scholarly journals New Bohaiornis-like bird from the Early Cretaceous of China: enantiornithine interrelationships and flight performance

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis M. Chiappe ◽  
Meng Qingjin ◽  
Francisco Serrano ◽  
Trond Sigurdsen ◽  
Wang Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Shoulder Girdle ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Northwestern China ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Flight Performance ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework

During the last decade, several Bohaiornis-like enantiornithine species—and numerous specimens—have been recognized from the celebrated Jehol Biota of northwestern China. In this paper, we describe the anatomy of another “bohaiornithid” species from the 125 million-year-old Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. The new taxon differs from previously recognized “bohaiornithids” on a number of characters from the forelimb and shoulder girdle. We also provide a new phylogenetic framework for enantiornithine birds, which questions the monophyly of the previously recognized bohaiornithid clade and highlights ongoing challenges for resolving enantiornithine interrelationships. Additionally, we offer the first assessment of the flight properties of Bohaiornis-like enantiornithines. Our results indicate that while “bohaiornithids” were morphologically suited for flying through continuous flapping, they would have been unable to sustain prolonged flights. Such findings expand the flight strategies previously known for enantiornithines and other early birds.

A new eucryptodiran turtle from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning, China

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2676 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHANG-FU ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Western Liaoning ◽  
The Third

A new eucryptodiran turtle from the Jiufotang Formation of Lamadong, Jianchang County, represents the third turtle taxon, Liaochelys jianchangensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Jehol Biota of western Liaoning Province, China. This taxon is diagnosed by a character combination including a midline contact of the prefrontals, vertebrals wider than long, third costals strongly expanded distally, and a medial contact of the eighth costals. A preliminary cladistic analysis places Liaochelys jianchangensis along the phylogenetic stem of Cryptodira in a position more derived than the taxa, Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis and Ordosemys liaoxiensis, known from the underlying Yixian Formation. This discovery opens a new window into the osteology and evolution of primitive eucryptodiran turtles.

A second specimen of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis Endo & Shikama, 1942 (Testudines: Eucryptodira) from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2534 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHANG-FU ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Western Liaoning ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Close Relationship

Within the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of China, the turtle Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis Endo & Shikama, 1942 was one of the first discovered tetrapod fossils, but no additional information on this enigmatic taxon has become available during the past half century since its discovery. Here, a new turtle skeleton from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning Province is identified as referable to M. manchoukuoensis on the basis of an elongate oval shell, long and narrow second to fourth vertebral scutes, and two suprapygals, of which the second is much larger than the first. This specimen therefore represents the second specimen of M. manchoukuoensis, the holotype of which was probably lost during World War II. This discovery not only provides essential material that allows the validity of M. manchoukuoensis to be tested, but also substantially expands understanding of its bony anatomy, especially with regard to cranial morphology. Among other features, M. manchoukuoensis is characterized by a postorbital that does not contact the quadrate/squamosal and a deep temporal emargination, which support a close relationship with Sinemys spp. and distinguish it from the co-existing Ordosemys liaoxiensis. A cladistic analysis that includes M. manchoukuoensis further supports the hypothesis that Sinemydidae is a monophyletic group that includes Sinemys spp. and Dracochelys bicuspis.

The first skiff beetle (Coleoptera: Myxophaga: Hydroscaphidae) from Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota

2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenyang Cai ◽  
Andrew E. Z. Short ◽  
Diying Huang
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Single Specimen ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
Aquatic Beetles

The first skiff beetle fossil and earliest myxophagan,Hydroscapha jeholensisn. sp., is described and illustrated on the basis of a single specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, Northeastern China. Based on the combination of diagnostic characters of this specimen (e.g., minute and fusiform body, short elytra, tapered abdomen, separated meso- and metacoxae, and 3-segmented tarsi), we suggest that it is a definitive representative of Hydroscaphidae belonging to the widespread hydroscaphid genusHydroscaphaLeConte, 1874. It also represents the only impression fossil of the beetle suborder Myxophaga. This find displays great significance for shedding light on the preservation of the minute aquatic beetles, since it is the first well-preserved impression fossil reported for the suborder, rather than amber inclusion.

A new genus of Scolebythidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Early Cretaceous of China

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3504 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
YAPING CAI ◽  
YUNYUN ZHAO ◽  
CHUNGKUN SHIH ◽  
DONG REN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Type Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species

A new genus Mirabythus Cai, Shih et Ren, gen. nov. (type species, M. lechrius Cai, Shih et Ren, sp. nov.) and M. liae Cai, Shih et Ren, sp. nov. from the family Scolebythidae are described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Huangbanjigou Village, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. These findings extend the existence of Scolebythidae to the Early Cretaceous of China, while providing evidence to support Engel and Grimaldi’s hypothesis that the family was widely distributed throughout the Cretaceous. Our two new species with clear venation also provide a comprehensive understanding of the venational changes from the Early Cretaceous to now. A key to the fossil and extant genera of Scolebythidae is provided.

Dates and rates in ancient lakes: 40Ar–39Ar evidence for an Early Cretaceous age for the Jehol Group, northeast China

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1426-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick E. Smith ◽  
Norman M. Evensen ◽  
Derek York ◽  
Mee-Mann Chang ◽  
Fan Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Absolute Calibration ◽  
Small Fault ◽  
Absolute Age ◽  
Good Agreement

The correlation of freshwater sediments in small, fault-bound basins in Liaoning Province, northeast China, known as the Jehol (or Rehe) Group, has been a subject of debate for many years, with biochronological estimates ranging from Late Jurassic to the Cretaceous periods. We have applied the laser 40Ar–39Ar technique to volcanic intercalations and lacustrine sediments from the Yixian Formation at the base of the Jehol Group. Minerals and whole-rock chips from the upper parts of the Yixian Formation give concordant ages with a mean of 121.1 ± 0.2 Ma (1σ). Ages for samples near the base of the Yixian Formation give 121.4 ± 0.6 and 122.9 ± 0.3 Ma, and appear to be synchronous or only slightly older than the top of the formation. Integrated ages of 122 Ma for glaucony from the lacustrine sediments lying stratigraphically between the upper and lower parts of the Yixian are in very good agreement with the absolute age framework provided by the volcanic units. Such disseminated facies of this clay show promise for directly dating lacustrine sediments. All of the above 40Ar–39Ar dates provide an absolute calibration of the Yixian Formation, and show that the whole formation was deposited entirely within Early Cretaceous time over an interval of no more than 2–3 Ma.

Mathesius liaoningensis gen. et sp. nov. of Jehol Biota, a presumptive relative of the clerid or thaneroclerid branches of Cleroidea (Coleoptera)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2872 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIŘÍ KOLIBÁČ ◽  
DI-YING HUANG
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Ca 125 ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Ne China ◽  
Jehol Biota

Mathesius liaoningensis, a new genus and species of Cleroidea, probably relative of clerid or thaneroclerid branches of the superfamily, is described from the Lower Cretaceous; it belongs among the oldest and the best preserved cleroid fossils that have been known so far. The unique specimen was found in Yixian Formation (ca. 125 Ma) near Huangbanjigou Village, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, NE China and belongs to the famous Chinese Jehol Biota. A classification of Mathesius liaoningensis gen. et sp. nov. within Cleroidea is based on cucujiform aedeagus with distinct medial apodeme (strut) and probably paired struts of the phallobase, pentamerous mesoand metatarsi, narrowly separated proand mesocoxae, metacoxae extending laterally to meet elytra. A possible relationship with the clerid or thaneroclerid branches is based on predacious mandibles, absence of large spines in tibiae, lobes at least in mesoand metatarsomeres 2–3 (probably 1–4), probably six visible abdominal ventrites, and shape of body. With the exception of the aforementioned features, the well-preserved fossil shows interesting morphological characters which are figured in detail and discussed in the context of morphology of some recent cucujiform families.

A new fossil Saldidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Leptopodomorpha) from the Early Cretaceous in China

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3273 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEITING ZHANG ◽  
JINGJING SONG ◽  
YUNZHI YAO ◽  
DONG REN
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province

Venustsalda locella gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Huang-banjigou Village, Liaoning Province, China. The new genus is established based on its unusual six cells on the membrane, with the second cell smallest.

scholarly journals Presence of the Jehol Biota turtle <i>Ordosemys liaoxiensis</i> in the Early Cretaceous Hengtongshan Formation of southern Jilin Province, China

Fossil Record ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Fu Zhou ◽  
Wen-Hao Wu ◽  
Márton Rabi
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Spatiotemporal Patterns ◽  
Jilin Province ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Temporal Distance ◽  
Jehol Biota ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
Vertebrate Assemblage

Abstract. Recently, a vertebrate assemblage of the Jehol Biota has been reported from the Early Cretaceous Hengtongshan Formation of Xingling Town, Meihekou City, Jilin Province, China. It is dominated by the fishes Lycoptera and Sinamia and the sinemydid turtle Ordosemys. Here, we describe the turtle specimens and referral to Ordosemys liaoxiensis, otherwise known from the older Yixian Formation of the Jehol Biota. It is characterized by a subcircular shell, wide vertebral scales, well-developed plastral fenestrae, and a major contribution from the xiphiplastra to enclose the hypo-xiphiplastral fenestra. As the first Mesozoic turtle of Jilin Province, this record represents the first tetrapod to indicate the presence of the Jehol Biota in the region. Given the geographic and temporal distance from the Yixian Formation, future collections from the Hengtongshan Formation have good potential for evaluating spatiotemporal patterns of the Jehol Biota.

Mesocoprophilus clavatus, a new oxyteline rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Early Cretaceous of China

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenyang Cai ◽  
Diying Huang
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Yixian Formation ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Abdominal Sternite ◽  
Rove Beetle

Mesocoprophilus clavatus gen. et sp.n., a new rove beetle belonging to the Recent subfamily Oxytelinae, is described and illustrated on the basis of a well-preserved specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation near Huangbanjigou, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, Northeast China. This new genus can be placed in the extant tribe Coprophilini as supported by its general habitus, sub-contiguous mesocoxae, 5-segmented metatarsi, and abdominal segments III–VII each with two pairs of paratergites. In addition, it displays some features resembling the more basal tribe Euphaniini, including clavate antennae and short and poorly-sclerotized abdominal sternite II.

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