Article
Evolutionary Biology
David G. DeMar, Marc E. H. Jones, Matthew T. Carrano
Summary: A new small-bodied rhynchocephalian reptile, Opisthiamimus gregori gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming, USA. The specimen includes most of the skull and postcranium, making it one of the most complete specimens of Rhynchocephalia known from North America. The skull exhibits features similar to both non-neosphenodontian rhynchocephalians and more nested taxa like Sphenodon, and the postcranial skeleton shows characteristics typical of a terrestrial rhynchocephalian. Phylogenetic analyses place Opisthiamimus gregori inside Eusphenodontia but outside Neosphenodontia, providing important insights into character polarity for deeper nested clades. An aquatically adapted taxon, Leptorhynchia, is also erected based on cranial and postcranial characters. The discovery of Opisthiamimus gregori expands the taxonomic diversity and implies significant paleoecological diversity in the Morrison Formation.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Anton F. -J. Wroblewski, Jon Schueth
Summary: Oxfordian deposits in northern Colorado and Wyoming, USA, provide insights into the sedimentary processes during the Jurassic period and demonstrate the influence of various mechanisms on deposition, which differ from the common association between tidal deposits, carbonate facies, and rising sea levels.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sita Manitkoon, Uthumporn Deesri, Bouziane Khalloufi, Thanit Nonsrirach, Varavudh Suteethorn, Phornphen Chanthasit, Wansiri Boonla, Eric Buffetaut
Summary: An exceptionally well-preserved skeleton of a new basal neornithischian dinosaur, named Minimocursor phunoiensis gen. et sp. nov., was discovered in Thailand. This dinosaur exhibits both primitive and advanced characteristics resembling those of small-bodied ornithischians from China during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. The study contributes to a better understanding of the early evolution and taxonomic diversity of ornithischians in Southeast Asia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jin-Young Park, Yuong-Nam Lee, Philip J. Currie, Michael J. Ryan, Phil Bell, Robin Sissons, Eva B. Koppelhus, Rinchen Barsbold, Sungjin Lee, Su-Hwan Kim
Summary: The new articulated postcranial specimen of an indeterminate ankylosaurid dinosaur from Mongolia shows that Asian ankylosaurids evolved rigid bodies with a decreased number of pedal phalanges. There were at least two forms of flank armor within Ankylosauridae, and unique anatomical features related to digging were present in this dinosaur group. Although not fossorial, ankylosaurids were likely able to dig the substrate for self-defense and survival.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong Yang, Zhi Yang, Longbiao Lin, Yingwei Wang, David Kay Ferguson
Summary: Macrofossil evidence shows the first radiation of gnetophytes in the Early Cretaceous. However, the origin and diversity of gnetophytes are still unclear due to the scarcity of gnetalean macrofossils from pre-Cretaceous strata. In this study, we report a new putative gnetalean macrofossil reproductive shoot, which exhibits distinct morphological characteristics and provides additional evidence on the origin and early evolution of female reproductive organs in gnetophytes. We name this new macrofossil reproductive shoot Daohugoucladus sinensis gen. et sp. nov.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Junki Yoshida, Atsushi Hori, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Michael J. Ryan, Yuji Takakuwa, Yoshikazu Hasegawa
Summary: Goniopholididae is a group of basal neosuchian crocodyliforms closely related to Paralligatoridae and Eusuchia, with key features in early crocodylian body plan evolution and aquatic adaptation. The discovery of a new species, Amphicotylus milesi, sheds light on the acquisition of a new respiratory system in crocodyliform evolution and early aquatic adaptation, leading to modern crocodylians.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Eduardo Puertolas-Pascual, Miguel Marx, Octavio Mateus, Andre Saleiro, Alexandra E. Fernandes, Joao Marinheiro, Carla Tomas, Simao Mateus
Summary: The discovery of a new plesiosaur species in Portugal reveals a unique combination of features, placing it as the most complete and oldest plesiosaur in the Iberian Peninsula. This specimen provides valuable insights into the early marine reptile populations in the region prior to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean.
ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philip D. Gingerich, Ayoub Amane, Samir Zouhri
Summary: Pachycetus paulsonii, Pachycetus wardii, and Antaecetus aithai are middle Eocene archaeocete whales, belonging to the new basilosaurid subfamily Pachycetinae. Antaecetus, a new genus, is the only pachycetine known from a substantial postcranial skeleton. Based on their skeletal features, it can be inferred that pachycetines were slow-swimming, sirenian-like animals, living in shallow coastal seas and feeding on passing fish and mobile invertebrates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sebastian Stumpf, Steve Etches, Charlie J. Underwood, Juergen Kriwet
Summary: A new genus and species of hybodontiform shark-like chondrichthyan, Durnonovariaodus maiseyi gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a partial skeleton found in the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay Formation of Dorset, England. The specimen exhibits a puzzling combination of dental and skeletal features, providing important insights into the morphological and ecological diversity of hybodontiforms. The unique dental characters and skeletal similarities with other species suggest a close relationship within the hybodontiform group, although further research is needed to confirm its phylogenetic position.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory F. Funston, Philip J. Currie, Chinzorig Tsogtbaatar, Tsogtbaatar Khishigjav
Summary: The Nemegt Formation in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia has produced abundant and diverse oviraptorosaur fossils, including two species of caenagnathid: Elmisaurus rarus and Nomingia gobiensis. However, recent research suggests that these two taxa may actually represent the same animal. The low diversity of caenagnathids in the Nemegt Formation may be related to competition with other oviraptorosaur families, particularly oviraptorids.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Jagielska, Michael O'Sullivan, Gregory F. Funston, Ian B. Butler, Thomas J. Challands, Neil D. L. Clark, Nicholas C. Fraser, Amelia Penny, Dugald A. Ross, Mark Wilkinson, Stephen L. Brusatte
Summary: A remarkably preserved Jurassic pterosaur skeleton with a wingspan estimated to be over 2.5m has been discovered, shedding light on the important role of the Middle Jurassic in pterosaur evolution. This finding suggests that non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs were already diversifying and experimenting with larger sizes during this time, concurrent with or perhaps earlier than the origin of birds.
Article
Paleontology
Sven Sachs, Mark T. Young, Pascal Abel, Heinrich Mallison
Summary: The study describes a well-preserved skeleton of the metriorhynchid thalattosuchian Cricosaurus, revealing the importance of morphological variation in the tail region. A new species, Cricosaurus albersdoerferi sp. nov, is named, and at least four closely-related Cricosaurus species are identified in Southern Germany.
PALAEONTOLOGIA ELECTRONICA
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Brian M. Davis, Kai R. K. Jaeger, Guillermo W. Rougier, Kelli Trujillo, Kevin Chamberlain
Summary: We have described a new morganucodontan species, Cifellilestes ciscoensis, based on two skull fragments from the Cisco Mammal Quarry. The fossils preserve detailed 3D structures of the palate, snout, and complete upper postcanine dentition. The discovery of this species expands our understanding of the early evolution of mammals and the craniodental variation within the group. Ash-fall zircon analysis dates the locality to the earliest Tithonian and extends the record of morganucodontans in North America by more than 30 million years.
ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA
(2022)
Article
Geology
M. Rika Nanda Syahputra, Hassan A. Eltom, Ammar El-Husseiny, Michael A. Kaminski, Abdullah M. Alqubalee
Summary: This study investigates the spatial patterns of burrowed strata in a middle carbonate ramp through field investigation and laboratory analysis. The results reveal similar spatial stratigraphic patterns of the studied stratum over the study area, but distinct variations in rock composition, burrow percentage, and burrowing styles. The variations are interpreted to be controlled by sea-level change and seafloor topography, providing insights into the nature and controls on the spatial patterns of burrowed strata.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
M. Gasparrini, D. Morad, X. Mangenot, M. Bonifacie, S. Morad, F. H. Nader, A. Gerdes
Summary: This study investigates the dolomitic reservoirs in the Upper Jurassic Arab Formation using Delta 47/U-Pb thermochronometry, revealing the occurrence of burial recrystallization and providing insights into the timing and physicochemical conditions of the process. It highlights the importance of understanding recrystallization in dolomitic reservoirs for better appraisal.