The fish swimming trace Undichna unisulca from the Silurian of Sweden: probably the oldest vertebrate locomotion trace fossil

The fish swimming trace Undichna unisulca is reported from a sandstone block collected from the Upper Silurian (Ludlow) Burgsvik Formation of Gotland, Sweden. It represents the oldest record of a vertebrate trace (apart from coprolites), predating previous finds from the Lower Devonian by at least 10 Ma. A thelodont or acanthodian fish may have produced the sinusoidal trails with the aid of their caudal or anal fins while browsing slowly over the sediment whilst searching for food.     

Retiolitid graptolites from the collection of HermannJaeger in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin (Germany). I.Neogothograptus andHoloretiolites

Isolated material of Ludlow (Upper Silurian) retiolitid graptolites are described from isolated material in theJaeger collection of the Museum für Naturkunde (Humboldt Universität Berlin, Germany). This material from glacial erratic boulders of northern Germany has never been published, even though it yields important structural information for retiolitid taxonomy. The astogeny and formation of the clathrial and reticular lists ofNeogothograptus andHoloretiolites rhabdosomes is discussed in some detail. New species includeNeogothograptus ornatus n. sp. andNeogothograptus eximinassa n. sp. Hermann Jaeger recognized both species as new and named them in his collection, but not publish the material.Neogothograptus thorsteinssoni Lenz &;Kozlowska-Dawidziuk andNeogothograptus romani Koz?owska-Dawidziuk have been recognized for the first time in north German glacial erratic boulders.     

Silurian Leptaeninae (Brachiopoda) from Gotland, Sweden

Strophomenid brachiopods belonging to the generaLeptaena andLepidoleptaena are described from the uppermost Llandovery — Ludlow succession of Gotland, Sweden. In Gotland,Lepidoleptaena comprises the single speciesL. poulseni, andLeptaena includes four species:L. rhomboidalis, L. sperion, L. depressa andL. parvirugata n. sp.L. depressa shows a considerable amount of morphological variation, which is recognised in the two new subspeciesLeptaena depressa visbyensis n. ssp. from the Llandoverian — Wenlockian Visby Formation, andL. depressa lata n. ssp. from the mid-Wenlockian Slite Group. The distribution of the different species is largely substrate-dependent, withLeptaena rhomboidalis andLepidoleptaena poulseni adapted to high-energy environments with firm substrates, whereas the remaining species preferred fine-grained substrates in low-energy environments.      

Evolution within the Silurian cephalopod genusInversoceras

Specimens of the Silurian cephalopod genusInversoceras from the Wenlockian Slite Beds of Gotland, Sweden, are more curved and swollen than those from the Ludlowian Hemse Beds of Gotland. The former population is interpreted as a direct ancestor to the latter. The younger form,Inversoceras p. perversum, originally described by Barrande from Bohemia, includes both individuals with a fairly straight shell and with a slightly curved shell. The distinctly curved and swollen form from the Wenlock beds is herein described as a new subspecies,I. p. eoperversum. I. p. falciformis from the Ludlowian of Bohemia is excluded fromI. perversum and. treated as a distinct species. Its relationship to the olderI. p. eoperversum is discussed. This discussion also includesI. dayi from the Niagarian of North America.     

The rhabdosome structure of aSaetograptus species (Graptoloidea, Monograptacea) from a North German glacial boulder

Saetograptus sp. cf.Saetograptus leintwardinensis from the late Ludlow is described from material isolated from a glacial boulder. The species shows several unexpected rhabdosome structures, especially a considerably widening trumpetshaped sicular aperture with a forked dorsal tongue. The high infraspecific variation of the species is documented.     

Two new species ofTrichogramma [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae] from the U.S.A.

Two new species ofTrichogramma from the U.S.A. are described.T. parkeri sp. n., a morphologically distinct species, was reared from an egg ofHeliothis zea (Boddie), whileT. platneri sp. n. which is morphologically indistinguishable fromT. minutum Riley, was reared from eggs ofCydia pomonella (L.). Reproductive incompatibility ofT. platneri andT. minutum is discussed.     

New Ephialtitidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) from the Jurassic Daohugou Beds of Inner Mongolia,China

Five new species are described from the Middle–Upper Jurassic Daohugou Beds of Inner Mongolia, China, and assigned to the genus Karataus Rasnitsyn, 1977 in the subfamily Symphytopterinae of Ephialtitidae. They are illustrated as Karataus daohugouensis n. sp., K. strenuus n. sp., K. vigoratus n. sp., K. exilis n. sp., and K. orientalis n. sp., and a key to species of Karataus is presented.     

Rhinanthus plants found in calcareous fens on Gotland (Sweden): Are they related to Rhinanthus osiliensis from Saaremaa (Estonia)?

Rhinanthus osiliensis is a narrow endemic growing in calcareous spring fens on the island Saaremaa, Estonia. Plants very similar to R. osiliensis have been found in Sweden on the island of Gotland. Fifteen microsatellite markers were used to characterize genetic variation within R. osiliensis and the unknown taxon from Gotland. Results were compared with common Rhinanthus minor and Rhinanthus angstifolius. Our results showed that genetic diversity was remarkably lower in the Rhinanthus sp. from Gotland compared to Estonian endemic R. osiliensis. The microsatellite loci we used distinguished four studied species. In total, 46 species-specific alleles were found. The Neighbor-Joining dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distances, the Bayesian clustering analysis and the principle coordinate analysis showed that R. osiliensis and Rhinanthus sp. from Gotland are genetically differentiated and could not be the same species. In addition, endemic R. osiliensis was closer to widespread R. angustifolius. Further genetic comparison between unknown Rhinanthus sp. and local R. angustifolius and R. minor from Gotland is necessary for determine the species status and checking the possible alternative hypothesis about the origin of the unclear taxon.     

Unteroligozäne Fische (Otolithen) aus dem Neuwieder Becken (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge,West-Deutschland)

On the basis of otoliths three fish species are described from the Maifeld Beds of the Neuwied Basin (Rhenish Massif/Western Germany):Dapaloides sieblosensis (Winkler),Umbra weileri Martini andThaumaturus sp. The fish assemblage indicates an early Oligocène age and a brackish environment in a shallow water. A marine connection during the Latdorfian between the Upper Rhinegraben and the Neuwied Basin on one side and the Sieblos/Rhön area on the other side seems possible.     

Neue foliicole Arten der FlechtengattungDimerella Trevisan (Gyalectaceae) aus Tansania

Five new foliicolous species ofDimerella Trevisan (Gyalectaceae) are reported from a collection of lichens from Tanzania:D. flavicans sp. n.,D. pocsii sp. n.,D. subdilucida sp. n. ad int.,D. tanzanica, sp. n. andD. usambarensis sp. n. A determination key is provided to all the known African foliicolous species.     

Stable carbon isotope development and sea-level changes during the Late Ludlow (Silurian) of the Łysogóry region (Rzepin section,Holy Cross Mountains,Poland)

The Ludlow deposits of the Winnica Formation in the Rzepin section (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland) have been studied with respect to their facies evolution and stable carbon isotope ratios from whole-rock samples. The C-isotope curve of the Rzepin section records a distinct positive excursion with maximal values of +8.9‰. A Late Ludlow positive isotope excursion is known from different paleocontinents and thus is regarded as a global isotope event. The presence of the event allows for a chemostratigraphic correlation of the Rzepin profile with the classical, biostratigraphically well-dated Gotland section. The Ludlow deposits of the Holy Cross Mountains are interpreted in terms of sea-level changes during the isotope excursion. Because the Rzepin and Gotland sections are positioned on the opposite sides of the same foreland basin, a comparison of their sequence stratigraphy allows to test the regularities of the sea-level changes on the shelf of Baltica. In the present paper, a modified view of the recently published sequence stratigraphy of the Gotland succession is presented. Our results indicate that the positive Ludlow δ¹³C excursion is connected with prolonged low-stand conditions with small, internal transgressive pulses.     

Upper Silurian microplankton of the Leintwardine Group, Ludlow Series, in the type Ludlow area and adjacent regions

The acritarchs and prasinophyte algae from the Upper Bringewood, Lower Leintwardine, Upper Leintwardine and Lower Whitcliffe formations of the Ludlow type area and surrounding regions are described. The following new taxa are proposed: Cymatiosphaera pumila sp. nov., Melikeriopalla pustula sp. nov., Cheleutochroa beechenbankensis sp. nov., Cymbosphaeridium molyneuxii sp. nov., Flammulasphaera bella gen. et sp. nov., Percultisphaera incompta sp. nov., Salopidium aldridgei sp. nov. and Umbellasphaeridium? wicanderi sp. nov. A holotype is defined for Lophosphaeridium galeatum Hill and a further 34 new taxa are described under open nomenclature. Two biozones, identified by the first appearance of the zone taxon, are defined in the Sunnyhill section, Ludlow [Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Ludfordian Stage, Ludlow Series]. The base of the Leoniella vilis Biozone is identified at 4.52m below the top of the Upper Bringewood Formation at Beechenbank, Aymestrey. The base of the Triangulina sanpetrensis Biozone is identified at 15.49m above the base of the Lower Leintwardine Formation and Ludfordian Stage at the Sunnyhill section. These biozones allow correlation with sections in north–west Spain, Podolia and Gotland. The possibility of using Visbysphaera whitcliffense and U.? wicanderi as biozonal indicators is suggested.     

Strophomenidae,Leptostrophiidae, Strophodontidae and Shaleriidae (Brachiopoda,Strophomenida) from the Silurian of Gotland,Sweden

Twelve species of Brachiopods are described from the Silurian of Gotland, six furcitellinines and six “strophodontids.” One is new—Strophodonta hoburgensis n. sp. The furcitellinines are moderately common and diverse in the lower part of the succession, but the last species disappears in the middle Hemse beds (~middle Ludlow). Three genera are represented: Bellimurina, Pentlandina and Katastrophomena, with the species and subspecies B. wisgoriensis, P. tartana, P. loveni, P. lewisii lewisii, K. penkillensis and K. antiquata scabrosa. Most of the taxa are confined to low energy environments, but P. loveni was evidently specialized for the high energy reef environments of the Högklint Formation. B. wisgoriensis displays environmentally induced morphological variability in developing strong, frilly growth lamellae in high-energy environments. The “strophodontids,” although belonging to three different families, share a common morphology consisting of denticles along the hinge line, a semi-circular outline, unequally to finely costellate ornament and, most importantly, a concavo-convex profile with both valves of the same curvature, enclosing a very small body chamber. Two leptostrophiids are generalists, occurring in both high- and low-energy environments and with long stratigraphical ranges [Mesoleptostrophia filosa; latest Llandovery through the entire Ludlow. Brachyprion (Brachyprion) semiglobosa; latest Llandovery to latest Wenlock]. The third leptostrophiid (Brachyprion (Erinostrophia) walmstedti) is short ranged and occurs in low-energy environments in the latest Llandovery. The species belonging to the Strophodontidae (Strophodonta hoburgensis n. sp.) and Shaleriidae [Shaleria (Janiomya) ornatella and S. (Shaleriella) ezerensis] occur only in high-energy environments and have a short range within the late Ludlow.     

Foliicole flechten aus zaire (III) Die GattungByssoloma Trevisan

Nine species ofByssoloma Trevisan (Pilocarpaceae) are reported from a collection of foliicolous lichens from Zaire, and includeB. murinum sp. n. In addition,B. usambarense sp. n. is described from adjacent Tanzania. A determination key is provided to all the known African species, and each species is briefly characterized.     

Bryozoans, corals, and microfacies of Lower Eifelian (Middle Devonian) limestones at Kierspe, Germany

The Lower Eifelian Meinerzhagener Korallenkalk (= upper Cultrijugatus Beds) at Kierspe, Sauerland, contains a rich reefal fauna. Eight bryozoan species are described, two of them are new: the cystoporate Fistuliporella kierspensis n. sp. and the trepostome Leptotrypella sophiae n. sp. The bryozoans from the Meinerzhagener Korallenkalk shows distinct similarities to the Lower–Middle Devonian of Spain (Santa Lucía Formation, Emsian–Eifelian), and to the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) of Transcaucasia. The coral fauna comprises five tabulate corals and one rugose coral that document a paleobiogeographic relationship between Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The associated fauna is represented by brachiopods, ostracods, and echinoderms. The studied limestones also commonly contain calcimicrobes represented by three species. The faunal and microfacial characteristics indicate a shallow marine depositional environment just above the storm wave base, with a supposed depth of 20 m, within the photic zone. The nutrient regime was at least a mesotrophic. The upper boundary of the Cultrijugatus Beds coincides with the Chote?-Event that strongly affected brachiopods, whereas corals and bryozoans were insensitive to this event.     

New data on the fauna of the tenebrionid beetle genus Agnaptoria Rtt. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) of China

Eight new species of the genus Agnaptoria are described from the eastern part of the Tibet Highland: A. minuta sp. n., A. crassa sp. n., A. lauta sp. n. (Sichuan), A. kunda sp. n., A. proba sp. n. (Gansu), A. shangmengi sp. n., A. danbaensis sp. n. (Sichuan), and A. amdoensis sp. n. (Quinghai). A new material on A. shamaevi G. Medv., A. abdita G. Medv., and A. anthracina G. Medv. is reported with data on the variation of the anatomy of male genitalia and spermatheca in the latter species.     

Anatomy and phylogenetic significance of Eoconularia loculata, a conulariid from the Silurian of Gotland

The type material of Eoconularia loculata (Wiman, 1895), a conulariid with high, bifurcated septa, was originally found in an erratic boulder, hence the source-rock is as yet unidentified. Recently, a rich material of the species has been discovered at eleven localities in the Silurian Hemse Beds of Gotland Another two localities in the Slite Beds (Wenlockan, Sheinwoodian) revealed what is assumed to be the ancestor of E loculata. This ancestral form probably constitutes a separate taxon distinguished from E. loculata in having simple, unbranched septa. E. loculata is re-described, and four ontogenetic stages in septal development are recognized. During stage 1, the most juvenile stage, the septa are simple. The septa in stages 3 and 4, the adult stages, are coarse and bifurcated. The affinities of conulariids are discussed, with the conclusion that the group shares a number of similarities with modem scyphomans. The microstructures of the exoskeleton show several similarities with coronatids, and the septa are interpreted to be homologous with the internal structures of stauromedusids. The stratigraphical distribution of all currently known septate conulariids suggests that septa were a primitive morphologic feature ranging from early? Ordovician to late Silurian. The simplest type, however, persisted at least into the early Permian. Five of the eleven described septa types have been found only among the conulariids from Gotland. □Conulariida, EOCONULARIA LOCULATA, bifurcated septa, taxonomy, ecology, morphology, Scyphozoa, Sweden, Gotland, Silurian.     

Silurian craniide brachiopods from Gotland

Seven craniide brachiopod genera are described from the Silurian (Wenlock–Ludlow) of Gotland, including one new genus and five new species. The new genus and species Thulecrania septicostata is unique among Silurian craniides as it possesses solid spines. The new species Lepidocrania multilamellosa is the first Silurian record of this poorly known Permian genus. The problematic North American Propatella Grubbs, 1939 , was originally described as a gastropod, but the new species Propatella palmaria from Gotland shows that it is a craniide with sutured hollow spines of a type not previously recorded from Silurian craniides. The dorsal valves of the new species Valdiviathyris? bicornis are remarkably similar to those of the type species and represent the first possible Palaeozoic record of this poorly known extant craniide. This first systematic study of craniide brachiopods from the Silurian of Gotland shows that the diversity is relatively high as compared to other known Silurian craniide faunas, but a more thorough comparison is not possible due to the lack of data from most parts of the world. The new data from Gotland support the view that the craniides were not affected by the end‐Ordovician extinction.     

Studien über die Branchiosauridae (Amphibia: Temnospondyli) 1. Neue und wenig bekannte Arten aus dem mitteleuropäischen Rotliegenden (?oberstes Karbon bis unteres Perm)

As part of a review of the Branchiosauridae some recently discovered specimens from the Rotliegend of the Saar-Nahe-Basin and rediscovered material from the Rotliegend of northern Saxony are described. One of the Saar-Nahe specimens is designated the neotype ofApateon pedestris Meyer 1844. This species replacesProtriton petrolei Gaudry 1875. One of the northern Saxony specimens is chosen as the lectotype ofLeptorophus tener (Schonfeld 1909). This species is redescribed. Two new species are described and named:Scboenfelderpeton prescheri n. gen. n. sp. andApateon dracyiformis n. sp. The former is remarkably differentiated in respect to its otic notch. The latter is very similar toApateon dracyi (Boy 1972). The northern Saxony locality not only contains Branchiosauridae but also the micromelerpetontidBrancbierpeton. The palaeoecology of this fauna is discussed.