Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guang-Hui Xu, Yi Ren, Li-Jun Zhao, Jun-Ling Liao, Dong-Hao Feng
Summary: In this study, a new pachypleurosaurid species, Honghesaurus longicaudalis, from Yunnan, China is reported. This discovery fills the morphological gap in pachypleurosaurs and provides new evidence and insights into this group. The study also reveals the role of the Tethys Ocean in the dispersal of pachypleurosaurs from Europe to South China.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Martin D. Ezcurra, Hans-Dieter Sues
Summary: This study reclassifies Sphodrosaurus pennsylvanicus as a doswelliid proterochampsian within Archosauromorpha through anatomical and phylogenetic analysis, revealing its unusually large skull proportion and potential lifestyle and functionality.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wei Wang, Qinghua Shang, Long Cheng, Xiao-Chun Wu, Chun Li
Summary: This study reports the earliest complete specimen related to sauropterygians, called Hanosaurus hupehensis. It shows a mosaic morphology integrating the features of multiple sauropterygian sub-lineages and is resolved as the basal-most member of Sauropterygiformes. This finding reveals an unexpected ancestral body plan for sauropterygiforms and confirms the rapid divergence of sauropterygiform reptiles following the end-Permian mass extinction.
Article
Paleontology
Debajit Datta, Sanghamitra Ray, Saswati Bandyopadhyay
Summary: A new genus and species of phytosaur skull, Volcanosuchus statisticae, has been described with distinctive characteristics and phylogenetic placement, providing insights into the evolution and correlation of phytosaur skulls from late Carnian to early/middle Norian.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiling Liu, Tinglu Yang, Long Cheng, Michael J. Benton, Benjamin C. Moon, Chunbo Yan, Zhihui An, Li Tian
Summary: A new specimen of the predatory marine reptile Diandongosaurus from the Middle Triassic Luoping Biota in southwest China is reported, indicating recovery from the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. The specimen, larger than most other known pachypleurosaurs, shows affinities with Diandongosaurus acutidentatus and was predated by an unknown hunter.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Qvarnstrom, Martin Fikacek, Joel Vikberg Wernstrom, Sigrid Huld, Rolf G. Beutel, Emmanuel Arriaga-Varela, Per E. Ahlberg, Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki
Summary: The Triassic period was crucial for the early evolution and diversification of insects, including beetles. Through synchrotron microtomography, researchers discovered well-preserved beetle remains in a fragmentary Upper Triassic coprolite, providing important insights into insect evolution before the Cretaceous period. The findings highlight the significance of coprolites as a source of well-preserved insect remains, shedding light on insect evolution and paleoecology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ben T. T. Kligman, Bryan M. M. Gee, Adam D. D. Marsh, Sterling J. J. Nesbitt, Matthew E. E. Smith, William G. G. Parker, Michelle R. R. Stocker
Summary: Scientists have discovered the oldest caecilian fossil in Arizona, USA, suggesting that the origin of caecilians can be traced back to the Triassic period. These fossils reveal the tempo and mode of early caecilian morphological and functional evolution, providing new evidence supporting a single origin of caecilians with other amphibians.
Article
Paleontology
Voltaire D. Paes Neto, Julia B. Desojo, Ana C. B. Brust, Ana M. Ribeiro, Cesar L. Schultz, Marina B. Soares
Summary: This study describes the first braincase of the basal aetosaur Aetosauroides, revealing shared and distinct features with other aetosaurs and erpetosuchids, providing valuable phylogenetic information within Pseudosuchia relationships.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Long Cheng, Benjamin C. Moon, Chunbo Yan, Ryosuke Motani, Dayong Jiang, Zhihui An, Zichen Fang
Summary: The discovery of Pomolispondylus biani in the Early Triassic Nanzhang-Yuan'an Fauna extends the known range of Saurosphargiformes and increases taxic and ecological diversity. Despite its small size and occupying a different ecological niche compared to previously found species, the overall food web structure of this fauna is notably different from Middle Triassic and later ecosystems, suggesting it represents a transitional stage during recovery.
Article
Paleontology
Hans-Dieter Sues, Rainer R. Schoch
Summary: Micromenodon pitti is a newly described sphenodontian reptile with unique facial features and dentition suited for processing hard arthropod exoskeletons and snail shells. It is classified as an early-diverging sphenodontian with fully acrodont tooth implantation.
JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephan N. F. Spiekman, Nicholas C. Fraser, Torsten M. Scheyer
Summary: The study reveals that Protorosauria is a polyphyletic clade with uncertain relationships among various taxa within the archosauromorph lineage. The new phylogenetic hypothesis includes a wide range of archosauromorphs, with a comprehensive sample of protorosaurs as well as previously unassessed taxa from the eastern Tethys margin. The term Protorosauria is suggested to be abandoned, Tanystropheidae is identified as a monophyletic group, and a new archosauromorph clade Dinocephalosauridae is proposed including Dinocephalosaurus orientalis and Pectodens zhenyuensis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin-Ying Ma, Guang-Hui Xu, Bing-He Geng
Summary: Neopterygii is a taxonomically diverse clade of ray-finned fishes, including the stem group of large-sized neopterygians, Colobodontidae, which has been discovered to have a more rapid diversification than previously thought. The new species, Feroxichthys panzhouensis sp. nov., shows unique features and a body form that suggests an adaptation to structurally complex habitats. Additionally, the findings provide important insights into the morphological and ecological diversity of neopterygian fishes in the Triassic marine ecosystems of South China.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bryan M. Gee, Aaron M. Kufner
Summary: Metoposaurids are large-bodied temnospondyls found in non-marine Late Triassic deposits across northern Pangea. The taxonomy of some species is still unclear, leading to the establishment of a new genus. The phylogeny of the Metoposauridae is labile, posing challenges to understanding their evolutionary history.
Article
Geology
Gabriele Bindellini, Cristiano Dal Sasso
Summary: This study describes the skeletal remains of the enigmatic marine reptile Helveticosaurus zollingeri from the Middle Triassic period, as well as a tooth from Italian outcrops. CT scanning and digital modeling were used to examine the morphology and determine the stratigraphic position. The study also includes a phylogenetic analysis and discussion on the swimming mode of Helveticosaurus.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guang-Hui Xu
Summary: This study reports the discovery of a new species of Peltoperleidus in Yunnan, China, extending the genus's geological range by approximately two million years and marking its first record in Asia. The new species is proposed to be a small-sized durophagous predator and a new family, Peltoperleididae, is suggested for the genus. Comparative studies with European relatives provide new insights into the origin and distribution of this taxon.