scholarly journals Exceptional preservation of reproductive organs and giant sperm in Cretaceous ostracods

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1935) ◽  
pp. 20201661
Author(s):  
He Wang ◽  
Renate Matzke-Karasz ◽  
David J. Horne ◽  
Xiangdong Zhao ◽  
Meizhen Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Ct Reconstruction ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Exceptional Preservation ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
Evolutionary Success ◽  
Fossil Preservation ◽  
A New Species

The bivalved crustacean ostracods have the richest fossil record of any arthropod group and display complex reproductive strategies contributing to their evolutionary success. Sexual reproduction involving giant sperm, shared by three superfamilies of living ostracod crustaceans, is among the most fascinating behaviours. However, the origin and evolution of this reproductive mechanism has remained largely unexplored because fossil preservation of such features is extremely rare. Here, we report exceptionally preserved ostracods with soft parts (appendages and reproductive organs) in a single piece of mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (approximately 100 Myr old). The ostracod assemblage is composed of 39 individuals. Thirty-one individuals belong to a new species and genus, Myanmarcypris hui gen. et sp. nov., exhibiting an ontogenetic sequence from juveniles to adults (male and female). Seven individuals are assigned to Thalassocypria sp. (Cypridoidea, Candonidae, Paracypridinae) and one to Sanyuania sp. (Cytheroidea, Loxoconchidae). Our micro-CT reconstruction provides direct evidence of the male clasper, sperm pumps (Zenker organs), hemipenes, eggs and female seminal receptacles with giant sperm. Our results reveal that the reproduction behavioural repertoire, which is associated with considerable morphological adaptations, has remained unchanged over at least 100 million years—a paramount example of evolutionary stasis. These results also double the age of the oldest unequivocal fossil animal sperm. This discovery highlights the capacity of amber to document invertebrate soft parts that are rarely recorded by other depositional environments.

scholarly journals Failed prey or peculiar necrolysis? Isolated ammonite soft body from the Late Jurassic of Eichstätt (Germany) with complete digestive tract and male reproductive organs

2021 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Klug ◽  
Günter Schweigert ◽  
Helmut Tischlinger ◽  
Helmut Pochmann
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Mantle Cavity ◽  
Soft Body ◽  
Exceptional Preservation ◽  
Attachment Structures ◽  
Male Reproductive Organs ◽  
Marine Basins

AbstractAmmonoid soft parts have been rarely described. Here, we document the soft parts of a perisphinctid ammonite from the early Tithonian of Wintershof near Eichstätt (Germany). This exceptional preservation was enabled by the special depositional conditions in the marine basins of the Solnhofen Archipelago. Here, we document this find and attempt to homologize its parts with various organs such as the digestive tract, reproductive organs, the mantle cavity with gills, and the hyponome, with differing degrees of reservation. Alternative interpretations are also taken into account. We suggest that the soft parts were separated from the conch either taphonomically (following necrolytical processes affecting the attachment structures) or during a failed predation, where a predator (fish or coleoid) removed the soft parts from the conch but then dropped them. This find is interesting because it adds to the knowledge of ammonite anatomy, which is normally hidden in the conch. The reproductive organs show traces of what might have been spermatophores, thus supporting the hypothesis that the microconchs represented the males.

Paleometry as a key tool to deal with paleobiological and astrobiological issues: some contributions and reflections on the Brazilian fossil record

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. S. Gomes ◽  
Bruno Becker-Kerber ◽  
Gabriel L. Osés ◽  
Gustavo Prado ◽  
Pedro Becker Kerber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Microbial Mats ◽  
Fish Bone ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Cross Point ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Evolution Of Life ◽  
Bone Preservation ◽  
Fossil Preservation ◽  
Non Destructive

AbstractInvestigations into the existence of life in other parts of the cosmos find strong parallels with studies of the origin and evolution of life on our own planet. In this way, astrobiology and paleobiology are married by their common interest in disentangling the interconnections between life and the surrounding environment. In this way, a cross-point of both sciences is paleometry, which involves a myriad of imaging and geochemical techniques, usually non-destructive, applied to the investigation of the fossil record. In the last decades, paleometry has benefited from an unprecedented technological improvement, thus solving old questions and raising new ones. This advance has been paralleled by conceptual approaches and discoveries fuelled by technological evolution in astrobiological research. In this context, we present some new data and review recent advances on the employment of paleometry to investigations on paleobiology and astrobiology in Brazil in areas such biosignatures in Ediacaran microbial mats, biogenicity tests on enigmatic Ediacaran structures, research on Ediacaran metazoan biomineralization, fossil preservation in Cretaceous insects and fish, and finally the experimental study on the decay of fish to test the effect of distinct types of sediment on soft-tissue preservation, as well as the effects of early diagenesis on fish bone preservation.

Baltic amber: A new Cacomorphocerus Schaufuss, 1892 with two specimens preserved in a single piece, and four new Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4778 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-560
Author(s):  
FRANCESCO PARISI ◽  
FABRIZIO FANTI
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Baltic Amber ◽  
Vast Amount ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
A New Species

The Baltic amber has proven to be an incredible resource for the environmental and faunistic diversity of the Eocene and this is also evident from the vast amount of Cantharidae species (soldier beetles) described as inclusions in this resin and Fossil-Lagerstätte. The present work contributes to highlighting both this trend and the variety of forms in particular for the genus Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852 with four new species described and with the addition of a new species of Cacomorphocerus Schaufuss, 1892 with two specimens included in the same amber piece. The new forms, described and illustrated here, are: Cacomorphocerus obstinatus sp. nov., Malthodes giannii sp. nov., Malthodes immortalis sp. nov., Malthodes marialuisae sp. nov., and Malthodes unimol sp. nov. 

scholarly journals Anoplodactylus Ophiurophilus N. Sp., a Sea Spider Associated with Brittle Stars in the Seychelles

1979 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Stock
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Brittle Stars ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Sea Spider ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Pycnogonida, Anoplodactylus ophiurophilus, is described. It is associated with three species of the genus Ophiocoma in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean) and constitutes the first recorded case of a sea spider found on Ophiuroidea. In comparison with the 83 species actually recognized in Anoplodactylus, the new species shows hardly any morphological adaptations due to this remarkable association.

scholarly journals Debris-carrying camouflage among diverse lineages of Cretaceous insects

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. e1501918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Fangyuan Xia ◽  
Michael S. Engel ◽  
Vincent Perrichot ◽  
Gongle Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Early Evolution ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
Wood Fibers ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Evolutionary Success ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Insect Assemblage ◽  
Insight Into

Insects have evolved diverse methods of camouflage that have played an important role in their evolutionary success. Debris-carrying, a behavior of actively harvesting and carrying exogenous materials, is among the most fascinating and complex behaviors because it requires not only an ability to recognize, collect, and carry materials but also evolutionary adaptations in related morphological characteristics. However, the fossil record of such behavior is extremely scarce, and only a single Mesozoic example from Spanish amber has been recorded; therefore, little is known about the early evolution of this complicated behavior and its underlying anatomy. We report a diverse insect assemblage of exceptionally preserved debris carriers from Cretaceous Burmese, French, and Lebanese ambers, including the earliest known chrysopoid larvae (green lacewings), myrmeleontoid larvae (split-footed lacewings and owlflies), and reduviids (assassin bugs). These ancient insects used a variety of debris material, including insect exoskeletons, sand grains, soil dust, leaf trichomes of gleicheniacean ferns, wood fibers, and other vegetal debris. They convergently evolved their debris-carrying behavior through multiple pathways, which expressed a high degree of evolutionary plasticity. We demonstrate that the behavioral repertoire, which is associated with considerable morphological adaptations, was already widespread among insects by at least the Mid-Cretaceous. Together with the previously known Spanish specimen, these fossils are the oldest direct evidence of camouflaging behavior in the fossil record. Our findings provide a novel insight into early evolution of camouflage in insects and ancient ecological associations among plants and insects.

scholarly journals A new genus and species of Hydrobiidae Stimpson, 1865 (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) from Peloponnese, Greece

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1037 ◽  
pp. 161-179
Author(s):  
Andrzej Falniowski ◽  
Jozef Grego ◽  
Aleksandra Rysiewska ◽  
Artur Osikowski ◽  
Sebastian Hofman
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Brackish Water ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Time Of Divergence ◽  
A New Species

Minute caenogastropod brackish-water gastropods, formerly classified as Hydrobia, are important elements of the brackish-water fauna and were objects of intensive study for many years. Until now, five genera have been distinguished, most of them represented by a number of species, but rather indistinguishable without molecular data (cytochrome oxidase subunit I – COI). In the eastern Mediterranean region, they are still poorly studied. In this paper, we present a new species of “Hydrobia” from the brackish Moustos spring, Arkadia, eastern Peloponnese, Greece. The shell, protoconch, radula, female reproductive organs, and penis are described and illustrated, together with the molecular (COI) relationships with other hydrobiids. All data confirm that these snails represent a distinct taxon, which must be classified as a new species belonging to a new genus. The formal descriptions are given. The closest, sister taxon is Salenthydrobia Wilke, 2003. The molecularly estimated time of divergence, 5.75 ± 0.49 Mya, coincides with 5.33 Mya, which is the time of the Oligocene flooding that terminated the Messinian salinity crisis. During the latter period, brackish “Lago-Mare” habitats were most probably suitable for the last common ancestor of Salenthydrobia and the newly described genus. Later, the Pliocene flooding isolated the Apennine and Peloponnese populations, promoting speciation.

scholarly journals Description of a new species of Rhinocoeta Burmeister, 1842 (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) from the South African Northern Cape

ZooKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 848 ◽  
pp. 41-56
Author(s):  
Renzo Perissinotto
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
A New Species

Rhinocoetanamaquasp. nov. is recognised as a separate species from its closest relative, R.cornuta (Fabricius, 1781) after a review and close analysis of specimens recently collected in the semiarid region of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The new species can be readily separated from R.cornuta by the drastically reduced tubercle and associated depression on its anterior pronotal margin, particularly in the male. In addition, the general body shape of R.namaqua is more globose than that of R.cornuta, its average total length is larger, and its elytral costae are generally reduced and poorly visible, particularly at the level of the umbones. These characteristics make it practically impossible to separate the two sexes of R.namaqua, without inspection of the internal reproductive organs, as their external morphologies are virtually identical, unlike in R.cornuta. Finally, the aedeagal parameres of R.namaqua exhibit a narrower apex than those of R.cornuta and, in particular, lack the subapical hook-shaped lateral expansions that are so typical of all the other Rhinocoeta s. str. species. The new species appears to be restricted to specific bioregions of the Succulent and Nama Karoo biomes of the Northern Cape, and like all other species of the genus is generally found on or under mammal herbivore dung. Adult activity is limited to short periods immediately after rainfall events, during which individuals fly around and mate, but do not feed on either fruits or flowers.

A new species of Harpagobaetis Mol, with amended diagnosis of the genus, and new considerations on predatory species of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) from South America

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4551 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
PAULO VILELA CRUZ ◽  
NEUSA HAMADA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Feeding Habit ◽  
Gut Content Analysis ◽  
Gut Content ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Southern Amazonia ◽  
A New Species

A remarkable new predatory species of Baetidae was collected in a relict patch of Amazonian savanna in Brazil. The feeding habit of the nymph of this new species is very rare in mayflies. Baetidae is composed of more than 900 species, but only 12 are considered to be predators; in South America, the only species recognized as a predator is Harpagobaetis gulosus Mol 1986. The objectives of this study are to describe Harpagobaetis brigada sp. nov., based on nymphs and to amend the diagnosis of the genus. The predatory habit of the nymphs of the new species was confirmed by gut-content analysis and by direct observations of behavior. Based on similar morphological adaptations, we hypothesized that Adebrotus lugoi Salles, 2010 possesses predatory habit. Harpagobaetis brigada sp. nov. can be classified as psammophilous, inhabiting a threatened stream in a relict patch of savanna in southern Amazonia. Based on these characteristics, we recommend evaluation of this new species to identify its conservation status and to contribute to the assessment of the state of conservation of the Brazilian fauna. 

Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) from Labeobarbus aeneus (Cyprinidae) in the Vaal River, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Avenant-Oldewage ◽  
L.E. le Roux ◽  
S.N. Mashego ◽  
B. Jansen van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Vaal River ◽  
Vaal Dam ◽  
A New Species

AbstractA new species, Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) is described from the gills of Labeobarbus aeneus (Cyprinidae) in the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage in the Vaal River, South Africa. This species is the first in this genus from southern Africa; Paradiplozoon aegtyptense and Paradiplozoon ghanense have been described from northern Africa. The new species differs from all other Paradiplozoon species on the basis of the combination of morphological characteristics, namely disk-like haptor, eggs without filaments, clamp and central hook morphology and size of specimens. The species description is accompanied by a description of the reproductive organs. The internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal gene (ITS2) was studied and the South African individuals formed a distinct clade, supporting the establishment of a new species.

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