The gliding reptiles of the Upper Permian

The skeleton of a long-ribbed reptile from the Upper Permian Marl Slate of north-east England is described. The animal is assigned to the genus Weigeltisaurus , previously recorded from the Kupferschiefer of West Germany. Long-ribbed reptiles from the Upper Permian of Madagascar are also considered. Daedalosaurus Carroll, 1978 is a junior synonym of Coelurosauravus Piveteau, 1926. The European and Madagascan genera can be accommodated within a single family Coelurosauravidae, Infraclass Eosuchia. The skull is diapsid with an incomplete lower temporal arcade. Comparison with the modern Draco and the Upper Triassic kuehneosaurids supports the conclusion that the coelurosauravids were effective gliders.     

Bemerkungen zu einem Neufund vonWeigeltisaurus jaekeli (Weigelt) im nordhessischen Kupferschiefer

A new found specimen ofWeigeltisaurus jaekeli (Weigelt) in the Kupferschiefer of North Hesse (Upper Permian) informs about the body-proportions of this gliding reptile. The anatomical relations between the axial sceleton and the elongated »ribs« of the gliding membrane are discussed.     

A new representative of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neocalamites</Emphasis> Halle from the Upper Permian of northeastern China (Jiefangcun Formation)

A new species, Neocalamites hunchunensis sp. nov. from the Upper Permian Jiefangcun Formation of northeastern China is described. The Jiefangcun Upper Permian Flora is briefly characterized. Its taxonomic composition, age, and significance for paleophytogeographical reconstructions are discussed. The Late Permian phase in equisetophyte evolution is considered.     

Gut contents ofParasaurus (Pareiasauria) andProtorosaurus (Archosauromorpha) from the Kupferschiefer (Upper Permian) of Hessen,Germany

We report here on gut contents in partial skeletons of the small pareiasaurParasaurus geinitzi and the archosauromorph reptileProtorosaurus speneri from the Kupferschiefer (Zechstein 1; Upper Permian) of the Richelsdorf Mountains (Hesse). They represent two of the stratigraphically oldest known records of gut contents in terrestrial tetrapods. The gut content of the partial skeleton ofParasaurus comprises a distinct mass of coarse clastic material with interspersed carbonized particles. The occurrence of numerous ovules of the coniferUllmannia frumentaria in the gastric content of the excellently preserved new specimen ofProtorosaurus confirms the suggestion of Weigelt (1930) that portions of this conifer formed part of the diet of this reptile. Surprisingly, the dentition ofProtorosaurus does not reflect this dietary specialization.     

四川华蓥山地区晚二叠世生物礁中“板状水螅”化石的初步研究

所讨论的“板状水螅”是一类分类位置尚有争议的化石，为华蓥山地区上二叠统生物礁的主要造礁生物之一。这里描述了３属３种．其中包括２新属和３新种．它们是Ｐｓｅｕｄｏｐａｌａｅｏａｐｌｙｓｉｎａｈｕａｙｉｎｇｅｎｓｉｓ，Ｐｈｒａｇｍｏｒｐｈａａｓｉａｔｉｃａ和Ｃｎｉｄｏｐｏｒａｔｕｂｅｒｃｕｌｏｓａ。     

A second varanopseid skull from the Upper Permian of South Africa: implications for Late Permian 'pelycosaur' evolution

Late Permian terrestrial faunas of South Africa and Russia are dominated taxonomically and ecologically by therapsid synapsids. On the basis of a single specimen from the Upper Permian of South Africa, the varanopseid Elliotsmithia longiceps is the sole basal synapsid ('pelycosaur') known from Gondwana. Recent fieldwork in the Upper Permian of South Africa has produced a second varanopseid specimen that is referrable to Elliotsmithia . Data from both this specimen and the holotype suggest that Elliotsmithia forms a clade with Mycterosaurus from the Lower Permian of North America and Mesenosaurus from the Upper Permian of Eastern Europe. That postulate is supported by the three most parsimonious trees discovered in a new analysis of varanopseid phylogeny. However, the available data cannot resolve the interrelationships of these three genera. The new phylogenetic results contrast with earlier work identifying Elliotsmithia as the basal member of a clade that includes the North American taxa Aerosaurus , Varanops , and Varanodon . The new trees reduce the stratigraphic debt required by the latter scenario, and the one with the least stratigraphic debt identifies Elliotsmithia and Mesenosaurus as sister taxa. Two new taxa are erected, Mycterosaurinae and Varanodontinae, for the two varanopseid subclades.     

The marine diapsid reptile Endennasaurus from the Upper Triassic of Italy

Abstract:  The marine reptile Endennasaurus from the Upper Triassic Zorzino Limestone of northern Italy is redescribed and reassessed. New details of the skull and postcranial skeleton are revealed, confirming the attribution of this genus to the diapsid reptile clade Thalattosauriformes. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Endennasaurus was related to the European genus Askeptosaurus and the Chinese Anshunsaurus . Despite a rather conservative postcranial morphology, Endennasaurus clearly occupied a highly specialized dietary niche as it combined a slender tapering premaxillary rostrum with a complete absence of either marginal or palatal teeth.     

Composition and distribution of the family Cacurgidae (Insecta; grylloblattida)

The family Cacurgidae is revised. In addition to the type genus Cacurgus Handlirsch, 1911 from the Upper Carboniferous of the United States, Ideliopsis ovalis Carpenter, 1948 from the Lower Permian of the United States and Kitshuga ryzhkovae gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Permian of Russia are included in this family. An undescribed genus from the Upper Carboniferous of Argentina (Béthoux and Nel, 2002) is also placed in this family. Relationships of Cacurgidae are discussed, and the family is included in the order Grylloblattida.     

一个重要的蒙古二叠纪牙形刺种

在蒙古南部Lugiingol剖面卢金格尔(Lugiingol)组下部发现牙形刺Mesogondolell aidahoensis,该地层应归入下二叠统空谷阶,而不是像以前那样归入上二叠统。     

Revision of the family Idelinellidae,with a review of the Permian Eoblattida (Insecta)

Permian Eoblattida, which include the families Tillyardembiidae, Protembiidae (=Sylvardembiidae), Soyanopteridae, and Idelinellidae, are reviewed. The latter family is revised; it includes Idelinella macroptera Storozhenko, 1997 from the Middle Permian (Lower Kazanian Substage) of northern European Russia, Permostriga augustalis Novokshonov, 1999, Sylvastriga miranda Aristov, 2004, Strigulla cuculiophora (Aristov, 2002) comb. nov., Cucullistriga cucullata Aristov et Rasnitsyn, gen. et sp. nov., Scutistriga scutata Aristov et Rasnitsyn, gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Permian (Kungurian Stage) of the Urals, Permeoblatta borealis Rasnitsyn et Aristov, 2010 from the Upper Permian (Upper Severodvinian Substage) of northern European Russia, and probably also Rasstriga americana Aristov et Rasnitsyn, gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Carboniferous (Desmoinesian Stage) of Illinois.     

中国二叠系的底界

牙形刺是二叠系生物地层的主导门类,地叠系的三统九阶的界线层型（ＧＳＳＰ）都将用牙形刺定义。我国石炭－二叠系（Ｃ／Ｐ）的分界应采用与国际上一致的标准,即用牙形刺Ｓｔｒｅｐｔｏｇｎａｔｈｏｄｕｓ ｉｓｏｌａｔｕｓ的首次出现定义二叠系的底界。Ｓ．ｉｓｏｌａｔｕｓ在我国华南、华北均有分布,可精确地确定二叠系的底界。华北太原组应归下二叠统Ａｓｓｅｌｉａｎ阶,我国Ｃ／Ｐ界线地层和Ｓｔｒｅｐｔｏｇｎａｔｈｏｄｕ     

Osteocytic osteolysis in a cretaceous reptile.

Bone resorption through osteocytic activity already recognized in all classes of Vertebrates, has been demonstrated in fragments of long bones from a non-identified reptile found in an Upper Cretaceous rock formation in Dinosaur National Park, Patricia, Alberta.     

中国二叠纪煤核中具解剖构造的鳞木类植物:似封印叶属(英文)

报道了产于中国二叠纪煤核中的 3种具解剖构造的鳞木类叶 ,它们都具双木质部束 ,与似封印叶属 (Sigil lariopsisScott)特征一致。与该属已有种进行了对比 ,确认它们为 3个新种 :产于山西太原西山煤田太原组上部 7号煤层 (早二叠世早期 )煤核中的山西似封印叶 (Sigillariopsisshanxiensissp .nov .)和太原似封印叶 (S .taiyuanensissp .nov .)以及产于贵州水城矿区汪家寨组 1号煤层 (晚二叠世晚期 )煤核中的贵州似封印叶 (Sigillariopsisguizhouensissp .nov .)。根据煤核中共生的鳞木类植物其他器官以及欧美植物区鳞木类植物的研究资料推断 ,它们可能属于封印木属 (SigillariaBrongniart)的叶。在国外 (主要是欧美植物区 ) ,封印木属植物主要分布于石炭纪 ,见于二叠纪的封印木很少。华夏植物区的封印木属过去很少发现 ,其叶和生殖器官均未报道过。本文是首次报道华夏植物区具解剖构造的封印木属的叶 ,它们的发现不仅丰富了华夏植物区封印木属植物的内容 ,而且对于研究封印木属的演化以及华夏植物区与欧美植物区鳞木类植物之间的关系也具有重要的意义。     

Permian Cynodontia (Theromorpha) of Eastern Europe

A collection of Cynodontia from the Permian of Eastern Europe is revised. The taxonomic position of a number of previously described forms is reconsidered. New taxa, Novocynodon kutorgai gen. et sp. nov. (Thrinaxodontidae) from the Middle Permian and Sludica bulanovi gen. et sp. nov. (Procynosuchidae) from the Upper Permian, are described.     

中国二叠纪煤核中具解剖构造的鳞木类植物:似封印叶属

报道了产于中国二叠纪煤核中的3种具解剖构造的鳞木类叶,它们都具双木质部束,与似封印叶属(Sigillariopsis Scott)特征一致.与该属已有种进行了对比,确认它们为3个新种:产于山西太原西山煤田太原组上部7号煤层(早二叠世早期)煤核中的山西似封印叶(Sigillariopsis shanxiensis sp. nov.)和太原似封印叶(S. taiyuanensis sp.nov.)以及产于贵州水城矿区汪家寨组1号煤层(晚二叠世晚期)煤核中的贵州似封印叶(Sigillariopsis guizhouensis sp.nov.).根据煤核中共生的鳞木类植物其他器官以及欧美植物区鳞木类植物的研究资料推断,它们可能属于封印木属(Sigillaria Brongniart)的叶.在国外(主要是欧美植物区),封印木属植物主要分布于石炭纪,见于二叠纪的封印木很少.华夏植物区的封印木属过去很少发现,其叶和生殖器官均未报道过.本文是首次报道华夏植物区具解剖构造的封印木属的叶,它们的发现不仅丰富了华夏植物区封印木属植物的内容,而且对于研究封印木属的演化以及华夏植物区与欧美植物区鳞木类植物之间的关系也具有重要的意义.     

A new Early Permian reptile and its significance in early diapsid evolution

The initial stages of evolution of Diapsida (the large clade that includes not only snakes, lizards, crocodiles and birds, but also dinosaurs and numerous other extinct taxa) is clouded by an exceedingly poor Palaeozoic fossil record. Previous studies had indicated a 38 Myr gap between the first appearance of the oldest diapsid clade (Araeoscelidia), ca 304 million years ago (Ma), and that of its sister group in the Middle Permian (ca 266 Ma). Two new reptile skulls from the Richards Spur locality, Lower Permian of Oklahoma, represent a new diapsid reptile: Orovenator mayorum n. gen. et sp. A phylogenetic analysis identifies O. mayorum as the oldest and most basal member of the araeoscelidian sister group. As Richards Spur has recently been dated to 289 Ma, the new diapsid neatly spans the above gap by appearing 15 Myr after the origin of Diapsida. The presence of O. mayorum at Richards Spur, which records a diverse upland fauna, suggests that initial stages in the evolution of non-araeoscelidian diapsids may have been tied to upland environments. This hypothesis is consonant with the overall scant record for non-araeoscelidian diapsids during the Permian Period, when the well-known terrestrial vertebrate communities are preserved almost exclusively in lowland deltaic, flood plain and lacustrine sedimentary rocks.     

The earliest Mesopsychidae and revision of the family Mesopanorpodidae (Mecoptera)

The family Mesopanorpodidae is revised. Most taxa referred to this family are not related to the type genus Mesopanorpodes Tillyard, 1918. The type species of the latter, Mesopanorpodes wianamattensis,is closely related to Mesopsyche Tillyard, 1917. Therefore Mesopanorpodes is transferred to Mesopsychidae Tillyard, 1917 (= Mesopanorpodidae Tillyard, 1918, syn. n.).The earliest Mesopsychidae are described from the Upper Permian of European Russia (Severodvinian; Isady locality, Vologda Province): Permopsyche issadensisgen. etsp. n. (type species) and Permopsyche rasnitsynisp. n. Two species described under Mesopanorpodes from the Upper Permian of Australia are also included into Permopsyche: Permopsyche belmontensis (Riek, 1953), comb. n., Permopsyche robustus (Riek, 1953) comb. n. The first pre-Triassic Mesopsyche, Mesopsyche incompletasp. n. is described from the uppermost Permian (the town of Vyazniki, Vladimir Province). Bittacopanorpa javorskii Zalessky, 1935 from the uppermost Permian or basal Triassic of Kuznetsk Basin is identified as a hindwing of Mesopsyche: Mesopsyche javorskii (Zalessky, 1935) comb. n. The origin, evolutionary history, and stratigraphic occurrence of Mesopsychidae are discussed.     

The Upper Permian articulate Phyllotheca australis from South Africa

RAYNER, R. J., 1992. The Upper Permian articulate Phyllotheca australis from South Africa. The taxonomic position of two fossil articulates, which form an important element of the Permian Gondwana flora, is examined in the light of recent collections from South Africa. Vegetative and fertile axes, dispersed and attached sporangia, in-situ spores, isolated and attached whorls of leaves, rhizomes bearing roots and branches, naked axes and a permineralized axis are all assigned to Phyllotheca australis. The large numbers of axes with attached sporangia allow a reinterpretation of the fertile structure and the specific diagnosis is emended. Although it is recognized that the fossils assigned to this taxon may represent a species complex, there exist no clear morphological discontinuities between the material previously assigned to P. australis and P. indica from widely separated Gondwanan localities. Phyllotheca australis was common throughout Gondwana, and is a reliable index fossil of the Upper Permian.     

FIRST REPORT OF THE FERTILE PLANT GENUS UMKOMASIA FROM LATE PERMIAN BEDS IN INDIA AND ITS BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract:  The genus Umkomasia Thomas, a female fructification of Dicroidium , is reported from Late Permian beds exposed in the Behra Rivulet near the village of Karaonda in the Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, Chhattisgarh, India. This is the first record of this genus from the Late Permian, and from Indian Gondwana. Two species have been recognized: Umkomasia polycarpa Holmes and U. uniramia Axsmith, Taylor, Taylor and Cuneo. The find suggests that the genus Dicroidium appeared in the Late Permian before reaching its acme in the Middle–Upper Triassic.