AN ALMOST COMPLETE JUVENILE SPECIMEN OF THE CHELONIID TURTLE CTENOCHELYS STENOPORUS (HAY, 1905) FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS NIOBRARA FORMATION OF KANSAS,USA

Abstract: A new, unusually well‐preserved juvenile specimen of Ctenochelys stenoporus from the Niobrara Formation is described. The skull has come apart at its sutures and all bones of the braincase and ear region are preserved three‐dimensionally. This allows a detailed reconstruction of the important brain structures of a basal juvenile cheloniid turtle. It is compared with adult Ctenochelys specimens, and the major ontogenetic changes in the skull and postcranial skeleton are described. Furthermore, the specimen is compared with other fossil and extant cheloniids with well‐known braincases and the differences between basal and advanced cheloniids turtles are specified.     

The hand structure of Carnotaurus sastrei (Theropoda,Abelisauridae): implications for hand diversity and evolution in abelisaurids

Abstract: Carnotaurus sastrei is an abelisaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina that has very reduced, but robust, forelimbs and derived hands with four digits, including a large, conical‐shaped metacarpal IV lacking an articulation for a phalanx. The analysis presented in this work highlights a series of additional autapomorphies of C. sastrei. For example, the proximal phalanges are longer than the metacarpals in digits II and III, and digit III includes only one phalanx besides the ungual. The hand of Carnotaurus shares several features with those of Aucasaurus and Majungasaurus, but the hands of the latter genera also display autapomorphies, indicating that the diversity in abelisaurid hand structure is similar to the diversity of cranial protuberances of these dinosaurs.     

The braincase of Typhlops and Leptotyphlops (Reptilia: Serpentes)

The structure of the braincases and associated nerves and blood-vessels is described. Typhlops combines primitive lacertilian features, notably the retention of a palatine artery, with specialisations such as the structure of the recessus scalae tympani. Leptotyphlops is more completely snake-like, but the two genera show in common a specialised intracranial course of the hyomandibular branch of the facial nerve, due to lateral closure of the juxtastapedial recess by the overgrowing crista circumfenestralis. The lateral closure of the juxtastapedial recess is considered as an adaptation to burrowing habits. The Vidian canal in scolecophidians is poorly defined, due to the lack of lateral ascending wings of the parasphenoid. This might constitute an archaic character contradicting the descent of snakes from any Recent lacertilian group.     

An associated partial skeleton of Jainosaurus cf. septentrionalis (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Chhota Simla,Central India

Abstract: The Cretaceous dinosaur fauna of Indo‐Pakistan has remained poorly understood because of a lack of associated and articulated remains, proliferation of named species, and an incomplete understanding of the dinosaur clades present (e.g. abelisaurid theropods; titanosaur sauropods). Continued work on existing collections, and new discoveries of dinosaur material from India, Pakistan and elsewhere in Gondwana, has begun to resolve the composition and affinities of Indo‐Pakistani dinosaurs. Here, we provide archival evidence that documents associations between postcranial remains of a sauropod collected from Chhota Simla, India by C. A. Matley in the 1930s and later described as ‘Titanosaurus sp.’ This partial skeleton, which represents only the fifth such documented association from Indo‐Pakistan, is referable to Jainosaurus cf. septentrionalis and provides a fuller understanding of its anatomy and phylogenetic affinities.     

LHRH-like system in the brain of Xenopus laevis daud

Summary Rabbit antiserum to synthetic LHRH was used with the immunofluorescence technique to identify the LHRH-secreting neurons and their axonal pathways in the brain of Xenopus laevis. Three groups of immunoreactive neurons were identified: the first, in the telencephalon, is a paired group of cells scattered near the two telencephalic ventricles; the second group lies near the preoptic recess; the third group occurs in the ventral wall of the infundibulum. Two principal neuronal pathways were observed: Fibres originating from the dorsally located telencephalic neurons converge on the cephalic median plane where they form a single bundle behind the telencephalic furrow. This bundle descends towards the anterior border of the preoptic recess where it divides into two nerve bundles which pass on either side of the preoptic recess, run above the optic chiasma then cross the infundibular floor and finally terminate in the median eminence. The second pathway is more direct. The more ventrally located telencephalic LHRH cells give rise to this second pathway. Their axons converge with the other LHRH fibres near the lateral border of the preoptic recess. Most of the LHRH nerve fibres terminate in the median eminence although some terminate near the paired pars tuberalis. No reaction was observed after the use of antiserum absorbed with synthetic antigen.Equipe de Recherche associée C.N.R.S. n 492. This work was financed by the D.G.R.S.T., Contract n 7470046     

Secretory glycoproteins of the subcommissural organ of the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula): evidence for the existence of precursor and processed forms

The probable presence of oxytocin in the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of two reptilian species, the snake Natrix maura and the turtle Mauremys caspica, was re-investigated. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of the turtle neural lobe revealed the existence of vasotocin, mesotocin, and a third compound co-eluting with oxytocin. Brains from both species were fixed by vascular perfusion with Bouin's fluid. Adjacent paraffin sections were immunostained using antisera against the following substances: (1) bovine oxytocin-neurophysin; (2) a mixture of bovine oxytocin-neurophysin and vasopressin-neurophysin; (3) dogfish neurophysins; (4) oxytocin; (5) arginine-vasotocin; (6) mesotocin; (7) somatostatin. Immunoreactivity against oxytocin was found in parvocellular neurons of the snake suprachiasmatic nucleus and cerebrospinal-fluid contacting neurons of the medial nucleus of the infundibular recess of both species, the latter immunoreactivity being much more conspicuous in the turtle. Numerous fibers containing immunoreactive oxytocin extended between the medial nucleus of the infundibular recess, and the internal region of the medium eminence and the neural lobe. The oxytocin-immunoreactivity in all locations was completely abolished by preabsorption of the anti-oxytocin serum with three different oxytocin preparations. None of the neurons of the suprachiasmatic and medial nucleus of the infundibular recess, including the oxytocin-immunoreactive elements, reacted with either the antineurophysin sera used, or the anti-vasotocin or anti-mesotocin antibodies. The possible existence of a reptilian oxytocin-neurophysin is discussed. The alternative that, in the reptilian hypothalamus, neurons synthesize a compound closely related to, but different from oxytocin is also considered.     

The primate median eminence II

Summary The ultrastructure of the normal median eminence of the male rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is described using high-voltage electron microscopy. Surface specializations of ependymal cells lining the infundibular recess included cilia, apical extrusions, and microvilli. Supraependymal cells were predominantly macrophage-like, but examples of lymphocytic types were also seen. Tanycytes had long, branching, basal processes filled with numerous microtubules, some lipid droplets, and granules. The zona interna was composed of large unmyelinated neurosecretory fibers. A few myelinated fibers were also seen, but their character as neurosecretory fibers could not be established. The zona externa was composed of densely-packed profiles of neurosecretory fibers of small diameter, was well-vascularized and contained the terminations of tanycytes. Perivascular glial cells, vesiculated elements, pituicytes, and cellular elements common to connective tissue were observed. The intricate relationships between both the cellular and fibrous elements of the median eminence can be appreciated with the capability of high-voltage electron microscopy to discern ultrastructure in sections 10 times thicker than those used for low-voltage electron microscopy. The median eminence of this primate species has an ultrastructural organization similar to that described for most other species.Supported by USPHS Program Project Grant NS-11642 and USPHS HD-08867. The authors appreciate the excellent technical advice and assistance of Mr. George Wray in operation of the HVEMCareer Development Awardee K04-GM-70001     

Systematic status of the large squirrels (subgenus urosciurus) of the western Amazon basin

Patterns of geographic variation within and between regional samples of the large rufous western Amazon squirrels (Sciurus) are described based on univariate and multivariate analyses. Two species are clearly recognizable by independent patterns of geographic variation in measured characters, non‐overlapping qualitative cranial features, and certain pelage color characteristics. These species are a long‐muzzled, narrow‐skulled 5. spadiceus Olfers and a more normal‐muzzled, broader‐skulled S. igniventris Wagner. The two are sympatric over all of eastern Ecuador and most of Perú; only spadiceus is known from Bolivia.     

Physical activity levels of normal-weight and overweight girls and boys during primary school recess

Objective: This study aimed to compare moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) in normal‐weight and overweight boys and girls during school recess. Research Methods and Procedures: Four hundred twenty children, age 6 to 10 years, were randomly selected from 25 schools in England. Three hundred seventy‐seven children completed the study. BMI was calculated from height and weight measurements, and heart rate reserve thresholds of 50% and 75% reflected children's engagement in MVPA and VPA, respectively. Results: There was a significant main effect for sex and a significant interaction between BMI category and sex for the percent of recess time spent in MVPA and VPA. Normal‐weight girls were the least active group, compared with overweight boys and girls who were equally active. Fifty‐one boys and 24 girls of normal weight achieved the 40% threshold; of these, 30 boys and 10 girls exceeded 50% of recess time in MVPA. Eighteen overweight boys and 22 overweight girls exceeded the 40% threshold, whereas 8 boys and 8 girls exceeded the 50% threshold. Discussion: Overweight boys were significantly less active than their normal‐weight male counterparts; this difference did not hold true for girls. Even though nearly double the number of normal‐weight children achieved the 40% of MVPA during recess compared with overweight children, physical activity promotion in school playgrounds needs to be targeted not only at overweight but at other health parameters, as 40 overweight children met the 40% MVPA target proposed for recess.     

The distribution of monoamines in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

Summary The distribution of monoamines in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) has been studied using a histochemical fluorescence technique. In the posterior hypothalamus catecholamine-containing nerve fibres are localised in the nucleus tuberis and nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis and are linked by fluorescent tracts running in the stratum cellulare internum. Further tracts may be traced from the nucleus tuberis around the base of the third ventricle to the sub-ependymal layer of the median eminence, where they then appear to pass through the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory tract to terminate in the palisade zone on the portal vascular bed. The innervation of the palisade layer by catecholamines is sparse. The fluorescent terminals are spread evenly throughout both the anterior and posterior divisions of the median eminence. There is no monoamine innervation of the pars nervosa. The paraventricular organ has both 5-hydroxytryptamine- and catecholamine-containing cell bodies and axons may be traced into the region of the nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis. In the anterior hypothalamus the neurosecretory paraventricular nucleus contains many catecholamine nerve fibres and terminals. These are linked by fibre tracts to the nucleus basalis and to the nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis. The supraoptic nucleus is less well innervated although a dense accumulation of fibres lies in the preoptic recess. The latter is thought to give rise to long axons which pass in association with the neurosecretory tract to end in the nucleus tuberis.Supported by a Grant (AG 24/36) from The Agricultural Research Council. We are indebted to Dr. G. A. Clayton, Institute of Animal Genetics, University of Edinburgh, for supplying the birds.     

Additional non-avian theropod and bird remains from the early Late Cretaceous (Santonian) of Hungary and a review of the European abelisauroid record

Hitherto unpublished remains of non-avian and avian theropods from the Late Cretaceous (Formation Csehbánya, Santonian) Iharkút locality (western Hungary) are described. Non-avian theropod remains include an abelisaurid femur, which confirms the presence of this theropod family at Iharkút, and a metacarpal and a tibiotarsus from a paravian which may belong to Pneumatoraptor fodori, previously described from Iharkút. Birds are represented by two femora which clearly belong to enantiornithines, possibly to Bauxitornis, previously described from Iharkút. The abelisauroid record from the Cretaceous of Europe is reviewed.     

Geographic Variation in Note Composition and Use of chick‐a‐dee Calls of Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis)

The aim of this study was to determine whether geographic variation exists in the composition of note types in the chick‐a‐dee call of Carolina chickadees. This determination is of interest for two reasons: earlier studies with a related species suggested minimal geographic variation in note composition, and geographic variation in social signals may represent important developmental or selection processes shaping signal use. Carolina chickadees were recorded in a naturalistic observation study in west‐central Indiana. Chick‐a‐dee calls were analyzed and compared to calls from an eastern Tennessee population that had been described in a previously published study (Auk, 125, 2008, 896). Despite much similarity in the basic rules by which notes are organized to compose calls, there were several significant differences in how calls of the two populations were structured. Furthermore, birds from Indiana used their chick‐a‐dee calls in certain contexts in different ways compared to birds from Tennessee. These findings suggest interesting population‐level variation in this call system, and future research should be able to determine whether these differences are driven by evolutionary, ecological, or developmental factors, or some combination of these factors.     

Redescription of Bonatitan reigi (Sauropoda: Titanosauria), from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Río Negro Province (Argentina)

The titanosaur sauropod Bonatitan reigi is redescribed. The material collected, originally interpreted as pertaining to two different individuals, is reorganised in five individuals, and the original type specimen is separated into three different individuals. One of the braincases is designated as a new type specimen. Some materials are described by the first time (sacral ribs, distal caudal, chevrons, metacarpals, astragalus and metatarsals), others reinterpreted as different bones (‘ulna’ and ‘radius’). The diagnosis of B. reigi is emended, removing some of the original characters (longitudinal groove located on the suture between the parietals that continues posteriorly over the supraoccipital to the foramen magnum) and adding some new (small paired pits on the frontals and posterior ridge of the metacarpal IV). The phylogenetic analysis does not support B. reigi as a member of the Saltasaurinae, but rather as a basal member of a broad clade of sauropods that in turn is recovered as the sister group of the Saltasauridae.     

Unravelling the stylar polymorphism in Melochia (Malvaceae): reciprocity and ancillary characters

Heterostyly is a genetic polymorphism in which plant populations possess two (distyly) or three (tristyly) morphs with flowers differing reciprocally in stigma and anther height. Sex organ deployment has been described as being highly variable among and within species of several distylous taxa belonging to different taxonomic groups. However, the number of studies considering within‐species disparities is still limited. For a better overview of the existing amount of variation that can occur within and between heterostylous species, we sampled 46 populations of six Melochia spp., a style‐polymorphic genus in Cuba. We characterized the floral morphology in all populations and described a set of ancillary characters per species. All of these Melochia spp. are distylous, except for the monomorphic M. nodiflora. The S‐morph produces fewer, larger pollen than L‐morphs, and has verrucose ornamentation. The L‐morph produces reticulate pollen and has larger stigmatic papillae than the S‐morph. The monomorphic M. nodiflora shows ancillary characteristics that are similar to the L‐morph individuals in the related species. As expected, there are differences in ancillary characters among species and also dissimilarities in reciprocity among and within species of Melochia. Our results highlight the importance of considering intraspecific variation in the morphometric characterization of heterostylous taxa. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 176 , 147–158.     

The cochlea of the enigmatic pygmy right whale Caperea marginata informs mysticete phylogeny

The pygmy right whale, Caperea marginata , is the least understood extant baleen whale (Cetacea, Mysticeti). Knowledge on its basic anatomy, ecology, and fossil record is limited, even though its singular position outside both balaenids (right whales) and balaenopteroids (rorquals + grey whales) gives Caperea a pivotal role in mysticete evolution. Recent investigations of the cetacean cochlea have provided new insights into sensory capabilities and phylogeny. Here, we extend this advance to Caperea by describing, for the first time, the inner ear of this enigmatic species. The cochlea is large and appears to be sensitive to low‐frequency sounds, but its hearing limit is relatively high. The presence of a well‐developed tympanal recess links Caperea with cetotheriids and balaenopteroids, rather than balaenids, contrary to the traditional morphological view of a close Caperea‐balaenid relationship. Nevertheless, a broader sample of the cetotheriid Herpetocetus demonstrates that the presence of a tympanal recess can be variable at the specific and possibly even the intraspecific level.     

Novel information on the endocranial morphology of the abelisaurid theropod Carnotaurus sastrei

The endocranial morphology of the abelisaurid Carnotaurus sastrei, from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, is studied using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT). The CT scans provided information that allowed the first reconstruction of the brain, inner ear and braincase pneumaticity for this South American taxon. The endocranial morphology confirms that abelisaurids share an overall conformation of the brain and inner ear. However, some traits, such as the height of the dorsal sinuses and the length of the flocculus in the cranial endocast, and a large subsellar recess in the basicranium, appear to characterize the South-American abelisaurids only. Moreover, the olfactory acuity of Carnotaurus resembles that reported for other abelisaurids (e.g., Majungasaurus, Viavenator), suggesting that the sense of smell had an important role. However, some attributes of the endocranial features of Carnotaurus (i.e. development and orientation of the olfactory bulbs and tracts) may imply particular olfactory capacities when compared with other abelisaurids.     

Movements of female Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus during incubation recess

We combined GPS data‐loggers, VHF transmitters and DVR video‐monitoring to measure fine‐scale movement patterns during daily incubation recesses by female Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, a species with uniparental incubation that has experienced widespread population decline and distributional contraction. Most (69.6%) Sage Grouse recess activity was highly localized within a core recess area averaging 2.58 ± 0.64 ha, and females remained within 242.3 ± 30.0 m from the nest during recesses (total recess areas were 11.06 ± 2.27 ha). Visually conspicuous Sage Grouse movements near nests at the start and end of recesses and consistent occupation of core recess areas point to a mechanism for newly abundant predators such as the Northern Raven Corvus corax to detect and depredate Sage Grouse nests. Our methods apply to other avian species of scientific interest and conservation concern.     

A new abelisaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of southern France: Palaeobiogeographical implications

The Abelisauridae are a family of mainly Cretaceous theropod dinosaurs with a wide distribution across the Gondwanan land masses. Although their presence in Europe was reported twenty-five years ago, it has often been considered as controversial largely because of the incompleteness of the available specimens. We report here the discovery of well-preserved abelisaurid material, including a highly diagnostic braincase, at a Late Cretaceous (late Campanian) locality in the Aix-en-Provence Basin, near the eponym city in south-eastern France. A new abelisaurid taxon is erected, Arcovenator escotae gen. nov., sp. nov., on the basis of cranial and postcranial material. A phylogenetic analysis reveals that the new Abelisauridae from Provence is more closely related to taxa from India and Madagascar than to South American forms. Moreover, Genusaurus, Tarascosaurus and the previous Late Cretaceous discoveries are identified as basal abelisaurids. Contrary to previously proposed palaeobiogeographical models of abelisaurid evolution, the presence of the new taxon in Europe suggests that Europe and Africa may have played a major role in abelisaurid dispersal, which apparently involved crossing marine barriers.     

Neurocranial osteology and systematic relationships of Varanus (Megalania) prisca Owen, 1859 (Squamata: Varanidae)

The neurocranial osteology of the giant monitor lizard Varanus (Megalania) prisca Owen, 1859 is described in detail for the first time. Optimization of neurocranial characters onto phylogenetic topologies for varanoids, including Lanthanotus, Heloderma, and Varanus species nests V. prisca within an Indo‐Australian clade of Varanus on the basis of characters of the otic capsule. A sister‐taxon relationship between V. prisca and Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912 is proposed based on apomorphies of the crista prootica, fenestra vestibuli, occipital recess, and supraoccipital. These results support a monophyletic clade of giant monitors among Indo‐Australian species, and unambiguously synonymize Megalania with Varanus at both generic and subgeneric levels. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 445–457.