scholarly journals Osteology of an exceptionally well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil: Revealing the anatomy of a curious pterodactyloid clade

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0254789
Author(s):  
Victor Beccari ◽  
Felipe Lima Pinheiro ◽  
Ivan Nunes ◽  
Luiz Eduardo Anelli ◽  
Octávio Mateus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Adult Individual ◽  
Postcranial Remains ◽  
First Time

A remarkably well-preserved, almost complete and articulated new specimen (GP/2E 9266) of Tupandactylus navigans is here described for the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil. The new specimen comprises an almost complete skeleton, preserving both the skull and post-cranium, associated with remarkable preservation of soft tissues, which makes it the most complete tapejarid known thus far. CT-Scanning was performed to allow the assessment of bones still covered by sediment. The specimen can be assigned to Tupa. navigans due to its vertical supra-premaxillary bony process and short and rounded parietal crest. It also bears the largest dentary crest among tapejarine pterosaurs and a notarium, which is absent in other representatives of the clade. The new specimen is here regarded as an adult individual. This is the first time that postcranial remains of Tupa. navigans are described, being also an unprecedented record of an articulated tapejarid skeleton from the Araripe Basin.

scholarly journals Rhinocerotidae from the early Miocene of the Negev (Israel) and implications for the dispersal of early Neogene rhinoceroses

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Luca Pandolfi ◽  
Ran Calvo ◽  
Ari Grossman ◽  
Rivka Rabinovich
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
New Records ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Early Neogene ◽  
Postcranial Remains

Abstract A revision of the rhinocerotid material from the Negev (Israel), dating back to the early Miocene (MN3 in the European Mammal Biochronology), highlights the presence of Brachypotherium and a taxon close to Gaindatherium in the Levantine corridor. A juvenile mandible, investigated using CT scanning, displays morphologically distinct characters consistent with Brachypotherium cf. B. snowi rather than with other Eurasian representatives of this genus. Some postcranial remains from the Negev, such as a humerus, display features that distinguish it among Miocene taxa. We attribute these postcrania to cf. Gaindatherium sp., a taxon never recorded outside the Siwaliks until now. This taxon dispersed into the Levantine region during the late early Miocene, following a pattern similar to other South Asian taxa. Brachypotherium cf. B. snowi probably occurred in the Levantine region and then in North Africa during the early Miocene because its remains are known from slightly younger localities such as Moghara (Egypt) and Jebel Zelten (Libya). The occurrence cf. Gaindatherium sp. represents a previously unrecorded range expansion out of Southeast Asia. These new records demonstrate the paleogeographic importance of the Levantine region showcasing the complex role of the Levantine corridor in intercontinental dispersals between Asia and Europe as well as Eurasia and Africa.

scholarly journals VIRTOPSY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
J. Frishons ◽  
V. Novotny ◽  
P. Rejtar ◽  
P. Hejna ◽  
M. A. Kislov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Aviation Accidents ◽  
Conventional Autopsy ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Postmortem computer tomography (CT) came into practice of forensic medicine in the 1990s and has later been complemented with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A pioneer virtual autopsy was conducted in Germany in 1983. In the Czech Republic, this examination was first performed in 1993.A typical examination requires about 30 min, with the most resource-demanding stage being the image data rendering. CT was shown to better capture skeletal structures, while MRI contrasting is superior in terms of visualising soft tissues. In the Czech Republic, CT-based virtopsy is legislated mandatory to document deaths inflicted by gunshots, road traffic and aviation accidents, high falls, occupational and explosive-related injuries, thermal and mechanical traumas, strangulation, drowning as well as to examine unidentified or decomposing bodies, deceased children and adolescents aged under 18.CT scanning prior to conventional autopsy provides a forensic expert with guidance to reveal pathologies non-invasively in particular regions that are difficult to dissect or access. The advantage of virtopsy is the objective acquisition of data that can be re-examined, reinterpreted or juxtaposed with the results of conventional autopsy and easily recovered for possible further expertise. 

scholarly journals Zoropelecinus zigrasi, a pelecinid wasp in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae)

2013 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Michael S. Engel ◽  
David A. Grimaldi ◽  
Jaime Ortega-Blanco
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
New Synonymy ◽  
First Time

The proctotrupoid wasp family Pelecinidae (Proctotrupomorpha: Proctotrupoidea) is recorded in Early Cretaceous amber for the first time, previous amber inclusions being from the Late Cretaceous or Tertiary. Zoropelecinus zigrasi Engel & Grimaldi, new genus and species, is described and figured from an exquisitely preserved female in Albian-Cenomanian amber from Myanmar. The genus is similar to other fossil pelecinids of the genera Pelecinopteron Brues (Paleogene ambers of the Baltic and Siberia) and Henopelecinus Engel & Grimaldi (Turonian amber, New Jersey). Although two subfamilies have at times been recognized (or even as two families) the Iscopininae are clearly paraphyletic with respect to Pelecininae and therefore of no classificatory value and accordingly synonymized herein (new synonymy).

Cranial and post-cranial remains and phylogenetic relationships of the Gondwanan meiolaniform turtle Peligrochelys walshae from the Paleocene of Chubut, Argentina

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (04) ◽  
pp. 798-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Sterli ◽  
Marcelo S. de la Fuente
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
3D Reconstruction ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Field Work ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Previous Hypothesis ◽  
Postcranial Remains ◽  
Salamanca Formation

AbstractPeligrochelys walshae is a meiolaniform turtle originally described based on four specimens represented by cranial remains found in the classic locality of Punta Peligro (Chubut, Argentina) in outcrops of the Salamanca Formation (Danian). Recent field work in the vicinity of Punta Peligro resulted in the discovery of almost 30 new specimens, represented by cranial and postcranial remains that can be assigned to P. walshae. In this contribution, we provide a detailed anatomical description of the new specimens, provide an emended diagnosis for the species, and explore its phylogenetic relationships based on all anatomical data available for the species. The new specimens bring valuable information about the anatomy of the skull and postcranium of P. walshae as well as for meiolaniforms in general. The 3D preservation of the skull bones allows us to provide a 3D reconstruction using novel techniques. The updated phylogenetic analysis confirms that P. walshae is part of the clade Meiolaniformes, which spans from the Early Cretaceous until the Holocene and contains the giant, horned turtles (Meiolaniidae). This phylogenetic analysis reinforces the previous hypothesis that the clade Meiolaniformes is dominated by Gondwanan taxa, but also includes some Laurasian representatives. Alternate phylogenetic positions of taxa included in Meiolaniformes in this analysis were tested using the Templeton test. The lineage leading to Peligrochelys walshae is the only meiolaniform non-meiolaniid lineage to have survived the K-Pg mass extinction; its study provides valuable information to evaluate the effects of the K-Pg extinction in turtles.

scholarly journals Visualisation of contrast-filled stab wounds in various tissue types with computed tomography

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Mygind Leth ◽  
Uffe Stolborg
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Contrast Medium ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Stab Wounds ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Sharp Force ◽  
Knife Blade ◽  
Sharp Force Trauma

ABSTRACT Background: Stab wounds are common in homicide cases. Post-mortem multislice computed tomography (PMCT) has proved to be a useful tool in forensic examinations of victims of sharp force trauma, but due the limited resolution of soft tissues, the radiological depiction of a stab channel is difficult. In this study, we have tried to obtain information about the shape of a knife blade by CT scanning contrast-filled experimentally inflicted stab wounds in various types of pig tissue. Methodology: The tissue samples were mounted on floral foam (oasis) with wooden sticks. Two contrast media were used: one was unmodified and easy flowing, and one was made more viscous with polyethylene glycol. Stab channels in ballistic soap were used for comparison. India ink-filled stab channels were investigated histologically to determine the pattern of leakage. Principal findings: We found that the shape of the stab wounds on the CT images from lung and muscle tissue did not correspond well to the shape of the inflicting knife. There was a better correspondence in the images obtained from liver, spleen and kidney. The viscous contrast medium was less likely than the thin (easy flowing) contrast medium to spill into to structures outside the stab channel, but some spillage was observed for both types of contrast medium. Air bubbles were only observed in the viscous contrast medium. Conclusion: Radiological evaluation of a contrast-filled stab wound in isolated tissue blocks did not permit the positive identification of the inflicting weapon, but it was, in tissue blocks from liver, spleen and kidney, possible to obtain a rough idea of the shape of the inflicting knife and to differentiate a knife from a screwdriver.

scholarly journals The tapejarid pterosaur Tupandactylus imperator from Crato Formation and the preservation of cranial integuments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hebert Bruno Nascimento Campos ◽  
Edio-Ernst Kischlat
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Comparative Anatomy ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Unusual Pattern ◽  
Exceptional Preservation ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe group Tapejaridae forms a clade of toothless pterosaurs easily recognized by their premaxillary sagittal crests and particularly large nasoantorbital fenestrae. The tapejarids represent the most representative group of pterosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of the Araripe Basin (Northeastern Brazil). The holotype of the large tapejarid Tupandactylus imperator Campos and Kellner, 1997 is known by two main slabs from the New Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, however, only one of the slabs containing the sagittally bipartite skull is referred to the holotype of Tupandactylus imperator, remain the counter-slab be properly described. The cotype is fragmented in several broken pieces and presents a significative number of cranial elements. A medial internasal septum completely preserved inside the nasoantorbital fenestra is reported for the first time for pterosaurs. The exceptional preservation of a collagenous septum and other integumentary structures visible in the cotype specimen is extremely rare and supports the concept of the unusual pattern of soft tissue observed in the fossils from the Crato Konservat-Lagerstätte, specially pterosaurs. Herein is presented the description of the cotype of Tupandactylus imperator, in complementation to the previously designated slab of the holotype of this tapejarid species. The occurrence of casques in pterosaurs is supported by comparative anatomy with the bird galliform Pauxi (Cracidae). Besides that, it is discussed on the skull with extravagant cranial crests of Tupandactylus imperator and the significance of the associated soft tissues and other cranial integuments, which indicates an expressive morphological and taxonomic diversity among the tapejarid pterosaurs.

scholarly journals The anatomy of the palate in Early Triassic Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis (Reptilia: Ichthyosauriformes) based on digital reconstruction

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11727
Author(s):  
Ya-Lei Yin ◽  
Cheng Ji ◽  
Min Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Single Row ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Digital Reconstruction ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
First Time

The palatal anatomy of ichthyosauriforms remains largely unknown. Here, the complete palate of the early-branching ichthyosauriform Chaohusaurus brevifemoralis is reconstructed and described for the first time with the assistance of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning on the basis of the three-dimensionally preserved skull of its paratype (GMPKU-P-3086) from the Lower Triassic of South China. The reconstruction reveals new palatal features of C. brevifemoralis. The palatine contacts the jugal directly, which is observed in ichthyosauriforms for the first time. A single row of denticles is present on each side of the palate. The vomer exceeds the anterior and posterior margins of the internal naris. The pterygoid is posterior to the internal naris. The epipterygoid is present and the ectopterygoid is absent.

scholarly journals New insights into the giant mustelids (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from Langebaanweg fossil site (West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa, early Pliocene)

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Valenciano ◽  
Romala Govender
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Adult Individual ◽  
Early Pliocene ◽  
Dental Measurements ◽  
Juvenile Individual ◽  
Postcranial Remains ◽  
Fossil Site

Giant mustelids are a paraphyletic group of mustelids found in the Neogene of Eurasia, Africa and North America. Most are known largely from dental remains, with their postcranial skeleton mostly unknown. Here, we describe new craniodental and postcranial remains of the large lutrine Sivaonyx hendeyi and the leopard-size gulonine Plesiogulo aff. monspessulanus from the early Pliocene site Langebaanweg, South Africa. The new material of the endemic S. hendeyi, includes upper incisors and premolars, and fragmentary humerus, ulna and a complete astragalus. Its postcrania shares more traits with the living Aonyx capensis than the late Miocene Sivaonyx beyi from Chad. Sivaonyx hendeyi could therefore be tentatively interpreted as a relatively more aquatic taxon than the Chadian species, comparable to A. capensis. The new specimens of Plesiogulo comprise two edentulous maxillae, including one of a juvenile individual with incomplete decidual dentition, and a fragmentary forelimb of an adult individual. The new dental measurements point to this form being amongst the largest specimens of the genus. Both P3-4 differs from the very large species Plesiogulo botori from late Miocene of Kenya and Ethiopia. This confirms the existence of two distinct large species of Plesiogulo in Africa during the Mio/Pliocene, P. botori in the Late Miocene of Eastern Africa (6.1–5.5 Ma) and Plesiogulo aff. monspessulanus at the beginning of the Pliocene in southern Africa (5.2 Ma). Lastly, we report for the first time the presence of both Sivaonyx and Plesiogulo in MPPM and LQSM at Langebaanweg, suggesting that the differences observed from the locality may be produced by sedimentation or sampling biases instead of temporal replacement within the carnivoran guild.

scholarly journals Multi-gene phylogeny and divergence estimations for Evaniidae (Hymenoptera)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J Sharanowski ◽  
Leanne Peixoto ◽  
Anamaria Dal Molin ◽  
Andrew R Deans
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Divergence Times ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
The Subject ◽  
First Time

Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) develop as predators of cockroach eggs (Blattodea), have a wide distribution and exhibit numerous interesting biological phenomena. The taxonomy of this lineage has been the subject of several recent, intensive efforts, but the lineage lacked a robust phylogeny. In this paper we present a new phylogeny, based on increased taxonomic sampling and data from six molecular markers (mitochondrial 16S and COI, and nuclear markers 28S, RPS23, CAD, and AM2), the latter used for the first time in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our intent is to provide a robust phylogeny that will stabilize and facilitate revision of the higher-level classification. We also show the continued utility of molecular motifs, especially the presence of an intron in the RPS23 fragments of certain taxa, to diagnose evaniid clades and assist with taxonomic classification. Furthermore, we estimate divergence times among evaniid lineages for the first time, using multiple fossil calibrations. Evaniidae radiated primarily in the Early Cretaceous (134.1-141.1 Mya), with and most extant genera diverging near the K-T boundary. The estimated phylogeny reveals a more robust topology than previous efforts, with the recovery of more monophyletic taxa and better higher-level resolution. The results facilitate a change in ensign wasp taxonomy, with Parevania, syn. nov., and Papatuka, syn. nov. becoming junior synonyms of Zeuxevania, and Acanthinevania, syn. nov. being designated as junior synonym of Szepligetella. We transfer 30 species to Zeuxevania, either reestablishing past combinations or as new combinations. We also transfer 20 species from Acanthinevania to Szepligetella as new combinations.

scholarly journals Multi-gene phylogeny and divergence estimations for Evaniidae (Hymenoptera)

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6689
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Sharanowski ◽  
Leanne Peixoto ◽  
Anamaria Dal Molin ◽  
Andrew R. Deans
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Divergence Times ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
The Subject ◽  
First Time

Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) develop as predators of cockroach eggs (Blattodea), have a wide distribution and exhibit numerous interesting biological phenomena. The taxonomy of this lineage has been the subject of several recent, intensive efforts, but the lineage lacked a robust phylogeny. In this paper we present a new phylogeny, based on increased taxonomic sampling and data from six molecular markers (mitochondrial16SandCOI, and nuclear markers28S,RPS23,CAD, andAM2), the latter used for the first time in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our intent is to provide a robust phylogeny that will stabilize and facilitate revision of the higher-level classification. We also show the continued utility of molecular motifs, especially the presence of an intron in theRPS23fragments of certain taxa, to diagnose evaniid clades and assist with taxonomic classification. Furthermore, we estimate divergence times among evaniid lineages for the first time, using multiple fossil calibrations. Evaniidae radiated primarily in the Early Cretaceous (134.1–141.1 Mya), with and most extant genera diverging near the K-T boundary. The estimated phylogeny reveals a more robust topology than previous efforts, with the recovery of more monophyletic taxa and better higher-level resolution. The results facilitate a change in ensign wasp taxonomy, withParevania, andPapatuka,syn. nov.becoming junior synonyms ofZeuxevania, andAcanthinevania,syn. nov.being designated as junior synonym ofSzepligetella. We transfer 30 species toZeuxevania, either reestablishing past combinations or as new combinations. We also transfer 20 species fromAcanthinevaniatoSzepligetellaas new combinations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document