A new aspidorhynchid fish (Teleostei: Aspidorhynchiformes) from the Upper Jurassic of Ettling,Solnhofen, Bavaria,Germany

A new species of Aspidorhynchidae is described for the first time from the Late Jurassic of Ettling, some 50 km E-SE of Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany. This new material is attributed to a new species, Aspidorhynchus sanzenbacheri, and is diagnosed by the abbreviated premaxillae, the form and disposition of teeth in the predentary, and the number of principal rays in the caudal fin.     

Diversity and palaeoecology of the enigmatic genus Knebelia (Eucrustacea,Decapoda, Eryonidae) from Upper Jurassic plattenkalks in southern Germany

For a long time, the genus Knebelia Van Straelen, 1922 has comprised two species of eryonid lobster, K. bilobata (Münster, 1839) and K. schuberti (Meyer, 1836), both recorded exclusively from Late Jurassic Lagerstätten in southern Germany. Recently, the latter has been suggested to represent a juvenile individual of Cycleryon propinquus (Schlotheim, 1822). A re‐examination of the type and new material has led to our rejection of that interpretation and confirmation of assignment of this species to Knebelia. Two specimens, both possessing short frontal lobes, from plattenkalks at Nusplingen (late Kimmeridgian) and at Solnhofen (early Tithonian), respectively, are here assigned to a new species, K. totoroi sp. nov. This new species and a review of K. bilobata have furnished new insights into the origin and function of the frontal lobes, which are expansions articulated to the front of the carapace. They probably functioned as rudders facilitating ‘tail‐flip swimming’ as observed in the paddle‐like antennae of extant scyllarids (Eucrustacea, Decapoda, Scyllaridae). The rudder‐like lobes identified in Knebelia may therefore represent a case of convergent evolution.     

An amioid fish (Neopterygii, Amiiformes) from the Late Jurassic of the Iberian Peninsula

The first record of the bowfin order Amiiformes in the Late Jurassic of Portugal is reported. The single specimen comes from the Guimarota coal mine near Leiria in the Lusitanian basin. Here, Kimmeridgian strata that yielded abundant teeth, spines, and scales of selachians and actinopterygians are exposed below ground. The specimen described herein is the only disarticulated fish remain from this locality. It consists of jaw elements, parts of the palatoquadrate and opercular apparatus, an element of the postorbital series and some additional postcranial parts. The systematic position of the new specimen is discussed. The combination of characters allows assignment to the Amioidea rather than to other amiiform groups. Therefore, the specimen constitutes the first undoubted record of an amioid in the Late Jurassic of the Iberian Peninsula and contributes to the knowledge of Late Jurassic amiiform distribution patterns.     

Revision ofSemionotus bergeri Agassiz, 1833 (Upper Triassic, Germany), with comments on the taxonomic status ofSemionotus (Actinopterygii, Semionotiformes).

Semionotus bergeri Agassiz, 1833, from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of southern Germany, the type species ofSemionotus, is here described in detail for the first time, including so far unstudied material in the Naturkunde-Museum Coburg, which allows a fairly complète reconstruction of this fish. The species is diagnosed by the présence of long frontals, about 4 times longer than wide, with antorbital lateral processes, 6–7 posterior infraorbitals, infraorbital at the posteroventral corner of the orbit notably larger than adjacent ones, infraorbitals at the posterior border of the orbit being as deep as long, and the middle élément anteroventrally expanded, dorsal fin base about two times the anal fin base.S. elegans from the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic of the Newark Supergroup in North America, is so far the best know species ofSemionotus and is the only species of this genus that has been included in phylogentic analyses. However, the comparison ofS. bergeri with other proposed speciesof Semionotus, such asS. elegans, and other semionotids casts doubt on the monophyly of this genus as currently understood, since these species exhibit a mosaic distribution of characters.      

A new species ofPalaeospinax (Chondrichthyes,Neoselachii) from the Lower JurassicPosidonia Shale of Southern Germany

The diagnosis of the fossil neoselachian genusPalaeospinax Egerton 1872 is revised. A new species from the Lower ToarcianPosidonia Shale of Southern Germany is described asPalaeospinax politus n. sp. It differs from all other known members of the genus in having smooth anterior and lateral teeth.     

A catshark (Neoselachii, Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae) from the Late Jurassic of Germany

A new genus and species of catshark (Neoselachii, Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae) —Bavariscyllium tischlingeri n. gen. n. sp. — is described from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) Plattenkalke of South Germany. The new taxon is known from a single articulated skeleton having the skull, the trunk and all of the fins preserved. The position of the first dorsal fin in relation to the pelvic fins and the dental morphology shows that the specimen belongs into the neoselachian family Scyliorhinidae. Two isolated tooth crowns from the Kimmeridgian of North Germany are identified asBavariscyllium sp. and represent the oldest unambigious fossil record of the Scyliorhinidae known so far.     

The oldest giant lacewings (Neuroptera: Kalligrammatidae) from the Lower Jurassic of Germany

We describe the oldest Kalligrammatidae, two distantly related species of different subfamilies from the Lower Jurassic (lower Toarcian) of Germany: Liassopsychops curvatus Bode, 1953, sit. nov. (Liassopsychopinae n. subfam.) and Ophtalmogramma klopschari n. gen. n. sp. (Kallihemerobiinae). They lived in warm and relatively dry conditions. Subfamily Liassopsychopinae includes the Jurassic genera Liassopsychops and Huiyingogramma, sit. nov., which bear forewings characterized by Sc and RA not fused distally; MP, CuA, CuP, and A1 dichotomously branched; and a well-developed central eye-spot. The forewing of Ophtalmogramma n. gen. is most similar to that of Apochrysogramma Yang et al., 2011. The diversity of early Toarcian kalligrammatids indicates a late Triassic–earliest Jurassic origin of the family. A modified classification of the central eye-spots is proposed based on the presence/absence of four main components, i.e., the central pigmented disc (A), swellings (B), ocules (C), and outer rings (D). The function of the swellings is unclear, but they may have served as pheromone containers.     

Sequence stratigraphy and paleo-oceanography of an open-marine mixed carbonate/siliciclastic succession (Late Jurassic,Southern Germany)

Summary The Late Jurassic epicontinental sea of South Germany protruded far to the North forming a wide bay which was rimmed by shallow-water platforms (Swiss and French Jura). This wide shelf is characterized by extensive downslope mud accumulations including siliceous sponge buildups. The bioherms are aligned along the more pericontinental parts of this shelf, which graded to the South into the Helvetic Basin of the Tethys Ocean. Five sedimentary cycles of Oxfordian to Middle Kimmeridgian age (ox. 2–ox. 3, ki.1.–ki.1.2, ki.3, ki.1.3–ki.2.1, ki. 2.1–ki. 2.2) were used for interregional correlation. Each cycle is characterized by a vertical suite from marl to pure limestone. The bases of the marls are characterized by abundant open-marine fossils, glauconite and phosphate (fish teeth and pellets) and interpreted as condensed sections. Deepening is indicated by bioherms changing their growth form before demise from large structures into small isolated buildups, which commonly occur within deeper water. Sequence boundaries, are present at the transition from marl into limestone. Two phases (middle ki. 1.3 and ki. 1/2) of debris-flow deposition, one accompanied by the sudden spreadout of biostromes and basinward shift of bioherms, are interpreted as lowstand phases associated with sequence boundaries. The remaining sedimentary cycles described here lack such lowstand deposits. Instead, corresponding positions in the cycles are characterized by omission features. This problem is still unresolved. It may either be due to sediment trapping on the ramp or to a changing origin of the cycles compared. It is proposed here that highstand sediments, having higher contents of fine-grained siliciclastics than lowstand deposits, formed during a humid and warm climate with high rates of continued runoff and sediment transport. Lowstand deposits consist of pure offbank carbonates, because the associated drier climate reduced fluvial input of terrigenous material. Corresponding patterns of climatic change are also seen in platform sediments from the Swiss Jura Range; however, climatic cycles correlate with eustatic sea level fluctuations in only about 50% of the cases. This misfit may partially result from problems with biostratigraphic correlation (boreal— Tethyan). Small-scale sedimentary cycles with an average duration of 66’000 years (Mutabilis chron, ki. 2) to 95’000 years (Planula chron, ox. 3) provide a tool for detailed stratigraphic correlation in biostromes, small scale lenticular bioherms (1–2 m thickness) and large bedded bioherms (many tens of metres thickness). Interruptions of bioherm growth are due to temporal oxygen deficiency related to plankton blooms. The bathymetrically deepest bioherms-small and lenticular in shape—therefore suffered the highest number of ecological break-downs, whereas massive bioherms continuously remained above the critical level.     

Temnospondyl amphibians from the Jurassic of the Southern Junggar Basin (NW China)

For the first time, remains of post-Triassic temnosponyls are described from the southern Junggar Basin (NW China). Middle Jurassic material from the uppermost part of the Toutunhe Formation consists of several isolated but well preserved skull bones and intercentra from all regions of the body that can be attributed to a brachyopid. The material in part shares important autapomorphies withGobiops desertus Shishkin, 1991, from the Upper Jurassic of Outer Mongolia, and is consequently referred to this taxon, partially with reservation. This represents the first record of this genus from China. It also yields new anatomical data and permits an emended diagnosis.Ferganobatrachus from the Middle Jurassic of Kirghisia is probably, as also shown by the new material, congeneric withGobiops. Two fragmentary specimens from the lower part of the Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation are tentatively referred to the Brachyopoidea because of features of the skull, mandible and vertebral column. They probably both represent a single taxon that was larger and more massively built thanGobiops desertus but closely related to this form.      

Skeletal microstructure of Stenopterygius quadriscissus (Reptilia,Ichthyosauria) from the Posidonienschiefer (Posidonia Shale,Lower Jurassic) of Germany

Ichthyosaurians (Ichthyosauria) are a major clade of secondarily aquatic marine tetrapods that occupied several major predatory niches during the Mesozoic Era. Multiple lines of evidence including isotopic, body shape and swimming modality analyses suggest they exhibited elevated growth and metabolic rates, and body temperatures. However, applications of osteohistological methods to test hypotheses regarding their physiology are few. Previous studies focused on the humeri, vertebrae and ribs from a small number of taxa. Here, we use osteohistological methods to describe the bone microstructure of over 30 cranial and post‐cranial elements from a nearly complete, articulated individual of Stenopterygius quadriscissus from the Posidonienschiefer Formation (Posidonia Shale, Lower Jurassic) of Germany. The specimen shows highly vascularized primary bone and spongious secondary bone in its limbs, suggesting an overall shift to a lighter spongious‐structured skeleton was achieved through multiple developmental mechanisms. The modified perichondral ossification in elements of the limbs distal to the stylopodium informs our understanding of functional morphology, including hydrodynamic forces on the paddles. The ribs show variation in cortical thickness and trabecular organization along their length. Cyclical growth is inferred from changes in vascularization and osteocyte density as well as the presence of annuli in primary fibrolamellar bone. Cranial elements, due to their relative density and better preservation of growth marks, may prove to be of particular importance in future skeletochronological studies of post‐Triassic ichthyosaurians. We infer and corroborate hypotheses of elevated growth rates and metabolic rates in ichthyosaurians, and the potential for thermoregulation similar to extant homeothermic ectotherms.     

Sharks, Rays and A Chimaeroid from the Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) of Ringstead, Southern England

Sampling of a lenticular concentration of vertebrate debris and associated sediments from the lower Kimmeridgian of southern England has allowed the study of a diverse and abundant assemblage of chondrichthyan remains. A number of previously undescribed species are recorded, of which three new species are named; Squatina? frequens, Synechodus plicatus and Protospinax planus. Additional diagnosis of the genus Paracestracion Koken is given to allow its identification from dental remains. Several nominal batoid species are synonymised with Spathobatis bugesiacus Thiolliere. This assemblage is considered to be typical of Middle–Late Jurassic neritic environments, and is compared to other contemporaneous selachian faunas.     

New internally structured decapod microcoprolites from Germany (Late Triassic/Early Miocene), Southern Spain (Early/Middle Jurassic) and Portugal (Late Jurassic): Taxonomy, palaeoecology and evolutionary implications

Fossil faecal pellets with internal structures are described from non-marine environments for the first time. In the Late Triassic Lehrberg Beds (Middle Keuper, Carnian) of Germany, the oldest stratigraphic record of the form genusHelicerina Brönnimann &Masse,Helicerina keuperina Seegis n. sp., occurs.Favreina kalankyra Ebli from the Norian Hauptdolomit Formation is also attributed to this genus. Another new speciesof Helicerina, H. ruttei Schweigert n. sp., is described from the Early Miocene calcareous freshwater tufas of Southern Germany. It is attributed to the brachyuran freshwater crabProballaya quenstedti (Zittel) which occurs abundantly at the same locality. Hence, the coprolite genusHelicerina is the product of brachyuran decapods or their Triassic ancestors, and not of anomuran decapods as thought before. From younger Early to Middle Jurassic pelagic ferrugineous limestones of the Subbetic area (Southern Spain), the new speciesFavreina belandoi Fels n. sp. is described besidesHelicerina siciliana Senowbari-Daryan, Schäfer &Catalano, and the better known speciesPalaxius salataensis Brönnimann, Cros &Zaninetti. The number of canals withinFavreina belandoi varies but is clearly correlated with different ontogenetic stages of the same producer. From the Late Jurassic of Portugal, the new speciesPetalina hexalunulata Leinfelder n. gen. n. sp. is reported. It co-occurs withFavreina prusensis (Paréjas). The new genusPetalina is distinct fromFavreina by its hemispherical cross sections of the canals. In Portugal, both species are restricted to intrajurassic marine karstic fissures of the reefal Ota Limestone.     

Early Tithonian Saturnalidae (Radiolaria) from the Solnhofen area (Southern Franconian Alb, southern Germany)

In order to complete the study of the very rich early Tithonian (Hybonoticeras hybonotum Zone) radiolarian fauna from the Mühlheim Member of the Mörnsheim Formation outcropping in the Solnhofen area, the taxa of the family Saturnalidae are described. Although rather rare, the Saturnalidae of this member contain 14 species, ten of which are new. These species belong to four genera, one of which is new (Moebicircus n. gen.), and two subfamilies (Hexasaturnalinae and Saturnalinae). The taxonomy at generic level of these late Jurassic radiolarians is founded on the basis of the position of the blades along the ring and number and morphology of the spines. Type of spines (simple or forked) has either species level value or none, depending on species. Special attention was given to anomalies, which sometimes are rather frequent, since they can give Information of paleobiological and paleoecological Orders. Among them frequent cases of open ring and additional spines withDicerosaturnalis and Siamese twins skeletons withSpongosaturninus andDicerosaturnalis are to be noted. The authors hope that this new taxonomy will give a better image of the evolution and radiation of the Saturnalidae during the Tithonian.     

A new genus of pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Lower Jurassic of Holzmaden,Germany

Abstract: The exquisitely preserved holotype of the pliosaur ‘Rhomaleosaurus’victor (SMNS 12478) is described from the Toarcian Posidonien‐Schiefer (Upper Lias, Lower Jurassic) of Holzmaden (Baden‐Württemberg), Germany. The specimen presents a novel combination of synapomorphies and unique morphometric proportions separating it from Rhomaleosaurus sensu stricto and warranting the erection of a new genus, Meyerasaurus gen. nov. Historically, the name ‘Thaumatosaurus’ has been interchangeable with Rhomaleosaurus and is frequently associated with SMNS 12478 in the literature. However, this is an invalid taxon and cannot be reinstated. The anatomy of Meyerasaurus victor is compared in detail with other pliosaurs, and its taxonomic affinity is reviewed. M. victor belongs to the family Rhomaleosauridae and shares several anatomical characters with Rhomaleosaurus including a short and robust premaxillary rostrum (length‐to‐width ratio c. 1.0), parallel premaxilla–maxilla sutures anterior to the nares, vomers contacting the maxillae posterior to the internal nares, and c. 28 cervical vertebrae minus the atlas–axis. The known geographical distribution of Rhomaleosaurus, which previously extended across the German and English palaeobiogeographical zones, is reduced to the English zone as a consequence of the referral of SMNS 12478 to a new genus. This is significant because it contributes to an ongoing trend of increasing generic separation between the German and English zones, while increasing the generic diversity within the German zone itself.     

Sunosuchus (Archosauria, Crocodyliformes) from the Toutunhe Formation (Middle Jurassic) of the Southern Junggar Basin (Xinjiang, NW-China)

A new specimen of the widespread Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Asian gonipholidid crocodilian genus Sunosuchus is described on the basis of a partial skeleton from the Upper Toutunhe Formation (Middle Jurassic, ?Bathonian-Callovian) of Liuhonggou, SW of Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China. The specimen is represented by a partial mandible, teeth, vertebrae, limb and girdle bones and osteoderms. It can be distinguished from other nominal species of the genus by a unique combination of characters: slightly heterodontous dentition, strongly sculptured posteroventral part of the mandible, short fenestra mandibularis, convex dorsal surface of the retroarticular process, keeled cervical vertebral centra and ventral osteoderms with a distinctive sculpture of wide pits and narrow ridges. The heterodontous dentition is a potential autapomorphy of this form. The new specimen is closest in morphology to material described recently from the Callovian of Kirghisia as Sunosuchus sp. It represents the second Middle Jurassic record of the genus, the first crocodile from the Toutunhe Formation, the first substantial crocodile find from the Mesozoic of the Southern Junggar Basin, and the first Middle Jurassic record of Sunosuchus from China. This extends both the paleobiogeographical distribution of the genus in Asia and its stratigraphic distribution in China considerably.     

Brachiopods from the Jurassic (Callovian) of Hamakhtesh Hagadol (Kurnub Anticline), Southern Israel

The Callovian Zohar and Matmor formations in the Negev, southern Israel, consisting of marls, shales and limestones, have yielded 13 brachiopod species (2 rhynchonellids, 11 terebratulids), referred to 12 genera, of which one genus and five species are new: Apatecosia inornata, Bihenithyris mediocostata, Digonella boylani sp. nov., Dissoria bretti sp. nov., Burmirhynchia jirbaensis, Kutchithyris landeri sp. nov., Pleuraloma triangulatum, Polyplectella debriani gen. et sp. nov., Ptyctothyris daghaniensis, Somalirhynchia africana, Striithyris saudiarabica, S. telemi sp. nov., and Zeilleria sp. The brachiopods described herein from Hamakhtesh Hagadol (Kurnub Anticline) comprise a fauna located at the northernmost part of the Indo-African Faunal Realm within the Jurassic Ethiopian Province.     

Two new species of Paramesosciophilodes (Diptera,Nematocera, Mesosciophilidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China

Two new species, Paramesosciophilodes bellus sp. n. and Paramesosciophilodes rarissima sp. n., from the Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China, are described in the extinct family Mesosciophilidae. Altogether seven genera with 21 species of mesosciophilids have been described from the Jurassic of Siberia and Kazakhstan, the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia, and the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia. An emended generic diagnosis of Paramesosciophilodes and a list of known taxa of mesosciophilids are provided.