Nurhachius luei, a new istiodactylid pterosaur (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province (China) and comments on the Istiodactylidae

A new istiodactylid pterosaur, Nurhachius luei sp. nov., is here reported based on a complete skull with mandible and some cervical vertebrae from the lower part of the Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning (China). This is the second species of Nurhachius, the type-species being N. ignaciobritoi from the upper part of the Jiufotang Formation. A revised diagnosis of the genus Nurhachius is provided, being this taxon characterized by the presence of a slight dorsal deflection of the palatal anterior tip, which is homoplastic with the Anhangueria and Cimoliopterus. N. luei sp. nov. shows an unusual pattern of tooth replacement, with respect to other pterodactyloid species. The relationships within the Istiodactylidae and with their closest taxa are investigated through a phylogenetic analysis by parsimony.

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A new basal ornithopod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of China

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.9832 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e9832

Author(s):

Yuqing Yang ◽

Wenhao Wu ◽

Paul-Emile Dieudonné ◽

Pascal Godefroit

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Lower Cretaceous ◽

Dorsal View ◽

Cervical Vertebrae ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

Western Liaoning ◽

Scapular Spine

A new basal ornithopod dinosaur, based on two nearly complete articulated skeletons, is reported from the Lujiatun Beds (Yixian Fm, Lower Cretaceous) of western Liaoning Province (China). Some of the diagnostic features of Changmiania liaoningensis nov. gen., nov. sp. are tentatively interpreted as adaptations to a fossorial behavior, including: fused premaxillae; nasal laterally expanded, overhanging the maxilla; shortened neck formed by only six cervical vertebrae; neural spines of the sacral vertebrae completely fused together, forming a craniocaudally-elongated continuous bar; fused scapulocoracoid with prominent scapular spine; and paired ilia symmetrically inclined dorsomedially, partially covering the sacrum in dorsal view. A phylogenetic analysis places Changmiania liaoningensis as the most basal ornithopod dinosaur described so far. It is tentatively hypothesized that both Changmiania liaoningensis specimens were suddenly entrapped in a collapsed underground burrow while they were resting, which would explain their perfect lifelike postures and the complete absence of weathering and scavenging traces. However, further behavioural inference remains problematic, because those specimens lack extensive sedimentological and taphonomic data, as it is also the case for most specimens collected in the Lujiatun Beds so far.

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An unusual long-tailed pterosaur with elongated neck from western Liaoning of China

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/s0001-37652009000400016 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 793-812 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Xiaolin Wang ◽

Alexander W.A. Kellner ◽

Shunxing Jiang ◽

Xi Meng

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Cervical Vertebrae ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

General Hypothesis ◽

Western Liaoning ◽

Wing Span ◽

Hind Limbs ◽

Fifth Toe ◽

The Individual

A new long-tailed pterosaur, Wukongopterus lii gen. et sp. nov, is described based on an almost complete skeleton (IVPP V15113) representing an individual with an estimated wing span of 730 mm. The specimen was discovered in strata that possibly represent the Daohugou Bed (or Daohugou Formation) at Linglongta, Jianchang, Liaoning Province, China. Wukongopterus lii is a non-pterodactyloid pterosaur diagnosed by the first two pairs of premaxillary teeth protruding beyond the dentary, elongated cervical vertebrae (convergent with Pterodactyloidea), and a strongly curved second pedal phalanx of the fifth toe. The specimen further has a broken tibia that indicates an injury occurred while the individual was still alive. Taphonomic aspects provide indirect evidence of an uropatagium, supporting the general hypothesis that at least all non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs show a membrane between the hind limbs. A phylogenetic analysis including most non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs shows that Wukongopterus lii gen. et sp. nov. lies outside the Novialoidea, being cladistically more primitive than the Rhamphorhynchidae and Capylognathoides. This analysis differs from previous studies and indicates that more work is needed before a stable picture of non-pterodactyloid pterosaur relationships is achieved.

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A new genus of Scolebythidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Early Cretaceous of China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.3504.1.2 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3504 (1) ◽

pp. 56 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

YAPING CAI ◽

YUNYUN ZHAO ◽

CHUNGKUN SHIH ◽

DONG REN

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Early Cretaceous ◽

Type Species ◽

New Genus ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Yixian Formation ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

Comprehensive Understanding ◽

The Family ◽

Two New Species

A new genus Mirabythus Cai, Shih et Ren, gen. nov. (type species, M. lechrius Cai, Shih et Ren, sp. nov.) and M. liae Cai, Shih et Ren, sp. nov. from the family Scolebythidae are described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Huangbanjigou Village, Liaoning Province, northeastern China. These findings extend the existence of Scolebythidae to the Early Cretaceous of China, while providing evidence to support Engel and Grimaldi’s hypothesis that the family was widely distributed throughout the Cretaceous. Our two new species with clear venation also provide a comprehensive understanding of the venational changes from the Early Cretaceous to now. A key to the fossil and extant genera of Scolebythidae is provided.

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A new eucryptodiran turtle from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning, China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2676.1.3 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2676 (1) ◽

pp. 45 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

CHANG-FU ZHOU

Keyword(s):

Early Cretaceous ◽

Cladistic Analysis ◽

Yixian Formation ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

Jehol Biota ◽

Western Liaoning ◽

The Third

A new eucryptodiran turtle from the Jiufotang Formation of Lamadong, Jianchang County, represents the third turtle taxon, Liaochelys jianchangensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Jehol Biota of western Liaoning Province, China. This taxon is diagnosed by a character combination including a midline contact of the prefrontals, vertebrals wider than long, third costals strongly expanded distally, and a medial contact of the eighth costals. A preliminary cladistic analysis places Liaochelys jianchangensis along the phylogenetic stem of Cryptodira in a position more derived than the taxa, Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis and Ordosemys liaoxiensis, known from the underlying Yixian Formation. This discovery opens a new window into the osteology and evolution of primitive eucryptodiran turtles.

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A primitive istiodactylid pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea) from the Jiufotang Formation (Early Cretaceous), northeast China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1813.1.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1813 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

XIAOLIN WANG ◽

DIOGENES DE ALMEIDA CAMPOS ◽

ZHONGHE ZHOU ◽

ALEXANDER W. A. KELLNER

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Early Cretaceous ◽

Northeast China ◽

Cervical Vertebrae ◽

Western Liaoning ◽

Previous Hypothesis ◽

Senior Synonym ◽

Primitive Member

A new pterosaur, Hongshanopterus lacustris gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, western Liaoning, China is described. The specimen (IVPP V14582) consists of a skull preserved in palatal view and some isolated cervical vertebrae. Based on the labiolingually compressed teeth with a triangular crown Hongshanopterus lacustris is referred to the Istiodactylidae. It presents several plesiomorphic features such as the teeth not confined to the anterior third of the skull but extended more posteriorly, and is thus considered the most primitive member of this group. This new species also differs from other istiodactylids by having more teeth, some showing the crown distinctively directed posteriorly. Three other members of the Istiodactylidae are currently represented in the Jiufotang deposits: Nurhachius ignaciobritoi, Istiodactylus sinensis and Longchengpterus zhaoi. To those we add Liaoxipterus brachyognathus, previously classified in the Ctenochasmatidae but that also has triangular labiolingually compressed teeth, and is a potential senior synonym of Lonchengpterus zhaoi. The palatal anatomy of Hongshanopterus lacustris also agrees with previous hypothesis that considers Istiodactylidae more closely related to the Anhangueridae than to Pteranodon (or Pteranodontidae).

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A new species of Hesterniasca (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae) from the Early Cretaceous of China with discussion of its systematic position

Insect Systematics & Evolution ◽

10.1163/187631211x574374 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 213-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alexey Solodovnikov ◽

Diying Huang ◽

Chenyang Cai

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Early Cretaceous ◽

Type Species ◽

Eastern China ◽

Systematic Position ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

Rove Beetle ◽

A New Species ◽

Better Than

AbstractA new species of the extinct rove beetle genus Hesterniasca Zhang, Wang & Xu, 1992 is described and illustrated on the basis of a well-preserved specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, Northeastern China. Based on the examination of this new species that is preserved better than the type species of the genus, Hesterniasca is firmly placed in the recent subfamily Tachyporinae, tentatively in the recent tribe Tachyporini MacLeay, 1825. Arguments for the Early Cretaceous age of the Laiyang Formation in Shandong Province, Eastern China, from where the type species of the genus, Hesterniasca obesa Zhang, Wang & Xu, 1992, has been discovered are provided.

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A second specimen of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis Endo & Shikama, 1942 (Testudines: Eucryptodira) from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2534.1.4 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2534 (1) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

CHANG-FU ZHOU

Keyword(s):

World War Ii ◽

Early Cretaceous ◽

Cladistic Analysis ◽

Yixian Formation ◽

Liaoning Province ◽

Cranial Morphology ◽

Jehol Biota ◽

Western Liaoning ◽

Additional Information ◽

Close Relationship

Within the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of China, the turtle Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis Endo & Shikama, 1942 was one of the first discovered tetrapod fossils, but no additional information on this enigmatic taxon has become available during the past half century since its discovery. Here, a new turtle skeleton from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning Province is identified as referable to M. manchoukuoensis on the basis of an elongate oval shell, long and narrow second to fourth vertebral scutes, and two suprapygals, of which the second is much larger than the first. This specimen therefore represents the second specimen of M. manchoukuoensis, the holotype of which was probably lost during World War II. This discovery not only provides essential material that allows the validity of M. manchoukuoensis to be tested, but also substantially expands understanding of its bony anatomy, especially with regard to cranial morphology. Among other features, M. manchoukuoensis is characterized by a postorbital that does not contact the quadrate/squamosal and a deep temporal emargination, which support a close relationship with Sinemys spp. and distinguish it from the co-existing Ordosemys liaoxiensis. A cladistic analysis that includes M. manchoukuoensis further supports the hypothesis that Sinemydidae is a monophyletic group that includes Sinemys spp. and Dracochelys bicuspis.

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Revision and subdivision of the polyphyletic ‘Leonaspis’ (Trilobita)

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Earth Sciences ◽

10.1017/s026359330000420x ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 82 (4) ◽

pp. 333-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Lars Ramsköld ◽

Brian D. E. Chatterton

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Type Species ◽

New Genus ◽

Fourth Group ◽

Rheic Ocean ◽

Species Being ◽

Genal Spine

ABSTRACTA phylogenetic analysis is performed on all species previously assigned to the odontopleurid trilobite genus Leonaspis. The PAUP analysis shows this genus, as conventionally defined, to be polyphyletic, composed of four groups of equal taxonomie rank. Leonaspis (s.s.) is here restricted to one of these groups only, a monophyletic set of species characterised by ‘four-spined’ pygidia (i.e. with four spines between the major border spines) and a thorax of nine segments. Kettneraspis is recognised for the largest of these four groups, and is composed of ‘two-spined’ species with nine thoracic segments. Leonaspis and Kettneraspis belong to the Odontopleurinae. A third group of previous ‘Leonaspis’ species constitute a new genus of the Acidaspidinae. Its species are characterised by being ‘four-spined’ and having ten thoracic segments. For these the new genus Exallaspis is erected, with type species E. bufo. A fourth group of ‘Leonaspis’ species, being ‘four-spined’ with nine thoracic segments, belongs to Eoleonaspis, an Ordovician odontopleurine genus. Leonaspis and Exallaspis are temporally and spatially non-overlapping, Leonaspis being exclusively Gondwanan post-Wenlock, whereas Exallaspis is restricted to areas north of the Rheic Ocean and ranges from basal Llandovery to Ludlow. Kettneraspis is pandemic. The condition of five epiborder spines and ten border spines on the free cheek is proposed as plesiomorphic for odontopleurids, and the border spines are shown to originate as two separate rows with alternating spines. A shift in position of the facial suture is shown to transfer the genal spine from the cranidium to the free cheek in Kettneraspis meraspides of degree 1 or 2, and the previously suggested co-occurrence of a fixigenal and librigenal spine in these stages is refuted. Earlier proposed dimorphism is rejected, and two mechanisms for reduction in the number of pygidial border spines are proposed. Kettneraspis reetae sp. nov. is described.

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