Ancient diversity and turnover of cunninghamioid conifers (Cupressaceae): two new genera from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 457-473
Author(s):  
Brian A. Atkinson ◽  
Dori L. Contreras ◽  
Ruth A. Stockey ◽  
Gar W. Rothwell
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Extinct Species ◽  
Extant Genus ◽  
Seed Cone ◽  
Nearly Continuous

Conifers of the taxodiaceous grade of Cupressaceae were more diverse and widespread during the Mesozoic than they are today. The earliest diverging subfamily, Cunninghamioideae, only includes a single extant genus, but has at least 10 fossil genera. Here, two additional cunninghamioid genera are characterized on the basis of permineralized seed cones from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. These conifers display seed cone characters typical of cunninghamioids; however, they have a mosaic of characters that are not seen in any reported conifer of Cupressaceae. They are, therefore, designated as two new extinct species: Ohanastrobus hokkaidoensis gen. et sp. nov. and Nishidastrobus japonicum gen. et sp. nov. These newly reported conifers expand the taxonomic and morphological diversity of cunninghamioids. The stratigraphic and paleobiogeographic records of cunninghamioids and other fossil Cupressaceae with foliate seed cones indicate they peak in diversity during the Cretaceous. The living genera Taiwania and Cunninghamia appear during the Albian and Campanian, respectively, and maintain a nearly continuous fossil record through to today, while nearly all other extinct genera of Cupressaceae with foliate cones disappear by the close of the Campanian. As more ancient cunninghamioids are recovered, our understanding of macroevolutionary patterns of this once diverse lineage will be further elucidated.

A revision of the genus Conocrinus d’Orbigny, 1850 (Echinodermata, Crinoidea, Rhizocrinidae) and its place among extant and fossil crinoids with a xenomorphic stalk

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4560 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHEL ROUX ◽  
MARC ELÉAUME ◽  
NADIA AMÉZIANE
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
First Record ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Extinct Species ◽  
Extant Genus ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
Lower Campanian

The genus Conocrinus d’Orbigny, 1850 (Crinoidea, Bourgueticrinina) was established on the basis of two aboral cups that had previously been described as Bourgueticrinus thorenti d’Archiac, 1846. One of these (now considered lost) came from the “Rocher du Goulet” at the base of the Biarritz section (Bartonian, Côte des Basques, southwest France). D’Archiac figured only the second cup; this belongs to the d’Orbigny Collection and is still housed in the palaeontological collection of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris) as the lectotype of the species, C. thorenti. It appears that it was collected from Priabonian levels exposed near Castellane (Alpes de Haute Provence, southeast France). New observations on this cup, as well as a detailed study of the characters of aboral cups, columnals and proximal brachials in a few extant and fossil species classically attributed to Conocrinus or to closely related genera such as Democrinus, Rhizocrinus and Tormocrinus, have yielded arguments for a revision of the taxonomy and interrelationships of extant and fossil taxa in the family Bourgueticrinidae. Conocrinus (= Tormocrinus), as here interpreted, includes six Eocene species: C. thorenti, C. archiaci, C. cahuzaci n. sp., C. duperrieri, C. cf. suessi and C. veronensis. Numerous extinct species previously attributed to Conocrinus or Democrinus are here transferred to two new genera which first occur in the lower Paleocene: Paraconocrinus n. gen. (type species: P. pyriformis) and Pseudoconocrinus n. gen. (type species: P. doncieuxi). Aboral cups from the “Rocher du Goulet” (Biarritz) are here assigned to Paraconocrinus pellati n. gen., n. sp., while the Danian species Democrinus maximus is transferred to Pseudoconocrinus n. gen. A new genus, Cherbonniericrinus, is created to accommodate a single extant species, Ch. cherbonnieri, previously attributed to Conocrinus, while the extant genus Rhizocrinus, closely related to Democrinus, is resurrected. Conocrinus and closely related genera are derived from a bourgueticrinine lineage the first record of which is from the lower Campanian, with the new genus Carstenicrinus. These are all attributed to the family Rhizocrinidae which is here considered distinct from the family Bourgueticrinidae. Rhizocrinids rapidly diversified immediately after the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/Pg) event. Cretaceous taxa previously placed within the family Bourgueticrinidae now appear to be polyphyletic. Some of them do not belong to Bourgueticrinina, such as those of the Dunnicrinus lineage. Interrelationships of Rhizocrinidae and other post-Palaeozoic families having a xenomorphic stalk are discussed. 

Mesocyparis borealis gen. et sp. nov.: fossil Cupressaceae from the early Tertiary of Saskatchewan, Canada

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2338-2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. McIver ◽  
J. F. Basinger
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Branching Pattern ◽  
Natural Group ◽  
Classification Schemes ◽  
Cone Structure ◽  
Reproductive Morphology ◽  
Extant Genus ◽  
Early Tertiary ◽  
Seed Cone ◽  
First Time

Fossil cedar foliage of the Cupressinocladus interruptus type, with associated seeds and cones, is locally abundant in Paleocene deposits of the Ravenscrag Formation, southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. Vegetative remains of this type occur frequently in early Tertiary plant assemblages throughout the northern hemisphere, indicating that this now extinct cedar was once widespread. For the first time this cedar can be described on the basis of both vegetative and reproductive morphology. Foliage is frond-like with a characteristic opposite branching pattern. Seed cones are globose and woody and bear four equal and decussate scales with prominent umbos. Seeds bear large, equal, semicircular wings. The fossil cedar appears most closely related to extant Cupressaceae such as Thuja, Chamaecyparis, and Heyderia. Foliage closely resembles that of Thuja, while cones are most similar to those of Chamaecyparis. The fossil differs sufficiently in foliage and seed cone structure to preclude assignment to an extant genus and is here assigned to Mesocyparis borealis gen. et sp. nov. Similarities among such extant genera as Thuja, Chamaecyparis, Heyderia, and Thujopsis and the fossil Mesocyparis borealis suggest that all may belong to a single natural group. Furthermore, this group may be more closely related to the southern hemispheric genera Libocedrus, Papuacedrus, and Austrocedrus than present classification schemes imply. Our examination of the Cupressaceae indicates that a revision of present systems of classification is required to accommodate evidence from both extant and extinct cedars.

Anatomical, morphometric, and stratigraphic analyses of theropod biodiversity in the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Dinosaur Park Formation

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Cullen ◽  
Lindsay Zanno ◽  
Derek W. Larson ◽  
Erinn Todd ◽  
Philip J. Currie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
North America ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Variable Distribution ◽  
Taxic Diversity ◽  
Dinosaur Park Formation ◽  
Broad Scale

The Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) of Alberta, Canada, has produced one of the most diverse dinosaur faunas, with the record favouring large-bodied taxa, in terms of number and completeness of skeletons. Although small theropods are well documented in the assemblage, taxonomic assessments are frequently based on isolated, fragmentary skeletal elements. Here we reassess DPF theropod biodiversity using morphological comparisons, high-resolution biostratigraphy, and morphometric analyses, with a focus on specimens/taxa originally described from isolated material. In addition to clarifying taxic diversity, we test whether DPF theropods preserve faunal zonation/turnover patterns similar to those previously documented for megaherbivores. Frontal bones referred to a therizinosaur (cf. Erlikosaurus), representing among the only skeletal record of the group from the Campanian–Maastrichtian (83–66 Ma) fossil record of North America, plot most closely to troodontids in morphospace, distinct from non-DPF therizinosaurs, a placement supported by a suite of troodontid anatomical frontal characters. Postcranial material referred to cf. Erlikosaurus in North America is also reviewed and found most similar in morphology to caenagnathids, rather than therizinosaurs. Among troodontids, we document considerable morphospace and biostratigraphic overlap between Stenonychosaurus and the recently described Latenivenatrix, as well as a variable distribution of putatively autapomorphic characters, calling the validity of the latter taxon into question. Biostratigraphically, there are no broad-scale patterns of faunal zonation similar to those previously documented in ornithischians from the DPF, with many theropods ranging throughout much of the formation and overlapping extensively, possibly reflecting a lack of sensitivity to environmental changes, or other cryptic ecological or evolutionary factors.

A review of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) described from Mesozoic deposits

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 001-014
Author(s):  
MATHIAS JASCHHOF
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
North America ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Gall Midges ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
New Tribe

Twenty-four fossil gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) described from 1917–2020 from Mesozoic deposits, mostly ambers, are reviewed. Information from the original publications is used as the basis for reinterpretation, when such is regarded as appropriate here. As a result, the fossil record of cecidomyiids from the Mesozoic comprises representatives of the following subfamilies and tribes, all mycophagous (numbers in parentheses refer to species described): Catotrichinae (1); Micromyinae: Catochini (2), Amediini (1), Campylomyzini (1), Micromyini (2) and Aprionini (1); Winnertziinae: Heteropezini (2), Diallactiini (4) and Winnertziini (1); Porricondylinae: Dicerurini (1). Other Winnertziinae (3) and Micromyinae (5) cannot be classified to tribe because information on critical morphological structures is unavailable; they are thus considered incertae sedis. Members of the Lestremiinae sensu stricto are unrecorded from the Mesozoic, as are any Cecidomyiinae (the only subfamily containing phytophages and predators). Commonly occurring reasons for misinterpretation of amber fossils are the non-recognition of artefacts and the unfamiliarity with group-specific literature regarding prevailing taxonomic concepts and the morphological diversity found in Cecidomyiidae. These causes as well as obvious differences between neontological and paleontological taxonomic practices are discussed. Amediini trib. nov. Jaschhof, 2021 is introduced as a new tribe of the Micromyinae, to absorb the genera Amedia Jaschhof, 1997 (extant, North America, type genus), Amediella Jaschhof, 2003 (extant, New Zealand) and Eltxo Arillo & Nel, 2000 (extinct, Alava amber). A diagnosis of the new tribe is given. Krassiloviolini Fedotova & Perkovsky, 2017 is a new junior synonym of Heteropezini Schiner, 1868. Amediini Plakidas, 2017 and Zarqacecidomyius singularis Kaddumi, 2007 are nomina nuda.

scholarly journals First rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur from Asia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246620
Author(s):  
Alexander Averianov ◽  
Hans-Dieter Sues
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Neural Spine ◽  
Lateral Side ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Caudal Vertebra

Dzharatitanis kingi gen. et sp. nov. is based on an isolated anterior caudal vertebra (USNM 538127) from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) Bissekty Formation at Dzharakuduk, Uzbekistan. Phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon within the diplodocoid clade Rebbachisauridae. This is the first rebbachisaurid reported from Asia and one of the youngest rebbachisaurids in the known fossil record. The caudal is characterized by a slightly opisthocoelous centrum, ‘wing-like’ transverse processes with large but shallow PRCDF and POCDF, and the absence of a hyposphenal ridge and of TPRL and TPOL. The neural spine has high SPRL, SPDL, SPOL, and POSL and is pneumatized. The apex of neural spine is transversely expanded and bears triangular lateral processes. The new taxon shares with Demandasaurus and the Wessex rebbachisaurid a high SPDL on the lateral side of the neural spine, separated from SPRL and SPOL. This possibly suggests derivation of Dzharatitanis from European rebbachisaurids. This is the second sauropod group identified in the assemblage of non-avian dinosaurs from the Bissekty Formation, in addition to a previously identified indeterminate titanosaurian.

scholarly journals Diversity of the Crinocheta (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) from Early Miocene Chiapas amber, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Broly ◽  
María De Lourdes Serrano-Sánchez ◽  
Francisco J. Vega
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Brackish Water ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Terrestrial Isopods ◽  
Water Influence ◽  
The Family

Currently, the Onisicdea (terrestrial isopods) is a massive Crustacea suborder of more than 3 700 species, but our knowledge of their paleodiversity is poor. In this paper, we present ten fossils of Crinocheta, the largest clade within the Onisicdea, discovered in Early Miocene (23 Ma) amber of Chiapas. We described three new genera and six new species including Palaeolibrinus spinicornis gen. nov. sp. nov., Armadilloniscus miocaenicus sp. nov., Archeostenoniscus robustus gen. nov. sp. nov., Archeostenoniscus mexicanus sp. nov., Palaeospherarmadillo mazanticus gen. nov. sp. nov., and Palaeospherarmadillo rotundus sp. nov. This study represents the first fossil record of the family Detonidae, Olibrinidae, and “Stenoniscidae”. From a paleoenvironmental reconstruction perspective, the oniscidean fauna presented here supports a particularly wet paleoenvironment, under brackish water influence, similar to an estuary.

scholarly journals Scleractinian corals from the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary of Nûgssuaq, West Greenland

1972 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 1-132
Author(s):  
S Floris
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Reef Coral ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Generic Level ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
Fossil Corals ◽  
The World ◽  
Marine Fossils

Localities and deposits in north-west Nûgssuaq yielding fossil corals of the order Scleractinia are described. The age of the corals is Campanian?, Maastrichtian and Lower Paleocene (Danian), on the basis of other marine fossils. 22 species are considered; 7 are described as new and are indigenous, 2 are possibly North American forms, 3 are known from Europe, and 10 are identifiable only to generic level. The following genera and subgenera are represented: Haimesiastraea (Haimesiastraea), H. (Perupiastrea)?, Discotrochus?, Astrangia (Coenangia)?, Oculina, Caryophyllia, Trochocyathus, Paracyathus, Stephanocyathus (Stephanocyathus), Desmophyllum?, Lophelia?, Parasmilia, Flabellum, Balanophyllia, and Dendrophyllia . In addition, two new genera are described: Kangiliacyathus and Faksephyllia . Certain Danian corals from Scandinavia are also revised. In a survey of habitats, the lithology of the corallocalities is considered together with bathymetric and thermal ranges known for scleractinian genera and species from other parts of the world. Depth and temperature of the Campanian and Maastrichtian seas in Greenland cannot be estimated with any accuracy. The Lower and Upper Danian seas were generally rather shallow. There is little evidence on which to judge the Danian climate. Two species were perhaps hermatypic (no reef structures have been found). The remaining scleractinians are presumed to have been ahermatypic. A non-reef coral association has been found. Lower Danian rather sparsely populated polytypic coral thickets show signs of continual disturbance from water turbulence. The approximate depth of formation of these thickets appears to have been 80 m or shallower, which appears to be less than is usual for coral structures of this type. Some Lower Paleocene species provide conclusive evidence of a direct connection between the Danian seas of West Greenland and of Scandinavia.

A new marine clupeoid fish from the Lower Cretaceous of the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2164 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO J. DE FIGUEIREDO
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Clupeoid Fish ◽  
Marine Deposit

Clupeomorph fishes are largely diversified and widespread in Cretaceous strata of northeastern Brazil. They are represented by basal clupeiforms, †ellimmichthyiforms, and advanced clupeoids. In this paper, a new clupeoid fish, †Nolfia riachuelensis sp. nov., is described based on a specimen found in marine shale yielded in the Taquari Member (Albian) of Riachuelo Formation, Sergipe-Alagoas Basin. Although partially preserved (most of skull is lacking), the fish shows many informative characters, particularly in the axial skeleton. The fish is morphologically very similar to †Nolfia kwangoensis, a clupeoid fish originally described from marine deposit from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Kipala, Democratic Republic of Congo, with which it shares: 18 caudal vertebrae; long and cylindrical pleural ribs; posteriormost pleural ribs supported by long parapophyses and gradually decreasing in size posteriorly; very reduced ural centra; presence of long and distally congruent neural spines of third, second, and first preural centra; three uroneural bones (the first probably forming the pleurostyle). Otherwise, †Nolfia riachuelensis sp. nov. differs from other clupeomorphs by a unique combination of features. The number of supraneural bones, aligned rod-like postcleithra, less than 30 rays in the anal fin, and derived absence of dorsal scutes indicate its placement within Clupeidae. As far as is known, †Nolfia riachuelensis sp. nov. is the most ancient clupeoid fish known from the fossil record.

scholarly journals Two new genera of Cretaceous dustywings in amber from northern Myanmar (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae)

2016 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genera ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Crown Group ◽  
Labial Palpus ◽  
Head Form

Two new genera and species are added to the fauna of dustywings (Coniopterygidae) preserved in Upper Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian) amber of northern Myanmar, doubling the described diversity from this deposit.  One genus is of the subfamily Aleuropteryginae and described as Achlyoconis heptatrichia Engel, new genus and species.  This species is noteworthy for the infumate and patterned wings and unique presence of seven prominent setae positioned on thickenings occurring along the length of the forewing media.  Paranimboa litotes Engel, new genus and species, is representative of the subfamily Coniopteryginae and distinctive among Mesozoic groups for the unbranched Rs, among other traits.  In addition, a peculiar larva preserved alongside the holotype of P. litotes is described.  While having a prothoracic and head form similar to aleuropterygines as well as a labial palpus with only two palpomeres, diagnostic for Coniopterygidae, the antenna bears four articles rather than the two present in crown-group dustywings.  A revised key to the genera of Cretaceous Coniopterygidae is provided.

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