Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guang-Hui Xu, Qing-Hua Shang, Wei Wang, Yi Ren, Hong Lei, Jun-Ling Liao, Li-Jun Zhao, Chun Li
Summary: A new pachypleurosaurid, Luopingosaurus, with a long snout and hyperphalangy in the manus, is discovered in China, providing new insights into the evolution and biogeography of this group. The reduction of hyoid length to mandibular length ratio and the increase of snout length in pachypleurosauroids suggest a gradual recession of suction feeding. Phylogenetic analysis supports a western Tethyan origin for this family.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laurent Marivaux, Francisco R. Negri, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Narla S. Stutz, Fabien L. Condamine, Leonardo Kerber, Francois Pujos, Roberto Ventura Santos, Andre M. V. Alvim, Annie S. Hsiou, Marcos C. Bissaro Jr, Karen Adami-Rodrigues, Ana Maria Ribeiro
Summary: Recent fossil discoveries in Western Amazonia suggest that three clades of anthropoid primates from Africa colonized South America during the Eocene/Oligocene transition. This study introduces a new primate taxon, Ashaninkacebus simpsoni, with dental affinities to Asian African stem anthropoids. It is proposed that Afro-Arabia served as a biogeographic stopover between South Asia and South America for these primates, facilitated by intense flooding events associated with the late middle Eocene climatic optimum.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Ruoyu Bai, Haijun Song, Michael J. Benton, Li Tian
Summary: This study presents a cladistic analysis of Early Triassic conodonts to reexamine the systematic classification and evolutionary relationships of the families Anchignathodontidae, Ellisonidae, and Gondolellidae. The results support the reassignment of Ellisonia agordina and Neospathodus planus, and suggest potential changes in the classification of Parafurnishius and Furnishius. The cladogram provides a solid phylogenetic foundation for further investigation of conodont systematic classification and evolutionary rates during the Early Triassic.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
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
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rodrigo T. Muller
Summary: The early evolution of theropod dinosaurs remains poorly understood. A newly named dinosaur, Erythrovenator jacuiensis, from Triassic deposits in Brazil, represents one of the oldest theropods globally, with unique features shedding light on early theropod characteristics and enriching our understanding of the faunal content in the assemblage.
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Carina Hoorn, Lucia G. Lohmann, Lydian M. Boschman, Fabien L. Condamine
Summary: The Amazon is one of the largest and richest rainforests in the world, but its origins are still debated. Geological factors and history appear to have played a crucial role in shaping its flora. Fossil records and phylogenies of Amazonian plant clades indicate changes in composition and diversity over time, possibly influenced by environmental and climatic changes. The Amazon forest represents a significant biodiversity hotspot, and further multidisciplinary studies are needed to fully understand its evolution.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Sterling J. Nesbitt, Emily Patellos, Christian F. Kammerer, Lovasoa Ranivoharimanana, Andre R. Wyss, John J. Flynn
Summary: The study investigates the early avemetatarsalians and their common ancestor's morphology, but is limited by a lack of fossil records. A newly discovered early-diverging avemetatarsalian from Madagascar helps fill in these gaps. The specimen indicates that osteoderms were present in the earliest avemetatarsalians but were lost in later lineages, shedding light on the coexistence of non-dinosaurian avemetatarsalian clades during the Middle-Late Triassic transition in Gondwana.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kazim Halaclar, Ayla Sevim Erol, Tolga Koroglu, Paul Rummy, Tao Deng, Serdar Mayda
Summary: The corakyerler fossil locality in Anatolia reveals unique faunal elements. This study introduces Hystrix kayae sp. nov., a new Late Miocene porcupine initially classified as Hystrix sp. Yavuz et al., 2018. This finding expands our knowledge of Late Miocene Anatolian porcupines, bringing the total number of known species to three.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Micheli Stefanello, Agustin G. Martinelli, Rodrigo T. Muller, Sergio Dias-da-Silva, Leonardo Kerber
Summary: This article describes a Triassic cynodont species called Prozostrodon brasiliensis, which is important in studying the emergence of mammalian characters. The analysis of a well-preserved skull of Pr. brasiliensis reveals the existence of a new South American cynodont clade called Prozostrodontidae, which is on the stem lineage of mammals.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Stephan N. F. Spiekman
Summary: Crocodylomorpha is the stem-lineage of modern crocodylians that survived the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction event. Saltoposuchus connectens is one of the first described crocodylomorph species but its taxonomy has been contentious. In this study, additional specimens of Saltoposuchus are described in detail, its taxonomy is revised, and its relationship with other crocodylomorphs is investigated.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
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.
Review
Statistics & Probability
Adam Jaeger, David Banks
Summary: This review article focuses on hierarchical agglomerative clustering, k-means clustering, mixture models, and several related topics in cluster analysis. Clustering has proven to be an incredibly useful exploratory data analysis tool in various fields.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-COMPUTATIONAL STATISTICS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Jiri Kolibac, Milada Bocakova, James K. Liebherr, Thiboult Ramage, Nick Porch
Summary: A new subgenus, Polynesibroides subgen. nov., was established for potentially extinct beetles, and a detailed time-scaled phylogeny of the Cleroidea superfamily was presented. The study inferred a Neotropical origin for Parallelodera and Polynesibroides based on morphological analysis of Pacific trogossitids.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Alessandro Urciuoli, David M. Alba
Summary: Hominoids diverged from cercopithecoids during the Oligocene in Afro-Arabia, radiated in Africa, and subsequently dispersed into Eurasia. The geographic range of hominoids progressively shrank from the Late Miocene onward, except for hominins that spread out of Africa during the Pleistocene. Uncertainties remain regarding the phylogeny and paleobiogeography of Miocene apes due to sparse fossil record, homoplasy, and decimated current diversity.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Thiago S. Fachini, Pedro L. Godoy, Julio C. A Marsola, Felipe C. Montefeltro, Max C. Langer
Summary: Most crocodyliforms in the Bauru Group are found in rocks of the Adamantina Formation, but the younger Manila Formation has very few such fossils. In this study, a large skull roof, labeled MPMA 02-0005/87, was found in the Marilia Formation deposits of the Monte Alto area and is assigned to a new crocodyliform species. Despite fragmented and puzzling characteristics, the new taxon shows enough distinguishing features to be placed outside of the previously known crocodyliform group, Notosuchia. Phylogenetic analysis using two data matrices confirms its position within the Neosuchia and Eusuchia groups. The size and possible neosuchian affinity of the specimen suggest a potential semi-aquatic behavior, which is rare among the predominantly terrestrial crocodyliforms of the Bauru Group.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Micheli Stefanello, Agustin G. Martinelli, Rodrigo T. Muller, Sergio Dias-da-Silva, Leonardo Kerber
Summary: This article describes a Triassic cynodont species called Prozostrodon brasiliensis, which is important in studying the emergence of mammalian characters. The analysis of a well-preserved skull of Pr. brasiliensis reveals the existence of a new South American cynodont clade called Prozostrodontidae, which is on the stem lineage of mammals.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Matias Soto, Rafael Delcourt, Max C. Langer, Daniel Perea
Summary: A well-preserved and incomplete tooth from the Late Jurassic Tacuarembo Formation in Uruguay is identified as belonging to the Abelisauridae family, marking the first record of abelisaurids in Uruguay and one of the few Jurassic findings of this group globally. The discovery also reveals a diverse Late Jurassic theropod assemblage, consisting of abelisaurids, ceratosaurids, and megalosaurines.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Tito Aureliano, Aline M. M. Ghilardi, Rodrigo T. Mueller, Leonardo Kerber, Marcelo A. A. Fernandes, Fresia Ricardi-Branco, Mathew J. J. Wedel
Summary: One of the most remarkable features in sauropod dinosaurs is their pneumatized skeletons with an air sac system. This study presents the oldest evidence of an invasive air sac system in a dinosaur, the unaysaurid sauropodomorph Macrocollum itaquii from the Late Triassic. The study also describes a new type of pneumatic tissue and challenges the previous hypothesis on the evolution of skeletal pneumatization.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Gabriela M. M. Cerqueira, Rodrigo T. T. Muller, Felipe L. L. Pinheiro
Summary: This study reconstructed the phylogenetic position of 'Tu. deliradamus' for the first time, confirming it as a member of Tapejarinae within the pterosaur order. It also found that 'Tu. deliradamus' is closely related to 'Caupedactylus ybaka', challenging its previous classification. However, due to the fragmentary nature of the specimen, its species classification could not be reliably determined.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Anatomy & Morphology
Leonardo Kerber, Flavio A. Pretto, Rodrigo T. Muller
Summary: In this study, new lower jaw remains of Agudotherium gassenae were described and a phylogenetic investigation was conducted. The new specimen provided additional anatomical information, revealing the presence of four lower incisors in this species. The phylogenetic analysis positioned A. gassenae as the sister group of Prozostrodontia, which is different from the previous description of the taxon.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Debora Moro, Lisie Vitoria Soares Damke, Rodrigo Temp Mueller, Leonardo Kerber, Flavio Augusto Pretto
Summary: Buriolestes schultzi is a small sauropodomorph dinosaur that represents a key taxon in the initial evolution of Sauropodomorpha. A new specimen, found outside the type locality, shows a stouter build compared to other specimens of B. schultzi, indicating an unappreciated intraspecific variation in robustness among early sauropodomorphs.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Rodrigo T. Mueller, Mauricio S. Garcia, Fabiula P. Bem, Lisie V. S. Damke, Andre O. Fonseca, Atila A. S. Da-Rosa
Summary: The evolution of sauropodomorph dinosaurs, including Unaysaurus tolentinoi, is revealed by the Triassic beds in Brazil. We discovered a fossil of an immature individual that shares characteristics with the holotype of U. tolentinoi but is smaller in size, indicating its incomplete development. This new fossil expands the fossil record of U. tolentinoi and represents an additional juvenile dinosaur from the Caturrita Formation.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Gabriel Mestriner, Julio C. A. Marsola, Sterling J. Nesbitt, Atila Augusto Stock Da-Rosa, Max Langer
Summary: Recent discoveries and reassessments of silesaurids have provided insights into the origin and early evolution of dinosaurs and their relatives. However, these findings have been relatively limited in South America, a region that likely played a significant role in dinosaurian origins. This study describes disarticulated silesaurid remains from Brazil, providing new evidence of their presence during the Carnian period and suggesting a conservative anatomy among early dinosauromorphs.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo T. Muller, Martin D. Ezcurra, Mauricio S. Garcia, Federico L. Agnolin, Michelle R. Stocker, Fernando E. Novas, Marina B. Soares, Alexander W. A. Kellner, Sterling J. Nesbitt
Summary: Studying the well-preserved partial skeleton of Venetoraptor gassenae provides a more comprehensive understanding of the skull and ecology of dinosaur and pterosaur precursors. The discovery of a sharp raptorial-like beak and long trenchant claws suggests the loss of quadrupedalism in these precursors. The morphological diversity of these precursors exceeds that of Triassic dinosaurs and resembles that of Triassic pterosaurs.
Article
Biology
Fabiula Prestes de Bem, Rodrigo Temp Mueller
Summary: This study reports a discovery of early Norian dinosaur fossils in Brazil, which provides one of the best samples for understanding the origin of sauropodomorphs. The new specimen belongs to Macrocollum itaquii and shares unique anatomical features with other sauropodomorphs. The presence of Macrocollum itaquii at a specific site allows for biostratigraphic correlations and suggests the younger age of the fossil-bearing sites compared to previous findings.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bruna M. Farina, Pedro L. Godoy, Roger B. J. Benson, Max C. Langer, Gabriel S. Ferreira
Summary: There is no evidence for directional body size evolution in turtles, and paleotemperature does not significantly affect body size patterns. However, habitat preference does have a significant influence on turtle body size.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Martin D. Ezcurra, Rodrigo T. Mueller, Fernando E. Novas, Sankar Chatterjee
Summary: The Gondwana formations in Pranhita-Godavari Valley in central India contain fossils of early dinosaurs, providing important information for understanding dinosaur assemblages. Through detailed description of the anatomy of an early dinosaur, it is found that the dispersal of early sauropodomorph dinosaurs between the Southern Hemisphere and Europe may have occurred earlier than previously inferred.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Mauricio Silva Garcia, Sergio Furtado Cabreira, Lucio Roberto da Silva, Flavio Augusto Pretto, Rodrigo Temp Muller
Summary: A dinosaur fossil found at the Pivetta site in Southern Brazil is identified as belonging to the Herrerasauria group. The fossil shows similarities with non-herrerasaurid herrerasaurians previously known only from North American deposits. This discovery suggests a hidden diversity of dinosaurs in the Carnian rocks of the Candelaria Sequence, which have been underestimated.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)