New cranial material of Shansirhinus (Rhinocerotidae, Perissodactyla) from the Lower Pliocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China

A well-preserved skull and articulated mandible of Shansirhinus, a horned aceratherine rhinocerotid, is described from an Early Pliocene (Gaozhuangian; approximately 5.3-4.34 Ma) locality of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China. Comparing the new material of Shansirhinus ringstromi Kretzoi, 1942, we confirm the synonymy proposed previously for the species Chilotherium yunnanensis Tang et al., 1974, Chilotherium cornutum Qiu and Yan, 1982, and Ch. tianzhuensis Zheng, 1982. New knowledge concerning its cranial and mandibular morphology allows insight into its phylogenetic position among aceratherine rhinocerotids. A sister group relationship between Shansirhinus and Chilotherium is proposed on the basis of cranial, mandibular and dental evidence. Shared derived characters that support this relationship include: an expanded mandibular symphysis with a concave ventral surface; retracted premaxillae lacking upper incisors; a robust and right-angled facial crest; a flat or slightly concave dorsal skull profile; a weak or absent parastyle fold; and a constricted protocone on the premolars. Shansirhinus was probably a grazer, which is evidenced by the high crown, strong wear, well-developed secondary folds, and enamel plications on its teeth. The age of S. ringstromi is Late Miocene to the Early Pliocene, corresponding to the Turolian to Ruscinian, MN12-MN15 of Europe. S. ringstromi is likely the ancestor of the more advanced S. brancoi (Schlosser, 1903).     

Deep phylogeographic structure may indicate cryptic species within the Sparid genus Spondyliosoma

Two geographically nonoverlapping species are currently described within the sparid genus Spondyliosoma: Spondyliosoma cantharus (Black Seabream) occurring across Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic waters from NW Europe to Angola and S. emarginatum (Steentjie) considered endemic to southern Africa. To address prominent knowledge gaps this study investigated range-wide phylogeographic structure across both species. Mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed deep phylogeographic structuring with four regionally partitioned reciprocally monophyletic clades, a Mediterranean clade and three more closely related Atlantic clades [NE Atlantic, Angola and South Africa (corresponding to S. emarginatum)]. Divergence and distribution of the lineages reflects survival in, and expansion from, disjunct glacial refuge areas. Cytonuclear differentiation of S. emarginatum supports its validity as a distinct species endemic to South African waters. However, the results also indicate that S. cantharus may be a cryptic species complex wherein the various regional lineages represent established/incipient species. A robust multilocus genetic assessment combining morphological data and detailing interactions among lineages is needed to determine the full diversity within Spondyliosoma and the most adequate biological and taxonomic status.     

Biogeographic hypothesis explaining the diversity of the genus Amphimallon Berthold, 1827, in the Mediterranean Basin (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae,Rhizotrogini)

In this paper, the analysis of the current distribution of species, or species-groups, of the Western–Palaearctic genus Amphimallon Berthold, 1827, based on a phylogenetic hypothesis recently provided and relevant paleogeographical events that occurred in the Mediterranean Basin from Late Paleogene (35 Myr BP) to the present, supports a biogeographical scenario to explain species diversity within this genus. The center of origin of this genus is hypothesized to be in the Iberian Peninsula. Microplate fragments drifting from the Iberian Peninsula, successive landmass suture events between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean Basins, separation of Tethys and Paratethys Oceans, re-establishment of marine connections, uplift of the Alps, and drying out of the Mediterranean are hypothesized as the principal events allowing dispersal of populations throughout Mediterranean Basin and biogeographical vicariances within the genus Amphimallon.     

The identity of the Ordovician (Darriwilian) graptolite Fucoides dentatus Brongniart, 1828

Abstract: The biostratigraphically important Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) biserial graptolite Fucoides dentatus Brongniart, 1828 is redescribed and illustrated from its type material and from additional specimens collected at the type locality – Lévis, Quebec, Canada. It is referred to Levisograptus gen. nov., which includes also the austrodentatus group of early axonophoran graptolites. The species has previously been confused with a younger, mid‐Darriwilian species, now referred to as Eoglyptograptus gerhardi sp. nov., and recognized as the type species of the genus Eoglyptograptus Mitchell. Both species can be differentiated easily by their respective proximal development types and show nonoverlapping biostratigraphical ranges. Levisograptus dentatus (Brongniart) is an important biostratigraphical index species in the early Darriwilian. Eoglyptograptus species are found in the higher Darriwilian and are biogeographically restricted to the Atlantic Faunal Realm.     

A redescription of Tontonia cornuta (Leegaard, 1915) comb. nov., a planktonic oligotrichous ciliate (Ciliophora: Oligotrichia) from the northern Pacific Ocean

A rare marine planktonic ciliate, Tontonia cornuta comb. nov. [formally Strombidium cornutum (Leegaard, 1915) Kahl, 1932], from the northern Pacific Ocean was morphologically and biometrically investigated based on observations of permanent preparations after protargol impregnation. This species is similar to Tontonia simplicidens but can be distinguished by its conspicuously large size, higher number of macronuclei, and large number of buccal adoral membranelles.     

Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter and Bowmanites cupulatus sp.n. from the “Illinger Flözzone” (“Heusweiler Schichten”, Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic)

This paper deals with a detailed study of Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter, a member of the “Sphenophyllum thonii group”. New material from the Reisbach colliery, working the “Illinger Flözzone” of the “Heusweiler Schichten” (Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic), is described morphologically and anatomically, and the species is discussed. The new material enlarges the known range of variability of the normal aspect of the foliage, i.e. the foliage of the thinner branches. Thicker stems with their aberrant polymorphous foliage, and cellular details, are described for the first time. An emended diagnosis is given. Comparisons with other species are made.

The new species Bowmanites cupulatus is introduced to accommodate fructufications most probably belonging to Sphenophyllum miravallis.

S. crenulatum Knight ex Wagner is considered to be a heterotypic synonym of S. miravallis, the latter name having priority.     

沙芥属植物叶片的气孔特征研究

观察了沙芥属（Pugionium Gaertn.）3个种：沙芥（P.cornutum (L.)Gaertn.）,距果沙芥（P.calcaratum Kom.）和斧翅沙芥（P.dolatum Maxim. var. dolabratum）的子叶和真叶表皮特征及气孔指标,并进行了差异显著性分析。结果表明：沙芥属植物表皮形状多为无规则形,上、下表皮均具有气孔,气孔类型均为不等细胞型。气孔保卫细胞呈肾形,内壁加厚,但加厚程度不同,斧翅沙芥＞距果沙芥＞沙芥。气孔缝呈纺锤形,气孔均下陷;气孔日开闭规律均呈双峰曲线。斧翅沙芥和距果沙芥的气孔性状具有较大的相似性,但这两个种与沙芥的气孔性状存在明显差异,说明沙芥属植物叶片气孔稳定性状和形态可以作为种质资源鉴定和评价的重要微观特征。     

A new “microsaur” (Amphibia; Lepospondyli) from the Rotliegend of the Saar–Palatinate region (Carboniferous/Permian transition; West Germany)

Altenglanerpeton schroederi n. sp. is documented by a skeleton preserved in dorsal view from the Altenglan Formation of the Saar?CNahe Basin. The only known species of this new genus has a massive skull that is slightly longer than wide with a more or less triangular outline, without traces of lateral-line canals, with a small round orbit, very wide interorbital region, and the jugal extending far in front of the orbit. The long, undifferentiated trunk region comprises at least 30 lepospondylous presacral vertebrae. The pelvic girdle, hind limbs, and tail are not preserved. The forelimb is small and poorly ossified. The cladogram supports placement of Altenglanerpeton in the Recumbirostra. The new genus seems closest to Tambaroter, the Goniorhynchidae, and Brachystelechidae, with the largest number of morphological similarities shared with the Ostodolepidae, particularly with Micraroter and Pelodosotis.     

Variation in vital-rate sensitivity between populations of Texas horned lizards

Demographic studies of imperiled populations can aid managers in planning conservation actions. However, applicability of findings for a single population across a species’ range is sometimes questionable. We conducted long-term studies (8 and 9 years, respectively) of 2 populations of the lizard Phrynosoma cornutum separated by 1000 km within the historical distribution of the species. The sites were a 15-ha urban wildlife reserve on Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB) in central Oklahoma and a 6000-ha wildland site in southern Texas, the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). We predicted a trade-off between the effect of adult survival and fecundity on population growth rate (λ), leading to population-specific contributions of individual vital rates to λ and individualized strategies for conservation and management of this taxon. The CWMA population had lower adult survival and higher fecundity than TAFB. As predicted, there was a trade-off in the effects of adult survival and fecundity on λ between the two sites; fecundity affected λ more at CWMA than at TAFB. However, adult survival had the smallest effect on λ in both populations. We found that recruitment in P. cornutum most affected λ at both sites, with hatchling survival having the strongest influence on λ. Management strategies focusing on hatchling survival would strongly benefit both populations. As a consequence, within the constraint of the need to more accurately estimate hatchling survival, managers across the range of species such as P. cornutum could adopt similar management priorities with respect to stage classes, despite intra-population differences in population vital rates.     

A redescription of some poorly known Rotliegend arachnids from the Lower Permian (Asselian) of the Ilfeld and Thuringian Forest Basins, Germany

Two poorly known trigonotarbids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida),Eophrynus schärft Scharf, 1924 andEophrynus ilfeldicus Scharf, 1924 from the Lower Permian (Asselian) Ilfeld Basin in the Harz Region of Germany are redescribed. The latter is transferred to the genusAphantomartus Pocock, 1911. The former resembles members of Lissomartidae, but given its incompleteness it is assigned here to Trigonotarbida incertae sedis. A phalangiotarbid (Arachnida: Phalangiotarbida) from Ilfeld described asOpiliotarbus elongatus (Scudder, 1890) represents the youngest record of this group. With respect to the genusOpiliotarbus Pocock, 1910,Architarbus hoffmanni Guthörl, 1934 — one of three names erected for a lost specimen from the Upper Carboniferous of the Saar region of Germany — represents the senior synonym ofOpiliotarbus kliveri Waterlot, 1934 andGoniotarbus sararm Guthörl, 1965. The Lower Permian fossilRhabdotarachnoides simoni Haupt, 1957 from the Rotliegend of the Thuringian Forest Basin, Germany was described as an arachnid and tentatively referred to Opiliones. Since it is identified here as a coalified plant remain, this species is regarded as nomen dubium.     

Redescription of Scapholeberis echinulata Sars 1903 (Crustacea,Cladocera)

Scapholeberis echinulata Sars is rediscribed, based on type material of Sars (S. echinulata), Daday (s. erinaceus) and the author's own samples. A differential diagnosis with Scapholeberis spinifera Nicolet and S. mucronata O. F. Müller, S. microcephala Sars, S. kingi Sars and S. aurita Fischer is given.     

Postcranial morphology and growth of the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus heterodontus (Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk, The Netherlands

Sauropterygia from the Muschelkalk are only found in lag deposits known as bone beds, and most of the material consists of isolated bones. Alpha taxonomy of Sauropterygia from the Germanic Basin which include Pachypleurosauria is thus based mainly on skull morphology of a few specimens. Articulated or associated postcranial material of pachypleurosaurs, associated with diagnostic skull material, is very rare in the Germanic Basin and currently occurs in larger numbers only in the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk (Gelderland Province, The Netherlands), which continuously produces new material. For the first time, the morphology of several partially articulated skeletons of the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus heterodontus is described and compared. Some of those specimens have skull material attached; others were identified as pachypleurosaurs on the basis of their long bone histology. The current study revealed that postcranial bones of A.?heterodontus feature a diverse morphology reflecting differences during ontogeny. Thus, A.?heterodontus specimens could be assigned to size classes (I?CIII). However, on the basis of morphology, histology, and maximal known size of isolated skulls and humeri, none of these specimens represent fully grown individuals. Growth mark counts of midshaft-femur samples, morphologically assigned to size class?III, document that this size class was reached within the first year of life. Size class?III continued into the second year of life, and then afterwards skeletal maturity was reached. Thus, a juvenile A.?heterodontus grew very fast, which is also indicated by its bone tissue type, composed of a high number of radial vascular canals and a fast-deposited bone matrix. The assignment of isolated bones from Lower to Middle Muschelkalk localities to A.?heterodontus is now possible with an extensive amended diagnosis of this taxon. This largely contributes to the understanding of taxonomical diversity and distribution. Morphological comparison of the postcranial skeleton of A.?heterodontus with that of the two other valid pachypleurosaurs from the Germanic Basin, Anarosaurus pumilio and Dactylosaurus, supports their close phylogenetic relationship. Furthermore, the skeleton of A.?heterodontus has no morphological or histological aquatic adaptation such as pachyostosis or pachyosteosclerosis and thus represents the least degree of aquatic adaptation within Pachypleurosauria.     

TRIGONOCARPUS LEEANUS,A NEW SPECIES FROM THE MIDDLE PENNSYLVANIAN OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

A new species of Trigonocarpus Brongniart is described from the level of the Herrin (No. 6) Coal (Carbondale Formation, Kewanee Group) at Carterville, Illinois. The seed is three dimensionally preserved by authigenic cementation and exhibits a well preserved nucellar cast, integument and micropylar region. The specimen represents the largest pteridosperm compression-impression seed collected in North America and measures 10 cm from the apex of the micropyle to the chalazal end, and at least 5 cm in breadth. Trigonocarpus leeanus sp. n. is compared to the remaining forty-three taxa within the genus, and specifically with Trigonocarpus grandis Lesquereux, the one species with dimensions approaching it. An emended diagnosis, with designation of a lectotype, is presented for Trigonocarpus grandis. Correlation of the features displayed by Trigonocarpus leeanus sp. n. and the petrified taxa within Pachytesta Brongniart is attempted.     

Phylogenetic study of benthic, spine-bearing prorocentroids, including Prorocentrum fukuyoi sp. nov.

Species of prorocentroid dinoflagellates are common in marine benthic sediment and epibenthic habitats, as well as in planktonic habitats. Marine planktonic prorocentroids typically possess a small spine in the apical region. In this study, we describe a new, potentially widely distributed benthic species of Prorocentrum, P. fukuyoi sp. nov., from tidal sand habitats in several sites in Australia and from central Japan. This species was found to possess an apical spine or flange and was sister species to P. emarginatum. We analyzed the phylogeny of the group including this new species, based on large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences. The genus contained a high level of divergence in LSU rDNA, in some cases among sister taxa. P. fukuyoi and P. emarginatum were found to be most closely related to a clade of generally planktonic taxa. Several morphological features may constitute more informative synapomorphies than habitat in distinguishing clades of prorocentroid species.     

A new Chalicothere from the Pondaung Formation (late Middle Eocene of Myanmar)

The 2002 field work campaign of the joint Myanmar–French Expedition has resulted in the discovery of new material particularly in the Bahin area (Pondaung Formation, Middle–Upper Eocene, Myanmar). The Nyaung Pin Le outcrop has yielded, among other fossil mammals, a maxillary of a primitive chalicothere, the first ever discovered in the southeastern Asia Palaeogene, which is assigned to the Eomoropidae, Eomoropus pawnyunti nov. sp. This form is distinguished from the other representatives of the family by its small size, its brachyodonty and the few derived shape of the molar ectolophs, nevertheless provided with low mesostyles. To cite this article: J.-A. Remy et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

New ankylosaurian material from the Upper Cretaceous of Transylvania

Ankylosaurian remains from the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, are extremely rare. More than 100 years after the discovery of the first and only better-known assemblage, namely the type material of Struthiosaurus transylvanicus, new ankylosaurian material has been discovered in the Maastrichtian of the Ha?eg Basin, as well as at another locality (Vurp?r), in the Transylvanian Basin, that is described here. The material consists of one tooth in a small jaw fragment (from the Ha?eg Basin) and at least two accummulations of associated, as well as several isolated, postcranial elements (from Vurp?r). No diagnostic elements are preserved that would overlap with the type of S. transylvanicus, so we cannot assign any of the new specimens to this species. The tooth shows marked differences compared to those of other anklyosaurs including S. austriacus and Hungarosaurus in having only six, more or less equally sized, apically pointed cusps separated by deep grooves. The postcranial material from Vurp?r represents at least three different individuals. The humerus is the most diagnostic element among the postcranial remains being most similar both in size and morphology to humeri referred to as Struthiosaurus from different European localities, thus here we refer the humerus and probably associated elements preserved in one assemblage to as cf. Struthiosaurus sp.; the remaining specimens from Vurp?r are retained as Nodosauridae indet. Histological studies have confirmed the adult nature of all sampled bones in the Vurp?r ankylosaur material suggesting that these fully grown animals were of similar size to Struthiosaurus, a small-bodied nodosaurid the ontogenetic status of which, however, has never been investigated histologically. The obviously diminished body size of the Transylvanian ankylosaurs compared to other members of the clade could be explained by insular dwarfism using the same histology-based argument as presented for Magyarosaurus.     

Crustacés décapodes du Kimméridgien de Bure (Lorraine, France)

A new fauna of crustacean decapods has been discovered on the occasion of the digging of two large wells in Kimmeridgian marls and limestones at Bure (Lorraine, France). Among the stratigraphically well repaired identified fossils Thalassinoidea are abundant with the species Etallonia isochela (Woodward, 1876). Other fossils are represented by a Paguridae (Palaeopagurus sp.) and two Erymidae: Eryma cf. babeaui (Etallon, 1861) and E. ventrosa (Von Meyer, 1835) this last one has provided fragments of carapace and fragments of chelipeds. Propodes of E. isochela sometime display remains of coloration patterns that indicate a low oxygen level of depositional and diagenetic environments.