scholarly journals Brittle stars looking like starfish: the first fossil record of the Astrophiuridae and a remarkable case of convergent evolution

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8008
Author(s):  
Ben Thuy ◽  
Andy Gale ◽  
Lea Numberger-Thuy
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Brittle Stars ◽  
Remarkable Case ◽  
The Family ◽  
A New Species

The genus Astrophiura, which ranks among the most extraordinary of modern brittle stars, is the type genus of the recently resurrected family Astrophiuridae within the order Ophiurida. On account of its absurdly enlarged and strongly modified lateral arm plates, Astrophiura bears a closer resemblance to a pentagonal starfish than to a typical ophiuroid. Although molecular evidence suggests an ancient origin of the Astrophiuridae, dating back at least to the Early Jurassic, not a single fossil astrophiurid has been reported so far. Here, we describe dissociated lateral arm plates from the Campanian of Cringleford near Norwich, UK, and the Maastrichtian of Rügen, Germany (both Upper Cretaceous) with unambiguous astrophiurid affinities and assign these to a new species, Astrophiura markbeneckei. This represents the first fossil record of the family. In addition, the Rügen material included lateral arm plates that superficially resemble those of A. markbeneckei sp. nov. but differ in having spine articulations that are typical of the ophionereidoid family Amphilimnidae. We assign these plates to a new genus and species, Astrosombra rammsteinensis, an extinct amphilimnid with morphological modifications similar to those of Astrophiura, and thus representing a remarkable case of parallel evolution amongst brittle stars looking like starfish.

A new tribe, new genus and two new species of Barbourofelinae (Felidae, Carnivora, Mammalia) from the Early Miocene of East Africa and Spain

2001 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Morales ◽  
M. J. Salesa ◽  
M. Pickford ◽  
D. Soria
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
New Tribe ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Felid Species

ABSTRACTA new genus and species of felid, Ginsburgsmilus napakensis, is described from Napak, Uganda. Material from Songhor, Kenya, previously identified as Afrosmilus turkanae by Schmidt-Kittler (1987) is assigned to this species. A new species of Afrosmilus, A. hispanicus, is described from Artesilla, Spain. These new felid species combine sabre-tooth canines of maochairodont type with cheek teeth similar to those of Pseudailurus. Phylogenetically they are close to Afrosmilus turkanae which shows a greater specialisation towards markedly machairodont forms. On the basis of dental features, we propose a close relationship between these two genera (which we group into the new tribe Afrosmilini) and the tribe Barbourofelini (Sansanosmilus and Barbourofelis), the transition between the two being represented in the fossil record by Prosansanosmilus peregrinus Heizmann et al. 1980.

Homeomorphy in the Asteroidea (Echinodermata); a new Late Cretaceous genus and species from Colorado

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1007-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Blake ◽  
Barry S. Kues
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Morphological Response ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
Body Form ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Modern Species ◽  
The Family

Codellaster keepersae new genus and species, from the Upper Cretaceous Codell Sandstone Member of the Carlile Shale of Colorado (U.S.A.), is assigned to the asteroid (Echinodermata) family Goniasteridae. Although clearly a goniasterid, the flattened body form and details of morphology of C. keepersae are remarkably similar to corresponding features of the modern astropectinid Astropecten regalis and also of the luidiid Luidia (Platasterias) latiradiata. The discovery facies of C. keepersae includes low-angle crossbeds and asymmetrical ripple marks that are suggestive of a very shallow marine environment. Both the modern species occur in shallow, turbulent settings, and homeomorphy beween ancient and modern asteroids suggests similar selective pressures and evolutionary responses. Limited evidence suggests goniasterids might have been more common in shallower waters during the Cretaceous than they are today, and absence of modern Codellaster-like goniasterids indicates that the family abandoned these habitats, although the fundamental morphological response to such settings remained viable for asteroid organization.

The new genus Acrocephalomyia, and a new species of Ropalomera from Costa Rica, with additional records for other Mesoamerican species (Diptera: Ropalomeridae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3478 (1) ◽  
pp. 553-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
SERGIO IBÁÑEZ-BERNAL ◽  
VICENTE HERNÁNDEZ-ORTIZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Central America ◽  
New Taxa ◽  
New Genus ◽  
The Body ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
Forward Projection ◽  
A New Species

New taxa of the family Ropalomeridae from Costa Rica are described, and additional records of ropalomerid flies fromMexico and Central America are provided. The new genus and species Acrocephalomyia zumbadoi can be easily distin-guished from all other ropalomerid genera by the following combination of characters: angular forward projection of head,absence of ocelli, flat face, bare arista, long scutum, and scutellum triangular-shaped and dorsally flattened with only onepair of apical bristles with bases approximated. The new species Ropalomera aterrima can be recognized from congenersby remarkable differences of the head, the shape of the scutellum, the absence of scutal vittae, fumose wings, and by theblack coloration of the body, ocellar bristles large, one postpronotal bristle, scutum without pollinose vittae and flat scutellum. Lenkokroeberia chryserea Prado and Kroeberia fuliginosa Lindner are newly confirmed for Costa Rica.

Polysertularella polyseriata, a new genus and species of hydroid (Hydrozoa; Leptothecata; Sertulariidae) from the Sea of Okhotsk

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3107 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
ALEXANDER ANTSULEVICH
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Sea Of Okhotsk ◽  
Type Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genera ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Sea Of Okhotsk ◽  
The Family ◽  
Stem Type ◽  
A New Species

Polysertularella polyseriata, gen. et sp. nov., a hydroid referable to family Sertulariidae, is described from the eastern part of the Sea of Okhotsk. The new taxa is characterized by: multi-serial (5–8 rows) placement of hydrothecae on both stem and branches; a hydrothecal rim with four small cusps; an operculum with four equal flaps similar to but more flattened than that of Sertularella. Gonothecae are transversely corrugated and resemble those of many species assigned to Sertularella and Symplectoscyphus. They arise from hydrothecae-like tubes on the basal part of the stem and are disposed in opposite pairs, as in species of Synthecium.Sertulariidae, the largest family in Hydrozoa and with representatives from marine environments worldwide, is relatively well known. Discovery of new genera in the family is relatively infrequent. A diagnosis of a new genus and a description of a new species are given in this paper.Diagnosis. Sertulariidae with erect, branched colonies, with branches resembling hydrocaulus. Hydrothecae arranged in 5–8 longitudal rows along hydrocaulus and branches; hydrothecal rim with four very low cusps separated by shallow embayments; operculum of four equal triangular valves, flattened rather than pyramidal; hydranth with abcauline caecum. Gonothecae oval with strong transverse corrugations and rings, occurring in opposite pairs on lower part of stem. Type species. Polysertularella polyseriata, sp. n., designated herein. Notes and differential diagnosis. In most genera of Sertulariidae, hydrothecae have an alternate to opposite biserial arrangement on branches, and especially on the stem. A few genera in the family, including Abietinaria Kirchenpauer, 1884, Thuiaria Fleming, 1828, Sertularia Linnaeus, 1758, and Staurotheca Allman, 1888 include some species with multi-serial rows of hydrothecae on branches and very rarely on the stem as well. The nominal genus Selaginopsis Allman, 1876, originally established for sertulariids having hydrothecae in more than two longitudinal rows, is no longer recognized as valid in some works because of its artificial composition and differences among included species in operculum structure (Peña-Cantero et al., 1997). However, no species with a multiserial arrangement of hydrothecae and four-flapped operculum (resembling Sertularella) has been known in the family until now.

A new genus and species of the family Microlaimidae (Nematoda: Chromadorea) from intertidal sand of the Jeju Island, South Korea

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5020 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-140
Author(s):  
ALEXEY V. TCHESUNOV ◽  
RAEHYUK JEONG ◽  
WONCHOEL LEE
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Anterior Testis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Jeju Island ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Pharyngeal Bulb ◽  
The Family ◽  
Secretory Gland ◽  
A New Species

As a part of the study of marine nematofauna of a sandy intertidal zone of Jeju Island (South Korea), a number of species have been proven as new for science. Here a new species representing a new genus of the family Microlaimidae (Chromadorea), Jejulaimus sinyangensis gen. n., sp. n. is described. The new monotypic genus is characterized by head set off abruptly from the body; anterior sensilla pattern 6+10, where six outer labial setiform sensilla together with four longer cephalic setiform sensilla are integrated in a common crown; pharyngostoma armed with a dorsal tooth and surrounded by convex muscular pharyngeal tissue, forming an anterior pharyngeal bulb which is distinctly set off from the rest of the pharynx; terminal pharyngeal bulb oval; ventral pore and ampulla of the excretory-secretory gland situated just posterior to the nerve ring; an only anterior testis present. The new genus bears some resemblance to the genera Bolbolaimus, Pseudomicrolaimus and Spirobolbolaimus in having an anterior pharyngeal bulb and in the position of the ventral pore of the excretory/secretory gland, but differs from them by anterior sensilla pattern 6+10, absence of subventral teeth in buccal cavity, and monorchic condition of male reproductive system.  

A new genus and tribe of Cretaceous net-winged beetles from Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Lycidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIK TIHELKA ◽  
DIYING HUANG ◽  
CHENYANG CAI
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Single Specimen ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
The Family ◽  
New Tribe

With over 4,600 species distributed worldwide, the net-winged beetles belong among the most speciose elateroid lineages. Despite this, beetles of the family Lycidae are rare in the fossil record. A new genus and species of Lycidae, Cretolycus praecursor gen. et sp. nov., is herein described based on a single specimen preserved in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Cretolycus praecursor represents the second known lycid from the Mesozoic. A new tribe, Cretolycini trib. nov., is erected for the species, characterised by 11-segmented filiform antennae, 3-segmented labial palpi with an enlarged apical palpomere, and elytra without costae. A catalogue of fossil net-winged beetles is appended.

Fossil crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Late Cretaceous cárdenas Formation, east-central Mexico

1995 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Vega ◽  
Rodney M. Feldmann ◽  
Francisco Sour-Tovar
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Central Mexico ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
East Central ◽  
The Family ◽  
Marine Lagoon ◽  
First Time

Twenty-four nearly complete carapace samples were collected at three different localities of the Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) Cárdenas Formation in San Luis Potosí, east-central Mexico. The material has been assigned to five families: the Callianassidae, Dakoticancridae, Carcineretidae, ?Majidae, and Retroplumidae. Two genera of callianassid shrimp are described, Cheramus for the first time in the fossil record. Dakoticancer australis Rathbun is reported as the most abundant crustacean element; one new genus and species of carcineretid crab, Branchiocarcinus cornatus, is erected, and a single, fragmentary specimen is questionably referred to the Majidae. The three localities reflect paleoenvironmental differences, exhibited by different lithologies, within marginal marine, lagoon environments. The record of dakoticancrid crabs in the Cardenas Formation extends the paleobiogeographic range of the family and the genus Dakoticancer. Carcineretid crabs, although not abundant, seem to have been a persistent element of crustacean assemblages in clastic environments during the Late Cretaceous of the ancestral Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta. III. Eutheria

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Fox
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Family

Eutherian mammals from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, Alberta, are described. These include the leptictid proteutherian Gypsonictops lewisi Sahni, which has five lower premolars and was probably the direct lineal ancestor of G. hypoconus Simpson of Lancian age; a new genus and species of primitive and generalized erinaceoid insectivore, which is the most adequate dental ancestor known for all Lipotyphla, Tupaiidae, Primates, Dermoptera, Chiroptera, and all of the ungulate mammals; and the first pre-Lancian occurrence in North America of the Family Palaeoryctidae.

scholarly journals A new nodosaurid ankylosaur (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation of New Mexico

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew T. McDonald ◽  
Douglas G. Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
San Juan Basin ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lower Campanian

Nodosauridae is a clade of armored dinosaurs with a rich fossil record and long history of study in North America. Nodosaurid fossils have been collected throughout the western United States and Canada. Here, we report three new nodosaurid specimens from the Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian) Allison Member of the Menefee Formation, San Juan Basin, northwestern New Mexico. The three specimens belong to a new genus and species,Invictarx zephyri, characterized by a unique combination of features pertaining to the morphology of the osteoderms. Among the three specimens there are representative cervical/pectoral and thoracic osteoderms, as well as components of a probable co-ossified pelvic shield. The new tax on is most similar toGlyptodontopelta mimusfrom the Maastrichtian of New Mexico.

A new genus and a new species, representing a new tribe of the family Issidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea), from Costa Rica

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.M. Gnezdilov
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Hind Wing ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Unique Structure ◽  
The Family ◽  
New Tribe ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Anal Vein

New genus and species (Cordela rubra gen. et sp. nov.) are described from Costa Rica. They represent a new tribe of the subfamily Thioniinae (Cordelini trib. nov.) which is based on the unique structure of the hind wing having weak clefts on the terminal margin, the cubitus anterior and cubitus posterior not fused with each other, and the second anal vein simple.

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