scholarly journals Sphenofontis velserae gen. et sp. nov., a new rhynchocephalian from the Late Jurassic of Brunn (Solnhofen Archipelago, southern Germany)

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11363
Author(s):  
Andrea Villa ◽  
Roel Montie ◽  
Martin Röper ◽  
Monika Rothgaenger ◽  
Oliver W.M. Rauhut
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Skeletal Morphology ◽  
Southern Germany ◽  
Single Well ◽  
History Of

The Solnhofen Archipelago is well known for its fossil vertebrates of Late Jurassic age, among which figure numerous rhynchocephalian specimens, representing at least six and up to nine genera. A new taxon, named Sphenofontis velserae gen. et sp. nov., increases rhynchocephalian diversity in the Solnhofen Archipelago and is herein described based on a single, well-preserved specimen originating from the Late Kimmeridgian of the Brunn quarry, near Regensburg. The exquisite preservation of the holotype allowed a detailed description of the animal, revealing a skeletal morphology that includes both plesiomorphic and derived features within rhynchocephalians. Sphenofontis is herein referred to Neosphenodontia and tentatively to sphenodontine sphenodontids. It notably differs from all other rhynchocephalians known from the Jurassic of Europe, showing instead closer resemblance with the Middle Jurassic Cynosphenodon from Mexico and especially the extant Sphenodon. This is evidence for a wide distribution of taxa related to the extant tuatara early in the Mesozoic, and also for the presence of less-specialized rhynchocephalians coexisting with more derived forms during the earliest time in the history of the Solnhofen Archipelago.

scholarly journals A new stem turtle from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland: new insights into the evolution and palaeoecology of basal turtles

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 879-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Paul M Barrett ◽  
Marc E.H Jones ◽  
Scott Moore-Fay ◽  
Susan E Evans
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Crown Group ◽  
History Of ◽  
Isle Of Skye

The discovery of a new stem turtle from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) deposits of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, sheds new light on the early evolutionary history of Testudinata. Eileanchelys waldmani gen. et sp. nov. is known from cranial and postcranial material of several individuals and represents the most complete Middle Jurassic turtle described to date, bridging the morphological gap between basal turtles from the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and crown-group turtles that diversify during the Late Jurassic. A phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon within the stem group of Testudines (crown-group turtles) and suggests a sister-group relationship between E. waldmani and Heckerochelys romani from the Middle Jurassic of Russia. Moreover, E. waldmani also demonstrates that stem turtles were ecologically diverse, as it may represent the earliest known aquatic turtle.

The first metriorhynchoid crocodyliform from the Aalenian (Middle Jurassic) of Germany, with implications for the evolution of Metriorhynchoidea

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Aiglstorfer ◽  
Philipe Havlik ◽  
Yanina Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Southern Germany ◽  
Puzzle Piece ◽  
Character Distribution ◽  
History Of

Abstract Thalattosuchia, a clade of Mesozoic aquatic crocodyliforms, were the only archosaurs that ever became fully adapted to marine ecosystems. They are represented by two clades, the semiaquatic teleosauroids and the metriorhynchoids, which include fully pelagic forms. So far, little is known on the early evolutionary history of Metriorhynchoidea and data are sparse, especially from the early Middle Jurassic. Opisuchus meieri gen. et sp. nov. a metriorhynchoid crocodyliform from the early Aalenian (early Middle Jurassic) of southern Germany, is described here. It is one of the most complete specimens of a non-metriorhynchid metriorhynchoid, and the best-preserved thalattosuchian described from the Aalenian. The new taxon is represented by a nearly complete skull, which has a unique combination of characters distinguishing it from other species of Metriorhynchoidea. It displays a mosaic of plesiomorphic and apomorphic morphological features that sheds new light on early metriorhynchoid evolution. This taxon is an important puzzle piece, which will help to better track the mosaic character distribution in Thalattosuchia.

scholarly journals A new stem turtle from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland: new insights into the evolution and palaeoecology of basal turtles

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Paul M. Barrett ◽  
Marc E. H. Jones ◽  
Scott Moore-Fay ◽  
Susan E. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Crown Group ◽  
History Of ◽  
Isle Of Skye

The discovery of a new stem turtle from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) deposits of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, sheds new light on the early evolutionary history of Testudinata. Eileanchelys waldmani gen. et sp. nov. is known from cranial and postcranial material of several individuals and represents the most complete Middle Jurassic turtle described to date, bridging the morphological gap between basal turtles from the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and crown-group turtles that diversify during the Late Jurassic. A phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon within the stem group of Testudines (crown-group turtles) and suggests a sister-group relationship between E. waldmani and Heckerochelys romani from the Middle Jurassic of Russia. Moreover, E. waldmani also demonstrates that stem turtles were ecologically diverse, as it may represent the earliest known aquatic turtle.

First records of Somalinautilus (Cephalopoda: Nautiloidea) from the Jurassic of Southern Germany – inferences for trans-provincial migrations

2020 ◽  
Vol 298 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Günter Schweigert
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Southern Germany ◽  
First Time ◽  
Lower Kimmeridgian ◽  
Lower Bathonian

The Late Jurassic nautiloid Somalinautilus antiquus (Dacqué, 1910), previously only known by the holotype from Lower Kimmeridgian strata of Ethiopia, is reported from the Lower Kimmeridgian (Platynota Zone) of Southern Germany. This unexpected record largely expands the known geographic distribution of this species. Another species of Somalinautilus, S. clavifer Tintant , 1994, is recorded for the first time from the Middle Jurassic (Lower Bathonian, Zigzag Zone) of Southern Germany. A short stratigraphic and palaeogeographic review of Somalinautilus occurrences is provided. Faunal migrations of nautiloids over large distances were probably triggered by sea- level highstands and/or palaeocurrents.

scholarly journals Mesozoic Intracontinental Orogeny in the Tectonic History of the Kolyvan’– Tomsk Folded Zone (Southern Siberia): a Synthesis of Geological Data and results of Apatite Fission Track Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1006-1020
Author(s):  
F.I. Zhimulev ◽  
E.V. Vetrov ◽  
I.S. Novikov ◽  
G. Van Ranst ◽  
S. Nachtergaele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Fission Track ◽  
Early Jurassic ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Apatite Fission Track ◽  
History Of ◽  
Paleozoic Rocks ◽  
Orogenic Events

Abstract —The Kolyvan’–Tomsk folded zone (KTFZ) is a late Permian collisional orogen in the northwestern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Mesozoic history of the KTFZ area includes Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous orogenic events. The earlier event produced narrow deep half-ramp basins filled with Early–Middle Jurassic molasse south of the KTFZ, and the later activity rejuvenated the Tomsk thrust fault, whereby the KTFZ Paleozoic rocks were thrust over the Early–Middle Jurassic basin sediments. The Mesozoic orogenic events induced erosion and the ensuing exposure of granitoids (Barlak complex) that were emplaced in a within-plate context after the Permian collisional orogeny. Both events were most likely associated with ocean closure, i.e., the Paleothetys Ocean in the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The apatite fission track (AFT) ages of granitoids from the Ob’ complex in the KTFZ range between ~120 and 100 Ma (the Aptian and the Albian). The rocks with Early Cretaceous AFT ages were exhumed as a result of denudation and peneplanation of the Early Cretaceous orogeny, which produced a vast Late Cretaceous–Paleogene planation surface. The tectonic pattern of the two orogenic events, although being different in details, generally inherited the late Paleozoic primary collisional structure of the Kolyvan’–Tomsk zone.

scholarly journals The first definitive Middle Jurassic atoposaurid (Crocodylomorpha, Neosuchia), and a discussion on the genus Theriosuchus

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark T. Young ◽  
Jonathan Tennant ◽  
Stephen L. Brusatte ◽  
Thomas J. Challands ◽  
Nicholas C. Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
History Of ◽  
Isle Of Skye ◽  
Broad Scale

Atoposaurids were a clade of semiaquatic crocodyliforms known from the Late Jurassic to the latest Cretaceous. Tentative remains from Europe, Morocco, and Madagascar may extend their range into the Middle Jurassic. Here we report the first unambiguous Middle Jurassic (late Bajocian–Bathonian) atoposaurid: an anterior dentary from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK. A comprehensive review of atoposaurid specimens demonstrates that this dentary can be referred to Theriosuchus based on several derived characters, and differs from the five previously recognized species within this genus. Despite several diagnostic features, we conservatively refer it to Theriosuchus sp., pending the discovery of more complete material. As the oldest known definitively diagnostic atoposaurid, this discovery indicates that the oldest members of this group were small-bodied, had heterodont dentition, and were most likely widespread components of European faunas. Our review of mandibular and dental features in atoposaurids not only allows us to present a revised diagnosis of Theriosuchus, but also reveals a great amount of variability within this genus, and indicates that there are currently five valid species that can be differentiated by unique combinations of dental characteristics. This variability can be included in future broad-scale cladistics analyses of atoposaurids and closely related crocodyliforms, which promise to help untangle the complicated taxonomy and evolutionary history of Atoposauridae.

The Mesozoic scleractinian genus Adelocoenia (Stylinidae) and its Jurassic species

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 367-406
Author(s):  
Bernard Lathuilière ◽  
Rosemarie C. Baron-Szabo ◽  
Sylvain Charbonnier ◽  
Jean-Michel Pacaud
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Single Specimen ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Distributional Patterns ◽  
Taxonomic History ◽  
Combined Features ◽  
History Of

The genus Adelocoenia ORBIGNY, 1849, is revised and a neotype is designated for its type species Astrea castellum MICHELIN, 1844. For various reasons that lie in the taxonomic history of scleractinian corals, it has become a difficult task to reliably assign Mesozoic corals having the combined features of plocoid corallite integration and the absence of a columella. Therefore, many such genera are in need of revision, one of which is Adelocoenia. In addition to the revision of the type species, Jurassic species grouped within Adelocoenia are revised using type material when it was possible. Many new synonymies are proposed based mainly on characters such as symmetry and dimensions of skeletal features. Another consequence is that most species previously grouped with Pseudocoenia ORBIGNY are transferred to Adelocoenia. Furthermore, we present a clarified view of the paleogeographical and stratigraphical distributional patterns of the genus Adelocoenia, according to which Adelocoenia had its first appearance during the Early Jurassic, represented by a single specimen known from the Sinemurian of France. Subsequently, this genus had a significant increase in both distribution and diversity during the Middle Jurassic. The pinnacle of its success followed in the Late Jurassic during which Adelocoenia had its greatest morphological disparity and taxonomical diversity, and its largest geographical distribution. The genus survived in the Cretaceous record. Throughout its history, Adelocoenia predominantly occurred in inner platform environments that were located in low latitudes.

scholarly journals Probable basal allosauroid from the early Middle Jurassic Cañadón Asfalto Formation of Argentina highlights phylogenetic uncertainty in tetanuran theropod dinosaurs

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver W. M. Rauhut ◽  
Diego Pol
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Rapid Radiation ◽  
Theropod Dinosaurs ◽  
Extinction Event ◽  
The Common ◽  
Early Radiation

AbstractTetanurae, the most successful clade of theropod dinosaurs, including modern birds, split into three major clades early in their evolutionary history: Megalosauroidea, Coelurosauria, and Allosauroidea. The oldest tetanurans occur in the earliest Middle Jurassic, but the early fossil record of the clade is still poor. Here we report one of the oldest known and most complete pre-Late Jurassic tetanuran, the probable allosauroid Asfaltovenator vialidadi gen. et sp. nov., which has an unusual character combination, uniting features currently considered to be apomorphic of different tetanuran lineages. A phylogenetic analysis resulted in a monophyletic Carnosauria (Allosauroidea + Megalosauroidea), and the inclusion of the new taxon significantly changes topology within carnosaurs. The analysis shows concentrated homoplasy in proximal nodes at the base of Tetanurae, and a temporal peak at the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction event, recently identified as a potential driver of tetanuran radiation. These results highlight the complex morphological evolution in the early radiation of tetanuran theropods, in which convergences and parallelisms were extremely common. This pattern seems to be a common feature in rapid radiation events of major clades of vertebrates and might explain the common difficulties to unravel phylogenetic relationships of important lineages at the base of major clades.

The skeletal morphology of the solemydid turtleNaomichelys speciosafrom the Early Cretaceous of Texas

2014 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1257-1287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter G. Joyce ◽  
Juliana Sterli ◽  
Sandra D. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Posterior Margin ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Ventral View ◽  
Skeletal Morphology ◽  
History Of

The fossil record of solemydid turtles is primarily based on isolated fragments collected from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous sediments throughout North America and Europe and little is therefore known about the morphology and evolutionary history of the group. We here provide a detailed description of the only known near-complete solemydid skeleton, which was collected from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Antlers Formation of Texas during the mid-twentieth century, but essentially remains undescribed to date. Though comparison is limited, the skeleton is referred toNaomichelys speciosa, which is based on an isolated entoplastron from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Kootenai (Cloverly) Formation of Montana. The absence of temporal emarginations, contribution of the jugals to the orbits, and a clear subdivision of the middle and inner cavities, and the presence of elongate postorbitals, posteriorly expanded squamosals, a triangular fossa at the posterior margin of the squamosals, an additional pair of tubercula basioccipitale that is formed by the pterygoids, foramina pro ramo nervi vidiani (VII) that are visible in ventral view, shell sculpturing consisting of high tubercles, a large entoplastron with entoplastral scute, V-shaped anterior peripherals, and limb osteoderms with tubercular sculpture diagnoseNaomichelys speciosaas a representative of Solemydidae. The full visibility of the parabasisphenoid complex in ventral view, the presence of an expanded symphyseal shelf, and the unusual ventromedial folding of the coronoid process are the primary characteristics that distinguishNaomichelys speciosafrom the near-coeval European taxonHelochelydra nopcsai.

A new rhamphorhynchid (Pterosauria: Rhamphorhynchidae) from the Middle/Upper Jurassic of Qinglong, Hebei Province, China

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3158 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUNCHANG LÜ ◽  
DAVID M. UNWIN ◽  
BO ZHAO ◽  
CHUNLING GAO ◽  
CAIZHI SHEN
Keyword(s):  
Late Jurassic ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Hebei Province ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Skeletal Morphology ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Distal Process ◽  
Nasal Process

A heavily compressed, but nearly complete fossil skeleton recovered from the Middle/Upper Jurassic Tiaojishan Forma-tion of Mutoudeng, Qinglong County, Hebei Province, China, represents a new genus and species of long-tailed pterosaur,Qinglongopterus guoi gen. et sp. nov. The holotype and only known specimen has an estimated forelimb length of 0.18m. The new taxon is distinguished by a relatively short skull, a remarkably short pteroid with a distinctive knob-like distalexpansion, and a prepubis with a relatively slender distal process. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that Qinglongopter-us is a member of Rhamphorhynchidae, exhibiting many of the unique character states found in members of this clade.Qinglongopterus is strikingly similar to Rhamphorhynchus and more closely related to this taxon than to any other rham-phorhynchine, this pairing is supported by morphometric data and several synapomorphies (short, broad nasal process ofthe maxilla; forelimb length more than four times that of the hind limb; wing-phalanx one more than twice the length ofthe tibia). Qinglongopterus demonstrates that the highly derived skeletal morphology of Rhamphorhynchus, known onlyfrom the latest Jurassic (Tithonian) of Europe, had already appeared by the start of the Late Jurassic. This hints at evolu-tionary stasis in Rhamphorhynchinae, a phenomenon seemingly also present in two other clades of basal pterosaurs,Anurognathidae and Scaphognathinae, and contrasting sharply with basal monofenestratans which appear to have undergone extensive evolutionary change during the same interval.

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