The first Praesiricidae (Hymenoptera) from Northeast China

A new subfamily Rudisiricinae Gao, Rasnitsyn, Ren & Shih, n. subfam. and a new genus Rudisiricius Gao, Rasnitsyn, Ren & Shih, n. gen. with three new species R. belli Gao, Rasnitsyn, Ren & Shih n. sp., R. crassinodus Gao, Rasnitsyn, Ren & Shih, n. sp., and R. celsus Gao, Rasnitsyn, Ren & Shih, n. sp. are described and illustrated from the family Praesiricidae. The type specimens were collected from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, northeastern China. The new subfamily also includes Aulidontes Rasnitsyn from the Upper Jurassic of Karatau in Kazakhstan. This is the first record of Praesiricidae in China. These well-preserved nearly-complete new fossils reported here provide additional material and structure characters about this family, which helps filling some gap in the evolution of Lower Hymenoptera.     

The first record of anguine lizards (Anguimorpha,Anguidae) from the early Miocene locality Ulm – Westtangente in Germany

Abstract

The first fossil anguine material from the lower Miocene (MN 2) locality Ulm – Westtangente in Germany is described. The parietal and compound bone of the lower jaw can be attributed to Ophisaurus holeci, previously known only from younger age (MN 3–MN 7). Moreover, the parietal represents the largest parietal of this species. In other disarticulated material, such as frontal, maxilla, dentary and osteoderms, alpha taxonomy is not possible and these elements cannot be allocated at the species level. Despite a limited data source, a phylogenetic analysis was done (16 taxa, 36 characters) producing four equally parsimonious trees. The analysis shows a close relationship of O. holeci and the Eocene Ophisauriscus quadrupes. These two taxa form a monophyletic clade, a sister-clade to Ophisaurus + Anguis. However, more complete skeletal material of O. holeci is needed to support such a statement. We used our phylogenetic analysis to analyze trace character history for one frontal and three parietal characters. The palaeoenvironmental conditions of the locality Ulm – Westtangente bring further support of the previous hypothesis that O. holeci was adapted to environments with high ground water levels – environments around lakes or rivers.     

Two new lacewings (Neuroptera) from the Upper Jurassic locality Shar-Teg (Mongolia)

Two new lacewing species, Prohemerobius minor sp. nov. (Prohemerobiidae) and Sogjuta shartegica sp. nov. (Osmylidae), are described from Upper Jurassic deposits of the Mongolian locality Shar-Teg.     

A well‐preserved isopod from the Middle Jurassic of southern Germany and implications for the isopod fossil record

A new isopod species, Eonatatolana geisingensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from Middle Jurassic shallow‐water sediments of southern Germany. It shows not only the almost completely preserved dorsal morphology but, in addition, details of the cephalic appendages, the pereiopods, pleopods and uropods. The presence of ambulatory pereiopods I–VII of a wide tridentate mandibular incisor with prominently developed posteriormost tooth and a narrow frontal lamina indicates that the new species belongs to the subfamily Conilerinae of family Cirolanidae within the suborder Cymothoida. It is closer to the species of the modern genus NatatolanaBruce than to any fossil isopod hitherto described. The isopod fossil record as well as current practices of isopod taxonomy in palaeontology are discussed, and the facies distribution and fossilization of isopods is reviewed with examples from the Jurassic.     

Pleurotomaria DeFrance, 1826 (Gastropoda,Mollusca) from the Lower Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) sediments of Luxembourg,with considerations on its systematics,evolution and palaeobiogeographical history

Abstract: Pleurotomaria species from lower Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) sediments of south‐western Luxembourg housed in the National Natural History Museum of Luxembourg are described. Seven species are recognized, one of which is new, Pleurotomaria faberi sp. nov. A more detailed definition of the diagnostic characters of the genus is proposed and the morphological continuity between Talantodiscus and Pleurotomaria is demonstrated, suggesting that the former cannot be considered as a distinct taxon. The palaeoecology, evolution and palaeobiogeographical history of Pleurotomaria are outlined. Pleurotomaria presumably first appeared in late Middle Triassic of New Zealand where it underwent a relative diversification up to the Hettangian (Early Jurassic). From early Hettangian, most of its evolutionary history took place in Europe and western Tethys. In the European epicontinental seas, Pleurotomaria experienced two important radiations. The first occurred in the Early Jurassic, with a peak in the late Pliensbachian, and was marked by an expansion of the distribution to the central part of western Tethys. After a collapse in species diversity, probably related to the early Toarcian anoxic event, a second radiation occurred. This culminated in the early Bajocian and was mainly confined in a region encompassing southern England, Paris Basin and southern Germany. Low‐spired species, formerly attributed to Talantodiscus, probably originated independently and iteratively during the history of Pleurotomaria. The facies and associated benthic faunas suggest that Pleurotomaria probably lived on shallow soft bottoms composed of mixed calcareous–siliciclastic sediments. The two main Early Jurassic and early Middle Jurassic radiations of the genus took place in these environments. Records of the genus in Jurassic carbonate platform deposits are very few and concern mainly post‐Bajocian species.     

A catshark (Neoselachii, Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae) from the Late Jurassic of Germany

A new genus and species of catshark (Neoselachii, Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae) —Bavariscyllium tischlingeri n. gen. n. sp. — is described from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) Plattenkalke of South Germany. The new taxon is known from a single articulated skeleton having the skull, the trunk and all of the fins preserved. The position of the first dorsal fin in relation to the pelvic fins and the dental morphology shows that the specimen belongs into the neoselachian family Scyliorhinidae. Two isolated tooth crowns from the Kimmeridgian of North Germany are identified asBavariscyllium sp. and represent the oldest unambigious fossil record of the Scyliorhinidae known so far.     

The Kuehneotheriidae (Mammaliaformes) from Saint-Nicolas-de-Port (Upper Triassic,France): a Systematic Review

The origin and first diversification of mammals in the Upper Triassic remain poorly understood, in part because many fossil discoveries are not fully studied, and in part because the material remains poor. The Saint-Nicolas-de-Port quarry (Rhaetian, France) is the second most important locality that yielded remains of Kuehneotherium, after the fissure-fillings of the Glamorganshire (Lower Jurassic, Wales). This study identifies one new species of Kuehneotherium, K. stanislavi, sp. nov., and a new genus of Kuehneotheriidae, Fluctuodon necmergor, gen. et sp. nov. For these two new species, lower and upper molars are described and the first reconstructions of the postcanine row are proposed. Comparisons with material of Kuehneotherium from other Upper Triassic sites (Syren in Luxembourg, Emborough in England, and Jameson Land in Greenland) suggest two distinct Upper Triassic specific kuehneotheriid assemblages, respectively, west and east of the London Brabant Massif. They also suggest that the extinction event during the Triassic/Jurassic transition did not have a great impact on Kuehneotherium.     

New taxa of snipe flies (Diptera: Brachycera: Rhagionidae) in the Daohugou Biota,China

Three impressions of snipe flies from the uppermost Middle Jurassic or lowermost Upper Jurassic Daohugou Formation in northeastern China are described as Protorhagio parvus sp. nov. and Lithorhagio megalocephalus get. et sp. nov. Protorhagio parvus is the first record of the genus Protorhagio Rohdendorf, 1938 outside the Karatau-Mikhailovka locality (Kazakhstan), which has implications for biostratigraphic correlation of the formations, in which they are found. The taxonomic position of Lithorhagio gen. nov. is discussed. Although Orsobrachyceron Ren, 1998 demonstrates some resemblance in form to the new genus, it probably belongs to Xylomyidae rather than Rhagionidae.     

Temnospondyl amphibians from the Jurassic of the Southern Junggar Basin (NW China)

For the first time, remains of post-Triassic temnosponyls are described from the southern Junggar Basin (NW China). Middle Jurassic material from the uppermost part of the Toutunhe Formation consists of several isolated but well preserved skull bones and intercentra from all regions of the body that can be attributed to a brachyopid. The material in part shares important autapomorphies withGobiops desertus Shishkin, 1991, from the Upper Jurassic of Outer Mongolia, and is consequently referred to this taxon, partially with reservation. This represents the first record of this genus from China. It also yields new anatomical data and permits an emended diagnosis.Ferganobatrachus from the Middle Jurassic of Kirghisia is probably, as also shown by the new material, congeneric withGobiops. Two fragmentary specimens from the lower part of the Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation are tentatively referred to the Brachyopoidea because of features of the skull, mandible and vertebral column. They probably both represent a single taxon that was larger and more massively built thanGobiops desertus but closely related to this form.      

The description of immature forms of Aphropsyche monticola flint (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)

Abstract

Several larval, pupal, and adult specimens of Aphropsyche monticola Flint were collected from a locality in Pennsylvania. Examination of this material led to the association of the immature forms of the genus Aphropsyche by the metamorphotype method. The larvae will key to Aphropsyche? in Wiggins (1977), who has tentatively assigned the larval form of this genus.     

Pliensbachian gastropods from Venetian Southern Alps (Italy) and their palaeobiogeographical significance

Abstract: The Pliensbachian gastropods described by De Toni in 1912, coming from an isolated boulder at the foot of Mt Vedana (eastern margin of Trento Platform, Venetian Southern Alps, Italy) are revised. The fauna consists of 13 species representing nine families and eight superfamilies. Despite the low number of species, the assemblage represents the most diverse Early Jurassic gastropod fauna known for the Venetian Southern Alps. The boulder yielding the material was thought to derive from the upper part of the Early Jurassic Calcari Grigi Group, a carbonate platform unit extensively cropping out in the Mt Vedana area. The sedimentological analysis indicates a prevalently bioclastic wackstone‐floatstone, reflecting a lime‐muddy deposit undergone to an early consolidation. This and the high content of ammonoids, which is unusual for the Calcari Grigi Group, are typical aspects of a condensed pelagic sediment, presumably a fissure filling at the top of the carbonate platform succession. Palaeobiogeographical comparisons show that the fauna is composed of species occurring exclusively in pelagic limestones of the western Tethys. By contrast, it shows no relationships with the coeval faunas of the adjacent Trento platform and of the other western Tethyan carbonate platforms. These lines of evidence and the facies analysis would testify to the Pliensbachian drowning of the eastern margin of the Trento platform. In the wider context of the palaeobiogeographical history of Early Jurassic western Tethyan gastropods, the species from Vedana belong to a faunal stock which is typical for pelagic, mainly postdrowning sediments. Thus, appearance and diffusion in space and time of this stock were probably regulated by the direction, rate and pattern of the Neotethyan rifting. A new subgenus, Proarcirsa (Schafbergia) subgen. nov., and three new species, namely Ataphrus (Ataphrus) cordevolensis sp. nov., Guidonia pseudorotula sp. nov. and Proarcirsa (Schafbergia) zirettoensis sp. nov. are erected.     

First Early Jurassic Ornithischian and theropod footprint assemblage and a new ichnotaxon Shenmuichnus wangi ichnosp. nov. from Yunnan Province,southwestern China

The new ichnospecies, Shenmuichnus wangi ichnosp. nov., is the first evidence for the presence of large ornithischians in the Early Jurassic of Yunnan Province, whereas the known skeletal record documents small species only. Until now Shenmuichnus was known from a single locality in Shaanxi Province by the ichnospecies Shenmuichnus youngteilhardorum. Compared with the latter, Shenmuichnus wangi is larger and shows a different trackway configuration, particularly in the relative position of manus and pes imprints. Palecologically, the occurrence of Shenmuichnus wangi in a red bed facies indicates the preference of distinctive environments of trackmakers of both ichnospecies, questioning former hypotheses of exclusivity of ornithischians in more humid climates. By abundance both skeletons and footprints of ornithischians suggest their role as a minor component in Early Jurassic saurischian dominated dinosaur faunas in this region.     

The beaver (Mammalia,Castoridae) from the Miocene of Sandelzhausen (southern Germany)

The Early/Middle Miocene boundary locality Sandelzhausen (MN5, southern Germany) yielded three beaver teeth: one lower incisor fragment and two strongly worn upper premolars, a right and a left one. The latter are so similar in wear, height, size, and enamel pattern that they probably represent one individual. Although the teeth have been referred to Chalicomys jaegeri Kaup, 1832 (e.g., Hugueney 1999, Fahlbusch 2003), it seems more likely that they belong to Steneofiber depereti Mayet, 1908. However, the assignment of the present material to either one of these species is difficult, because in the advanced wear stage some diagnostic characteristics cannot be assessed. As to ecological implications for the locality Sandelzhausen the taxonomic identity of these two beaver species may not be important. Both are known from riverine, lacustrine or swamp sediments, and it can be assumed that they usually lived in close vicinity to water. Thus, the presence of beaver remains supports the presence of water at Sandelzhausen. However, the teeth might have an allochthonous origin from creeks of the rising Alps.      

A new lacewing (Insecta: Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Mongolia

A new lacewing species, Leptolingia shartegica sp. nov., (Grammolingiidae), from the Upper Jurassic of the Mongolian Shar-Teg locality is described.     

A new species and a new combination of the Mesozoic genus Podocarpophyllum Gomolitzky (Coniferales)

Podocarpophyllum Gomolitzky is studied in detail from the type locality Angren (Uzbekistan, Middle Jurassic). Emended diagnoses of the genus and its type species P. singulare Gomolitzky are provided. For the first time, members of the genus are reported from the Lower Jurassic of the Mangyshlak Peninsula (western Kazakhstan), where P. kazachstanicum sp. nov. is described, and from the Middle Jurassic of the eastern Ural Mountains, where P. mesozoicum (Kiritchkova) comb. nov. is established. The epidermal morphology of the genus Podocarpophyllum is compared with that of fossil and modern members of the Podocarpaceae.     

A new genus of the family Panfiloviidae (Insecta,Neuroptera) from the Middle Jurassic of China

Abstract: Epipanfilovia oviformis gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Panfiloviidae) is described from the Middle Jurassic locality of Daohugou (Inner Mongolia, China) based on six specimens. A revised diagnosis of this family is provided. It includes two genera, Panfilovia Makarkin and Epipanfilovia gen. nov.; Osmylogramma Ponomarenko is removed from the family. Panfiloviidae is most closely related to another Jurassic family Grammolingiidae, and both are provisionally assigned to the superfamily Osmyloidea.