Cyrtocrinids (Crinoidea) and associated stalked crinoids from the Lower/Middle Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) shelfal deposits of southern Poland

Five cyrtocrinid crinoid taxa previously unknown from the epicratonic deposits of Poland, as well as associated millericrinids and isocrinids, are described. The studied materials were derived mainly from the Lower and Middle Oxfordian, but crinoids are also from uppermost Callovian and/or lowermost Oxfordian sediments of the Polish Jura Chain (southern Poland). The crinoids, preserved as more or less complete (e.g., basal circlets) cups, include Lonchocrinus dumortieri, Phyllocrinus belbekensis, Remisovicrinus polonicus, Remisovicrinus aff. polonicus, Tetracrinus moniliformis and Sclerocrinus sp. The occurrence of Remisovicrinus polonicus in the late Middle Oxfordian of the southern Poland is confirmed. Moreover, the present study extends the geographic range of all cyrtocrinid species studied and discusses their unusual environmental adaptations.     

Neoselachian sharks from the Callovian–Oxfordian (Jurassic) of Ogrodzieniec,Zawiercie Region,southern Poland

Abstract: Callovian and Oxfordian strata in Ogrodzieniec near Zawiercie, southern Poland, have yielded two shark tooth assemblages that collectively include 14 neoselachian taxa. A previously unrecognised member of the Orectolobiformes, Akaimia altucuspis gen. et sp. nov., is described and characterised by a dentition remarkably similar to modern wobbegong sharks (Orectolobidae) by convergence. The assemblages also include the first anterior teeth ever found of the palaeospinacid ‘Synechodus’prorogatus Kriwet, in addition to teeth from two other palaeospinacids, Sphenodus spp., four different orectolobiforms, two hexanchids and Protospinax spp. These shark tooth assemblages contribute to the poorly known Callovian and Oxfordian neoselachian faunas and indicate that the diversity was higher than previously appreciated, particularly within the Orectolobiformes.     

The callovian (Middle Jurassic) crinoids from northern Lithuania

Callovian strata in northern Lithuania (Papilė area) have yielded some crinoid taxa[Chariocrinus andreae (Desor),Balanocrinus berchteni Hess —Pugin,B. subteres (Münster inGoldfuss) andIsocrinus nicoleti (Desor)], which have not been described from this area. The only form known previously wasBalanocrinus pentagonalis (Goldfuss).Palaeocomaster jaegeri n. sp. is the first free-living crinoid recorded from the Callovian of eastern Europe. It is characterized by possessing a very low, strongly flattened and narrow radial cavity. A very similar crinoid assemblage is known from the Callovian glacially-derived clays exposed in the Łuków region (eastern Poland), which were originally located near the Baltic Sea during the Middle Jurassic. It is considered that the allochthonous Callovian deposits from Poland are facies equivalents of the deposits known from Lithuania. The sole significant exception is the domination of free-moving comatulids (Comatulida) in the sediments known from the Papilė region, which may suggest that the Lithuanian sea basin was a little shallower than that located farther west in the Baltic area.      

Sublethal injuries in Middle Jurassic ammonite shells from Poland

Sublethal injuries, the effects of which are seen as regeneration patterns, are described from Late Bajocian and Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ammonites from Poland (Polish Jura area) for the first time. The total number of ammonite shells bearing signs of sublethal injuries is small (only 11 specimens, which constitute ∼1.2% of all ammonites investigated), and this value is even smaller (∼0.3 to 0.8%) when analysing a large sample of a particular ammonite species. Specimens under consideration represent ten species, belonging to six genera and five families. All the healed injuries are represented by only one type, referred to as the ‘forma verticata’ of Hölder. This type of regeneration, very common in ammonite shells in general, is an effect of a puncture injury of the shell-secreting mantle-epithelia at the apertural margin. Although many different extrinsic (mechanical) factors may be responsible for such healed injuries, here it is most plausible they are an effect of either competitive or predatory activities. Other causes, like collision of the ammonite shells with the substrate in a high-energy environment, are excluded because the sea-bottom was soft and situated below the storm wave-base. From many potential predators inhabiting the Polish Basin during the Bajocian and Bathonian, the most likely to have caused these injuries are other ammonites, belemnites and nautiloids. Crabs, which are cited in the literature as a probable perpetrator of the ‘forma verticata’ injuries, appear unlikely here, as the ammonites under discussion were not purely benthic.     

Development of Cyathidium foresti (Echinodermata: Crinoidea, Cyrtocrinida) from early attached larvae to adult-like juveniles

To date, knowledge about ontogenetic development of crinoids has been exclusively based on comatulid species, since early stages of other crinoid taxa have not been available so far. The authors now present a scanning electron microscopical and light microscopical study on a developmental series of young sessile individuals of the cyrtocrinid Cyathidium foresti. This species displays a developmental type of its own. In some aspects, the early stages resemble the early attached larva of comatulids (e.g. vestibulum, enteric sac, somatocoelomic cavity) but differ clearly in other (e.g. far oral position of hydrocoelomic primordium, pattern of podia formation, early splitting of the roof, absence of chambered organ). Therefore a specific term is proposed for this new kind of larva: cyathidula. Older juveniles are quite similar to adults; the developmental course is direct. Consequently the group of holopodid crinoids to which Cyathidium and Holopus belong, can be concluded to originate phylogenetically from neotenic larvae.     

Redox conditions during sedimentation of the Middle Jurassic (Upper Bajocian–Bathonian) clays of the Polish Jura (south-central Poland)

Depositional redox conditions of the uppermost Bajocian–Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ore-bearing clays of the Gnaszyn/Kawodrza area in the Polish Jura have been determined using an integrated geochemical (Th/U and U/Th ratios, degree of pyritisation (DOP), sulphur stable isotopes, biomarker analysis) and petrographic approach (measurements of pyrite framboid diameters, and microfacies analysis). The Th/U and U/Th ratios indicate that oxic conditions prevailed on the sea-floor during this interval, and ³⁴S isotopes suggest open-system conditions. DOP values, however, are rather scattered, and may reflect oxic, dysoxic, or anoxic conditions. We consider that the DOP values result from reducing conditions within the sediment and the chemistry of the pore-waters, rather than true sea-floor redox conditions. Pyrite framboid populations also indicate that dysoxic conditions prevailed within the sediment, beneath an oxygenated water column. Biomarker data did not provide any evidence of water column stratification or anoxia during sedimentation of the Middle Jurassic clays.     

Microtaphonomy of bioclasts and paleoecology of microencrusters from Upper Jurassic spongiolithic limestones (External Prebetic,Southern Spain)

Microencrusters and microtaphonomic features of the Oxfordian spongiolithic limestones of the External Prebetic were studied using thin-section analysis. The spongiolithic limestone is a bioclastic-rich packstone with common echinoderm, mollusc and brachiopod remains. The bioclasts show a high fragmentation index and frequent microborings. The encrustation index (E _i) is higher for fragments of serpulids, ammonoids and bivalves, and increases with the initial grain-size of bioclasts. The main microencrusters consist of benthic microbial communities (BMC) and nubeculariids, as well as subordinate calcareous and siliceous agglutinated foraminifera, serpulids and bryozoans. BMC are usually the first colonizers, and encrusting foraminifera mainly appear on bioclasts larger than 2 mm. BMC dominate in well-developed encrustations on upward facing surfaces of larger bioclasts that are also colonized by foraminifera (nubeculariids and Subdelloidina). Bullopora, serpulids and bryozoans are more common on lower surfaces. The fact that the values of encrustation index, encrustation thickness and diversity of the microencrusters increase with the size of bioclasts is related to a higher stability and exposure time of the available bioclastic substrate. The microencruster distribution on upper and lower surfaces of large bioclasts may be related to photic control, space competition and/or predation avoidance.     

Hrabalicrinus zitti gen. et sp. nov., and other Upper Jurassic crinoids (Echinodermata,Crinoidea) from the Brno area (Czech Republic)

Jurassic (Oxfordian) crinoids from the Brno area (Czech Republic) are described in details for the first time. A rich crinoid assemblage consisting of cups, isolated cup elements, brachial plates, columnals, pluricolumnals, and cirrals is assigned to isocrinids Isocrinus amblyscalaris (Thurmann), Balanocrinus subteres (Münster), B. pentagonalis (Goldfuss), Isocrinida indet., comatulid Hrabalicrinus zitti gen. et sp. nov., cyrtocrinids Lonchocrinus sp., Cyrtocrinus cf. nutans (Goldfuss), Pilocrinus moussoni (Desor), Tetracrinus moniliformis Münster, Cyrtocrinida indet., and millericrinids (Millericrinida indet.). Crinoids already mentioned from the Jurassic strata of the Czech Republic are subsequently revised. Apart from the isolated remains of Isocrinida, Millericrinida, and Thiolliericrinida, the presence of any other taxon reported from this area should be treated with extreme caution. A rare example of non-regenerative columnal healing (the so-called callus) in I. amblyscalaris is also described. Based on sedimentology and microfacies, the Jurassic limestones were deposited in various palaeoenvironments of upper carbonate platform and shelf lagoon (0 to > 50 m palaeodepth).     

New hymenopteran insects (Insecta: Vespida) from the lower or middle Jurassic of India

Hymenopterans Xyelula alexandri Rasnitsyn, sp. nov. (Sepulcidae) and Kotaphialtites frankmortoni Rasnitsyn, gen. et sp. nov. (Ephialtitidae) are described from the Lower or Middle Jurassic Kota Formation, Andhra Pradesh, India. These finds prove a considerable similarity between the Gondwanan and Laurasian hymenopteran faunas during the Jurassic, as well as during the Triassic and Cretaceous.     

A new genus of Elateriform beetles (Coleoptera,Polyphaga) from the Middle-Late Jurassic of Karatau

A new coleopteran genus, Anacapitis gen. nov., comprising A. karataviensis sp. nov., A. incertus sp. nov., and A. oblongus sp. nov., is described from the Karabastau Formation of the Karatau locality (southern Kazakhstan, Middle-Late Jurassic) in the infraorder Elateriformia. The systematic position of the new genus within the suborder Polyphaga is discussed.     

New archisargids from China (Insecta: Diptera)

The extinct family Archisargidae, which was rich in the Mesozoic, has been found in China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. By now, six genera and 14 species have been found in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning Province of China. In this paper, two new species of the genus Mesosolva Hong, 1983 and a new genus Brevisolva gen. nov., represented by a new species belonging to the Archisargidae, are described from the Middle Jurassic deposits of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia. A key to the species of Mesosolva is given.     

Late Cretaceous (Santonian-Campanian) sea lilies (Echinodermata,Crinoidea) from the glacial rafts of northwestern Poland

Seven Santonian (Isocrinus? minutus, Tetracrinus jagti, Cyathidium senessei, Bourgueticrinidae indet., Notocrinidae indet., Glenotremites paradoxus, Marsupites testudinarius) and seven Campanian (Nielsenicrinus carinatus, Austinocrinus sp., Bourgueticrinidae indet., Bourgueticrinus cf. constrictus, B. ellipticus, B.? suedicus, Roveacrinina gen. et sp. indet.) crinoid taxa from the Cretaceous glacial rafts of northwestern Poland (near Wolin Island) are described for the first time. The taphonomy and palaeogeographic implications are discussed. The present assemblage differs taxonomically from the crinoid faunules recently described from the glacial rafts of eastern Poland. However, these faunules are similar to crinoids from the autochthonous Upper Cretaceous sediments of southern and eastern Poland (Miechów Trough, Kraków-Cz?stochowa Upland, Middle Vistula River valley). An update of Late Cretaceous crinoids from the Miechów Trough and Kraków-Cz?stochowa Upland is also given.     

A revision of the Jurassic Stonefly Genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dobbertiniopteryx</Emphasis> Ansorge and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Karanemoura</Emphasis> Sinitshenkova (Insecta: Plecoptera), with the description of new species from the Daohugou locality,China

The stonefly genera Dobbertiniopteryx Ansorge and Karanemoura Sinitshenkova are revised. Based on new material from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China, two new species, D. juracapnia sp. nov. and K. manca sp. nov., are described and Karanemoura abrupta Sinitshenkova, 1987 is redescribed. K. desiliens Sinitshenkova, 1987 is excluded from Karanemoura; its position within the family Perlariopseidae remains uncertain. The placement of Dobbertiniopteryx in the modern family Capniidae is confirmed. The perfect state of preservation of the nearly complete adult stonefly remains from China made it possible to improve and extend the diagnoses of the Perlariopseidae and Dobbertiniopteryx. The geological background of the Daohugou deposits is briefly discussed.     

Revision of some comasterid genera from Australia (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), with descriptions of two new genera and nine new species

Morphological characters used in comasterid taxonomy are reappraised. As a result, form and distribution of pinnule combs are newly promoted as primary characters of generic recognition. Form and arrangement of cirri and division series, as used by A. H. Clark (1931), are rejected as characters important in recognizing taxa higher than species. Five of 12 comasterid genera reported as occurring in Australian waters (H. L. Clark, 1946) are critically examined. Of these genera, Comantheria A. H. Clark, 1909b is referred to the synonymy of Comanthus A. H. Clark, 1908a, Comanlhoides A. H. Clark, 1931 is referred to the synonymy of Cenolia A. H. Clark, 1916b, and Comanthina A. H. Clark, 1909b is maintained. In addition, two new genera are described. These genera are related by the occurence of the first brachial syzygy at 3 + 4 on all arms. Twenty-six species within the five genera are now recognized in Australian waters. Nine new species are described, and the 17 existing species are rediagnosed and critically reappraised. The revision involves taxa distributed throughout the Indo-west Pacific region, as far west as S Africa.     

Signs of predation in the Middle Jurassic of south-central Poland: evidence from echinoderm taphonomy

Distinct faunal aggregates are described from the Middle Jurassic (uppermost Bajocian/lowermost Bathonian and Middle Bathonian) clay deposits of Częstochowa area, south-central Poland. These aggregates are composed of molluscs (scaphopods, gastropods, bivalves, ammonites and belemnites), articulate brachiopods and echinoderms (asteroids, crinoids and echinoids). A large percentage of the fossils, especially bivalves, are fragmented, but some fossils are complete. Although most of the fossils are crushed and fragmented, they are still identifiable to at least the genus level. Thorough statistical analysis of taphonomic features indicates that the preservation of asteroid marginal plates is distinct from the ossicles derived from the host clays. The high frequency of bite marks and the good state of preservation suggest that the accumulations are the products of predation activities and most probably are the effect of regurgitation. Taking into account the rich and diverse fauna, the predator was a bottom-feeding generalist. Possible predators include palaeospinacid sharks, a tooth of which was collected from the same bedding surface, but not associated with regurgitated remains. Although the bite marks on the asteroid ossicles point to sharks as potential producers of regurgitates, other vertebrates, like durophagous pycnodontiform fish, cannot be excluded.     

Morphologically Specialized Sperm from the Ovary of Isometra vivipara (Echinodermata — Crinoidea)

The morphology of the sperm of Isometra vivipara is markedly different from the spherical-headed sperm typical of crinoids in general. The sperm head of Isometra has a flattened, oval shape. In addition to a nucleus, the head includes a lateral acrosome on one flat surface and a lateral mitochondrion on the opposite flat surface. From the latter surface of the sperm head, a tail flagellum arises adjacent to the mitochondrion. The discussion considers the relationships between reproductive habits and sperm morphology in Isometra and other crinoids.     

Microfacies,microtaphonomic traits and foraminiferal assemblages from Upper Jurassic oolitic–coral limestones: stratigraphic fluctuations in a shallowing-upward sequence (French Jura,Middle Oxfordian)

The characterization and distribution of the microfacies and the microfossil assemblages of a Middle Oxfordian section from Jura Mountains composed by thick oolitic–coral limestones is analyzed. Six microfacies types (mainly grainstones) are differentiated mainly composed by ooids, intraclasts and bioclasts. Foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by agglutinated forms. Benthic microbial communities and sessile foraminifera are the main components of the encrustations. The whole set of microfossil assemblages is typical of shallow subtidal environments rich in “algae” (Cayeuxia, “Solenopora”, Thaumatoporella, Bacinella, Girvanella and Terquemella) and foraminifera such as Nautiloculina oolithica, Redmondoides lugeoni, Ammobaculites coprolitiformis, Troglotella incrustans and Rectocyclammina. The increasing upward record of debris of algae and Nautiloculina, and the decrease of serpulids, bryozoans, nodosariids and ophthalmidiids indicate a shallowing-upward trend. The stratigraphic distribution of microfacies and microfossil assemblages lead to differentiate two main successive phases. The first is a deeper subtidal environment in an open shelf, while the second is a shallow subtidal environment with evolution from winnowed to more restricted conditions. Microfabrics of radial to concentric ooids upwards in the section correspond to higher energy environments related to an oolitic shoal. This study shows how a very detailed analysis of microfacies, which integrates oolitic features, microfossil assemblages and microtaphonomy is potentially a useful tool for interpreting hydrodynamism and sequence evolution in marine carbonate shallow environments.     

中国东北侏罗纪中细蜂科一新属(膜翅目: 细蜂总科)

本文记述了中细蜂科 1新属 1新种。这是该科在中国的首次发现。标本采自辽宁省北票市上园乡黄半吉沟村上侏罗统义县组下部 ,现保存于中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所标本室。北票细蜂属 Beipiaoserphus,新属模式种 :华美北票细蜂 Beipiaoserphus elegans,sp.nov.。雌虫体小型。头大 ,横卵形 ;复眼大 ,近与头等长 ;触角线状 ,细 ,分为 2 5节 ,末端数节变细。前翅脉序完整 ;后翅 r室大。腹部分为 7节 ,末节不纵长。产卵器短 ,略伸出腹末 (产卵器鞘远短于后胫节长之半 )。新属可归入 Karataoserphinae。该属与 Karataoserphus、Lordoserphus相近 ,但已知属触角节数少得多 ,后翅 r室明显小 ,产卵器伸出腹末相当长 (产卵器鞘长于后胫节长之半 )。正模标本 :两块背视保存雌蜂标本 ,为正负两面 ;登记号 :1 32 0 4 8a,b。     

First Report of Soil‐Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV)‐Infecting Triticale in Poland

The virus in naturally infected, stunted triticale plants was identified as soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV). The infected plants were collected in the Southern Wielkopolska region (Western Poland). Molecular analysis including RT‐PCR, and sequencing of the complete coding sequence of coat protein gene, was performed. The sequence of the Polish isolate of SBWMV (SBWMV‐Pol1) shared 100, 99 and 98% identities with the corresponding regions of De1 (AF519799), OKL‐1 (X81639) and US‐Nebraska (L07938) isolates of SBWMV, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Polish isolate, SBWMV‐Pol1, clustered together with other SBWMV isolates. This is the first report of the occurrence of SBWMV in Poland and the second of its presence in Europe.