scholarly journals The postcranial skeleton of the erythrosuchid archosauriform Garjainia prima from the Early Triassic of European Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 201089
Author(s):  
Susannah C. R. Maidment ◽  
Andrey G. Sennikov ◽  
Martín D. Ezcurra ◽  
Emma M. Dunne ◽  
David J. Gower ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Middle Triassic ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time

Erythrosuchidae were large-bodied, quadrupedal, predatory archosauriforms that dominated the hypercarnivorous niche in the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. Garjainia , one of the oldest members of the clade, is known from the late Olenekian of European Russia. The holotype of Garjainia prima comprises a well-preserved skull, but highly incomplete postcranium. Recent taxonomic reappraisal demonstrates that material from a bone bed found close to the type locality, previously referred to as ‘ Vjushkovia triplicostata ', is referable to G. prima. At least, seven individuals comprising cranial remains and virtually the entire postcranium are represented, and we describe this material in detail for the first time. An updated phylogenetic analysis confirms previous results that a monophyletic Garjainia is the sister taxon to a clade containing Erythrosuchus, Shansisuchus and Chalishevia . Muscle scars on many limb elements are clear, allowing reconstruction of the proximal locomotor musculature. We calculate the body mass of G. prima to have been 147–248 kg, similar to that of an adult male lion. Large body size in erythrosuchids may have been attained as part of a trend of increasing body size after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction and allowed erythrosuchids to become the dominant carnivores of the Early and Middle Triassic.

scholarly journals Footprints pull origin and diversification of dinosaur stem lineage deep into Early Triassic

2010 ◽  
Vol 278 (1708) ◽  
pp. 1107-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Brusatte ◽  
Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki ◽  
Richard J. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Middle Triassic ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Evolutionary Radiation ◽  
Stem Lineage ◽  
Early Middle Triassic

The ascent of dinosaurs in the Triassic is an exemplary evolutionary radiation, but the earliest phase of dinosaur history remains poorly understood. Body fossils of close dinosaur relatives are rare, but indicate that the dinosaur stem lineage (Dinosauromorpha) originated by the latest Anisian ( ca 242–244 Ma). Here, we report footprints from the Early–Middle Triassic of Poland, stratigraphically well constrained and identified using a conservative synapomorphy-based approach, which shifts the origin of the dinosaur stem lineage back to the Early Olenekian ( ca 249–251 Ma), approximately 5–9 Myr earlier than indicated by body fossils, earlier than demonstrated by previous footprint records, and just a few million years after the Permian/Triassic mass extinction (252.3 Ma). Dinosauromorph tracks are rare in all Polish assemblages, suggesting that these animals were minor faunal components. The oldest tracks are quadrupedal, a morphology uncommon among the earliest dinosauromorph body fossils, but bipedality and moderately large body size had arisen by the Early Anisian ( ca 246 Ma). Integrating trace fossils and body fossils demonstrates that the rise of dinosaurs was a drawn-out affair, perhaps initiated during recovery from the Permo-Triassic extinction.

A new species of the subgenus Scheloribates (Topobates) (Acari: Oribatida: Scheloribatidae) from Panama

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-283
Author(s):  
S.G. Ermilov
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

The oribatid mite subgenus Scheloribates (Topobates) Grandjean, 1958, is recorded from the Neotropical region for the first time. A new species of this subgenus is described from the leaf litter collected in Cayo Agua Island, Panama. Scheloribates (Topobates) panamaensis sp. nov. differs from its related species by the very large body size and presence of a strong ventrodistal process on the leg femora II–IV.

scholarly journals New records of ring nematodes, Bakernema enormese n. sp. and Criconema (Nothocriconemella) graminicola Loof, Wouts & Yeates, 1997 (Nematoda: Criconematidae) from natural forests of Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Ngoc Chau
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
New Records ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
The Body ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Stylet Length ◽  
North Vietnam

Bakernema enormese sp. n., collected from rhizosphere of forest wood trees in Muong Phang, Dien Bien Province (north Vietnam) is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by large body size and stylet. In general, this new species is close to two existing species of the same genus, B. inaequale and B. dauniense by cuticle structure in transparent membranous projections which appear in lateral view as spine-like structures on each annulus. These structure arranged into several rows along the body. In morphology, the new species differs from B. inaequale and B. dauniense  by body and stylet length, i.e. 609–842 µm and 143.5–150 µm vs. 391–578 µm and 59–74 µm for B. inaequale and vs. 391–461 µm and 65–74 µm for B. dauniense. In addition, new species can be distinguished from B. inaequale by the longer membranous projection, 8–12 vs. 6–10 µm and vagina shape, curved vs. sigmoid. From B. dauniense, the new species differs by the much longer membranous projection, 8–12 vs. 1.4–2.2 µm and less number annules between vulva and tail end (RV), 3–4 vs. 7.8 annules. The presence of Criconema (Nothocriconemella) graminicola Loof, Wouts & Yeates, in Vietnam with morphometrics, illustrators and remarks given.

scholarly journals Cranial anatomy and taxonomy of the erythrosuchid archosauriform ‘Vjushkovia triplicostata’ Huene, 1960, from the Early Triassic of European Russia

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 191289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Butler ◽  
Andrey G. Sennikov ◽  
Emma M. Dunne ◽  
Martin D. Ezcurra ◽  
Brandon P. Hedrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Triassic ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Apex Predators ◽  
Comprehensive Description ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
First Time ◽  
Globally Distributed

Erythrosuchidae are a globally distributed and important group of apex predators that occupied Early and Middle Triassic terrestrial ecosystems following the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. The stratigraphically oldest known genus of Erythrosuchidae is Garjainia Ochev, 1958, which is known from the late Early Triassic (late Olenekian) of European Russia and South Africa. Two species of Garjainia have been reported from Russia: the type species, Garjainia prima Ochev, 1958, and ‘ Vjushkovia triplicostata ’ von Huene, 1960, which has been referred to Garjainia as either congeneric ( Garjainia triplicostata ) or conspecific ( G. prima ). The holotype of G. prima has received relatively extensive study, but little work has been conducted on type or referred material attributed to ‘ V. triplicostata ’. However, this material includes well-preserved fossils representing all parts of the skeleton and comprises seven individuals. Here, we provide a comprehensive description and review of the cranial anatomy of material attributed to ‘ V. triplicostata ’, and draw comparisons with G. prima . We conclude that the two Russian taxa are indeed conspecific, and that minor differences between them result from a combination of preservation or intraspecific variation. Our reassessment therefore provides additional information on the cranial anatomy of G. prima . Moreover, we quantify relative head size in erythrosuchids and other early archosauromorphs in an explicit phylogenetic context for the first time. Our results show that erythrosuchids do indeed appear to have disproportionately large skulls, but that this is also true for other early archosauriforms (i.e. proterosuchids), and may reflect the invasion of hypercarnivorous niches by these groups following the Permo-Triassic extinction.

scholarly journals Siphonophoridae from Brazilian Amazonia Part 1 – The genus Columbianum Verhoeff, 1941 (Diplopoda, Siphonophorida)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Read ◽  
Henrik Enghoff
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
Small Body Size ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Small Head ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Seasonally Flooded

A large sample of Siphonophoridae from Brazil was studied; two morphological groups could be distinguished. Here species considered to be from the genus Columbianum Verhoeff, 1941 are examined in detail. The genus is known from Central and South America (Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Guiana, Colombia, Peru and Brazil) and is characterised by a clear demarcation between head and rostrum in combination with long antennae, clearly surpassing the tip of the rostrum. A list of previously described species considered to belong to the genus is given; three new species are described: C. major sp. nov. has a large body size and a small head, C. nahvalr sp. nov. has a particularly pronounced domed head and a more castellated appearance to the body, C. adisi sp. nov. has a small body size and a very characteristic hind margin to the pleurites. Variation in the state of preservation of specimens hinders a diagnosis, but the examination of the accessory claw and details of the metazonital limbus and pleurite edges are helpful. Unusually for Diplopoda, the male gonopods are not very useful for identification. Ecological comments are given for each new species, one of which, C. adisi sp. nov., is from the seasonally flooded forest and appears to avoid inundation by climbing trees.

The imaginal and detailed nymphal characters of Cincticostella fusca (Kang & Yang, 1995) (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4729 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEI ZHANG ◽  
NA HAN ◽  
MIN ZHANG ◽  
YIN-FANG WANG ◽  
CHANG-FA ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
First Time

Among the 17 known species of the genus Cincticostella, only five of them have been reported as both nymphs and imagoes, which does not include the Chinese species C. fusca Kang et Yang (1995). Here the nymphs are redescribed and reared imagoes are reported for the first time, based on material collected from southeastern China. Morphologically, the nymph is unique because of its large body size, expanded genae, pale median stripe on the anterior of the head, and dark tarsi. The male imago can be differentiated from congeners by its large body size, pigmented forewings, and the mesothoracic scutellum having a pair of membranous lamellae. More importantly, its penes are distinct, being fused for most of their length and having complex ventral projections. Adults emerge in early spring (March to April). 

scholarly journals A fungal parasite selects against body size but not fluctuating asymmetry in Swiss subalpine yellow dung flies

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Wolf U. Blanckenhorn
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
Female Size ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Scathophaga Stercoraria ◽  
Evolutionary Response ◽  
Study Population

Evidence for selective disadvantages of large body size remains scarce in general. Previous studies of the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria have demonstrated strong positive sexual and fecundity selection on male and female size. Nevertheless, the body size of flies from a Swiss study population has declined by ~10% 1993–2009. Given substantial heritability of body size, this negative evolutionary response of an evidently positively selected trait suggests important selective factors being missed. An episodic epidemic outbreak of the fungus Entomophthora scatophagae permitted assessment of natural selection exerted by this fatal parasite. Fungal infection varied over the season from ~50% in the cooler and more humid spring and autumn to almost 0% in summer. The probability of dying from fungal infection increased with adult fly body size. Females never laid any eggs after infection, so there was no fungus effect on female fecundity beyond its impact on mortality. Large males showed their typical mating advantage in the field, but this positive sexual selection was nullified by fungal infection. Mean fluctuating asymmetry of paired appendages (legs, wings) did not affect the viability, fecundity or mating success of yellow dung flies in the field. This study documents rare parasite-mediated disadvantages of large-sized flies in the field. Reduced ability to combat parasites such as Entomophthora may be an immunity cost of large body size in dung flies, although the hypothesized trade-off between fluctuating asymmetry, a presumed indicator of developmental instability and environmental stress, and immunocompetence was not found here.

scholarly journals New records of ring nematodes, Bakernema enormese n. sp. and Criconema (Nothocriconemella) graminicola Loof, Wouts & Yeates, 1997 (Nematoda: Criconematidae) from natural forests of Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Ngoc Chau
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
New Records ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
The Body ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Stylet Length ◽  
North Vietnam

Bakernema enormese sp. n., collected from rhizosphere of forest wood trees in Muong Phang, Dien Bien Province (north Vietnam) is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by large body size and stylet. In general, this new species is close to two existing species of the same genus, B. inaequale and B. dauniense by cuticle structure in transparent membranous projections which appear in lateral view as spine-like structures on each annulus. These structure arranged into several rows along the body. In morphology, the new species differs from B. inaequale and B. dauniense  by body and stylet length, i.e. 609–842 µm and 143.5–150 µm vs. 391–578 µm and 59–74 µm for B. inaequale and vs. 391–461 µm and 65–74 µm for B. dauniense. In addition, new species can be distinguished from B. inaequale by the longer membranous projection, 8–12 vs. 6–10 µm and vagina shape, curved vs. sigmoid. From B. dauniense, the new species differs by the much longer membranous projection, 8–12 vs. 1.4–2.2 µm and less number annules between vulva and tail end (RV), 3–4 vs. 7.8 annules. The presence of Criconema (Nothocriconemella) graminicola Loof, Wouts & Yeates, in Vietnam with morphometrics, illustrators and remarks given.

An Exploration of Perception of Body Boundary, Personal Space, and Body Size in Elderly Persons

1979 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Personal Space ◽  
The Body ◽  
Simulation Technique ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Small Body Size ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Body Boundary

A study of 108 elderly persons using the Body Distortion Questionnaire and the personal space simulation technique test did not support hypotheses that elderly persons with a large personal space will have a larger distortion of body boundary, a larger perception of large body size, a smaller perception of small body size, a larger distortion of body size, and a larger body distortion than elderly persons with a small personal space. The analyses with one-tail t tests showed elderly persons with a small personal space have a larger perception of large body size and a larger distortion of body size than elderly persons with a large personal space. When the extremes of personal space were used the results were the same. Males have a larger personal space and greater distortion of skin perceptions than females.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Hypoxia Limits Selection for Large Body Size in Insects

PLoS ONE ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e3876 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Jaco Klok ◽  
Jon F. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Selection For
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