Anatomy of the primitive bird Sapeornis chaoyangensis from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 731-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghe Zhou ◽  
Fucheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Hind Limb ◽  
Feeding Habit ◽  
Pectoral Girdle ◽  
Mosaic Pattern ◽  
Avian Evolution ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Material ◽  
Evolution Of Birds ◽  
Phalangeal Formula ◽  
Basal Position

Two new, nearly completely articulated skeletons of Sapeornis chaoyangensis provide much new information about the anatomy of this basal avian, particularly in the skull, pectoral girdle, forelimb, and hind limb. This new material shows that the hand of Sapeornis, with a phalangeal formula of "2–3–2," was more derived than previously reconstructed. The skeleton of Sapeornis has several unique features, such as a distinctively elongated fenestra on the proximal end of the humerus, a robust furcula with a distinctive hypocleidum, and an elongated forelimb. Sapeornis exhibits a combination of derived and primitive features, including a short, robust non-strut-like coracoid and a fibula reaching the distal end of the tarsal joint (as in Archaeopteryx), a pygostyle, reduced manual digits, and a well-fused carpometacarpus (as in more advanced birds). These features further indicate the mosaic pattern in the early evolution of birds and confirm the basal position of Sapeornis near Archaeopteryx and Jeholornic in the phylogeny of early birds. The preservation of gastroliths in one of the new specimens also represents the first Chinese Mesozoic bird with such evidence, indicating a herbivorous feeding habit and providing further evidence for our understanding of the diet diversification in early avian evolution.

scholarly journals Unexpected larger distribution of paleogene stem-rollers (AVES, CORACII): new evidence from the Eocene of Patagonia, Argentina

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico J. Degrange ◽  
Diego Pol ◽  
Pablo Puerta ◽  
Peter Wilf
Keyword(s):  
Hind Limb ◽  
Divergence Time ◽  
First Record ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Early Eocene ◽  
Important Data ◽  
New Material ◽  
Holarctic Region ◽  
New Evidence

AbstractHere we present the first record of a stem-Coracii outside the Holarctic region, found in the early Eocene of Patagonia at the Laguna del Hunco locality. Ueekenkcoracias tambussiae gen. et sp. nov. consists of an incomplete right hind limb that presents the following combination of characters, characteristic of Coracii: relatively short and stout tibiotarsus, poorly developed crista cnemialis cranialis, short and wide tarsometatarsus, with the tuberositas m. tibialis cranialis located medially on the shaft, and curved and stout ungual phalanges. Although the presence of a rounded and conspicuous foramen vasculare distale and the trochlea metatarsi II strongly deflected medially resemble Primobucconidae, a fossil group only found in the Eocene of Europe and North America, our phylogenetic analysis indicates the new taxon is the basalmost known Coracii. The unexpected presence of a stem-Coracii in the Eocene of South America indicates that this clade had a more widespread distribution than previously hypothesized, already extending into the Southern Hemisphere by the early Eocene. Ueekenkcoracias tambussiae represents new evidence of the increasing diversity of stem lineages of birds in the Eocene. The new material provides novel morphological data for understanding the evolutionary origin and radiation of rollers and important data for estimates of the divergence time of the group.

Caudofemoral musculature and the evolution of theropod locomotion

Paleobiology ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Gatesy
Keyword(s):  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
The Body ◽  
Avian Evolution ◽  
Theropod Dinosaurs ◽  
Data Support ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Longus Muscle

Living crocodilians and limbed lepidosaurs have a large caudofemoralis longus muscle passing from tail to femur. Anatomical and electromyographic data support the conclusion that the caudofemoralis is the principal femoral retractor and thus serves as the primary propulsive muscle of the hind limb. Osteological evidence of both origin and insertion indicates that a substantial caudofemoralis longus was present in archosaurs primitively and was retained in the clades Dinosauria and Theropoda. Derived theropods (e.g., ornithomimids, deinonychosaurs, Archaeopteryx and birds) exhibit features that indicate a reduction in caudofemoral musculature, including fewer caudal vertebrae, diminished caudal transverse processes, distal specialization of the tail, and loss of the fourth trochanter. This trend culminates in ornithurine birds, which have greatly reduced tails and either have a minute caudofemoralis longus or lack the muscle entirely.As derived theropod dinosaurs, birds represent the best living model for reconstructing extinct nonavian theropods. Bipedal, digitigrade locomotion on fully erect limbs is an avian feature inherited from theropod ancestors. However, the primitive saurian mechanisms of balancing the body (with a large tail) and retracting the limb (with the caudofemoralis longus) were abandoned in the course of avian evolution. This strongly suggests that details of the orientation (subhorizontal femur) and movement (primarily knee flexion) of the hind limb in extant birds are more properly viewed as derived, uniquely avian conditions, rather than as retentions of an ancestral dinosaurian pattern. Although many characters often associated with extant birds appeared much earlier in theropod evolution, reconstructing the locomotion of all theropods as completely birdlike ignores a wealth of differences that characterize birds.

Crete (Prehistoric)

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
John Bennet
Keyword(s):  
The Past ◽  
New Information ◽  
Archaeological Work ◽  
New Material ◽  
Individual Contributions ◽  
The University

Publications of fieldwork continue to appear slowly, but the latest volume of ADelt for Crete, covering the years 2001–2004, appeared in print in summer 2012 (ADelt 56–59 [2001–2004] B5). Inevitably, given the years covered, some of the activity summarized in this volume has already been noted in AG and brief notices of some appears in the decadal summary of the activities of all the prehistoric and Classical ephorias (www.yppo.gr/0/anaskafes; AR 58 [2011–2012] 58). Emphasis here is on those activities not already noted in AG or those where significant new information appears in the new volume of ADelt. The second meeting on Archaeological Work on Crete (AWiC2), alluded to last year (AR 58 [2011–2012] 58), has been published and can be read online through the University of Crete's Library (http://elocus.lib.uoc.gr/dlib/d/0/5/metadata-dlib-1368695830-557833-31681.tkl#). A third meeting is scheduled for December 2013 and will hopefully be made accessible with equally commendable promptness. The proceedings of the Tenth International Cretological Congress held in Chania in 2006 (see AR 53 [2006–2007] 96) are still to appear in print, although e-offprints of individual contributions continue to circulate. New material in this year's entry is therefore drawn primarily from ADelt 56–59 (2001–2004) B5 and AWiC2.The past year has seen a number of significant publications on prehistoric Crete, including the proceedings of several conferences. The publication by the BSA of Intermezzo: Intermediacy and Regeneration in Middle Minoan III Palatial Crete (Macdonald and Knappett [2013]), containing papers presented at a workshop held in 2008, complements volumes noted last year (AR 58 [2011–2012] 58) on Late Minoan IB ceramics (Brogan and Hallager [2011]) and on the Prepalatial and Protopalatial periods (Early Minoan to Middle Minoan II) (Schoep et al. [2011]).

New fossil wasps (Hymenoptera, Apocrita) from the Middle Jurassic of China

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menglun Wang ◽  
Longfeng Li ◽  
Chungkun Shih
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Interspecific Difference ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Jiulongshan Formation ◽  
Basal Position ◽  
Taxonomic Keys

Two new species,Symphytopterus gracilersp. nov. of the family Ephialtitidae andPraeaulacus byssinussp. nov. of the family Praeaulacidae, are described and illustrated from the late Middle Jurassic of Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou in Inner Mongolia, China. Based on new information onS. gracilersp. nov. andP. byssinussp. nov., two taxonomic keys to the known species of generaSymphytopterusandPraeaulacusare provided. By comparing the wings ofSymphytopterus, we find that the change of the veins length is the main interspecific difference andS. liasinusmay occupy the most basal position inSymphytopterus.

scholarly journals Correlated evolution of sternal keel length and ilium length in birds

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhao ◽  
Di Liu ◽  
Zhiheng Li
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Comparative Methods ◽  
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods ◽  
Pectoral Girdle ◽  
Correlated Evolution ◽  
Avian Evolution ◽  
Terrestrial Locomotion ◽  
Moment Arms ◽  
New Evidence

The interplay between the pectoral module (the pectoral girdle and limbs) and the pelvic module (the pelvic girdle and limbs) plays a key role in shaping avian evolution, but prior empirical studies on trait covariation between the two modules are limited. Here we empirically test whether (size-corrected) sternal keel length and ilium length are correlated during avian evolution using phylogenetic comparative methods. Our analyses on extant birds and Mesozoic birds both recover a significantly positive correlation. The results provide new evidence regarding the integration between the pelvic and pectoral modules. The correlated evolution of sternal keel length and ilium length may serve as a mechanism to cope with the effect on performance caused by a tradeoff in muscle mass between the pectoral and pelvic modules, via changing moment arms of muscles that function in flight and in terrestrial locomotion.

Rediscovery of the sponge crab Cryptodromia fallax (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Dromiidae) at Mauritius, with the description of a new genus and the confirmation of an unusual seaweed-carrying camouflage mode

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88
Author(s):  
Colin L McLay
Keyword(s):  
Green Alga ◽  
Brown Alga ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Ulva Lactuca ◽  
Lobophora Variegata ◽  
New Information ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
New Material

Abstract Cryptodromia fallax (Latreille in Milbert, 1812) has been serendipitously found again on the island of Mauritius, almost 200 yrs after its discovery. The new material provides new information about the structure of the female sternum, providing stronger evidence that a new genus, Alcockdromiagen. nov., is required. Observations show that this crab cuts out and carries pieces of seaweed in the manner of a paraglider, rather than pieces of sponge normally carried by dromiid crabs. The crab uses Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, a green alga, and Lobophora variegata (J.V. Lamouroux), a brown alga. This discovery shows that the last two prehensile dromiid pereopods, which are used to carry soft camouflage, are multi-purpose, having only minor structural differences allowing them to carry seaweeds.

scholarly journals New Information on the Madagascan Middle Jurassic Sauropod Lapparentosaurus madagascariensis

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Miky Lova Tantely Raveloson ◽  
Neil D. L. Clark ◽  
Armand H. Rasoamiaramana
Keyword(s):  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Neural Spine ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
New Information ◽  
Bone Fragments ◽  
The Common

The systematic position of the Middle Jurassic sauropod Lapparentosaurus madagascariensis is not fully understood due to a lack of useful anatomical detail. Despite many new bone fragments from the axial skeleton, post-cranial skeleton, and a hind limb having been previously unearthed, its systematic position has not yet been satisfactorily established. Although this Malagasy taxon is only recognised by two autapomorphies located in the scapula and coracoid, two features of the neural spine, which are reported here, provide additional information on the common autapomorphies shared with the British genus Cetiosaurus. A full description of the femur and neural spine helps to determine some aspects of its relationship to other similar taxa. Remains of Lapparentosaurus madagascariensis have been recovered from mixed facies that may have been deposited in a shallow water lagoon during a transgressive period in the Isallo IIIb subunit in the Majunga Basin.

Approximate Estimation of the Knowledge Quantity, Transferred by Teacher in Various Classes of the General Education School

2018 ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Роберт Майер ◽  
Robert Mayer
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Educational Material ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Information Quantity ◽  
New Information ◽  
Approximate Estimation ◽  
Education School ◽  
New Material ◽  
Information Amount

The problem of an estimation of information quantity transferred to pupil in 1-11grades is discussed. It is shown, that the educational material is characterized by the information amount (quantity of the used words) and its complexity (degree of the knowledge folding). The information is transferred from teacher to pupil through the communication channel; the amount of received knowledge is equal to product of the transfer speed on time. As a result of the analysis of the educational process are determined: the numbers of lessons in various classes; the average durations of an explanation on a lesson; the general times of the new material explanation in every year; the speed of the material presentation (words/min.); the shares of the new information. The annual increase of the pupil’s knowledge and the total amounts of knowledge, which received from a beginning of training at school are calculated; the diagrams are presented.

Limb skeletal variation in the Jemez Mountains salamander, Plethodon neomexicanus

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1281-1287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Dwyer ◽  
James Hanken
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
Hind Limbs ◽  
Plethodontid Salamander ◽  
Jemez Mountains ◽  
Phalangeal Formula ◽  
First Time ◽  
And Cartilage ◽  
Whole Mounts ◽  
Isolated Species

We examine limb skeletal variability in Plethodon neomexicanus, a geographically isolated species of plethodontid salamander endemic to the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, U.S.A. Data are derived from a series of 25 specimens prepared as whole mounts stained for bone and cartilage. Only 25% of hind limbs display the derived hind limb phalangeal formula 1-2-3-3-1, once considered characteristic of this species; two hind limb and one forelimb phalangeal formulae are reported for the first time. In addition, there are six variant carpal and tarsal patterns as well as the two predominant, primitive mesopodial patterns that are typical of most other species of Plethodon as well as of many other plethodontid genera. Limb skeletal variability in P. neomexicanus is among the highest recorded for urodeles and may represent an ancient and widespread polymorphism in the genus Plethodon.

New Purcell Documents from the Court of King's Bench

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Cheryll Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Legal Documents ◽  
First Case ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
New Information ◽  
National Archives ◽  
New Material ◽  
London Stage ◽  
Shed Light

Two legal documents recently discovered among The National Archives at Kew in London provide new information about Henry Purcell's final years. The only known instances of the composer's involvement with the law, these rare archival finds shed light on his familial relations and financial circumstances at that point in his career when he was turning his attention to the London stage. The first case involves Purcell's sister-in-law Amy Howlett, who owed him £40; and the second concerns his unpaid bill at an exclusive West End retailer's. The new material confirms beyond doubt the identity of Purcell's in-laws, and shows that he was not just short of money in the 1690s, but that he was actually in debt at the time of his death. Other areas of enquiry include the élite social milieu in which the Purcells increasingly moved, and their possible place of residence in 1691–3. These aspects are discussed in relation to Purcell's enhanced public profile at that time, and within the wider context of the culture of consumption and credit in late seventeenth-century England. The two lawsuits are transcribed and translated in full, and their legal implications explicated.

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