New information on body size and cranial display structures of Pterodactylus antiquus, with a revision of the genus

Pterodactylus antiquus has long been thought to have been quite small (~50 cm wingspan) and to have differed from P. longicollum, Ctenochasma, Germanodactylus, and Gnathosaurus in lacking a bony cranial crest, though a soft tissue crest and occipital lappet have been described. This article describes a new specimen of P. antiquus larger than all previously known specimens, which demonstrates that the species exceeded 1 m in wingspan and had a low bony cranial crest. A smaller, incipient crest was identified on the holotype specimen. Additional specimens, including the counterpart of Wellnhofer’s original occipital lappet specimen, provide evidence of the occipital lappet and the soft tissue crest extending upward above the naso-antorbital fenestra and orbit. In order to provide a proper taxonomic context for the findings, the recent synonymization of the species Pterodactylus antiquus and P. kochi on the basis of shared correlation of tooth number and skull length despite perceived differences in dentition and skull, neck, and trunk proportions is reviewed. A measurement error that had made it appear that P. antiquus differed significantly from P. kochi in proportions is documented, and after correction of the measurement error and reevaluation of the dental evidence there are no significant differences between the two nominal species. Thus, the synonymization of P. antiquus and P. kochi was appropriate, and a revised diagnosis is presented. In addition, the species P. longicollum and P. micronyx, which for some years have been viewed as not congeneric with P. antiquus, are placed in a new genus and transferred to Aurorazhdarcho, respectively.     

Racomitrium ryszardii (Musci,Grimmiaceae), a new hydrophilous species from the Pacific Northwest with comments on Racomitrium aquaticum in North America

Racomitrium ryszardii Bedn.-Ochyra from western North America is described and illustrated. It belongs to subg. Cataracta Vilh. sect. Stenotrichum (Chev.) Bedn.-Ochyra and is closely related to R. aquaticum (Schrad.) Brid. with which it constitutes subsect. Hydmphilum Bedn.-Ochyra. It differs from R. aquaticum in its keeled, linear-lanceolate leaves, the absence of a basal marginal row of pellucid cells, a cristate leaf apex, long costa extending almost to the apex, an anatomical structure of the costa and longer peristome teeth. It is a hydrophytic moss growing from sea-level to subalpine elevations on outcrops and boulders near streams through the coastal coniferous forest from north Oregon to south-eastern Alaska. All collections of R. ryszardii have formerly been reported from the Pacific Northwest as R. aquaticum and the only exception is the specimen from Montana which has not been available for examination. The only record of the latter species from eastern North America is also based on misidentification, and the voucher specimen actually belongs to R. sudeticum (Funck) Bruch & Schimp. Accordingly, R. aquaticum must apparently be withdrawn from the moss flora of North America, unless the specimen from Montana represents this species,     

Further observations on Vexillarius cancellifer Jordan & Chamberlain

A single specimen of an unusual dimorphic coccosphere was encountered in the subtropical North Atlantic. Despite its poor condition, it was formally described in 1993 as a new lower photic zone species, Vexillarius cancellifer Jordan & Chamberlain. Since then, the species has only been reported twice, with little or no additional information to the original diagnosis. In 2005, a new specimen was found in the Java upwelling system in the southeastern Indian Ocean, and like the type specimen, it was collected from the lower photic zone. The distal portions of the tubular coccoliths are far more complete in the new specimen. We therefore provide an emended diagnosis for this rare genus and species.     

Early Homo at Kromdraai B: probabilistic and morphological analysis of the lower dentition

Kromdraai B, situated less than 2 km east of Sterkfontein, in the Gauteng province of South Africa, has yielded 27 specimens, attributed to a single Plio-Pleistocene hominid species, including the type specimen of Paranthropus (Australopithecus) robustus. By using resampling and morphological analysis, and after considering the most diagnostic features that have been used in the past for the lower dentition, we here suggest that one specimen from Kromdraai B, KB 5223, is clearly distinct from P. robustus and represents early Homo. To cite this article: J. Braga, J.F. Thackeray, C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in 120 Archived Specimens of Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) Collected in California, 1924–2007

The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been identified as a major cause of the recent worldwide amphibian decline. Numerous species in North America alone are under threat or have succumbed to Bd-driven population extinctions. The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been reported as a tolerant carrier of Bd. In this report, we used a qPCR assay to test 120 archived American bullfrog specimens collected between 1924 and 2007 in California, USA and Baja California, Mexico. The overall prevalence of Bd infection in this archived population of L. catesbeianus was 19.2%. The earliest positive specimen was collected in Sacramento County, California, USA in 1928 and is to date the earliest positive archived Bd specimen reported globally. These data demonstrate that Bd-infected wild amphibians have been present in California longer than previously known.     

A Retrospective Study of Dermatophyte Infection in Newfoundland for the Period 1962-1968

The results of a survey of dermatophyte infection in New-foundland for the period 1962 to 1968 are presented. A steady annual rise in the number of specimen submissions is noted, with positive findings in an average of 21.7%. The contribution by source of specimens is recorded, and species distribution indicates that Microsporum canis has behaved in epidemic form whereas other species appear endemic. Trichophyton rubrum infection shows a steady annual increase. No cases of favus have been noted. The distribution of species by anatomical site is indicated.     

A new scorpion fossil from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). New phylogenetic implications

A fossil scorpion belonging to a new family, genus and species, Chaerilobuthus complexus gen. n., sp. n., is described from Cretaceous amber of Myanmar (Burma). This is the third species and the fourth scorpion specimen to have been found and described from Burmese amber. The new family seems quite distinct from the family Archaeobuthidae Lourenço, 2001 described from Cretaceous amber of Lebanon.     

South African fossil Cercopithecoidea: A re-assessment including a description of new material from Makapansgat,Sterkfontein and Taung

The fossil cercopithecoid material from South Africa has been reviewed according to sites and species. The 722 specimens considered comprise 6 genera including 16 taxa and come from 16 sites. Aspects of taxonomic controversy and interest are discussed. In particular, the Parapapio material from Makapansgat has been re-evaluated and the taxonomy of the genus Simopithecus is reconsidered. A number of proposals are put forward. Four new specimens from Makapansgat and one from Sterkfontein are described; a previously partially described specimen from Taung is re-described in detail.     

Collicrinus excavatus (Hall, 1861), generic affinity for a Lower Mississippian crinoid (Phylum Echinodermata)

Platycrinites was long a “catch-all” genus that was loosely defined in North America. Ausich and Kammer (2009) rectified the inconsistencies of generic diagnoses to define the Platycrinitidae better; however, due to preservation, many species were not known from specimens with sufficient characters to be placed confidently into a genus and, thus, were designated Platycrinites sensu lato. Collicrinus excavates (n. comb.) was one such species. A specimen with a complete theca and partial arms preserved was discovered in southwestern Missouri in the Burlington–Keokuk Limestone. With the discovery of this specimen, C. excavatus has been fully described and placed in the correct genus. Further, the associated fauna of new C. excavatus specimens, reported here, helps to evaluate the stratigraphic position of this species, which is now considered to be only from Burlington Pelmatozoan Association I and II, roughly equivalent to the Dolbee Creek and Haight Creek Members of the Burlington Limestone.     

Natural hybridization between Paragonimus bangkokensis and Paragonimus harinasutai

Paragonimus bangkokensis and Paragonimus harinasutai, which are morphologically distinguishable species, often co-infect in the same crab intermediate hosts. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that these two species are genetically close to each other and are considered as the sister species. While we have been studying Paragonimus adult worms obtained from the lungs of a cat experimentally infected with Paragonimus metacercariae which were morphologically identified as P. harinasutai collected from central Viet Nam, one out of 6 adult worms has grouped cuticular spines, which is a feature of P. bangkokensis. By molecular analyses, the CO1 sequence of this specimen was identical with that of P. bangkokensis, but the ITS2 and the D2 region of 28S rDNA sequences showed a two peak pattern. Then, PCR products of the ITS2 and the D2 region of 28S rDNA sequences were ligated to TOPO vector and subcloned to determine the heterozygosity. Two types of sequences were obtained from each ITS2 and D2 region of 28S; one was identical with P. harinasutai and the other with P. bangkokensis. Taking all these morphological and molecular data together, we identified this adult worm as a hybrid specimen of P. bangkokensis and P. harinasutai.     

DNA from a 100-year-old holotype confirms the validity of a potentially extinct hummingbird species

We used mtDNA sequence data to confirm that the controversial 100-year-old holotype of the Bogotá sunangel (Heliangelus zusii) represents a valid species. We demonstrate that H. zusii is genetically well differentiated from taxa previously hypothesized to have given rise to the specimen via hybridization. Phylogenetic analyses place H. zusii as sister to a clade of mid- to high-elevation Andean species currently placed in the genera Taphrolesbia and Aglaiocercus. Heliangelus zusii, presumed extinct, has never been observed in nature by biologists. We infer that the species occupied a restricted distribution between the upper tropical and temperate zones of the northern Andes and that it was most probably driven to extinction by deforestation that accompanied human population growth during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining DNA from nearly microscopic tissue samples from old hummingbird specimens and suggest that these methods could be used to resolve the taxonomy of dozens of avian taxa known only from type specimens.     

Revalidation of the Eggvin lumpsucker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eumicrotremus eggvinii</Emphasis> (Cyclopteridae) and its new finding near Franz Josef Land (Barents Sea)

The species status of a rare species Eumicrotremus eggvinii from the family Cyclopteridae has been revalidated. Some authors considered its specimens as males of close species E. spinosus. In the Zoological Institute collection, males of E. spinosus that are morphologically similar with females of this species have been found. This is evidence of absence of sexual dimorphism in E. spinosus. In new samplings from waters of the Franz Josef Land archipelago (Barents Sea), a specimen of E. eggvinii was found and described. The opinion of some authors that individuals of E. eggvinii represent males of E. spinosus is refuted. A new finding widens the species area to the northeastern limits of the Barents Sea. The number and character of distribution of bone plaques remain reliable taxonomic characters.     

First diagnostic marine reptile remains from the aalenian (middle jurassic): a new ichthyosaur from southwestern Germany

Background

The Middle Jurassic was a critical time in the evolutionary history of ichthyosaurs. During this time interval, the diverse, well-studied faunas of the Lower Jurassic were entirely replaced by ophthalmosaurids, a new group that arose sometime prior to the Aalenian-Bajocian boundary and by the latest middle Jurassic comprised the only surviving group of ichthyosaurs. Thus, the Middle Jurassic Aalenian-Bathonian interval (176–165 million years ago) comprises the time frame during which ophthalmosaurids not only originated but also achieved taxonomic dominance. However, diagnostic ichthyosaur remains have been described previously from only a single locality from this interval, from the Bajocian of Argentina.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this paper, we describe a new species of ichthyosaur based on a partial articulated specimen from the Middle Jurassic of southwestern Germany. This specimen was recovered from the Opalinuston Formation (early Aalenian) and is referable to Stenopterygius aaleniensis sp. nov. reflecting features of the skull and forefin. The genus Stenopterygius is diverse and abundant in the Lower Jurassic of Europe, but its presence has not previously been confirmed in younger (Middle Jurassic) rocks from the northern hemisphere.

Conclusions/Significance

This specimen represents the only diagnostic ichthyosaur remains reported from the Aalenian. It bears numerous similarities in size and in morphology to the Lower Jurassic species of the genus Stenopterygius and provides additional evidence that the major ecological changes hypothesized to have occurred at the end of the Toarcian took place sometime after this point and most likely did not occur suddenly. There is currently no evidence for the presence of ophthalmosaurids in the northern hemisphere during the Aalenian-Bathonian interval.     

A new record of the Naratettix rubrovittatus () (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Korea

Naratettix rubrovittatus (Matsumura, 1920) is recognized for the first time in Korea on Rhododendron indicum, Rhododendron mucronulatum, Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense, and Viburnum opulus var. calvescens. The male specimen is redescribed, illustrated, and measured. To date, three Naratettix species have been recorded on the Korean Peninsula. A key to species of the genus Naratettix from the Korean Peninsula is provided.     

A new species of the plesiosaur genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polycotylus</Emphasis> from the Upper Cretaceous of the southern Urals

The most complete specimen of the plesiosaur genus Polycotylus from the Upper Cretaceous of the southern Urals is described. This specimen has much in common with the species P. latipinnis described from North America, but differs in the limb structure and cranial bones, so that it is assigned to a separate species, Polycotylus sopozkoi sp. nov.     

Decouverte d'un Cobitidae (poisson teleosteen,Cypriniforme) dans le Pliocene continental des environs de Rochefort-Montagne (Puy-de-Dome)

A single incomplete specimen of Teleost fish has been discovered in lignitic shales of Pliocene age croppingout West of Rochefort-Montagne (Puy-de-Dôme, France). The specimen is referred to the recent species Cobitis taenia L., to which it appears identical in every respect. The presence of Cobitis cf. taenia L. in the Pliocene of Rochefort-Montagne allows the environment of deposition of the lignitic shales, which are rich in fossil plants, to be more precisely defined.