Una nueva especie de Pachynolophus (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) de Zambrana (Álava, Región Vasco-Cantábrica). Análisis filogenético de Pachynolophus y primera cita en el Eoceno superior de la Península Ibérica

Recent fieldwork in the Late Eocene of Zambrana (Álava, Basque-Cantabrian Region) has yielded a new species of Pachynolophus: P. zambranensis nov. sp. According to the phylogenetic analysis made in this study, the Zambrana species is part of the monophyletic Pachynolophus, which is defined at least by three synapomorphies: significant progressive increase of the size in the M1/1-M3/3 series, being M3/3 outstandingly bigger than M2/2; moderate increase of the relative surface of M3/ with respect to M2/ surface, and weak labial cingula in the lower series. Pachynolophus includes the species P. duvali, P. livinierensis, P. garimondi, P. lavocati, P. zambranensis, P. boixedatensis and P. cesserasicus. P. molipotensis and P. cayluxi are not represented by sufficient material to attribute them to Pachynolophus. P. bretovensis does not share a synapomorphy of Pachynolophus and P. hookeri should not be referred to this genus. P. zambranensis shares several synapomorphies with P. garimondi and P. lavocati, which are: the posprotocrista of the P3-4/ series is a well-defined lophe; the P4/ has a subquadrangular outline and shows a strong posterolingual cingulum, forming a posterior widening; and there is an “incipient mesostyle” (pseudomesostyle?) in the upper molars. The species P. zambranensis is mainly characterized by lophodont dentition, with the postprotocrista obliquely oriented to the ectoloph in the P3-4/ series, and a “pseudomesostyle” also present in the P3-4/ series. It represents the first mention of the genus Pachynolophus described in the Late Eocene of the Iberian Peninsula.     

Response of oxidative stress parameters and sunscreening compounds in Arctic amphipods during experimental exposure to maximal natural UVB radiation

The paper investigates tolerance to UV radiation (UVR) in 3 amphipod species from the Arctic Kongsfjord, Spitsbergen: the herbivore Gammarellus homari (0- to 5-m water depth), the strictly carnivore scavenger Anonyx nugax (2- to 5-m water depth) and the detritivore/carnivore Onisimus edwardsi (2- to 5-m water depth). In previous radiation exposure experiments, both carnivore species displayed elevated mortality rates already at moderate UVR levels. Therefore, the concentrations of sunscreening compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs, and carotenoids) and two antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) were studied in the animals under control conditions and following moderate as well as high UVR exposure.In both carnivore amphipods elevated sensitivity to experimental UVR exposure went along with a degradation of the tissue carotenoid and MAAs and a decrease of the enzymatic antioxidant defence, which resulted in increased lipid peroxidation in exposed animals. In contrast, the herbivore G. homari seems well protected by high concentrations of MAAs absorbed from its algal diet, and no oxidative stress occurred under experimental UVR. The species-specific degree of UV tolerance correlates well with the animals' typical vertical distribution in the water column.     

How far a protected area contributes to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of endangered African tree species (Benin,West Africa)

The Pendjari Biosphere Reserve located in the Sudanian zone of Bénin, is a protected area well managed, but mainly aimed at wild animal conservation. This study assessed its effectiveness to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of three endangered African tree species: Afzelia africana Sm., Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. We randomly sampled 120 plots in the protected and surrounding unprotected habitats by inventorying plant species. For the three target species, we estimated adult and juvenile densities and recorded size classes. According to floristic composition four habitats groups were recognized in relation to human disturbance, vegetation type, and moisture. These were protected savannas, unprotected savannas, old fallows and gallery forests. The estimated adult densities of A. africana were similar between protected (14 ± 1.2 tree/ha) and unprotected savannas (17 ± 0.9 tree/ha) while for P. erinaceus the adult density was significantly higher in protected (12 ± 3.7 tree/ha) than in unprotected savannas (5 ± 1.9 tree/ha). Estimated adult density of K. senegalensis was also significantly higher in protected gallery forest (40 ± 5.8 tree/ha) than in unprotected one (29 ± 4.8 tree/ha). Juvenile densities of A. africana, K. senegalensis and P. erinaceus were higher in protected habitats than in unprotected ones but the difference was not significant. Skewness coefficient indicated that populations of investigated trees were declining in their protected habitats. However, in the case of A. africana and K. senegalensis populations seemed to be mostly threatened in the protected area. We concluded that although the studied protected area is effective to conserve some habitats species compositions, protection is not sufficient to guarantee future conservation of some threatened tree species.     

Deep segregation in the open ocean: Macaronesia as an evolutionary hotspot for low dispersal marine invertebrates

Diversification and speciation of terrestrial organisms are anticipated in oceanic islands such as Macaronesia, a group of Atlantic islands that have remained unconnected to continental landmasses. Hitherto, the diversification of marine organisms in oceanic islands, especially those with low vagility, has received little direct empirical analysis using molecular markers. Here, we focus on such a case study, through applying a multilocus molecular approach to investigate the diversity and evolution of a group that lacks a planktonic larval stage, the isopod genus Dynamene, in Macaronesia and Northeast Atlantic. Sequences of two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) loci were obtained from specimens of Dynamene edwardsi (Lucas, 1849), Dynamene magnitorata Holdich, 1968 and Dynamene bidentata (Adams, 1800) collected along the Northeast Atlantic and Macaronesia. Although no major phylogeographic structure was detected in D. bidentata and D. magnitorata, from five to nine deeply divergent lineages were evident within D. edwardsi. The divergent lineages displayed genetic distances comparable to those found among established species of peracarids. D. edwardsi exhibits a long, rich and complex phylogeographic history in Macaronesia, where the geodynamics of the islands possibly associated with founder effects and subsequent lack of gene flow among populations confounds patterns based on geographic proximity of targeted populations. Our findings collectively suggest a much larger role of oceanic islands in the diversification of marine invertebrates than previously anticipated. The work provides insights into the origins and dynamics of ongoing geographic segregation and associated deep divergence among sister evolutionary lineages in Macaronesia.     

Mark-release-recapture of males of Bactrocera cucurbitae and B. dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in two residential areas of Honolulu

This paper describes a mark-release-recapture study involving males of two economically important tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) and B. dorsalis (Hendel), conducted over a 2-year period in Honolulu, Hawaii. In each of two residential neighborhoods, we placed two traps, one baited with cue lure and the other with methyl eugenol (male attractants for B. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis, respectively), in a single tree. Dyed, mature males from recently established laboratory colonies were released 100 or 500 m from the traps along the four compass directions in both winter and summer seasons. In each neighborhood, a total of 5,600 flight-able males of each species were released 100 m from the traps (14 dates × 4 directions × 100 males/release) and 56,000 flight-able males of each species were released 500 m from the traps (14 dates × 4 directions × 1,000 males/release). Within each study area, the number of males trapped did not vary significantly with direction or season for either species for either the 100- or 500-m releases. Significantly higher numbers of B. dorsalis males were captured than B. cucurbitae males for both the 100-m (16 versus 8 males/release) and 500-m (7 versus 2 males/release) releases (average values computed over both study areas). Also, following their release, B. dorsalis males were, in general, trapped more quickly than B. cucurbitae males. Given the strong attractancy of methyl eugenol, trap captures for B. dorsalis were lower than expected, and possible explanations are discussed.     

Musteloids and feloids (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the late Miocene locality of Pikermi (Attica, Greece)

Some relatively rare carnivore remains from Pikermi are studied. The present specimens include Simocyon primigenius(ROTH and WAGNER, 1854), Promeles palaeatticus(WEITHOFER, 1888), Martes woodwardiPILGRIM, 1931, Felis atticaWAGNER, 1857 and Machairodus giganteus(WAGNER, 1848), as well as some postcranial remains that resemble Enhydriodon? latipesPILGRIM, 1931 and are assigned to Mustelidae gen. et spec. indet. Some of these species were not known until now but from their holotypes as M. woodwardi and E.? latipes. Other species such as F. attica and M. giganteus are better known but from relatively scant material. Since the material of the earlier mentioned species comes from Pikermi, their type locality, it is of especial importance and improves our knowledge for the Pikermi carnivores and their relationships to other species. In some cases where the material comes from ossiferous blocks, the accompanying faunal context is discussed.     

内蒙古二连盆地努和廷勃尔和剖面阿山头组底部鼠齿类一新属(英文)

努和廷勃尔和剖面位于内蒙古二连市西南40 km的呼和勃尔和地区,依据沉积间断可以将50 m厚的地层分为脑木根组和阿山头组,地层时代从中古新世到中始新世。在阿山头组下部层位中发现大量的啮齿类化石,其中一类原始的鼠齿类在此被命名为一个新的属种:Erlianomys combinatusgen. et sp. nov. (综合二连鼠)。其主要牙齿特征为:齿冠低,主尖较为发育,连接各尖的脊简单、细弱。有P4, m1有前压痕也表明有一个小的p4或者dp4。M1和M2大小相当。臼齿前齿带(下前齿带)明显,与原尖(下原尖)之间没有连接或连接很弱。M1和M2原尖后臂、后脊和次尖前臂在中尖处相交。m1的下前尖很弱或缺失,下原尖与下后尖之间连接很弱,基本为孤立的两个尖;m2 -3下次小尖明显,下次脊短,有时直接与下次小尖相连;下外脊低矮、不发育。上、下臼齿都没有中脊或很弱。新属种的发现,为进一步认识古近纪啮齿类的起源和演化提供了新的证据。Erlianomys与北美的Elymys和亚洲的Aksyiromys,Primisminthus,Allosminthus,Palasiomys都有很多相似的特征,预示着它们可能有共同的祖先。在牙齿形态上,Erlianomys比中始新世的其他鼠齿类更为原始,可表明其产出层位即阿山头组下部的时代要早于中始新世,可能属于早始新世;其形态更接近亚洲的Aksyiromys,Primisminthus和Allosminthus,而与北美的Ely-mys相差较大。因此推测鼠齿类的共同祖先可能与Erlianomys更为相似,早始新世时在亚洲起源,向其他大陆的迁移扩散不会晚于早始新世晚期。     

New material of Chalicotheriidae (Perissodactyla,Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of Axios Valley,Macedonia (Greece) with the description of a new species

Chalicotheriids are rare in the late Miocene mammal localities of Axios Valley, Macedonia (Greece). The new campaign of excavations, since 1972, has provided some specimens, which are studied in this article. They are coming from two different localities. The late early Vallesian locality of Pentalophos 1 (PNT) has provided a skull and a mandible of an Ancylotherium. The morphological characters of the PNT material as the small size, the long snout, the shallow mandibular corpus, the strong cingulum in the teeth, the short tooth rows and the short M3/m3 indicate that it differs from the known Turolian species A. pentelicum and allow the erection of a new species, named Ancylotherium hellenicum n. sp., which can be used as a biostratigraphic marker of the Vallesian. The middle Turolian locality Prochoma 1 (PXM) has provided only one M3, which is determined to the chalicotheriine Anisodon macedonicus. This species was earlier described from the middle Turolian locality Vathylakkos 3 (VAT) and the late Turolian one of Dytiko 3 (DKO) of Axios Valley. The biogeography and biostratigraphy of the late Miocene chalicotheres of the Greco-Iranian Palaeoprovince (GRIP), as well as their palaeoecology are also discussed. The common chalicothere of GRIP is A. pentelicum, expanded from the Balkans to Afganistan and ranging stratigraphically from the early to the late Turolian. Chalicotherium goldfussi is certainly present in GRIP and it also ranges from the early to the late Turolian; its possible Vallesian occurrence needs confirmation. The other two late Miocene chalicotheres of GRIP A. macedonicus and Kalimantsia bulgarica are restricted to the Turolian of the Balkan Peninsula.     

The anatomy and systematic position of the early Miocene proconsulid from Meswa Bridge, Kenya

A small collection of fossil catarrhines was recovered from the early Miocene locality of Meswa Bridge in western Kenya between 1978 and 1980. The associated fauna from Meswa Bridge indicates an age older than 20 Ma. Much of the material has been briefly described previously, and its taxonomic status considered. The material can be assigned to a minimum of four individuals, all of which are infants or juveniles. Although the specimens were shown to belong to a distinct species of Proconsul, the taxon was not named, primarily because many of the specimens belonged to immature individuals. Nevertheless, the combined morphological features of the deciduous and permanent teeth allow the diagnosis of a new species of Proconsul, which is formally named here as P. meswae. It is a large-sized species, similar in dental size to P. nyanzae. The main features distinguishing it from all other previously named species of Proconsul are: incisors and deciduous incisors relatively low crowned; upper deciduous canines relatively higher crowned and more robust; molars and deciduous premolars relatively broader and higher crowned, with a more pronounced degree of buccolingual flare and better developed cingula; size differential between molars not as marked; dP₄ with a longer mesial fovea and smaller hypoconulid and distal fovea; P₄ relatively broader, with a better developed buccal cingulum; lower molars less rectangular with a longer mesial fovea, smaller distal fovea, more restricted talonid basin, and a tendency for a smaller hypoconulid; dP⁴ and upper molars with strongly buccolingually splayed roots; mandibular corpus in infants relatively deeper and more slender; maxilla with a well developed canine jugum and fossa. The broader and more flared molars with better developed cingula indicate that the Meswa Bridge species is more primitive than other species of Proconsul. The inference that it is a stem member of the Proconsul clade is consistent with the estimated age of the material.     

Athelia termitophila sp. nov. is the teleomorph of the termite ball fungus Fibularhizoctonia sp.

A new species of Athelia, A. termitophila, from Japan is described and illustrated on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Basidiomes of this species are characterized by having hyphae sometimes with clamp connections at the septa, basidia without clamp connections at the basal septa, and ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores measuring 4.5–6 × 3–4.5 μm. In culture, mycelia produce pale brown, orange-brown to brown, globose sclerotia measuring 0.24–0.41 mm diam. The sclerotia are distinctly different in shape and size from those of other Athelia species, and are occasionally found inside the woody substrate beneath basidiomes. They are identical in shape and size to those of Fibularhizoctonia sp., also known as termite balls. Phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data revealed that A. termitophila is the teleomorph of Fibularhizoctonia sp.     

Distribution of decapod larvae in the surface layer of an isolated equatorial oceanic archipelago: the cases of benthic Grapsus grapsus (Brachyura: Grapsidae) and pelagic Sergestes edwardsi (Dendrobranchiata: Sergestidae)

Two different decapod larval assemblages inhabit the marine environment of Saint Paul’s Rocks, differentiating the inlet from the surrounding oceanic waters. Larvae of the crab Grapsus grapsus and of the holopelagic shrimp Sergestes edwardsi are abundant in superficial waters of the archipelago and have previously been shown to be good indicators of the inlet and adjacent oceanic waters, respectively. We investigated the horizontal, diel and temporal distribution of these species at Saint Paul’s Rocks. Horizontal surface hauls were conducted from 2003 to 2005, in the inlet and at four increasing distances from the archipelago, in the morning and at night, using a 200-μm mesh net. Larvae of G. grapsus were identified in samples from all expeditions and abundance was found significantly higher at night in the inlet site. Only larvae in the first zoeal stage were found in samples, highlighting the importance of the area for this species reproduction. On the contrary, the distribution of larvae of S. edwardsi was typical of a holopelagic species, which are permanent residents of the water column and spawn in oceanic areas, indicating that the islands are of little influence to them.     

Depth-Variable Settlement Patterns and Predation Influence on Newly Settled Reef Fishes (Haemulon spp., Haemulidae)

During early demersal ontogeny, many marine fishes display complex habitat-use patterns. Grunts of the speciose genus Haemulon are among the most abundant fishes on western North Atlantic coral reefs, with most species settling to shallow habitats (≤12 m). To gain understanding into cross-shelf distributional patterns exhibited by newly settled stages of grunts (<2 cm total length), we examined: 1) depth-specific distributions of congeners at settlement among sites at 8 m, 12 m, and 21 m, and 2) depth-variable predation pressure on newly settled individuals (species pooled). Of the six species identified from collections of newly settled specimens (n = 2125), Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate), H. flavolineatum (French grunt), and H. striatum (striped grunt) comprised 98% of the total abundance; with the first two species present at all sites. Prevalence of H. aurolineatum and H. flavolineatum decreased substantially from the 8-m site to the two deeper sites. In contrast, H. striatum was absent from the 8-m site and exhibited its highest frequency at the 21-m site. Comparison of newly settled grunt delta density for all species on caged (predator exclusion) and control artificial reefs at the shallowest site (8-m) revealed no difference, while the 12-m and 21-m sites exhibited significantly greater delta densities on the caged treatment. This result, along with significantly higher abundances of co-occurring piscivorous fishes at the deeper sites, indicated lower predation pressure at the 8-m site. This study suggests habitat-use patterns of newly settled stages of some coral reef fishes that undergo ontogenetic shifts are a function of depth-variable predation pressure while, for at least one deeper-water species, proximity to adult habitat appears to be an important factor affecting settlement distribution.     

Dianthus erinaceus var. erinaceus: Extraction,isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity investigation of novel saponins

A phytochemical analysis of Dianthus erinaceus Boiss. var. erinaceus (Caryophyllaceae) has led to the isolation of two novel triterpenoid saponins, containing an oleane type skeleton, named dianosides K and L (1, 2), along with six known triterpenoid saponins (3–8). On the basis of chemical and spectrometric data, the structures of the new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)]–[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-23α,28-β–dioic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)]–[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-23α,28-β-dioic acid 28-O-α-l-mannopyranosyl (1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2). All isolated natural compounds were structurally characterized by 1D- (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT); 2D- (COSY, HMQC, HMBC) NMR and HR-ESI/MS methods. The antimicrobial activity of compounds 1 and 2 were tested against four Gram-negative, three Gram-positive bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans by the MIC method.     

Molecular data and phylogenetic analysis of Myxobolus pseudonobilis n. sp. infecting the gill filaments of silver carp,Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes, 1844

In the present study, we combined morphological and phylogenetic methods to characterize Myxobolus pseudonobilis n. sp. infecting Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes, 1844 from Chongqing, China. The morphology and molecular characteristics of M. pseudonobilis n. sp. were distinct from those of other previously described Myxobolus species. Mature myxospores were ovoid in frontal view with spore dimensions of 10.0 ± 0.4 (9.3–10.9) μm in length and 8.5 ± 0.2 (7.9–9.0) μm in width. Two polar capsules occupying approximately half of the myxospore length were unequal in size. The larger polar capsule containing 6 to 7 filament coils measured 5.2 ± 0.3 (4.5–5.8) μm in length and 3.6 ± 0.2 (3.2–3.9) μm in width, while the smaller capsule with 4 to 5 filament coils measured 3.9 ± 0.3 (3.0–4.4) μm in length and 2.5 ± 0.3 (2.1–3.6) μm in width. The comparison of molecular characteristics demonstrated similarities and genetic distances of 18S rDNA sequences of 95.19% - 98.20% and 1.82% - 5.46%, respectively, between M. pseudonobilis n. sp. and its morphologically similar species, and secondary structures were also distinctly different. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis showed that M. pseudonobilis n. sp. was clustered with other myxobolids possessing spores with a blunt anterior end and branched independently. In addition, the morphology of myxosporeans as an important indicator was discussed.     

Semicircular canal system in early primates

Mammals with more rapid and agile locomotion have larger semicircular canals relative to body mass than species that move more slowly. Measurements of semicircular canals in extant mammals with known locomotor behaviours can provide a basis for testing hypotheses about locomotion in fossil primates that is independent of postcranial remains, and a means of reconstructing locomotor behaviour in species known only from cranial material. Semicircular canal radii were measured using ultra high resolution X-ray CT data for 9 stem primates (“plesiadapiforms”; n = 11), 7 adapoids (n = 12), 4 omomyoids (n = 5), and the possible omomyoid Rooneyia viejaensis (n = 1). These were compared with a modern sample (210 species including 91 primates) with known locomotor behaviours. The predicted locomotor agilities for extinct primates generally follow expectations based on known postcrania for those taxa. “Plesiadapiforms” and adapids have relatively small semicircular canals, suggesting they practiced less agile locomotion than other fossil primates in the sample, which is consistent with reconstructions of them as less specialized for leaping. The derived notharctid adapoids (excluding Cantius) and all omomyoids sampled have relatively larger semicircular canals, suggesting that they were more agile, with Microchoerus in particular being reconstructed as having had very jerky locomotion with relatively high magnitude accelerations of the head. Rooneyia viejaensis is reconstructed as having been similarly agile to omomyids and derived notharctid adapoids, which suggests that when postcranial material is found for this species it will exhibit features for some leaping behaviour, or for a locomotor mode requiring a similar degree of agility.     

Macrauchenia patachonica Owen (Mammalia, Litopterna) de la région de São Raimundo Nonato (Piauí, Nordeste brésilien) et la diversité des Macraucheniidae pléistocènes

The São Raimundo Nonato (Piauí, Northeastern Brazil) area yielded about 50 Macraucheniidae remains. The study of this material and of other fossils from Northeastern Brazil (Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte) shows a great similarity to Macrauchenia patachonica as it was defined in Argentina, which is the most abundant of the three species pertaining to the genus. Thus the taxon Xenorhinotherium bahiense created in 1988 by Cartelle et Lessa for a material discovered in the Bahia State and assigned to use for all the Quaternary Litopterns from tropical Brazil appears to be no more than a junior synonym of it. M. patachonica seems to have occupied very varied biotopes from sea level up to a high of 4000 m, and from the cold Southern Patagonia to the Equatorial Venezuela. The species lived from the Middle Pleistocene up to the beginning of the Holocene.     

Metarhizium brachyspermum sp. nov. (Clavicipitaceae), a new species parasitic on Elateridae from Japan

Ascomata of a Metarhizium species were collected from Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The ascomata were similar to M. kalasinense in its host preference for elaterids, olive-green clavate stromata, and obliquely immersed perithecia, but the asci and ascospores were significantly shorter in length than those of the latter species. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the elongation factor 1-alpha gene showed that the Japanese species was phylogenetically distinctive in the M. anisopliae lineage, including M. kalasinense. Accordingly, we describe a new species, M. brachyspermum. Isolates of this species produced olive-green conidial masses on the surface of the colony. Also, hyphal anastomoses between two metulae were often observed on conidiophores.     

Mesorhizobium ventifaucium sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium escarrei sp. nov., two novel root-nodulating species isolated from Anthyllis vulneraria

Ten mesorhizobial strains isolated from root-nodules of Anthyllis vulneraria by trapping using soils from southern France were studied to resolve their taxonomy. Their 16S rDNA sequences were identical and indicated that they are affiliated to the genus Mesorhizobium within the group M. prunaredense/M. delmotii/M. temperatum/M. mediterraneum/M. wenxiniae and M. robiniae as the closest defined species. Their evolutionary relationships with validated species were further characterized by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using 4 protein-coding housekeeping genes (recA, atpD, glnII and dnaK), that divides the strains in two groups, and suggest that they belong to two distinct species. These results were well-supported by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyses, wet-lab DNA-DNA hybridization (≤58%), and genome-based species delineation methods (ANI < 96%, in silico DDH < 70%), confirming their affiliation to two novel species. Based on these differences, Mesorhizobium ventifaucium (STM4922^T = LMG 29643^T = CFBP 8438^T) and Mesorhizobium escarrei (type strain STM5069^T = LMG 29642^T = CFBP 8439^T) are proposed as names for these two novel species. The phylogeny of nodulation genes nodC and nodA allocated the type strains into symbiovar anthyllidis as well as those of M. metallidurans STM2683^T, M. delmotii STM4623^T and M. prunaredense STM4891^T, all recovered from the same legume species.     

Steneosaurus edwardsi (Thalattosuchia: Teleosauridae), the largest known crocodylomorph of the Middle Jurassic

Teleosaurids were a clade of marine crocodylomorphs that were globally distributed during the Jurassic Period. They evolved a wide range of body sizes, from small (～2–3 m) to very large (> 9 m). Until now, the largest known Middle Jurassic teleosaurid was ‘Steneosaurus’ obtusidens, from the Oxford Clay Formation of the UK. Here, we re‐examine a very large Oxford Clay specimen (ilium, ischium, and femur) that had been tentatively attributed to ‘S.’ obtusidens. Based on comparative anatomical study with the ‘S.’ obtusidens holotype and referred specimens of Steneosaurus edwardsi and Steneosaurus leedsi, we conclude that this very large individual actually pertains to S. edwardsi. Based on comparisons with the Machimosaurus mosae neotype (which has a complete femur and skeleton), we estimate a total length in excess of 7 m for this large S. edwardsi individual, making it the largest known Middle Jurassic teleosaurid. Therefore, along with the closely related genus Machimosaurus, this clade of large‐bodied Middle–Late Jurassic teleosaurids were the largest species during the first 100 million years of crocodylomorph evolution. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, ●● , ●●–●●.