, Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus (Paralichthyidae) and Engyprosopon grandisquama (Bothidae), were studied and their homologies between the ocular and blind sides assessed on the basis of position and innervation patterns. A blind side canal, comprising small ossicles in a line lateral to the upper eye floor, was confirmed as the infraorbital line because the canal was not innervated by a ramus associated with the upper nasal (i.e., the superficial ophthalmic ramus innervating the supraorbital line). Consequently, the ramus innervating the canal was identified as the buccal ramus (associated with the infraorbital line). The blind side frontal forming the posterior half of the upper eye floor was identified as that part bearing the anteriormost otic canal in the ocular side, hypertrophy of the blind side component being evident. The supraorbital line of the blind side was represented by the upper nasal only in E. grandisquama.     

The subfossil occurrence and paleoecological implications of Macrotarsomys petteri (Rodentia: Nesomyidae) in extreme southeastern Madagascar

Remains of a large-bodied species of endemic nesomyid rodent, Macrotarsomys petteri Goodman and Soarimalala, 2005, were identified from subfossil deposits recovered from Andrahomana Cave in extreme southeastern Madagascar. This recently described extant species was previously only known from a single specimen collected at a site about 450 km northwest of Andrahomana and with distinctly different forest habitat than currently found in the vicinity of the cave. Radiocarbon dating of remains of M. petteri from the cave site indicates that it persisted in the region subsequent to human settlement. Previous reports of a large member of Macrotarsomys from other Quaternary sites in southern Madagascar are almost certainly of M. petteri. It is proposed that this species once had a broad distribution across the southern portion of the island during a more mesic period and subsequent aridification of the region has led to its local extirpation across most of its former range. To cite this article: S.M. Goodman et al., C. R. Palevol 5 (2006).     

A new baurusuchid crocodyliform (Archosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina)

A new baurusuchid, Wargosuchus australis gen. et sp. nov., coming from the Bajo de La Carpa Formation, Neuquén Province (Argentina), is described. This new taxon is based on a fragment of snout and a portion of the cranial roof. Wargosuchus differs from other crocodyliforms by possessing a deep median groove on the frontals, a contact between nasals and frontals extremely reduced, a large depression for the olfactory bulbs, three large foramina surrounding the large, smooth perinarial depression, and a hypertrophied, conical last premaxillary tooth followed by a large paracanine fossa. The finding of Wargosuchus in Patagonia (Argentina), a taxon with a strong resemblance to Brazilian baurusuchids, reinforces the hypothesis of a similar biota between both regions by the Late Cretaceous. Wargosuchus and Cynodontosuchus represent the only Argentinian mesoeucrocodylians to be included within Baurusuchidae. This finding extends the number of crocodyliforms from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which, in turn, corresponds to the most taxonomically diverse one in Argentina.     

Presence of Hemitragus aff. cedrensis (Mammalia, Bovidae) in the Iberian Peninsula: Biochronological and biogeographical implications of its discovery at Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain)

The discovery of new material in Late Pleistocene levels at Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain) raises some questions about the presence of the most ancient record of Hemitragus cedrensis in the peninsula, and its dispersal out of Provence. The morphology and dimensions of some lower teeth confirm the identification of H. aff. cedrensis. Moreover, it presents strong similarities, both morphological and metrical, with the specimens from Caune de l’Arago and bau de l’Aubesier (end of OIS 7 to OIS 5e) rather than with the population from the eponymous locality. The data suggest a dispersal event out of Provence towards the Iberian Peninsula during the Eemian. This dispersal was not stopped by natural barriers such as large rivers, or mountains. The results presented here confirm the biochronological interest of the genus Hemitragus for the Late Pleistocene in Mediterranean Europe.     

Dental variability inSaimiri and the taxonomic status ofNeosaimiri fieldsi,an early squirrel monkey from La Venta,Colombia

Neosaimiri fieldsi, from the South American middle Miocene locality of La Venta, is represented by a relatively complete mandible and dentition that strongly resembles that of extantSaimiri. Comparison with a large sample of mandibles ofSaimiri indicates that this specimen cannot be distinguished from modern populations on the basis of any reportedly diagnostic feature, such as cingulid development, molar length ratio, trigonic/talonid ratio, or mandibular depth. The fossil is best considered an extinct species of the modern genusSaimiri until further material indicates otherwise.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesopithecus</Emphasis> (Primates,Cercopithecidae) from the turolian locality of Vathylakkos 2 (Macedonia,Greece)

Two skulls, two mandibles and some postcranials ofMesopithecus from the locality “Vathylakkos 2” of Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) enlarge our knowledge about the genus and its differentiation. The new material together with an old skull from the same locality is compared with the Pikermi, “Ravin des Zouaves 5” (Axios Valley), and Maramena (Serres basin) samples. It is concluded that the VathylakkosMesopithecus resemblesM. pentelicus from Pikermi, as wellM. delsoni from “Ravin des Zouaves 5” and it is referred asMesopithecus sp. aff.M. pentelicus. The biochronological age of “Vathylakkos 2” has been considered as MN 12, while recent magnetostratigraphic data indicate an age of about 7.5 Ma. This age confirms the position of the VathylakkosMesopithecus between Pikermi and “Ravin des Zouaves 5”. Some dental indices compared with those of the RecentCercopithecus suggest that the Vathylakkos sample is monospecific.      

Species-specific albumin in fossil bones from Orce, Granada, Spain

A skull fragment (VM-0) from Orce, Granada, Spain, dated palaeomagnetically at about 1.6 Myr, is thought by some palaeontologist to be hominid, while others maintain it is equid. If hominid, it would be by far the oldest evidence ofHomo in Europe. Immunological studies on residual albumin in this fossil were carried out independently, and with different immunological methods, at the University of California, San Francisco (radioimmunoassay), and at the University of Granada, Spain (enzyme immunoassay). Other fossils attributed to hominids also studied wereVM1960 from Venta Micena, andCV-1 from Cueva Victoria, Murcia, Spain. Undisputed equid and bovid fossils from the same deposits and dated to a similar period as the Orce skull were also analyzed. Our results showed that species-specific albumin can be detected in 1.6 Myr-old hominid, equid and bovid fossils. The albumin from the Orce skull fragment and fromVM-1960 was immunologically closer to human albumin. These findings support the contention that theVM-0 andVM-1960 are hominid and that members of the genusHomo occupied southern Spain 1.6 Myr ago.