Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Eduardo Puertolas-Pascual, Ivan T. T. Kuzmin, Alejandro Serrano-Martinez, Octavio Mateus
Summary: This study presents the first detailed anatomical and neuroanatomical description of Portugalosuchus azenhae, a crocodylomorph from the Late Cretaceous period in Portugal. Through high resolution CT scans, the researchers were able to reconstruct and describe the neurocranium and internal cavities, providing new insight into the neurosensorial capabilities of this species. The phylogenetic position of Portugalosuchus was slightly revised and classified as a thoracosaurid within Gavialoidea, emphasizing the need for further phylogenetic analyses using morphological and DNA data.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Alejandro Serrano-Martinez, Fabien Knoll, Ivan Narvaez, Stephan Lautenschlager, Francisco Ortega
Summary: Agaresuchus fontisensis is an allodaposuchid crocodile from Late Cretaceous Spain, with neuroanatomy resembling other mesoeucrocodylians and cognitive capabilities similar to other eusuchians. Its olfactory acuity is low compared to crocodilians and closer to alligatoroids, while its visual acuity is similar to a sympatric allodaposuchid species found in the same fossil site.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Attila Osi, Janos Magyar, Karoly Rosta, Matthew Vickaryous
Summary: This study provides new details on the cranial anatomy of the nodosaurid Hungarosaurus, identifying three different size classes representing various ontogenetic stages. The well-developed cranial ornamentation in early ontogenetic stages suggests a potential role in intra- and interspecific recognition. The observed variation in cranial ornamentation in Hungarosaurus appears to be associated with development, rather than the contribution of coossified osteoderms.
Article
Geology
E. Puertolas-Pascual, A. Serrano-Martinez, M. Perez-Pueyo, B. Badenas, J. Canudo
Summary: This study reconstructs the inner skull cavities of the allodaposuchids Arenysuchus gascabadiolorum and Agaresuchus subjuniperus using CT scanning. The endocranial anatomy of these crocodylomorphs suggests that their sensory and cognitive capabilities were similar to those of extant crocodylians.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fabien Knoll, Stephan Lautenschlager, Soichiro Kawabe, Gloria Martinez, Eduardo Espilez, Luis Mampel, Luis Alcala
Summary: Proa valdearinnoensis is a large-headed and stocky iguanodontian dinosaur from the late Early Cretaceous of Spain. The study of its endocast and brain-to-endocranial cavity (BEC) index suggests a high level of encephalization compared to other extinct and extant nonavian, nonmammalian amniotes. The research contributes to the understanding of cognitive capabilities in dinosaurs and supports the idea of increasing encephalization in ornithopods.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Rodrigo Pegas, Fabiana R. Costa, Alexander W. A. Kellner
Summary: Studying the muscle structure of extinct groups without descendants is challenging, but reconstructing the jaw muscles of pterosaurs offers a new direction. By using osteological correlates and the extant phylogenetic bracketing method, researchers can estimate bite force and investigate potential dietary habits of pterosaurs.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Benito, Pei-Chen Kuo, Klara E. Widrig, John W. M. Jagt, Daniel J. Field
Summary: The bony palate helps distinguish between the two deepest clades of extant birds: Neognathae and Palaeognathae. The discovery of the new Late Cretaceous ornithurine Janavis finalidens provides evidence supporting the presence of an anatomically neognathous palate in some Mesozoic non-crown ornithurines, suggesting that pterygoids similar to those of extant Galloanserae may be ancestral for crown birds. This challenges previous assumptions about the ancestral palate of crown birds and calls for a reevaluation of the purported galloanseran affinities of early Cenozoic groups.
Article
Geology
B. J. Vazquez, D. Castanera, B. Vila
Summary: In Europe, the fossil record of sauropods in the uppermost Cretaceous is mainly found in Spain, France, and Romania. Recently, a significant discovery of titanosaurs' teeth was made in Els Nerets, Spain, which contains the largest tooth sample from the Late Cretaceous in Europe. The teeth show distinct characteristics but cannot be attributed to any known European species. Based on tooth morphology and wear facets distribution, a new taxon is proposed.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Zoology
Han Hu, Yan Wang, Matteo Fabbri, Jingmai K. O'Connor, Paul G. Mcdonald, Stephen Wroe, Xuwei Yin, Xiaoting Zheng, Zhonghe Zhou, Roger B. J. Benson
Summary: Jeholornis, one of the earliest-diverging bird lineages, provides crucial evidence for understanding anatomical transitions in bird evolution. This study presents a detailed description of the cranial osteology of Jeholornis prima, based on three-dimensional data of a well-preserved specimen. The findings confirm the primitive morphology of the skull with some specialized features in the rostrum. The study also reveals new information about dental formula and sensory adaptations, shedding light on the ecological aspect of Jeholornis.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ross N. Mitchell, Christopher J. Thissen, David A. D. Evans, Sarah P. Slotznick, Rodolfo Coccioni, Toshitsugu Yamazaki, Joseph L. Kirschvink
Summary: A new high-resolution paleomagnetic record from two overlapping stratigraphic sections in Italy provides evidence for a 12-degree true polar wander oscillation from 86 to 78 million years ago, with the greatest excursion at 84-82 million years ago. This challenges the notion of the spin axis being largely stable over the past 100 million years and represents the most recent large-scale TPW documented.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Romain Vullo, Eberhard Frey, Christina Ifrim, Margarito A. Gonzalez Gonzalez, Eva S. Stinnesbeck, Wolfgang Stinnesbeck
Summary: The newly described Aquilolamna is a bizarre probable planktivorous shark from early Late Cretaceous open marine deposits in Mexico that shows an unexpected evolutionary experimentation with underwater flight among sharks. This long-winged shark with unique body plan belongs to a newly described group (Aquilolamnidae) and may have occupied the ecological niche filled by mobulids and other batoids after the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Blanco
Summary: This study analyzes the impact of including postcranial information on the tree topology of Allodaposuchidae family, revealing a significant phylogenetic signal in postcranial elements. The phylogenetic relationships of allodaposuchids within Eusuchia are reassessed, with new and improved diagnoses provided for each species.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Gustavo Darlim, Felipe C. Montefeltro, Max C. Langer
Summary: Baurusuchidae is a diverse group of South American notosuchians, known for their reduced tooth formula, compressed rostrum, and verticalized quadrate. A new baurusuchid species with distinct features has been described, highlighting its phylogenetic position within the group as sister to other baurusuchines. The study helps to distinguish between Baurusuchinae and Pissarrachampsinae lineages, suggesting variability in the radiation of Baurusuchidae.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tiane M. De-Oliveira, Flavio A. Pretto, Rodrigo T. Mueller, Felipe L. Pinheiro, Leonardo Kerber
Summary: The Triassic of South America is known for its diverse fossil assemblage, including various terrestrial tetrapods. However, carnivore archosaurs are rare in Brazilian Norian outcrops. A new tooth fossil discovered at the Sa similar to o Luiz site in Brazil provides evidence of a previously unidentified medium/large-sized carnivorous archosaur.
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haibing Wang, Yuanqing Wang
Summary: This study reports a well-preserved detached middle ear structure in a eutherian mammal from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, suggesting an independent evolution of hearing and chewing apparatuses in early eutherians.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Attila Osi, Gabor Botfalvai, Gaspar Albert, Zsofia Hajdu
PALAEOBIODIVERSITY AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Attila Osi, Marton Szabo, Gabor Botfalvai
GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kinga Gere, Torsten M. Scheyer, Laszlo Makadi, Attila Osi
PALAEOBIODIVERSITY AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS
(2020)
Article
Geology
Gabor Botfalvai, Edina Prondvai, Attila Osi
Summary: The gregarious behavior of ankylosaurs remains largely ambiguous, with some evidence indicating that certain members may have been gregarious, but no consistent set of features to explain why these specific ankylosaurs were social.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Kinga Gere, Emese Reka Bodor, Laszlo Makadi, Attila Osi
Summary: The Upper Cretaceous Iharkut vertebrate locality in Hungary revealed a diverse lizard fauna, with analyses on jaw and tooth morphology to infer their food preference. Results showed that the lizards had different diets, including consumption of hard objects regularly, softer and harder food items, and a diet between herbivory and insectivory. The study also highlighted the effectiveness of dental microwear analysis on small lizard teeth, both extinct and extant.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Attila Osi, Janos Magyar, Karoly Rosta, Matthew Vickaryous
Summary: This study provides new details on the cranial anatomy of the nodosaurid Hungarosaurus, identifying three different size classes representing various ontogenetic stages. The well-developed cranial ornamentation in early ontogenetic stages suggests a potential role in intra- and interspecific recognition. The observed variation in cranial ornamentation in Hungarosaurus appears to be associated with development, rather than the contribution of coossified osteoderms.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Segesdi, Attila Osi
Summary: Sauropterygia in the Triassic period was a diverse clade of secondary aquatic reptiles that played a significant role in shallow marine communities. The new sauropterygian remains discovered in the Middle Triassic Templomhegy Dolomite Member in Villany, southern Hungary, provide valuable information on the vertebrate fauna of the region and contribute to the understanding of Triassic sauropterygian distribution.
PALAEOBIODIVERSITY AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Attila Osi, Marton Szabo, Emoke Toth, Emese Bodor, Harald Lobitzer, Jiri Kvacek, Marcela Svobodova, Istvan Szente, Michael Wagreich, Khaled Trabelsi, Benjamin Sames, Janos Magyar, Laszlo Makadi, Bjoern Berning, Gabor Botfalvai
Summary: The study presents a new assemblage of early Coniacian age fossils from the Gosau Group in Austria, showing diverse plant and animal fossils, indicating a varied continental environment in the region during the early Cretaceous period and suggesting a rich biota existed in the area during that time.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marton Szabo, Robin Kundrata, Johana Hoffmannova, Tamas Nemeth, Emese Bodor, Imre Szenti, Alexander S. Prosvirov, Akos Kukovecz, Attila Osi
Summary: Fossil bioinclusions in amber provide valuable information about the evolution and diversity of organisms in the past. In this study, a new click-beetle fossil, belonging to the Elateridae family, was described based on an incomplete inclusion in Upper Cretaceous amber from Hungary. This is the first Mesozoic beetle reported from Hungary and the first Mesozoic Elateridae described from mainland Europe. The discovery supports the Eurasian distribution and diversification of Elaterinae in the Cretaceous.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geology
Marton Szabo, Jorg U. Hammel, Danilo Harms, Ulrich Kotthoff, Emese Bodor, Janos Novak, Kristof Kovacs, Attila Osi
Summary: This article describes an adult male Hersiliidae spider from Hungary, proposing a new genus and species name for it. The unique characteristics of this new taxon distinguish it from other Mesozoic and fossil and Recent European representatives of the Hersiliidae family.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geology
Marton Szabo, Manuel Brazidec, Vincent Perrichot, Imre Szenti, Akos Kukovecz, Attila Osi
Summary: This paper describes three new species of wasps from the recently re-discovered ajkaite amber in Hungary, providing valuable information for understanding the fossil record of the Cretaceous period.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Attila Osi, Paul M. Barrett, Alistair R. Evans, Andras Lajos Nagy, Imre Szenti, Akos Kukovecz, Janos Magyar, Martin Segesdi, Kinga Gere, Viviana Jo
Summary: The dental characteristics of two sympatric herbivorous dinosaurs were analyzed to investigate their dietary ecology. The results showed that both dinosaurs had similar tooth formation time and low-browsing habits. However, there were differences in tooth morphology, wear rate, and dental durability between the two taxa, suggesting dietary selectivity and niche partitioning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marton Szabo, Peter Szabo, Peter Kobor, Attila Osi
Summary: Cockroaches from different amber localities worldwide, including both extinct and extant families, were studied. The discovery of Alienopterix santonicus sp. n. in Late Cretaceous amber extends the geographical distribution of the extinct cockroach family Alienopteridae to Laurasia during the Mesozoic. This species, known for its microrectangular structures and disruptive body pattern, may have had a metallic coloration and served as an important pollinator in the Ajka Coal ecosystem.
Review
Geography
Gabor Botfalvai, Laszlo Makadi, Gaspar Albert, Attila Osi
Summary: Iharkut is a Late Cretaceous vertebrate-bearing locality in the Bakony Mountains of western Hungary, where rich and diverse assemblages of terrestrial and freshwater animals have been excavated over the past twenty years. These fossils contribute to the understanding of European Late Cretaceous continental vertebrate faunas. The site's paleogeographic position in the western Tethyan archipelago fills an important gap in the Late Cretaceous record of continental vertebrates in Europe.
GEOCONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Gabor Botfalvai, Orsolya Gyori, Emilia Pozsgai, Izabella M. Farkas, Tamas Sagi, Marton Szabo, Attila Osi
GEOLOGICA CARPATHICA
(2019)
