scholarly journals New information on the Wukongopteridae (Pterosauria) revealed by a new specimen from the Jurassic of China

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Cheng ◽  
Shunxing Jiang ◽  
Xiaolin Wang ◽  
Alexander W.A. Kellner
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Extensor Tendon ◽  
Ontogenetic Stage ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Middle Portion ◽  
Long Tail ◽  
New Information ◽  
Atlas And Axis ◽  
Basal Position

The Wukongopteridae is an important pterosaur group discovered from Yanliao Biota, because it combines character states seen in non-pterodactyloid and pterodactyloid pterosaurs. So far, the Wukongopteridae contains three genera:Wukongopterus,DarwinopterusandKunpengopterus; representing five species. Here we report on a new specimen, IVPP V 17959, that can be undoubtedly referred to the Wukongopteridae based on the presence of a confluent nasoantorbital fenestra, elongated cervical vertebrae (convergent with Pterodactyloidea) and a long tail enclosed by rod-like bony extensions of the zygapophyses. Traits distinguishing this new specimen from other wukongopterid pterosaurs include a premaxilla with a low ossified anterodorsal crest, a nasal bearing the most elongated process known in the Wukongopteridae, and a lacrimal that has a foramen in its middle portion. The new kind of premaxillary crest preserved in IVPP V 17959 suggests that the presence or absence of a premaxillary crest might be an interspecific feature within the Wukongopteridae. A phylogenetic analysis including all wukongopterid pterosaurs recovers IVPP V 17959 in a polytomy withWukongopterusand the species ofDarwinopterus, havingKunpengopterusin a more basal position. The postcranial skeleton of IVPP V 17959 has ontogenetically mature characteristics including a completely fused scapula and coracoid, fused proximal and distal carpal series, and an ossified extensor tendon process of the first wing phalanx, allowing its classification as ontogenetic stage five. Furthermore, the atlas and axis are separated in IVPP V 17959, which indicates that these two bones probably are not fused in skeletally mature wukongopterid individuals.

Osteology of Concavispina biseridens (Reptilia, Thalattosauria) from the Xiaowa Formation (Carnian), Guanling, Guizhou, China

2013 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Li-Jun Zhao ◽  
Chun Li ◽  
Tao He
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Swimming Ability ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Basal Position

A thalattosaur taxon, Concavispina biseridens, was recently named and briefly described. It is described here in detail and compared with other thalattosaurs, especially Xinpusaurus. Concavispina is characterized by a long skull, measuring approximately half the length of presacral portion of the vertebral column, two rows of blunt teeth on the anterior part of the maxilla, and neural spines that have convex anterior or posterior margins and V-shaped notches in their dorsal margins. Concavispina differs from all thalattosaurs except Xinpusaurus in that the anterior end of the maxilla is curved dorsally, less than five cervical vertebrae are present, and the proximal end of the humerus is wider than the distal end. Phylogenetic analysis of 40 characters suggests that Miodentosaurus occupies a basal position within Askeptosauridea, Paralonectes is the basalmost member of Thalattosauridea, Concavispina may form a clade with Xinpusaurus, and Chinese thalattosaurs do not have a close relationship with eastern Pacific forms as suggested by previous studies. Concavispina may have been similar to Xinpusaurus in overall locomotor style, but probably had a poorer swimming ability. Concavispina likely differed from Xinpusaurus in diet, for example by depending on softer food.

New information on the pectoral girdle and vertebral column in Lupeosaurus (Reptilia, Pelycosauria)

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1343-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart S. Sumida
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Lower Permian ◽  
Pectoral Girdle ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Posterior Edge ◽  
Articular Facet ◽  
New Information

UCLA VP 1651, a new specimen from the Lower Permian Admiral Formation of Archer County, Texas, provides information on heretofore unknown portions of the postcranial skeleton of the large pelycosaur Lupeosaurus. Presacral neural spines are elongate and have a subcircular cross section. Laterally directed tubercles are not present on any of the neural spines. Cervical vertebrae appear to have elongate neural spines and sharply keeled centra. Transverse processes are positioned relatively high above the bases of the centra through the length of axial column. The pattern of tilting of the neural spines is similar to that in the primitive edaphosaur Ianthasaurus hardestii. The proximal end of the first sacral rib contributes significantly to the intervertebral articular facet usually formed by the centra. The sacral ribs do not appear to fuse with one another distally. The ventral clavicular plate is greatly expanded anteriorly. The posterior edge of the subcoracoscapular fossa is very well defined. The available morphological information does not warrant a separate familial designation for the genus Lupeosaurus. Despite the lack of laterally directed tubercles of the neural spines, Lupeosaurus appears to be referrable to the Edaphosauridae. However, in the absence of cranial materials, this association must remain tentative. Although this description adds new information for only a restricted portion of the skeleton, it does appear to confirm the existence of a distinct, albeit rare, pelycosaur from the extensively studied fauna of the Lower Permian.

New information on the postcranial skeleton of the Thalassodrominae (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Tapejaridae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1139-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Buchmann ◽  
Taissa Rodrigues ◽  
Sabrina Polegario ◽  
Alexander W. A. Kellner
Keyword(s):  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
New Information

CHILD SACRIFICE IN TULA: A BIOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angélica María Medrano Enríquez
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Human Sacrifice ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Compound A ◽  
Cut Marks ◽  
Early Postclassic

AbstractRecent salvage excavations conducted in the Early Postclassic city of Tula, Hidalgo, exposed a residential compound containing an open patio, beneath which was discovered a massive burial, designated Feature 5. Human remains involving a minimum of 49 individuals were discovered, many of whom were arranged in a sitting or squatting position. The majority of individuals, including all of the latter, were young children. The bioarchaeological analysis suggests that they were sacrificed. Many individuals exhibited anthropogenic modification, including cut marks on the skull and postcranial skeleton, indicating the children had been flayed. Some individuals were represented only by the skull and cervical vertebrae, suggesting decapitation. The individuals appeared to be in bad health, a common attribute of children sacrificed to Tlaloc by the Aztecs. According to ethnohistorical sources, children offered to Tlaloc commonly had their throats slit, although this practice was not identified among the individuals in Feature 5, possibly owing to their young age. Sacrifice also may have been made to Xipe Totec, as suggested by the evidence of flaying and the presence of a large hollow sculpture of the deity located in an adjacent residential compound, a deity who has been also linked to human sacrifice related to regeneration and fertility.

Final stage larvae and puparia of Platypezidae (Diptera)

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Chandler ◽  
Francis Gilbert ◽  
Graham Rotheray
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Final Stage ◽  
Abdominal Segment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Uniform Pattern ◽  
Thoracic And Abdominal ◽  
Head Skeleton ◽  
Basal Position

AbstractPlatypezidae occupy an important basal position within the Muscomorpha. However, morphological analyses of larval Platypezidae are incomplete and early stage data is insufficient to inform phylogenetic analysis and recognition of groundplan characters and states within Muscomorpha. For example, knowledge is poor of the characters of respiratory organs, head, head skeleton, thorax and segmental sensilla. In this study we describe and compare these features of 16 species in 11 genera. The head appears as a distinct fleshy organ with atrium and antennae and maxillary organs separated on the dorsal surface. Head skeletons are characterised by an anteriorly projecting labrum and labium with laterally placed mandibles. The prothorax is frequently armoured with sclerotised regions and spicules. A repeated and uniform pattern of up to 11 pairs of sensilla circumvent each thoracic and abdominal segment. Respiratory organs vary little in size and arrangement of spiracular openings. Using a set of 43 larval and puparial characters and based on a Brachyceran outgroup, a sequence of genera is established which places Melanderomyia as the most basal. These results are compared with estimates of phylogeny based on adult characters.

scholarly journals The postcranial skeleton of Vagaceratops irvinensis (Dinosauria, Ceratopsidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Latissimus Dorsi ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Hind Limbs ◽  
Left Front

The postcranial skeleton of Vagaceratops (= Chasmosaurus) irvinensis (CMN 41357), lacking only the tail, most of the left front and left hind limbs, and portions of the pelvis, is preserved in articulation. It is one of the most complete, best articulated ceratopsid skeletons known. Both the manus and vertebral column exhibit conspicuous pathologies, possibly an indication of advanced age at the time of death. The vertebral column comprises a syncervical, six additional cervical vertebrae, and 12 dorsals. A partial synsacrum is represented by two dorsosacrals, four sacrals, two caudosacrals, and a partial third caudosacral centrum. The ribcage, although crushed, is nearly complete. The sternum is unusually wide compared with other ceratopsids. As in other chasmosaurines, the humerus bears a prominent deltopectoral crest that forms the anterior edge of the broad, rectangular proximal humeral expansion. The medial tuberosity is separated from the dorsal surface of the humerus by a distinct notch. The insertion for the latissimus dorsi is conspicuous. The deltopectoral crest extends a full half of the distance to the distal end of the humerus. Epipodials of the forelimb are relatively short compared to the corresponding propodial. The ulna has a long, distinctly triangular olecranon, broadly rounded anterolateral process, prominent medial process, and a deeply concave trochlear notch. The terminal phalanges on the fourth and fifth manual digits are relatively large, and unlike other ceratopsids have distinct distal ?articular facets. The fourth trochanter of the femur is relatively proximal in position. This study and other recent studies of ceratopsid postcrania suggest that potentially useful taxonomic variation is present in the number of dorsosacrals, size of the groove on the ventral surface of the sacrum, morphology of the last dorsal and dorsosacral ribs, morphology of the scapula and proximal expansion of the humerus, morphology of the ulna, ratio of humerus/epipodium, morphology of the fifth manual digit, and position of the fourth trochanter of the femur.

Aspects of the postcranial skeleton of the Lower Permian lungfish, Gnathorhiza

1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 919-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter W. Dalquest ◽  
M. John Kocurko ◽  
John V. Grimes
Keyword(s):  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Lower Permian ◽  
Fish Scales ◽  
Early Permian ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
North Central ◽  
New Information ◽  
Central Texas ◽  
Median Fins

A newly discovered locality of aestivation burrow casts containing the lungfish, Gnathorhiza serrata, is reported from the early Permian Arroyo Formation of Wilbarger County, north-central Texas. Remains preserved in the burrow casts provide sections of mummified Gnathorhiza and new information about the postcranial skeleton of this fish. Scales of Gnathorhiza resemble those of the modern lungfishes such as Lepidosiren in their microanatomy. No traces of paddle-like pectoral or pelvic fins were found and paired fins of Gnathorhiza may have resembled those of Lepidosiren. The axial skeleton and median fins of Gnathorhiza seem to resemble those of Lepidosiren except that the tail area and caudal fin of Gnathorhiza were stout and strong rather than slender and tapering. Gnathorhiza, which aestivated tail-down in its burrow, may have required a stout tail for support.

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.

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.

An associated partial skeleton of Symbos cavifrons (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) from Montezuma County, Colorado

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 831-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry N. Mcdonald ◽  
Sarah W. Neusius ◽  
Vickie L. Clay
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
The Third ◽  
New Information ◽  
Four Corners ◽  
Loess Deposition ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Definition Of

A partial cranium and axial skeleton of an individual Symbos cavifrons were excavated in 1983 from the Mesa Verde Loess on Grass Mesa, Montezuma County, Colorado. Parts of at least 24 bones were recovered, including the first complete set of cervical vertebrae known for Symbos cavifrons. This individual, radiocarbon dated at 15,970 ± 155 yr B.P. (SI-6137), contributes to the definition of the southwestern edge of the range of the species and provides new information about the nature of the vertebral column. Pathologic constriction of the transverse canals is evident in the third and seventh cervical vertebrae. The pattern of bone distribution suggests that carnivores consumed part of this animal. The radiocarbon date also establishes the last major episode of loess deposition in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States.

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