A new ground sloth (Mammalia: Xenarthra) from the Quaternary of Brazil

The record of South-American Pleistocene Megalonychidae is scarce. Of the species described for intertropical Brazil, including Megalonyx sp., Ocnopus gracilis, Valgipes deformis, Xenocnus cearensis and Ahytherium aureum, only the last, recently described, is valid. The new megalonychid species described here was recovered from the same locality as Ah. aureum. The latter is apparently more closely linked to the North-American Pleistocene forms whereas Australonyx aquae may be more closely related to the Antillean sloths. The fossil remains of extant taxa recovered in association with the new sloth species suggest that the region, currently within the Caatinga biome, was a mosaic of the Atlantic Forest and Savannah biomes during the final stages of the Pleistocene.     

A Middle Cambrian edrioasteroid from the Murero biota (NE Spain) with Australian affinities

A Middle Cambrian edrioasteroid belonging to the genus Cambraster is described from the Middle Cambrian Murero biota (Cadenas Ibéricas, NE Spain). Up to now, this genus was known only from Australia and France. This represents the first record of the class Edrioasteroidea in the Cambrian of Spain. Moreover, preliminary results on the diversity and biostratigraphic position of Cincta, Eocrinoidea and Edrioasteroidea from this area are reported.     

Revision of the Early Miocene Hyracoidea (Mammalia) of East Africa

Three genera of hyracoids were recorded from the Early Miocene of East Africa by Whitworth [18], but there has been considerable divergence of opinion about their status. Despite differences in cranial and dental morphology from Megalohyrax and Bunohyrax, Whitworth [18] classified two species in these genera that are recorded from much earlier deposits (Early Oligocene) in the Fayum, Egypt. One of his genera (Meroehyrax) was new. His classification has been the subject of debate, with some researchers [6,13] doubting the hyracoid status of one of his species (Bunohyrax sp), and changing the generic status of another (Megalohyrax championi). Meyer [6] recorded a fourth genus (Prohyrax) from Kenya, linking it to material from Namibia described by Stromer [16,17]. New samples of two hyracoid species collected by the Uganda Palaeontology Expedition throw light on their systematic position and taxonomy. It is concluded that there are three hyracoid genera (Afrohyrax, Brachyhyrax and Meroehyrax) in the Early Miocene deposits of East Africa, the first two of which are new. A fourth genus (Prohyrax) occurs in southern Africa, but is not reliably known from East Africa. To cite this article: M. Pickford et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).

Résumé

Révision des Hyracoidea (Mammalia) du Miocène inférieur de l'Afrique de l’Est. Trois espèces d’Hyracoidea ont été signalées dans le Miocène inférieur d’Afrique orientale par Whitworth [18]. Malgré des différences importantes de la morphologie cranio-dentaire, deux des espèces kenyanes étaient classées dans Megalohyrax et Bunohyrax, genres connus dans les dépôts beaucoup plus anciens du Fayoum en Égypte. Le troisième genre décrit par Whitworth (Meroehyrax) était nouveau. La classification proposée [18] a été débattue ; certains auteurs [6,13] ont remis en cause le statut d’Hyracoïde d’une de ses espèces et ont modifié le statut générique d’une autre. Meyer [6] a signalé un quatrième genre (Prohyrax) au Kenya, sur la base des ressemblances avec le genre namibien décrit par Stromer [16,17]. De nouveaux spécimens récoltés par l’Uganda Palaeontology Expedition permettent d’éclaircir la position systématique et la taxonomie de deux des espèces. Nous concluons qu’il n’existe que trois genres d’Hyracoïdes dans les dépôts du Miocène inférieur d’Afrique orientale (Afrohyrax, Brachyhyrax et Meroehyrax), dont les deux premiers sont nouveaux. Par ailleurs, un quatrième genre (Prohyrax) est connu d’Afrique australe. Pour citer cet article : M. Pickford et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

A new species of Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. from the Late Miocene of the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan

New anthracotheriid remains, discovered by the H-GSP in well-dated localities from the Potwar plateau in the North of Pakistan, between 10.4 and 8.6 Ma, are described and attributed to Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. This new species displays an intermediate morphology between the older M. pusillus and the more recent M. dissimilis. These results permit to emend the Merycopotamus diagnosis. To cite this article: F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).

Résumé

Une nouvelle espèce d'Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. du Miocène récent du plateau du Potwar, Pakistan. Des restes d'Anthracotheriidae, découverts par le H-GSP dans des localités bien datées du plateau du Potwar, au Nord du Pakistan, entre 10,4 et 8,6 Ma, sont décrits et attribués à Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. Cette nouvelle espèce possède une morphologie intermédiaire entre M. pusillus, espèce plus ancienne, et M. dissimilis, plus récente. Ces résultats permettent en outre d'émender la diagnose du genre Merycopotamus. Pour citer cet article : F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

A new baurusuchid crocodyliform (Archosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina)

A new baurusuchid, Wargosuchus australis gen. et sp. nov., coming from the Bajo de La Carpa Formation, Neuquén Province (Argentina), is described. This new taxon is based on a fragment of snout and a portion of the cranial roof. Wargosuchus differs from other crocodyliforms by possessing a deep median groove on the frontals, a contact between nasals and frontals extremely reduced, a large depression for the olfactory bulbs, three large foramina surrounding the large, smooth perinarial depression, and a hypertrophied, conical last premaxillary tooth followed by a large paracanine fossa. The finding of Wargosuchus in Patagonia (Argentina), a taxon with a strong resemblance to Brazilian baurusuchids, reinforces the hypothesis of a similar biota between both regions by the Late Cretaceous. Wargosuchus and Cynodontosuchus represent the only Argentinian mesoeucrocodylians to be included within Baurusuchidae. This finding extends the number of crocodyliforms from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which, in turn, corresponds to the most taxonomically diverse one in Argentina.     

New species of parasitic copepods of the Genus Acusicola (Poecilostomatoida: Ergasilidae) from gill filaments of coastal and freshwater Brazilian fishes, and proposition of Acusicola rogeri n. sp. for A. tenax sensu Cressey & Collette (1970)

Four new species of Acusicola are described based on adult females found on gill filaments of several species of coastal and freshwater fishes caught in Brazilian basins. The distribution area of the genus in Brazil is significantly enlarged, since until now the previous Brazilian species had been known only from Amazonian fishes. The specimens identified as Acusicula tenax by Cressey and Collette (1970) are considered representatives of a new species, A. rogeri. A key for identification of the species of Acusicola is provided.     

Occurrence and toxicity of an Anabaena bloom in a tropical reservoir (Southeast Brazil)

Potentially toxic cyanobacterial blooms are becoming common in the Brazilian reservoirs in all regions of the country. During October 2004, a dense bloom of cyanobacteria occurred in the Monjolinho Reservoir (São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil) and a significant amount of cyanobacterial material accumulated on the water surface. Phytoplankton analysis showed that the main species in this bloom were Anabaena circinalis and Anabaena spiroides. Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii) and mouse bioassays were performed to detect toxic products in extracts of the natural samples collected at the three different dates during in short period. To prepare the extracts, freeze-dried cells were dispersed in distilled water and subjected to repeated freeze/thaw cycles and sonication and centrifuging processes. Crude extracts were toxic both to cladocerans (LC₅₀ 94–406 mg freeze-dried cells L⁻¹) and mice (indicative LD₅₀ 297–445 mg freeze-dried cells kg⁻¹) and the toxicity of the bloom increased for cladocerans during the occurrence of the bloom. Toxin analysis by ELISA revealed that microcystin (MC) was found in the water of the reservoir (concentrations ranging from 28 to 45 μg L⁻¹). In addition, microcystin was also found in freeze-dried cyanobacteria cells with concentrations ranging from 138 to 223 μg g⁻¹. On the other hand, neurotoxins (saxitoxin and gonyautoxin) were not detected in any of the natural samples by HPLC. Signs of toxicity in mice did not indicate whether the bloom samples were predominantly hepatotoxic or neurotoxic. It is known that natural Anabaena blooms can contain other toxic compounds besides microcystins and neurotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides or other toxins not identified or known. Methods of detecting cyanotoxins used in this study were insufficient to clarify the toxicological features of Anabaena bloom and indicated that other methods should be investigated.     

Nouveaux restes postcrâniens d'hominoidea du miocène inférieur de napak, ouganda hommage à w. w. bishop

During reorganisation of the palaeontology collections at the Department of Antiquities and Museums, Kampala by the Uganda Palaeontology Expedition, several primate postcranial remains from Napak, an Early Miocene site, were found. Several large limb bones are attributed to Proconsul major, already known, already known from the locality on the basis of dental and gnathic remains, but hitherto poorly known postcranially. One specimen belongs to a smaller species of hominoid not represented at Napak by teeth and jaws. Both hominoids show quadrupedal and climbing adaptations, but they differ from each other. Thus Proconsul major praticed ‘power’ climbing whereas the smaller hominoid would have been more ‘agile’. In both cases, the hominoids moved frequently between the trees and the ground, and both were well adapted to their palaeoenvironment, which was dry forest. A further important result of this study is that the postcranial remains of r indicat indicate that it was heavier than had previously been envisaged on the basis of its dental remains. It would have weighed about the same as female gorillas, between 75 and 90 kg. The small species weighed about 20 kg.

Resumé

Lors d'un réaménagement des anciennes collections paléontologiques de l'Uganda Museum, des restes postcrâniens de primate provenant du site Miocène inférieur de Napak ont été retrouvés. Certaines pièces de grandes dimensions sont attribuées à Proconsul major, déjà signalé sur le site à partir de restes dentaires et gnathiques, mais dont l'anatomie postcrânienne était mal connue. D'autres spécimens sont rapportés à un Hominoidea de plus petite taille et non représenté par des dents ou des mâchoires. Les deux hominoïdes montrent des caractéristiques de quadrupèdes pratiquant le grimper mais de façons différentes. Alors que r pratique un gr pratique un grimper puissant, l'Hominoidea de petite taille pratique un grimper plus agile. Quoi qu'il en soit, ces deux espèces se déplaçaient souvent et activement au sol et dans les arbres. Ils vivaient dans une forêt sèche. Cette étude confirme que r, Hominoidea de, Hominoidea de grande taille, avait une masse corporelle plus importante que celle envisagée auparavant à partir des mesures dentaires. Il devait avoir une masse équivalente à celle d'un gorille femelle et peser entre 75 et 90 kg. L'espèce plus petite, quant à elle, aurait pesé 20 à 25 kg environ.     

Molecular evidence for species level divergence in African Nile Crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1786)

Relationships of the newly discovered dwarf crocodiles from Mauritania were inferred from mitochondrial 12S sequences. Specimens from 13 different Crocodylus niloticus populations (from East Africa, West Africa and Madagascar) were compared. Additional representatives of the genus Crocodylus (one from Africa and one from Australia), the African genus Osteolaemus and the South American alligatorid Paleosuchus palpebrosus (as outgroup) were included in the analysis. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses yielded relationships that were strikingly different from currently prevailing phylogenetic hypotheses. Both analyses consistently revealed two groups, one consisting of the monophyletic West- and Central African populations and the other of a paraphyletic group containing the East African and Madagascan populations. High genetic divergence between those groups indicates separation on the species level. Furthermore ‘C’ cataphractus is clearly shown not to be a member of the genus Crocodylus. The resulting nomenclatural changes are discussed. To cite this article: A. Schmitz et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Hyaenictitherium minimum, a new ictithere (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from the Late Miocene of Toros-Menalla, Chad

A new species of Hyaenidae, Hyaenictitherium minimum, is described in the carnivore fauna of the Late Miocene layers of Toros-Menalla (Chad). Its size is similar to that of a jackal and it had probably a similar ecological niche. It is found in several fossil-bearing localities of this area. The genus Hyaenictitherium is known from the early Late Miocene in Eurasia from China to Spain; the Chadian material is, perhaps with some specimens from Sahabi and Lothagam, the earliest occurrence of the genus in Africa. It results certainly from Eurasian migration, which will have to be taken into account for the analysis of the bulk of the fauna. To cite this article: L. de Bonis et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Feeding mechanics and dietary implications in the fossil sloth Neocnus (Mammalia: Xenarthra: Megalonychidae) from haiti

Haitian species of the extinct ground sloth genus Neocnus (Mammalia: Pilosa: Megalonychidae) have previously been hypothesized to have a much reduced jugal bone and a correspondingly reduced masseter musculature but a paucity of specimens has prevented further investigation of this hypothesis. Recent discovery of jugal bones belonging to Haitian specimens of Neocnus within the University of Florida Museum collections enables the element to be more accurately described. The discovery also makes it possible to explore mastication in these sloths. Osteological characters related to feeding were examined, along with comparative estimations of bite force with the extant tree sloths, Bradypus and Choloepus, and their known dietary habits as a means to infer aspects of the paleodiet of Neocnus. There is a significant difference in moment arm calculations for m. masseter between predicted and actual jugals, but the overall significance for bite force is lost and hampered by small sample size. Neocnus demonstrates a variety of characters that are similar to those of Bradypus and not to Choloepus, which is a close phylogenetic relative. The masticatory musculature of Neocnus enabled a chewing cycle emphasizing a grinding combination of mesiodistal and linguobuccal movements of the molariform dentition. The orientations of m. masseter and m. temporalis are estimated to produce relatively high bite force ratios that imply a masticatory system with stronger versus faster components. Because of the similarity of bite forces and jaw mechanics to those of Bradypus, in addition to a number of osteological adaptations indicative of herbivorous grazers (elevated mandibular condyle, large and complex masseter, and robust angular process), the Haitian forms of Neocnus are considered to have been selective feeders with a folivorous diet. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Theropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884) (Primates: Cercopithecidae) from the late Pliocene of Ahl al Oughlam, Casablanca, Morocco

The site of Ahl al Oughlam near Casablanca, Morocco, dated to ca. 2·5 Ma, has yielded a good sample of Theropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884), a North African late Pliocene species previously known only by its holotype, a lower molar from Algeria. Theropithecus atlanticus, which can now be much better defined, is clearly distinct from other species of the genus, which is thus more diverse than previously thought. The mandible of T. atlanticus has a very characteristic deep and long post-molar sulcus and a deep and well excavated supra-lateral triangular depression of the ramus, with a sharp postero-inferior ridge. The upper and lower canines are rather large but low. The male P₃is very wide, with well developed posterior crests; the P₄is rounded, with a large talonid and weak notches and clefts. Median lingual notches of the lower molars form an acute angle. Although our incomplete knowledge of T. atlanticus precludes a detailed phylogenetic analysis, we suggest that it arose by clado-genesis from the T. darti–T. oswaldi lineage; it is replaced by the latter species in the Pleistocene.Le gisement de Ahl al Oughlam près de Casablanca (Maroc), daté d'environ 2,5 Ma, a livré une belle collection deTheropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884), espèce du Pliocène supérieur nord-africain qui n'était jusque là connue que par son holotype, une molaire inférieure d'Algérie. T. atlanticus, qui peut maintenant être bien mieux défini, se distingue bien des autres espèces du genre, dont la diversité est ainsi accrue. La mandibule de T. atlanticus est très caractéristique par son espace rétro-molaire vaste et profond, et sa dépression supra-latérale de la branche montante également très profonde, avec un rebord inférieur aigu. Les canines supérieures et inférieures sont grosses mais basses. La P₃mâle est très large, avec des crêtes postérieures très développées; la P₄est arrondie, avec un grand talonide et des sillons peu profonds. Sur les molaires inférieures, le débouché de la vallée médiane forme un angle aigu. Bien que notre connaissance imparfaite de T. atlanticus interdise une analyse phylétique détaillée, nous suggérons une dérivation par cladogenèse à partir de la lignée T. darti–T. oswaldi; cette dernière espèce le remplace au Pléistocène.     

Premaxillae of the Extinct Megalonychid Sloths <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acratocnus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neocnus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalonyx</Emphasis>, and their Phylogenetic Implications (Mammalia,Xenarthra)

In most folivorans, the premaxilla is loosely attached to the maxilla, so that it is often missing in otherwise very well-preserved fossil skulls. Despite its infrequent preservation in sloths, the premaxilla has been shown to have phylogenetically significant variation among the taxa that do preserve the element. In the family Megalonychidae, the premaxilla is known only in the early taxon Eucholoeops (Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age [SALMA]), the extant two-toed sloth Choloepus, and the North American Neogene taxon Megalonyx, the last described only in an unpublished Master’s thesis. We report here the discovery of the premaxilla in two genera of extinct megalonychids, Neocnus and Acratocnus. These small bodied, semiarboreal megalonychid sloths are endemic to the islands of the Greater Antilles. Though the presence of sloths in the Caribbean dates at least to the late Oligocene, the best known taxa derive from Pleistocene to Holocene cave deposits in Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba. We also describe the premaxilla in two species of Megalonyx from North America, the Blancan North American Land Mammal Age (NALMA) M. leptostomus and Rancholabrean NALMA M. jeffersonii. These species show a progressive reorientation of the premaxilla within Megalonyx from a primitive horizontal element to a nearly vertical element, and some significant changes in the anatomy of the incisive foramen. Morphological evidence suggests that a broadened, plate-like premaxilla constitutes a synapomorphy for the entire clade Megalonychidae. Furthermore, although Eucholoeops retains a short anterior process of the premaxilla like that of megatherioid sloths, this process is lacking in the other megalonychids, suggesting that the loss of this process may unite late Miocene to Recent megalonychids.     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

Systematics and functional morphology of Molarochoerus yuanmouensis (Suidae, Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of Yunnan, China

The discovery of a propotamochoerine suid with unique features of the dentition and skull led to the naming of Molarochoerus yuanmouensis Liu & Pan [6]. Further study of the material reveals that this species was better adapted than Sus scrofa for the ‘rooting’ behaviour and that its dentition has morphological features indicating that it was eating hard food items. The posterior premolars are completely molarised, hence the generic name, the first time that any suid has been shown to possess almost perfectly molariform P4/s and p/4s. In lateral view the curvature of the occlusal surface of the upper cheek teeth is convex ventrally, the opposite of the usual situation in suids. The origins of the rostral musculature are exceptionally well developed, and the nasal bones are much more robust than is usually the case in Suinae, indicating powerful musculature and fortified osseous structures presumably for ‘rooting’ in hard ground or for extended periods of time. The masseteric musculature appears to have been more massive than it is in Sus, Microstonyx and Propotamochoerus. To cite this article: M. Pickford et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).

Résumé

Systématique et morphologie fonctionnelle de Molarochoerus yuanmouensis (Suidae, Mammalia) du Miocène supérieur de Yunnan, Chine. La découverte d”un Suidae Propotamochoerini présentant des caractères dentaires et crâniens uniques a conduit à la création de Molarochoerus yuanmouensis Liu & Pan [6]. Une étude du matériel montre que cette espèce était bien mieux adaptée au fouissage que Sus scrofa. Par ailleurs, les caractères morphologiques de sa dentition indiquent qu'il se nourrissait d'aliments coriaces. Les prémolaires postérieures sont complètement molarisées, d'où le nom générique, et c'est la première fois qu'un Suidae présente des P4 supérieures et inférieures presque parfaitement molariformes. En vue latérale, la courbure de la surface occlusale des dents jugales supérieures est convexe ventralement, différant ainsi de la morphologie classique des Suidae. La musculature rostrale est exceptionnellement bien développée et les os nasaux sont beaucoup plus robustes que chez les autres Suinae, suggérant des structures musculaires et osseuses puissantes, probablement liées au fouissage, soit dans des sols, soit sur une longue durée. Les muscles massétériens sont plus puissants que dans les genres Sus, Microstonyx et Propotamochoerus. Pour citer cet article : M. Pickford et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

Mode of life of fan-hand-like Scoliocrinus according to functional form and syntopy with two other irregular crinoids from the Middle Devonian of the Rhenish Massif (Germany)

For a long time, the highly aberrant crinoid Scoliocrinus was known only from the Lower Givetian Eifel area (western Rhenish Massif) as a single oblique calyx with only two out of five radials having an arm facet. Several almost complete crowns of a new species in the Middle Givetian Finnentrop area (eastern Rhenish Massif) have two fan-like arms (in the A and E rays), and a horizontal large anal tube. The probable mode of life of Scoliocrinus is analysed by (a) functional morphology mainly of the arms, (b) criteria of minimised faecal recycling, (c) biostratinomic association with two new species of another aberrant, but four-armed new crinoid genus thus suggesting original syntopy with Scoliocrinus. It is concluded that the construction of Scoliocrinus is probably an adaptation to prevailing unidirectional (tidal?) currents in biostromal reef biotopes. This is supported by rather similar crinoid occurrences in a Lower Givetian biostromal reef-related region in the western Rhenish Massif, with the genotype of Scoliocrinus and a newly assigned third species of Scoliocrinus (arm and probable part of the calyx), as well as four-armed species. The new forms are described as Scoliocrinus ubaghsi nov. sp., Scoliocrinus gerolsteinensis nov. sp., Trapezocrinus scheeri nov. gen., nov. sp., and Trapezocrinus hilperti nov. gen., nov. sp.     

Le genre d'échinide s dans les dans les localités du Pliocène et du Pléistocène d'Emilie (Italie du Nord)

The study of well-preserved Pliocene and Pleistocene s from Emi from Emilia is used to analyze the morphological variations of Mediterranean populations, to depict the relationship between fasciole shape and other morphological characteristics and to describe previously unpublished pedicellar valves. These new data allow to be two species distinguished: s (Müller) a (Müller) and s Pomel; six s Pomel; six species closely related to s are synonymi are synonymized: s and it and s Pomel, i Pomel, i and itS. and s Checchia-R Checchia-Rispoli, x Simonelli a Simonelli and the recent species from Mediterranean, s Mortensen Mortensen. s can be disti can be distinguished from s by its hear by its heart-shaped subanal fasciole, when the s one is reni one is reniform. Moreover, the frontal groove of s is deeper, t is deeper, the primary tubercles of the interambulacra 1 and 4 are less numerous, the petals are shorter and narrower, the labrum is shorter. As far as pedicellariae are concerned, the jags of the large tridentate ones are stronger and the base of the globiferous ones is bigger. Palaeoecological observations on outcrops of the Stirone River, in Parme region, show similar environmental affinities between fossil populations and recent populations from Mediterranean. The s fossils fossils seem to be preserved within their life environment, that is to say in shore sandy substrates.

Résumé

L'étude d'un groupe de spécimens bien conservés appartenant au genre Spatangus, trouvés, dans des localités pliocènes et pléistocènes de l'Émilie, permet d'exposer l'étendue de la variation dans les populations fossiles méditerranéennes, de rechercher les relations entre la forme du fasciole sous-anal et les autres caractères morphologiques et de décrire les valves des pédicellaires, qui n'étaient pas connues jusqu'alors. Ces nouvelles données conduisent à reconnaître deux espèces différentes : s (Müller) e (Müller) et s Pomel ; six Pomel ; six espèces voisines de s doivent prob doivent probablement tomber en synonymie : s et itS et s Pomel, i Pomel, i et itS. a et s Checchia-R Checchia-Rispoli, x Simonelli e Simonelli et l'espèce vivant actuellement en Méditerranée, s Mortensen Mortensen. Des observations paléoécologiques sur un échantillon fossile récolté sur les bords de la rivière Stirone près de Parme montrent des affinités bionomiques semblables chez les populations fossiles et celles vivant en Méditerranée.     

A new locality of Late Cretaceous snakes, mammals and other vertebrates in Africa (western Libya)

s sp. nov. (Reptilia sp. nov. (Reptilia, Serpentes, Simoliopheidae) is described from the Upper Cretaceous ‘unnamed’ beds of the Mizdah Formation (Santonian-Campanian) at Draa Ubari in western Libya. The accompanying fauna consists of an undetermined mammal represented by a caudal vertebra, of hybodontoid, ganopristid and lamnoid sharks, as well as dipnoans, lepisosteids, pycnodonts, enchodontids, turtles, crocodiles and ?dinosaurs.

Résumé

Une nouvelle localité de serpents, mammifères et autres vertébrés du Crétacé supérieur en Afrique (Libye occidentale). s sp. nov. (Reptilia sp. nov. (Reptilia, Serpentes, Simoliopheidae) est décrit dans des grès de la formation Mizdah (Santonien-Campanien), à Draa Ubari en Libye occidentale. Les mêmes couches ont livré une vertèbre caudale de mammifère indéterminé, ainsi que des restes de requins hybodontoïdes, ganopristidés et lamnoïdes, de dipneustes, lépisostéïdes, pycnodontes, enchodontidés, tortues, crocodiles et? dinosaures.