Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis (Mammalia,Rhinocerotidae) from the late early Pleistocene deposits of the Denizli Basin (Anatolia,Turkey)

Pleistocene rhinoceroses are poorly documented in Turkey where they have been reported only from the late early Pleistocene (1.3–1.1 Ma) travertine deposits of the Denizli Basin. In this work, new rhinoceros remains collected from this basin are assigned to a relatively large-sized Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis on the basis of their morphology and morphometry. The first Turkish record of this species is approximately coeval with the first appearance of S. hundsheimensis in Europe, chronologically referred to the late early Pleistocene, ca. 1.2 Ma. During that time, S. etruscus still survived in Iberian Peninsula, central Italy and Dacian Basin. The presence of two successive evolutionary morphs for S. hundsheimensis during the Pleistocene is not confirmed.     

Scaphohippus, A New Genus of Horse (Mammalia: Equidae) from the Barstow Formation of California

A new genus of hypsodont equid, Scaphohippus, is recognized from the Green Hills Division (Ba1), Second Division (Ba1), and Barstow Faunas (Ba2) of the medial Miocene Barstow Formation, as well as from Ba1 and Ba2 faunas in the Punchbowl Formation of California, the Tesuque Formation of New Mexico, the Pawnee Creek Formation of Colorado, and the Olcott Formation of Nebraska. The genus includes two species, Scaphohippus sumani n. sp. and Scaphohippus intermontanus n. sp. Scaphohippus is a member of the “protohippine” clade, but is differentiated from its more derived sister taxon, Protohippus, by an arc-shaped incisor battery, a shorter I3-P1 diastema, and a more rounded protocone. The upper cheek teeth of S. sumani n. sp. have an unworn crown height of 40 mm. The protocone remains isolated until as much as 60% of wear, and the enamel fossettes are more complex than those of S. intermontanus n. sp. S. intermontanus n. sp. has an unworn crown height of 48–50 mm, the protocone opens by 30% of wear, and the enamel fossettes are simpler than those of S. sumani n. sp. Phyletic analysis shows S. sumani n. sp. to be the more primitive species. Similar facial and dental characteristics reveal a likely common ancestor with Merychippus insignis. The wider geographic and temporal range of S. sumani n. sp. reported here allows for useful phyletic and biogeographic interpretations. S. sumani n. sp. and M. insignis diverged during the late Hemingfordian (He2) of the Great Plains and both taxa dispersed throughout the western United States. S. intermontanus n. sp. is only recognized from the Barstow Formation, where it was likely directly descended from S. sumani n. sp.     

North American Glyptodontines (Xenarthra, Mammalia) in the Upper Pleistocene of northern South America

The Glyptodontidae is one of the most conspicuous groups in the Pleistocene megafauna of the Americas. The Glyptodontinae were involved in the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) and their earliest records in North America are about 3.9 Ma, suggesting an earlier formation of the Panamanian landbridge. Taxonomically it is possible to recognize two Pleistocene genera of Glyptodontinae:Glyptodon (ca. 1.8 – 0.008 Ma), restricted to South America, andGlyptotherium (ca. 2.6 – 0.009 Ma), including records in both North and Central America. Here we present the first report of the genusGlyptotherium in South America, from the Late Pleistocene of several fossil localities in Falcón State, northwestern Venezuela. A comparative analysis of the material, represented by cranial and postcranial parts, including the dorsal carapace and caudal rings, suggests a close affinity withGlyptotherium cylindricum (Late Pleistocene of Central Mexico). This occurrence in the latest Pleistocene of the northernmost region of South America Supports the bidirectional faunal migration during the GABI and the repeated re-immigration from North America of South American clades, as has been reported in other members of the Cingulata (e.g., Pampatheriidae).      

Additional data on early Paleocene metatherians (Mammalia) from Punta Peligro (Salamanca Formation, Argentina): comments based on petrosal morphology

Metatherian remains from Punta Peligro (Chubut Province, Argentina; Salamanca Formation, early Paleocene) are scarce, but at present, there are at least four different taxa known by dental remains. We describe here an incomplete petrosal showing metatherian affinities. Among the dentally known taxa from the same stratigraphic levels, the overall size of the petrosal fits that predicted for Derorhynchus , which in turn was assigned to the order Didelphimorphia. The features of the petrosal we describe do not correspond with the morphology observed among didelphoid marsupials, the only members of Didelphimorphia with well known basicrania, suggesting that if the association of petrosal and dental remains is correct, then referral of Derorhynchus to the Didelphimorphia has to be revised. The taxonomic content of this group of marsupials, as presently interpreted, represents a paraphyletic or polyphyletic grouping of metatherians.     

First Record of Ulca bolini (Pisces: Hemitripteridae) in the Southeastern Part of the Sea of Okhotsk

This paper presents data on the first record of Ulca bolini. The fish was caught at a depth of 280–300 m in the Sea of Okhotsk off the Kuril Islands (Prostor Bay, Iturup Island). It was 60 cm in fork length (FL) and 7 kg in weight.     

On the status of Isolophodon Roth, 1903 (Mammalia,Astrapotheria) and other little-known Paleogene astrapotheres from central Patagonia

Most of the 16 currently recognized astrapothere genera are well known through numerous specimens preserving at least almost complete dentition. One of the exceptions is the enigmatic genus Isolophodon Roth, 1903, based on very scant and fragmentary materials from Paleogene levels of central Patagonia. This taxon was ruled out from almost all taxonomic lists, although its validity has not been discussed by subsequent authors. We herein re-describe and discuss the taxonomic status of the species of Isolophodon. The type species, I. cingulosus Roth, 1903, is characterized by having lower cheek teeth with a much reduced hypoflexid, resembling derived uruguaytheriines, but lower-crowned and with three lower premolars, as in the species of Astraponotus Ameghino, 1901. This is the only astrapothere nominal species attributable to the Tinguirirican South American Land Mammal Age (SALMA, Early Oligocene). Isolophodon aplanatus Roth, 1903 (Casamayoran and Mustersan SALMAs, middle Late Eocene) has proportionally more elongated lower molars and a less developed paraflexid than the type species. Isolophodon would represent an early diverging lineage of astrapotheriids, in which some dental features evolved convergently with the more derived uruguaytheriines. Additionally, we describe other fragmentary but very significant specimens from Paleogene localities in central Patagonia (Argentina) attributable to the following taxa: cf. Scaglia kraglievichorum (Barrancan? subage), based on a partial upper molar nearly 60% larger than the type of Scaglia kraglievichorum Simpson, 1957; Astrapotheriidae gen. et sp. 1 (Barrancan? Subage, Middle Eocene), based on an isolated upper molar larger than any other Eocene astrapothere; Astrapotheriidae gen. et sp. 2, based on five isolated upper cheek teeth from “La Cantera” (Gran Barranca, Early Oligocene), characterized by a large, isolated hypocone and accessory cusps on P3-P4. These taxa enlarge the known diversity of Paleogene astrapotheres and document novel evolutionary patterns for these mammals.     

安徽潜山中古新世一新的模鼠兔类（英文）

命名了中古新世的一个啮型类新属种——胡氏敏兽(Mina hui gen.et sp.nov.)。新属种的正型标本为可能属于同一个体的前颌骨和上颌骨,采自安徽省潜山县古井乡傅家山嘴中古新统望虎墩组上段上部。属名来源于周明镇先生的曾用名周敏,以纪念他对我国古新世生物地层和哺乳动物研究的杰出贡献;种名源自胡耀明博士,他为潜山哺乳动物的采集和研究做出过重要贡献。胡氏敏兽的特征如下:中等大小的模鼠兔类,上齿列齿式2·0·3·3;第一对门齿(d12)增大,无齿根、终生生长,釉质层双层,仅限于唇侧,表面无纵向浅沟;上颊齿列外缘显著凸出;颧弓前根后缘位于M1—M2之间,眶下孔位置低。以传统的模鼠兔目(Mimotonida)而论,它包括两个科:单型科模鼠兔科(Mimotonidae)只有模鼠兔(Mimotona)一属;模兔科(Mimolagidae)则包括模兔(Mimolagus),Gomphos,Anatolimys,敏兽和可能的Amar。在已知模鼠兔类中,模鼠兔很可能代表原始的兔形类祖先的"形态型",而模兔科则代表向兔形类进化的分支上分化出来的旁枝。晓鼠(Heomys)、模鼠兔和敏兽的共存说明啮形类在中古新世时已经分化。     

A reconsideration of the genusRabdosiella (Lamiaceae,Nepetoideae, Ocimeae)

The two generaPlectranthus andIsodon are compared and found to be very dissimilar.Isodon ist considered to be misplaced inOcimeae subtribePlectranthinae and apparently is more closely related to subtribeHyptidinae. The disjunct genusRabdosiella is compared to these two genera and regarded to be polyphyletic. The AfricanR. calycina (Benth.)Codd is returned toPlectranthus and calledP. calycinusBenth., while the AsianR. ternifolia (D. Don)Codd is placed inIsodon sect.Pyramidium and calledI. ternifolius (D. Don)Kudo.     

First records of lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from wild southern pudu, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pudu puda</Emphasis> (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

The presence of two species of Phthiraptera, Bovicola caprae (Gurlt, 1843) (Ischnocera: Bovicoliidae) and Solenopotes binipilosus (Fahrenholz, 1916) (Anoplura: Linognathidae), is reported for the first time from Pudu puda (Molina, 1782).     

The genus Setulipes (Marasmiaceae) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes, including a key to other African taxa

The authors report first records for the genus Setulipes in Madagascar, with the presence of Setulipes cf. hakgalensis and two new species, Setulipes funaliformis and S. moreaui, as well as a new species from Mauritius: S. mauritiensis. A key to these taxa, as well as to other African species, is supplied.     

A new species of Phaeohelotium from Nothofagus forests in Argentina and Chile, with a key to the Southern Hemisphere species

Phaeohelotium nothofagi, sp.nov., found on fallen wood and leaves of Nothofagus dombeyi, is described and illustrated. The fungus is characterized by pale yellow discs, and fumose ascospores with asperulate walls. A key with distributional data for the five species of the genus now known in the Southern Hemisphere is provided.     

Molecular identification of Taenia spp. in wolves (Canis lupus), brown bears (Ursus arctos) and cervids from North Europe and Alaska

Taenia tapeworms of Finnish and Swedish wolves (Canis lupus) and Finnish brown bears (Ursus arctos), and muscle cysticerci of Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), Alaskan Grant's caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and Alaskan moose (Alces americanus) were identified on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of a 396 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Two species were found from wolves: Taenia hydatigena and Taenia krabbei. The cysticerci of reindeer, caribou and one moose also represented T. krabbei. Most of the cysticercal specimens from Alaskan moose, however, belonged to an unknown T. krabbei-like species, which had been reported previously from Eurasian elks (Alces alces) from Finland. Strobilate stages from two bears belonged to this species as well. The present results suggest that this novel Taenia sp. has a Holarctic distribution and uses Alces spp. as intermediate and ursids as final hosts.     

Sorex rohweri sp. nov. (Mammalia, Soricidae) from northwestern North America

Sorex rohweri sp. nov. is described on the basis of a series of specimens from the Olympic Peninsula and adjacent western regions of Washington State, USA, and southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It has been misidentified as Sorex cinereus Kerr, 1792, which occurs in the Cascade Range in west-central Washington, in coastal British Columbia, and regions farther to the northeast. The new species is distinguished from S. cinereus by numerous morphological characters: differences in craniodental dimensions; different location and form of the medial tines of the upper incisors; presence of patent postmandibular foramina; different intensity and distribution of dental pigmentation; and different form of the glans penis, along with other details. The combination of characters also separates it from sympatric species of Sorex. Phylogenetic inference of cytochrome b sequences from two specimens of the proposed new species shows them to be distinct from Sorex cinereus and from five sympatric Sorex species, supporting their designation as members of a new species.     

Evidence for placing the false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) into the family Gavialidae: inferences from nuclear gene sequences

The extant crocodylians comprise 23 species divided among three families, Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae. Currently, based on morphological data sets, Tomistoma schlegelii (false gharial) is placed within the family Crocodylidae. Molecular data sets consistently support a sister-taxon relationship of T. schlegelii with Gavialis gangeticus (Indian Gharial), which is the sole species in Gavialidae. To elucidate the placement of T. schlegelii within the extant crocodylians, we have sequenced 352bp of the dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) nuclear gene in 30 individuals and 424bp of the nuclear gene C-mos in 74 individuals. Molecular analysis of the DMP1 data set indicates that it is highly conserved within the Crocodylia. Of special note is a seven base-pair indel (GTGCTTT) shared by T. schlegelii and G. gangeticus, that is absent in the genus Crocodylus, Osteolaemus, and Mecistops. To date, C-mos is the largest molecular data set analyzed for any crocodylian study including multiple samples from all representatives of the eight extant genera. Analysis of these molecular data sets, both as individual gene sequences and concatenated sequences, support the hypothesis that T. schlegelii should be placed within the family Gavialidae.     

Additional materials of Myanmarpithecus yarshensis (Amphipithecidae, Primates) from the middle Eocene Pondaung Formation

Myanmarpithecus yarshensis is an amphipithecid primate from the middle Eocene Pondaung Formation in Myanmar. It was previously known based on maxillary fragments with P⁴–M³ and mandibular fragments with C–P₃ and M_2–3. This study reports new materials for the genus, including a humeral head fragment, a lingual fragment of the right M², a lingual fragment of the right M³, and a left I¹. These new materials were collected from approximately the same point, and likely belonged to the same individual. The upper molar morphology and size of the new materials show similarity to those of the type specimen, indicating that the new materials can be assigned to M. yarshensis. The humeral head is the first postcranial element that is associated with dental materials for amphipithecids. The morphological similarity between the previously reported larger humerus and this specimen confirms the assignment of the former specimen to Amphipithecidae and suggests common locomotor adaptations in the family. The upper central incisor is large relative to the molar fragments, but is within the variation among extant platyrrhines. The tooth is spatulate-shaped and high crowned, and lacks the mesial process, indicating similarity to I¹ of haplorhines and clear differences from that of adapoids. It has been suggested that amphipithecids, including Myanmarpithecus, have affinities with notharctine adapoids, but the morphology of I¹ does not support the notharctine hypothesis of the Amphipithecidae.     

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.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Ceratitis fruit flies inferred from nuclear CAD and tango/ARNT gene fragments: Testing monophyly of the subgenera Ceratitis (Ceratitis) and C. (Pterandrus)

Systematic studies of Ceratitis (Tephritidae) fruit flies using molecular (i.e., COI, ND6, and period genes) and morphological (plus host-use characters) data have recently challenged the monophyly of the subgenera Ceratitis (Ceratitis) and Ceratitis (Pterandrus). In this paper, we report on the phylogenetic utility of three single-copy nuclear gene regions (two non-overlapping fragments of the carbamoylphosphate synthetase, CPS, locus of CAD, and a fragment of tango) within these taxa and investigate evolutionary relationships based on a concatenated ca. 3.4 kb data set that includes the six protein encoding gene regions. Results indicate that the CAD and tango genes provide useful phylogenetic signal within the taxa and are compatible with the previously studied genes. The two subgenera, as currently classified, are not monophyletic. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses support a revised classification in which (1) the subgenus C. (Pterandrus) comprises two lineages called A and B, (2) the C. (Pterandrus) B species should be included in C. (Ceratitis), and (3) the newly defined subgenera C. (Pterandrus) (=Pterandrus section A) and C. (Ceratitis) [=C. (Ceratitis) + C. (Pterandrus) section B] are reciprocally monophyletic.     

Phylogenetic relationships within the Laridae (Charadriiformes: Aves) inferred from mitochondrial markers

Gulls (Aves: Laridae) constitute a recent and cosmopolite family of well-studied seabirds for which a robust phylogeny is needed to perform comparative and biogeographical analyses. The present study, the first molecular phylogeny of all Larids species (N=53), is based on a combined segment of mtDNA (partial cytochrome b and control region). We discuss our phylogenetic tree in the light of previous suggestions based on morphological, behavioral, and plumage characters. Although the phylogeny is not fully resolved, it highlights several robust species groups and confirms or identifies for the first time some sister relationships that had never been suggested before. The Dolphin Gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii) for instance, is identified as the sister species of the Grey Gull (Larus modestus) and the Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) forms a monophyletic group with the Little Gull (Larus minutus). Our results clearly demonstrate that the genus Larus as currently defined is not monophyletic, since current taxonomy of gulls is based on the use of convergent phenotypic characters. We propose a new systematic arrangement that better reflects their evolutionary history.