中国西北马鬃山地区早白垩世黎明角龙属(恐龙:新角龙类)一未定种(英文)

记述了基干新角龙类恐龙黎明角龙属一未定种。标本发现于中国西北马鬃山地区俞井子盆地下白垩统新民堡群,包括一关联的具有头骨带下颌的部分骨架。未定种与模式种(皱褶种)相比具有较长的吻部,较窄的鼻骨及其他一些特征。该未定种的发现使黎明角龙属的地理分布范围向南东延伸了约100km,也使马鬃山地区的早白垩世成为世界上惟一保存大量基干新角龙类的区域。     

THE TAXONOMIC AND PHYLOGENETIC POSITION OF THE PLESIOSAUROIDEA FROM THE LOWER JURASSIC POSIDONIA SHALE OF SOUTH-WEST GERMANY

Abstract:  The two plesiosauroid species from the Posidonia shale of Holzmaden, ' Plesiosaurus ' guilelmiimperatoris and ' Plesiosaurus ' brachypterygius , do not belong to Plesiosaurus but form new monotypic genera. The new genus Hydrorion is erected for ' P .' brachypterygius , and the genus Seeleyosaurus is re-established for ' P .' guilelmiimperatoris . The recently described species Plesiopterys wildii is regarded as a junior synonym of S. guilelmiimperatoris . A short phylogenetic analysis shows that S. guilelmiimperatoris and Muraenosaurus are basal elasmosaurs. H. brachypterygius , Occitanosaurus tournemirensis from France and Microcleidus homalospondylus from England form a monophyletic clade, which is the sister taxon to the Cretaceous elasmosaurs. A palaeobiogeographical comparison of plesiosaur localities in the Lower Jurassic shows distinct palaeobiogeographical zones for the Toarcian, with different plesiosaur taxa in England, Germany and France.     

DISCOVERY OF A NEW ENANTIORNITHINE BIRD FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS OF LIAONING, CHINA

Thethirdspecimenisdescribedhereasanewgenusandspecies:Boluochiazhengi,andfurtherreferredtoEnantiornithesasatleastfourenantiornithinesyna-Ipom0rphiescanberecognizedinthisspecimen:(1)intercondy1arfossaoftibiota-rsusnarrow,medialcondyleoftibi0tarsuswithfairlyflatanteriormarginindistalview;(2)metatarsusIVreduced;(3)slenderlateralpr0cessofsternumwithexpa-ndeddistalend;and(4)presence0fapeculiardorsalpr0cess0npr0xima1ischium.Boluochiaisbe1ievedtobeanewenanti0rnithinebirdfr0mtheEar1yCretaceousofChina…     

New basal eutherian mammal from the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota,Liaoning, China

A new genus and species of eutherian mammal, Acristatherium yanensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota, China. The new taxon is based on a partial skull that is preserved in three dimensions from the Lujiatun bed of the Yixian Formation and dated 123.2±1.0 Ma. Its right upper and lower dentitions are nearly complete and it has a dental formula 4.1.5.3/3.1.5.3. The new mammal reveals several craniodental characteristics of Early Cretaceous eutherians previously unknown in fossil records of therians, such as a possible vestige of the septomaxilla. The craniodental features of the new taxon are compared with those of relevant Early Cretaceous eutherians and therians. Phylogenetic analyses based on a data matrix containing 70 taxa and 408 characters place A. yanensis as the most basal eutherian in the selected group. The morphological differences between Acristatherium and Eomaia indicate that eutherians already had a significant degree of generic diversification ca 125 Ma.     

Crocodilus affuvelensis Matheron, 1869 from the Late Cretaceous of southern France: a reassessment

Hitherto unpublished crocodylian remains, including four skull fragments, from the lignite-bearing localities of Valdonne and Fuveau (Santonian–Campanian), south-eastern France, are described. They complement the original material of ' Crocodilus affuvelensis ' described by Matheron (1869) and Repelin (1930). Based on overlapping specimens, available elements of the rostrum, the palate, the skull table, the mandible and the pterygoid can be shown to belong to a single taxon, for which a reconstruction is proposed. Designation of a neotype has been proposed to the ICZN committee. A new genus, Massaliasuchus , is proposed here to designate the crocodylian originally described as Crocodilus affuvelensis . This crocodylian presents affinities with basal alligatoroids and complements the picture of crocodylian diversity during the Late Cretaceous in the European archipelago. Massaliasuchus affuvelensis is compared with other European taxa and with basal alligatoroids from North America. The putative basal position of Massaliasuchus as well as its early geological age suggest that the geographical origin of the Alligatoroidea is still uncertain.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 567–580.     

河南舞阳县贾湖遗址中的龟鳖类

本文记述了贾湖遗址中的龟鳖类甲壳。主要为现生黄缘闭壳龟（Ｃｕｏｒａ ｆｌａｖｏｍａｒｇｉｎａｔａ）,背、腹甲完整者有５０多件。其它龟类和鳖类只有部分甲壳或碎片为代表。文中除属种鉴定外,还对甲壳上的个体变异和有关人类活动等问题作了探讨。     

A revision of the sauropod dinosaur genus ‘Bothriospondylus’ with a redescription of the type material of the Middle Jurassic form ‘B. madagascariensis’

Abstract: The sauropod dinosaur ‘Bothriospondylus’, originally named on the basis of Late Jurassic remains from England, is demonstrated to be invalid, and the characters used to diagnose it are shown to be obsolescent features which are widespread throughout Sauropoda. Material referred to this genus spans a temporal range from the Middle Jurassic until the early Late Cretaceous and has been described from five different countries, across three continents. These remains represent a wide array of sauropod groups, comprising non‐neosauropod eusauropods, a macronarian, titanosauriforms (including at least one definite brachiosaurid) and a rebbachisaurid. The type material of the Middle Jurassic ‘B. madagascariensis’ represents a derived non‐neosauropod eusauropod and possesses two potential autapomorphies. However, as a result of the fragmentary nature of the material and the uncertainty surrounding its association, a new taxon is not erected. Of the numerous specimens referred to ‘Bothriospondylus’, however, several remains are considered diagnostic: Ornithopsis hulkei (Early Cretaceous, UK), Lapparentosaurus madagascariensis (Middle Jurassic, Madagascar) and Nopcsaspondylus alarconensis (early Late Cretaceous, Argentina). At least three types of sauropod were present in the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) of north‐west Madagascar, with a basal eusauropod (Archaeodontosaurus), a more derived eusauropod (‘B. madagascariensis’) and a titanosauriform (Lapparentosaurus) all approximately contemporaneous. Palaeocontinental reconstructions suggest that Middle Jurassic Madagascan sauropods would still have been capable of global biotic interchange, and this is perhaps reflected in their diverse assemblage. Re‐evaluation of these Malagasy forms has shed new light on this important time period in sauropod evolution.     

A NEW GENUS OF ICHTHYOSAUR FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF WESTERN CANADA

Abstract:  A new fauna of Lower Cretaceous (Albian) ichthyosaurs, which includes at least one new genus and species, was recovered from deposits of the Loon River Formation at Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. All Cretaceous ichthyosaurs have been referred to a single genus, Platypterygius . The Loon River Formation material, however, does not satisfy the diagnosis for Platypterygius , and it is distinctive enough to warrant the erection of a new genus and species of ichthyosaur. Maiaspondylus lindoei gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from other ichthyosaurs by an extensive overlapping contact of the jugal and the maxilla; marginal teeth with smooth crowns, fluted cementum, lingual curvature and implantation in a dental groove; and humerus with isomorphic proximal and distal ends, featuring three distal articular facets in which the medial articular facet is smaller than the lateral facets. The holotype and referred material is described here, and the relationship of Maiaspondylus to other ophthalmosaurs is discussed.     

A new Xinjiangchelyid turtle (Testudines, Eucryptodira) from the Jurassic Qigu Formation of the southern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, north-west China

A new eucryptodiran turtle, Xinjiangchelys qiguensis sp. nov. from the Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian — ?Kimmeridgian) Qigu Formation of the southern Junggar Basin (north‐west China) is described. The type material consists of a partial skeleton, including the complete carapace, plastron, nearly all cervical vertebrae, both scapulae, the pelvis and one ulna. It is clearly identifiable as a basal eucryptodire since it lacks the mesoplastron. It is distinguished from other species of Xinjiangchelys by several autapomorphies of the carapace and plastron, such as the first and fifth vertebrals extending on the peripherals, the plastron with three pairs of gulars, and an intergular which does not contact the hyoplastron. In the postcranium, the scapula with a long acromial and a small scapular process, the pelvis with a short ilial shaft and the elongated cervical vertebrae are characteristic. A new phylogenetic analysis of the in‐group phylogeny of the Xinjiangchelyidae is proposed and discussed, resulting in a new classification of the family. Xinjiangchelys (Toxocheloides) narynensis is regarded as a nomen dubium. Shartegemys is referred to Xinjiangchelys, whereas the holotypes of ‘Plesiochelys’chungkingensis and ‘P’. latimarginalis are excluded from the genus Xinjiangchelys but included in the Xinjiangchelyidae.     

A SPALACOLESTINE SPALACOTHERIID (MAMMALIA,TRECHNOTHERIA) FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS (BARREMIAN) OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND AND ITS BEARING ON SPALACOTHERIID EVOLUTION

Abstract: Bulk screening of Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Wealden Group strata of the Wessex Formation exposed on the south‐west and south‐east coasts of the Isle of Wight, southern England, has resulted in the recovery of fragmentary remains pertaining to a new spalacolestine spalacotheriid mammal, Yaverlestes gassoni gen. et sp. nov. These represent the first European record of the Spalacolestinae. The remains comprise a dentulous incomplete dentary and isolated upper and lower molariforms, the former representing the most substantial mammal remains yet recovered from the Wealden Group. Hitherto, six species of spalacotheriid mammal were known from the Lower Cretaceous of Europe. All are referred to the genus Spalacotherium but in the case of taxa diagnosed on the basis of isolated lower teeth and other specimens where the post‐canine dentition is incompletely known, it is now evident that these referrals should be treated with caution. Furthermore, the new Wessex Formation spalacotheriid and recently described spalacotheriids from the ?Barremian of Japan, and the Barremian and Aptian of China exhibit combinations of characters that suggest that spalacotheriids were more diverse and that their evolution was more complex than previously recognized. The systematic position of an isolated tooth from the basal Cretaceous Lourinhã Formation of Portugal is discussed and the tooth reassigned to the Spalacotheriidae. Together with the new Wessex Formation taxon, eight species are now known from the Lower Cretaceous of Europe. The discovery of a spalacolestine in the Barremian Wessex Formation supports the concept of faunal interchange between Europe, Asia and North America during the Early Cretaceous. It also supports derivation of North American spalacotheriids from a European or Eurasian ancestor.     

Cranial anatomy,taxonomic implications and palaeopathology of an Upper Jurassic Pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from Westbury,Wiltshire, UK

Abstract: Complete skulls of giant marine reptiles of the Late Jurassic are rare, and so the discovery of the 1.8‐m‐long skull of a pliosaur from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Kimmeridgian) of Westbury, Wiltshire, UK, is an important find. The specimen shows most of the cranial and mandibular anatomy, as well as a series of pathological conditions. It was previously referred to Pliosaurus brachyspondylus, but it can be referred reliably only to the genus Pliosaurus, because species within the genus are currently in need of review. The new specimen, together with another from the same locality, also referred to P. brachyspondylus, will be crucial in that systematic revision, and it is likely that the genus Pliosaurus will be found to include several genera. The two Westbury Pliosaurus specimens share many features, including the form of the teeth, but marked differences in the snout and parietal crest suggest sexual dimorphism; the present specimen is probably female. The large size of the animal, the extent of sutural fusion and the pathologies suggest this is an ageing individual. An erosive arthrotic condition of the articular glenoids led to prolonged jaw misalignment, generating a suite of associated bone and dental pathologies. Further damage to the jaw joint may have been the cause of death.     

REVISION OF THE SPOTTED DOLPHINS, STENELLA SPP.

The taxonomy of the spotted dolphins has been confused. Two apparent species exist, one endemic to the Atlantic and the other pantropical. They have sharply different color patterns and non-overlapping vertebral counts. However, the holotype specimens for most of the names that have been applied to the spotted dolphins (including S. attenuata, S. frontalis, S. plagiodon and others) are skulls only, with no information on coloration or number of vertebrae. The two species overlap in all skull characters; geographical variation in both is pronounced. We used a discriminant analysis based on tooth counts and three skull measurements (standardized to skull width) to identify the type specimens to the two species. We used other criteria for assignment of nominal species for which holotype specimens do not exist. We propose that Stenella frontalis (G. Cuv., 1829) be used for the Atlantic endemic species and Stenella attenuata (Gray, 1846) for the pantropical species and here redescribe the species. Proposed common names are Atlantic spotted dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphin. S. frontalis now includes Delphinus froenatus F. Cuv., 1829, D. doris Gray, 1846 and D. plagiodon Cope, 1866. S. attenuata (a nomen conservandum) includes D. velox G. Cuv., 1829, D. pseudodelphis Wiegmann, ≤ 1840, D. brevimanus Wagner, 1846, D. microbrachium Gray, 1850, D. albirostratus Peale, 1848, Steno capensis Gray, 1865, Clymene punctatus Gray, 1866, Steno consimilis Malm, 1871 and Prodelphinus graffmani Lönnberg, 1934. Unidentifiable to either of the two valid species are D. dubius G. Cuv., 1812, D. pernettensis de Blainville, 1817 (suppressed), D. malayanus Lesson, 1826 and D. Rappii Reichenbach, 1845; these must remain incertae sedis.     

An evaluation of the systematic value of skull morphology in the Trimeresurus radiation (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) of Asian pitvipers

Trimeresurus (in its widest sense) is a very diverse and widespread radiation of Asian pitvipers, which has been subject to numerous taxonomic revisions, some of which have been based on characteristics of the skull. In order to evaluate the taxonomic utility of such characters, we conducted a comparison of the skulls of 57 specimens representing nine genera, and two currently unassigned species that are very closely related to each other. A canonical variate analysis reveals three distinct phenetic groups: the Protobothrops group, a group containing Ovophis monticola , ' Ovophis ' okinavensis , and ' Trimeresurus ' gracilis , and finally a group comprising the remaining species and characterized by considerable overlap between most genera with the exception of the monotypic Peltopelor and Himalayophis . Agreement between phenetic similarity based on skull characteristics and phylogenetic relationships based on molecular evidence varies between different groups: the morphological similarity of the skull of Protobothrops sieversorum to the other Protobothrops species is congruent with their recent synonymization while the phenetic similarity among the species within the second group does not reflect current molecular phylogenetic relationships and indicates that convergent or parallel evolution may be responsible for at least some of the phenetic similarity detected among skulls of the Asian pit vipers examined. A test of phylogenetic independence, however, indicates that there is still a significant phylogenetic signal that can be recovered from several skull characteristics. Thus, we conclude that skull morphology can contribute to an overall understanding of pitviper taxonomy, but that it would be unwise to rely on skull characteristics alone.     

内蒙古中部新发现的始施氏貘(哺乳纲,奇蹄目)头骨材料(英文)

记述了产自内蒙古呼和勃尔和剖面阿山头组的始施氏貘(Schlosseria magister)幼年头骨、头骨碎片及产自额尔登敖包底白层的S.magister成年头骨。幼年头骨在脊齿貘科属首次描述,成年头骨材料也是目前S.magister中首次描述。幼年头骨主要特征如下:头骨细长,脑颅部略有扩张,有眶后突,眶后收缩明显,矢状脊轻微发育;鼻切迹浅,位于前臼齿列之前,由前颌骨和鼻骨构成;眼眶大,眶前缘位于M1后部上方,眶下孔位于DP3-4之上;基蝶骨向后向中央逐渐加厚,末端隆起;翼蝶骨很大,从腹面看向后向背侧扩展,末端形成三角形的翼蝶骨突,覆盖在卵圆孔上;岩骨岬部表面有内颈动脉及其分支留下的3条沟痕;最内侧的为内颈动脉内侧沟,沿着岬部弯曲前行至最前部;镫骨动脉沟短小,横跨在圆窗前腹侧;岬动脉沟最长,起始于卵圆窗前内侧,沿岬部向前延伸;弓形下窝所在位置平滑,无凹陷。S.magister乳颊齿主要特征如下:DP2冠面大致呈三角形,前窄后宽,前缘较尖,长明显大于宽;外脊上仅有一个中央主尖前尖,一个非常不明显的小棱(可能为雏形的原脊)紧贴在前尖后舌侧壁上;前、后附尖不明显。DP3冠面呈梯形,与DP2相比明显增大,亚臼齿化,前附尖和后附尖略大,原、后脊明显。前尖大,后尖尚未分离;原尖很弱,几乎无法辨认,原脊低且不发育;次尖大而钝,比原尖更靠舌侧,后脊比原脊略发育,中部具小的后小尖;后脊在次尖处拐向后唇侧,使得磨蚀面呈V形。DP4冠面近方形,完全臼齿化,后尖已从外脊上分化出来,比前尖稍小,向舌侧倾斜,后尖肋明显;舌侧尖、脊发育完好,原尖和次尖大而钝,原脊、后脊近乎平行,比DP3的更高更长;两条脊分别在原尖和后尖处拐向后唇侧方,形成V形的磨蚀面。S.magister在由幼年向成年转变的过程中,主要变化趋势如下:1)吻部特征不同,主要表现为鼻切迹的位置、形态以及与之相关的前颌骨、上颌骨形态的差异。幼年头骨的鼻切迹位于前臼齿列之前,由前颌骨和鼻骨组成;成年头骨的鼻切迹后缩至M1-2之上,由鼻骨和上颌骨组成,并且因鼻切迹后缩造成鼻骨不与前颌骨接触。幼年和成年个体上颌骨的整体形态,眶前窝、眶下孔的位置和形态都差异显著。2)与咀嚼功能相关的结构改变。幼年个体的矢状脊微弱,而成年个体的则高且突起,暗示了后者具有相对强大的颞肌,以适应咀嚼功能。对比发现,S.magister与Lophialetes expeditus成年头骨在大小、整体形态和一些具有分类意义的特征上(如鼻骨和泪骨、前颌骨的接触方式,眶后突、关节后突、下颌关节窝的形状,矢状脊的高度等)非常接近。参照童永生、雷奕振(1984)对脊齿貘类头骨的划分方法,将Schlosseria magister的头骨与L.expeditus的划为一组,同时纠正了原有划分方案中存在的问题。     

辽西早白垩世今鸟类一基干有喙新属种(英文)

根据发现于辽宁西部建昌早白垩世九佛堂组一件保存较为完好的标本,描述了原始今鸟类一新属种,李氏叉尾鸟(Schizooura lii gen.et sp.nov.)。系统发育分析表明,它较建昌鸟和古喙鸟进步,但又较热河生物群中其他已知的今鸟类原始。这一新种叉骨呈Ⅴ型,且具有一短的叉骨突,这是这一特征首次在早白垩世今鸟中发现。其胸骨加长,后缘无窗孔,且无很深的凹口。肱骨三角肌脊膨大,近乎达到肱骨长的一半。新鸟的头骨保存较好,显示其具喙的特征,前颌骨直接与额骨相关节。值得关注的是,这件标本首次展示了在中生代鸟类中,除扇形尾羽之外的第二种尾羽类型。新标本具叉形尾羽,中间分隔明显。对现生鸟类的研究表明,叉尾型的空气动力学效率比扇尾型要低,但在性选择方面具有优势。这一新的发现说明,在热河生物群生活的森林环境中,今鸟类的基干种类在尾羽性状上或许已经存在着不同的选择策略。     

New basal iguanodonts from the Cedar Mountain formation of Utah and the evolution of thumb-spiked dinosaurs

Background

Basal iguanodontian dinosaurs were extremely successful animals, found in great abundance and diversity almost worldwide during the Early Cretaceous. In contrast to Europe and Asia, the North American record of Early Cretaceous basal iguanodonts has until recently been limited largely to skulls and skeletons of Tenontosaurus tilletti.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Herein we describe two new basal iguanodonts from the Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation of eastern Utah, each known from a partial skull and skeleton. Iguanacolossus fortis gen. et sp. nov. and Hippodraco scutodens gen. et sp. nov. are each diagnosed by a single autapomorphy and a unique combination of characters.

Conclusions/Significance

Iguanacolossus and Hippodraco add greatly to our knowledge of North American basal iguanodonts and prompt a new comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of basal iguanodont relationships. This analysis indicates that North American Early Cretaceous basal iguanodonts are more basal than their contemporaries in Europe and Asia.     

山东临朐雉类化石的新材料

本文记述了山东临朐山旺组中出产的几件鸟类化石的新材料。从标本保存的骨骼特征看,这些化石应属一个个体,且与山旺组中先前出产的雉科鸟类——山旺山东鸟(shandongornis shanwanensis Yeh)近似,但又不完全一样,被鉴定为似山旺山东鸟(Shandongornis cf. shanwanensis Yeh).     

A new blunt-snouted dyrosaurid,Anthracosuchus balrogus gen. et sp. nov. (Crocodylomorpha,Mesoeucrocodylia), from the Palaeocene of Colombia

A new exceptionally brevirostrine dyrosaurid is described from the middle Palaeocene (58–60 million years ago) Cerrejón Formation, northeastern Colombia, based on four partial skulls and associated postcrania. This taxon is unique among dyrosaurids not only in skull shape, but also in having orbital tuberosities, and osteoderms that are dorsoventrally thick and unpitted, a trait otherwise unknown in Crocodylomorpha. Results from a cladistic analysis of Dyrosauridae suggest that the new taxon, together with Cretaceous–Palaeocene Chenanisuchus lateroculi from Africa and Cerrejonisuchus improcerus also from the Cerrejón Formation, are the most basal members of the family. Results from a biogeographic analysis indicate at least three independent dispersals of dyrosaurids from Africa to the New World occurred in the Late Cretaceous or early Palaeocene. Widely set orbits in the new taxon indicate a deviation from surface-based predation, characteristic of other dyrosaurids, to sub-surface predation, as in modern Gavialis. Tooth impressions found on turtle shells recovered from the same locality match well with teeth of the new taxon indicating possible predation.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AB2B24A5-27CC-4D3F-B580-F11F17851CE6     

记陕西西安简獏一新种

<正> 最近,在整理标本时发现一獏类不完整头骨。经研究应为简獏属一新种。标本为1965年古脊椎所蓝田野外工作队在陕西省西安市红庆堡沟阴坡村“白鹿原组”地层内采得(野外号:65008)。现记述如下: 奇蹄目 Perissodactyla Owen,1848 獏超科 Tapiroidea Gill,1872 脊齿獏科 Lophialetidae Radinsky,1965 简獏属 Simplaletes Qi,1980 西安简獏 Simplaletes xianensis sp.nov.     

产自中国云南下禄丰组(下侏罗统)的爬行动物不完美硕鳄的再研究(英文)

一般认为植龙类在三叠纪末期灭绝,但有研究显示它们可能在欧洲和亚洲延续到了侏罗纪最早期。来自亚洲的证据是产自中国云南下禄丰组(?赫唐阶-锡内穆阶)的不完美硕鳄(Pachysuchus imperfectus)。重新研究显示不完美硕鳄正型标本和植龙类存在许多不同点,它可能属于一个保存较差的、分类位置无法确定的蜥脚型类恐龙头骨。这一属种的归入标本也无法明确归入某一类群,因此亚洲没有可靠的晚于三叠纪的植龙类化石记录。欧洲的侏罗纪植龙类化石也存在着同样的问题。因而认为,植龙类的化石记录仅限于三叠纪晚期。