Shell microstructure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Discinisca suborbicularis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Brachiopoda,Lingulata) from the Upper Jurassic of Western Siberia

A new species of the phosphatic brachiopod Discinisca suborbicularis (family Discinidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Western Siberia (latitudinal Priob’e) is established. The shell microstructure under protegulum and brephic shell and the microstructure of adult shell (that corresponds to three developmental stages) are described in detail. The shell microstructure of new species considerably differs from Paleozoic discinids and is similar to Recent discinids. D. suborbicularis differs from recent discinids in the presence of protegulum and thicker organophosphatic primary layer.     

Shell microstructure and variability of cell imprints of the mantle outer epithelium in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suiaella</Emphasis> Moisseev (Brachiopoda,Rhynchonellida) from the Lower Cretaceous of Crimea

The shell microstructure of the Lower Cretaceous Suiaella weberi Moisseev, 1949 (superfamily Norelloidea) from the Lower Barremian of Crimea is studied for the first time. The fibers of Suiaella are shown to differ strongly in size and outline of cross section from the fibers of the superfamily Rhynchonelloidea. Suiaella is shown to differ from rhynchonellids of the superfamily Basilioloidea in the presence of straight or slightly curved fibers and absence of twisted fibers and overlapping adjacent fibers within one and the same bundle, it also differs in the presence of capillation and fine ribbing. Numerous cell imprints of the mantle outer epithelium have been found in fossil Norelloidea for the first time.     

Shell microstructure and imprints of cells of the outer mantle epithelium of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monticlarella</Emphasis> Wisniewska (Brachiopoda: Rhynchonellida,Norelloidea)

The shell microstructure of the genus Monticlarella Wisniewska, 1932 is studied for the first time, with the species M. nova (Karakash, 1907) and M. lineolata (Phillips, 1835) from the Upper Hauterivian–Lower Barremian of Crimea being used as an example. It is shown that there is a strong similarity between the shell structure of this genus and another representative of the family Norellidae, Suiaella, thus supporting the possibility of using the shell microstructure as a diagnostic feature of the family Norellidae.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Argutostrea</Emphasis> gen. nov.: Questions of taxonomy and ethology of Middle–Late Jurassic epibiont oysters (Bivalvia,Ostreoidea)

Morphology and ethology of the Middle–Late Jurassic oyster “Liostrea” roemeri (Quenstedt) from the Upper Callovian of the Volga Region near Saratov and Middle Volgian of the Subpolar Urals are considered. The inverted shell shape and presence of a beaked umbo on the right valves allow the assignment of these oysters to a new monotypic genus, Argutostrea Kosenko, gen. nov. Features of the internal valve structure examined in only one specimen suggest that the new genus should tentatively be included in the subfamily Pycnodonteinae Stenzel, 1959 of the family Gryphaeidae Vialov, 1936. It is shown that shell morphology of the oyster A. roemeri is connected with transition to dwelling on floating ammonites.     

First records of brachiopods of the family Discinidae (Class Lingulata) from the Upper Jurassic of West Siberia

The organophosphatic brachiopods of the superfamily Discinoidea, family Discinidae are described from the Upper Jurassic of West Siberia. The protegulum (embryonic shell) preserved in adult shells is for the first time discovered in Mesozoic discinids. The shell microstructure is studied. A new species, Discinisca undata Smirnova, sp. nov., is established.     

Echinocampidae fam. nov., a new family of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous radiolarians of Arctic Siberia

When studying Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous radiolarians from the Nordvik section (Arctic Siberia), unique morphotypes of multicyrtoid nassellarians with many horns in the apical part of the shell, which continue the rays A, V, 2l, D, and 2L of the cephalic spicule, were recorded. These morphotypes are assigned to a new family, Echinocampidae fam. nov., including three new genera (Echinocampe gen. nov., Nordvikella gen. nov., and Arctocapsula gen. nov.) and eight new species. The family Echinocampidae was probably restricted to high latitudes and belonged to the boreal fauna of the terminal Jurassic and the basal Cretaceous.     

New Upper Devonian Rhynchonellids (Brachiopoda) from Transcaucasia

Anew genus, Zezinia gen. nov., and two new species, Zezinia multicostata sp. nov. and Zaigunrostrum nakhichevanense sp. nov., are described from the Upper Devonian of Transcaucasia. The first genus is one of the last Frasnian representatives of the family Uncinulidae. The Famennian Z. nakhichevanense sp. nov. belongs to punctate rhynchonellids of the family Trigonirhynchiidae.     

Morphological similarity between echinoid taxa as a result of convergent and parallel evolution

Convergence is observed in groups, which are phylogenetically remote. A flat test is typical for some representatives of the order Cassiduloida, such as Jurassic and Early Cretaceous species of the genera Pygurus and Clypeus, and also many Cenozoic «sand dollars,» i.e., echinoids of the order Clypeasteroida. Both usually inhabit coarse sandy grounds of shallow areas. The superorder Spatangacea includes the so-called Echinocorys life form, which is characterized by an oval test with superficial nonpetaloid or subpetaloid ambulacra, marginal or inframarginal periproct, and absence of fascioles. These are the following genera: Early Cretaceous Corthya (family Collyritidae), Late CretaceousLate Paleocene Echinocorys (family Holas-teridae), Paleocene Isaster, Recent Isopatagus (family Isasteridae), Recent Scrippsechinus (family Palaeotro-pidae), and Recent Urechinus (family Urechinidae). In contrast to the majority of spatangaceans with the burrowing mode of life, these genera dwell on the substrate surface. In the Cenozoic, the monobasal apical system appears in some genera of the order Spatangoida, most genera of the order Cassiduloida, all groups of the orders Clypeasteroida and Oligopygoida, and in the genus Echinoneus (order Holectypoida). The paral-lelism is revealed in groups connected by remote relationships. At the end of the Middle Jurassic (Callovian) and, especially, Late Jurassic, the so-called disasterid echinoids (superorder Spatangacea) show a distinct trend to the loss of contact between ocular plates I and V and apices of the posterior ambulacra with the periproct, which are shifted to the anterior part of the apical system (genera Collyrites, Collyropsis, Cyclolam-pas). At the same time, the peristome of some genera was displaced to the anterior margin of the test, which became bilaterally symmetrical in outline. However, in the Jurassic, all spatangaceans remained disasterid echinoids, i.e., had a disjunct apical system, which can be interpreted as a somewhat “abnormal” state. This trend disappeared only at the beginning of the Cretaceous, when “normal” forms with a joint apical system appeared, that is, the families Holasteridae (genera Eoholaster and Holaster, order Holasteroida) and Toxas-teridae (genus Toxaster, order Spatangoida). Interesting examples of synchronous parallelism are provided by the appearance of meridosternous (diasternal) plastron in two collyritid genera (Tetraromania and Corthya) in the Barremian, whereas in the holasterid genus Holaster, this type of plastron apparently appeared in the Valanginian (heterochronous parallelism). The ethmolitic type of the apical system appeared at the end of the Cretaceous and Paleocene at least in five families: Schizasteridae, Paleopneustidae, Brissidae, Spatangidae, and Loveniidae.     

A reconstruction of the lophophore of Devonian rhynchonellids (Brachiopoda) by using X-Ray micro-CT

The X-ray microtomographic study has revealed contrast inclusions (possibly iron compounds) in several shells of Devonian (Emsian–Famennian) rhynchonellids (Brachiopoda) from Transcaucasia. Judging by the location of inclusions, they may correspond to soft tissues of lophophores. The spire-shaped inclusion in the shell of the holotype of the Late Devonian Sharovaella mirabilis Pakhnevich, 2012 has typical features of spirolophe and is interpreted as a part of one of lophophore spires. This find suggests that in the Late Devonian the spirolophe already existed in rhynchonellids. The dorsoventrally directed spirolophous lophophore is an ancient conservative feature of the order Rhynchonellida.     

„Kragen” an Atrypiden aus Schillen des Unteren Plattenkalkes (Givet) von Bergisch Gladbach (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge)

In the Lower Plattenkalk of Bergisch Gladbach occur, besides the well known?Hians”-beds, polymictic accumulations of shell material. Together with the valves ofMartinia inflata (Schnur),Uncinulus parallelepipedus (Br.) andIsopoma brachyptyctum (Schnur) are great numbers ofSpinatrypa tubaecostata (Paeck.) andAtrypa prisca gladbachensis n. subsp. In spite of the fact that the host rock was deposited as shell debris, in particular the rhynchonellids and atrypids are easily separated from it in a well preserved state. Atrypa (Desquamatia) prisca gladbachensis n. subsp. is commonly found with its alations intact. This subspecies, which is here described in some detail, fluorisched on a marly ooze bottom. The expanded valves increased the food gathering field, while the alations, surrounding the shell margin almost like a flange, functioned as effective particle filters. Because of this, the free valves floated under wave attack and became fossilized almost undamaged. The brachiopod shells and the organoplastic debris were washed on to discontinuity surfaces which probably had already been lithified by algal growth.     

Morphogenesis,origin, and paleoecology of the bryozoans of the family Medvedkellidae fam. nov. (Upper Carboniferous,East European Platform)

A new family of the order Rhabdomesida, Medvedkellidae fam. nov., is described. This family consists of a new genus, Medvedkella gen. nov., comprising three species transferred from the genus Rhombopora Meek, 1872: the type species M. riasanensis (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955), M. diaphragmata (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955), and M. mariae (Dunaeva, 1961). The morphogenesis of the first two species is studied. For the first time axial zooecia are revealed in the suborder Golgdfussitrypina, which existed in parallel with the suborder Rhabdomesina of the order Rhabdomesida. A hypothesis that the new family evolved from the subfamily Nicklesoporinae Gorjunova, 1985 of the family Goldfussitrypidae, 1985 is proposed. Some questions of the ecological adaptation of these bryozoans in the Late Carboniferous marine basin of the East European Platform are discussed.     

New and little-known grylloblattids of the family Geinitziidae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Triassic and Jurassic of Europe,Asia, and South Africa

The fossil history of the family Geinitziidae is reviewed. New taxa are described in the family: Shurabia hissarica, sp. nov. (Lower Jurassic of Tajikistan), Sh. shartegica, sp. nov. (Upper Jurassic of Mongolia), Sh. serrata, sp. nov. and Ginitzia sagulensis, sp. nov. (both Lower Jurassic of Kyrgyzstan). The subfamily Stegopterinae Sharov, 1961 is synonymized under Geinitziinae Handlirsch, 1906. The genera Minesedes Fujiyama, 1973 and Ominea Fujiyama, 1973 (Upper Triassic of Japan) are synonymized under Shurabia Martynov, 1937 and Geinitzia Handlirsch, 1906, respectively. Geinitzia varia Bode, 1953 (Lower Jurassic of Germany) and Fletchizia picturata Riek, 1976 (Upper Triassic of South Africa) are redescribed from their holotypes. F. kapokraalensis Wappler, 2001 and F. aleda Wappler, 2001 (both Upper Triassic of South Africa) are transferred to the genus Shurabia.     

A revision of the Jurassic Stonefly Genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dobbertiniopteryx</Emphasis> Ansorge and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Karanemoura</Emphasis> Sinitshenkova (Insecta: Plecoptera), with the description of new species from the Daohugou locality,China

The stonefly genera Dobbertiniopteryx Ansorge and Karanemoura Sinitshenkova are revised. Based on new material from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China, two new species, D. juracapnia sp. nov. and K. manca sp. nov., are described and Karanemoura abrupta Sinitshenkova, 1987 is redescribed. K. desiliens Sinitshenkova, 1987 is excluded from Karanemoura; its position within the family Perlariopseidae remains uncertain. The placement of Dobbertiniopteryx in the modern family Capniidae is confirmed. The perfect state of preservation of the nearly complete adult stonefly remains from China made it possible to improve and extend the diagnoses of the Perlariopseidae and Dobbertiniopteryx. The geological background of the Daohugou deposits is briefly discussed.     

The ammonoid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spiroceras</Emphasis> (Spiroceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

Ammonites of the genus Spiroceras are described from the Upper Bajocian of the Kyafar River Basin (Karachay-Cherkessia), including macroconchs with preserved apertures and (for the first time in the entire history of the study of Middle Jurassic heteromorphs) microconchs with lateral lappets. The microconchs of S. bispinatum (Baugier et Sauzé), mainly represented by cyrtocones with one ventral row of nodes, correspond to microconchs with a gyroconic shell and a single row of nodes. Macroconchs and microconchs of S. annulatum (Deshayes), the ribs of which lack prominent nodes or spines, are found together. The assemblage also contains small-sized slightly uncoiled shells of Spiroceras aff. S. fourneti Roman et Pétouraud with widely spaced ribs and two prominent rows of large nodes, presumably macro- and microconchs. The ornamentation of this species resembles that of the monomorph Bajocia rarinoda Sturani from the upper part of the Lower Bajocian; perhaps the latter was ancestral to the Middle Jurassic heteromorph. The above species of Spiroceras, as well as S. obliquecostatum (Quenstedt), are figured.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Perturbatacrusta</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">leini</Emphasis> n. gen., n. sp. a new microencruster incertae sedis (? sponge) from Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous platform margin carbonates of the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria

A new microencruster of unknown systematic position is described as Perturbatacrusta leini n. gen., n. sp. from the Late Jurassic Plassen Carbonate Platform of the Northern Calcareous Alps and its resediments (p.p. Barmstein Limestone). The labyrinthic interior canal system and marginal openings reveal a possible sponge origin. Differences and affinities to allied taxa such as Radiomura cautica Senowbari-Daryan and Schäfer are discussed. The biostratigraphic range of Perturbatacrusta leini n. gen., n. sp. known so far is Kimmeridgian to Tithonian (?Early Berriasian) so far reported from Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece. Perturbatacrusta leini was detected in boundstones with a diverse association of microencrusters and mainly encrusting sponges occurring together with microbial crusts. Together with the other encrusting organisms and reef builders, Perturbatacrusta leini played an important role for the carbonate production and stabilization of the reefal and slope carbonates in the Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous of the western Neotethys realm.     

Irregularity of the linear growth of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Margaritifera margaritifera</Emphasis> (Bivalvia: Margaritiferidae) population of the Nemina River,Karelia

The dependence of shell growth in length and height during ontogeny has been studied in the pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera inhabiting the Nemina River (basin of Lake Onega, Karelia). It has been shown that the population is heterogenous based on the height-to-length ratio. It has been found that during ontogeny M. margaritifera from the studied population undergoes a constant change in the relative growth of the shell leading to either lengthening or rounding of the shell.     

Preliminary data on the variability of three microsatellite loci in Pacific <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus macrocephalus</Emphasis> and Atlantic <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. morhua</Emphasis> cod (Gadidae)

Variability of microsatellite DNA loci Gmo3, Gmo34, and Gmo35 is studied in samples of Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus and Atlantic cod G. morhua. The results show high values of identity of the samples within the North Pacific basin (0.9766–0.9924) and within the Northeast Atlantic basin (0.9580). Based on the pairwise assessment of genetic differentiation, the F _ST values are significantly different in all variants between the samples of Pacific and Atlantic cod (F _ST = 0.5235–0.6719, p < 0.001). Within the basins, the significant differences in the frequencies of main alleles are revealed in the loci Gmo3 and Gmo34 for the samples from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, respectively.     

Notes on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teskeyellus</Emphasis> Philip &amp; Fairchild (Diptera: Tabanidae: Diachlorini) and Description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cyanommatus</Emphasis> Sp. Nov., a Non-blood Sucking Horsefly from the Amazon Basin

The monotypic genus Teskeyellus was described for T. hirsuticornis Philip & Fairchild 1974, from Mexico. After more than 40 years, another species is described in the genus, T. cyanommatus sp. nov., based on two females and one male specimens from Amazon basin. The type specimens of T. hirsuticornis were studied and we concluded that there are enough similarities to include the new species in Teskeyellus.     

Feeding behavior,ration and size structure of a population of the predatory gastropod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptonatica janthostoma</Emphasis> in Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

The relationships between the shell height of the predatory gastropod Cryptonatica janthostoma and the shell length of its typical prey, the bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum, and the diameter of the borehole on the prey shell resulting from a successful attack of the predator were experimentally found and assessed statistically. The shell height of C. janthostoma calculated retrospectively from the borehole diameter using the obtained relationships was 17–52 mm. The prey of C. janthostoma are burrowing bivalves, whose populations are affected by the predator to a varying degree. In populations of medium-sized mollusks (R. philippinarum, Protothaca euglypta, P. jedoensis, and others), C. janthostoma feeds on mollusks larger than 7–10 mm; in species with a shell length greater than 100 mm (Callista brevisiphonata, Saxidomus purpuratus), it eats specimens of 10–58 mm. C. janthostoma apparently has no effect on populations of small-sized mollusks (Anisocorbula venusta) and mollusks with an active avoidance response (Clinocardium californiense).     

Neogene phasianids (Aves: Phasianidae) of Central Asia: 2. Genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perdix,Plioperdix</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bantamyx</Emphasis>

The phasianid genera Perdix, Plioperdix, and Bantamyx from the Neogene of Mongolia and Transbaikalia are reviewed. Based on published data and new material, the diagnoses of Late Pliocene Perdix margaritae Kurochkin and Plioperdix ponticus (Tugarinov) and Late Miocene Bantamyx georgicus Kurochkin are emended. It is shown that a tarsometatarsus from the Upper Miocene of the Pavlodar locality belongs to the genus Palaeoperdix rather than Palaeortyx, as was proposed in the previous studies. Small Neogene Asian phasianids are compared in detail with Neogene taxa from Europe and extant genera.