scholarly journals Unlocking the mystery of the mid-Cretaceous Mysteriomorphidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) and modalities in transiting from gymnosperms to angiosperms

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Peris ◽  
Robin Kundrata ◽  
Xavier Delclòs ◽  
Bastian Mähler ◽  
Michael A. Ivie ◽  
...  

Abstract The monospecific family Mysteriomorphidae was recently described based on two fossil specimens from the Late Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. The family was placed in Elateriformia incertae sedis without a clear list of characters that define it either in Elateroidea or in Byrrhoidea. We report here four additional adult specimens of the same lineage, one of which was described using a successful reconstruction from a CT-scan analysis to better observe some characters. The new specimens enabled us to considerably improve the diagnosis of Mysteriomorphidae. The family is definitively placed in Elateroidea, and we hypothesize its close relationship with Elateridae. Similarly, there are other fossil families of beetles that are exclusively described from Cretaceous ambers. These lineages may have been evolutionarily replaced by the ecological revolution launched by angiosperms that introduced new co-associations with taxa. These data indicate a macroevolutionary pattern of replacement that could be extended to other insect groups.

2021 ◽  
Vol 755 ◽  
pp. 149-190
Author(s):  
Andy S. Gale ◽  
John W.M. Jagt

Fossils assigned to the predominantly deep-sea asteroid family Benthopectinidae Verrill, 1894 are described and their affinities reappraised. Detailed comparative morphology of ambulacrals, adambulacrals and marginal ossicles has revealed that only some extinct taxa fall within the morphological range of the modern representatives of the family. These include Jurapecten hessi Gale, 2011, J. infrajurensis sp. nov. (both Jurassic), J. dhondtae sp. nov. (Upper Cretaceous) and Nearchaster spinosus (Blake, 1973) comb. nov. (Lower Oligocene). A new Late Cretaceous genus, Punkaster gen. nov. (P. spinifera gen. et sp. nov. and P. ruegenensis gen. et sp. nov.), appears to be a highly derived benthopectinid. A possible benthopectinid is described from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of China. Other described records are distantly related to, but convergent in gross morphology with, benthopectinids. Thus, Plesiastropecten hallovensis Peyer, 1944 is here referred to the Jurassic spinulosidan family Plumasteridae Gale, 2011 and Xandarosaster hessi Blake, 1984 is interpreted as Spinulosida Perrier, 1884 incertae sedis. The mid-Cretaceous Alkaidia sumralli Blake & Reid, 1998 is reassigned to the Forcipulatida (Zorocallina). The “fossil benthopectinid” of Spencer & Wright in Moore (1966) is shown to belong to the goniopectinid genus Chrispaulia Gale, 2005, of which two new Cretaceous species are described, C. wrightorum sp. nov. and C. spinosa sp. nov. Finally, we consider Henricia? venturana Durham & Roberts, 1948 to be an indeterminate asteroid.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5051 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-386
Author(s):  
SÜPHAN KARAYTUĞ ◽  
SERDAR SAK ◽  
ALP ALPER ◽  
SERDAR SÖNMEZ

An attempt was made to test if Lourinia armata (Claus, 1866)—as it is currently diagnosed—represents a species complex. Detailed examination and comparisons of several specimens collected from different localities suggest that L. armata indeed represents a complex of four closely related morphospecies that can be differentiated from one another by only detailed observations. One of the four species is identified as Lourinia aff. armata and the other three species are described as new to science and named as Lourinia wellsi sp. nov., L. gocmeni sp. nov., and L. aldabraensis sp. nov. Detailed review of previous species records indicates that the genus Lourinia Wilson, 1924 is distributed worldwide. Ceyloniella nicobarica Sewell, 1940, originally described from Nicobar Island and previously considered a junior subjective synonym of L. armata is reinstated as Lourinia nicobarica (Sewell, 1940) comb. nov. on the basis of the unique paddle-shaped caudal ramus seta V. It is postulated that almost all of these records are unreliable in terms of representing true Lourinia aff. armata described herein. On the other hand, the comparative evaluation of the illustrations and descriptions in the published literature indicates the presence of several new species waiting to be discovered in the genus Lourinia.                 It has been determined that, according to updated modern keys, the recent inclusion of the monotypic genus Archeolourinia Corgosinho & Schizas, 2013 in the Louriniidae is not justified since Archeolourinia shermani Corgosinho & Schizas, 2013 does not belong to this family but should be assigned to the Canthocamptidae. On the other hand, it has been argued that the exact phylogenetic position of the Louriniidae still remains problematic since none of the diagnostic characters supports the monophyly of the family within the Oligoarthra. It has also been argued that the close relationship between Louriniidae and Canthocamptidae is supported since both families share the homologous sexual dimorphism (apophysis) on P3 endopod. The most important characteristic that can possibly be used to define Louriniidae is the reduction of maxilliped.  


Author(s):  
Andrew R. MILNER

ABSTRACTSpecimens of trematopid amphibians from the Asturian (Upper Carboniferous) of Nýřany, Czech Republic, are redescribed as two taxa, namely Mordex calliprepes Steen and Mattauschia (gen. nov) laticeps Fritsch. Mordex calliprepes is represented by a single post-metamorphic specimen and has the diagnostic trematopid characters of the nasal region. Mattauschia laticeps is represented by one adult partial skull and mandible plus some fragments and two small post-metamorphic specimens including the species name-bearer. It has the trematopid-type modified lacrimal and a large but oval naris and appears to be the most primitive trematopid yet described. The stratigraphically sequential large trematopids Mattauschia, Fedexia, Ecolsonia and Acheloma show progressive acquisition of the derived features that characterise the terminal form Acheloma.Mordex has a combination of primitive and derived characters and its position within the family is less clear. The many ‘branchiosaurs' in the Nýřany assemblage include specimens that could be larvae of both Mordex and Mattauschia but certain attribution is not possible and they are assigned to Olsoniformes incertae sedis. Mordex and Mattauschia appear to be terrestrial exotic elements in the Nýřany tetrapod assemblage, but with possible larvae in the lake assemblage. Representatives of at least four Palaeozoic dissorophoid families were present in late Middle Pennsylvanian/Asturian strata implying diversification of the Dissorophoidea prior to this time.


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4521 (4) ◽  
pp. 499
Author(s):  
SHINPEI OHASHI

Osteological and myological characters of the ophidiid Hypopleuron caninum are described here in detail. In addition to well-known characters of Ophidiidae (e.g., anal-fin origin well posterior to dorsal-fin origin; barbel-like pelvic fin; many scales), many unique or rare conditions were also recognized, including predorsal bone and maxilla condition, and canine teeth on the premaxilla, which were suggestive of a relationship with Carapidae. Furthermore, the predorsal bone appear to be homologous with the vexillar support, a carapid synapomorphy. Although several characters differ from carapid counterparts (e.g., more anterior anal-fin origin and scales absent in Carapidae), some intermediate conditions between Ophidiidae and Carapidae are apparent in Hypopleuron caninum, which may therefore occupy an intermediate phylogenetic position between the two families. A unique morphology of small second infraorbital bone is recognized in all ophidiiform species observed in this study, and it may be a synapomorphic character of the order Ophidiiformes. 


1985 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Enghoff

AbstractThe family Nemasomatidae is redefined to include onty genera with all sterna secondarily free from pleurotergites. Comments are given on the included genera, viz., Antrokoreana, Basoncopus gen. n. (type-species B. filiformis sp. n.) (Kazakhstan), Dasynemasoma, Thalassisobates, Sinostemmiulus, Nemasoma, and Orinisobates. Isobates coiffaiti Demange, 1961 is synonymized with Thalassisobates littoralis (Silvestri, 1903). Orinisobates is revised and shown to include O. soror sp. n. (Kuril Islands), O. microthylax sp. n. (Kamchatka and Siberia), O. gracilis (Verhoeff, 1933) (NW China), O. sibiricus (Gulicka, 1963) (Altai region, Kazakhstan), O. kasakstanus (Lohmander, 1933) (Kazahkstan), O. nigrior (Chamberlin, 1943) (eastern United States), O. utus (Chamberlin, 1912) (northwestern United States), and O. expressus (Chamberlin, 1941) (northwestern United States and adjacent Canada). Mimolene oregona Chambertin, 1941 and M. sectile Loomis & Schmitt, 1971 are synonymized with O. expressus. A possible case of parthenogenesis in O. microthylax is recorded. Evidence is presented for the following sister-group relationships: Antrokoreana + (Basoncopus + (Dasynemasoma + (Thalassisobates + (Sinostemmiulus + (Orinisobates + Nemasoma))))). The position of Basoncopus is uncertain, and O. soror may belong in a separate genus and constitute the sister-group of Orinisohates + Nemasoma. If soror does belong in Orinisobates, it is the sister-group of all its congeners. The American species of Orinisobates are shown probably to constitute a monophyietic group. The family is suggested to have originated in the eastern Palearctic region, Orinisobates having invaded North America via the Bering Bridge. Doubtful species and species erroneously assoiciated with the Nemasomatidae are listed. The genera Okeanobates and Yosidaiulus are excluded from the family and referred to Okeanobatidae stat. n. in superfamily Blaniuloidea. The genera Trichonemasoma, Telsonemasoma, and Chelojulus are also excluded from the Nemasomatidae and relegated to Julida incertae sedis.


1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 397-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adilson D. Paschoal

The families Licnodamaeidae and Licnobelbi ee are recharacterized. Licnodamaeidae includes the sole genus Licnodamaeus Grandjean, with the species: undulatus (Paoli), pulcherrimus (Paoli) and costula Grandjean, all from Europe; the gen b Licnocepheus Woolley is removed from the family Licnodamaeidae. Licnobelbidae includes also one single genus: Licnobelba Grandjean, with the species: alestensis Grandjean, caesarea (Berlese) and montana Mihelcic, all from Europe. Licnodamaeus granulatus Balogh & Csiszár) (Argentina), Licneremaeus latiflabellatus Paoli and Licneremaeus tuberculatus Paoli (both from taly) are considered incertae sedis.


2016 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Engel

A new genus and species of basal cyclostome Braconidae is described and figured from a male preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar.  <strong><em>Rhetinorhyssalus morticinus</em></strong> Engel, new genus and species, is interesting for its combination of primitive features such as a minute apical costal cell and anal stubs in the forewing, while lacking 2Cu in the hind wing, a putatively derived trait.  As such, the genus may represent a lineage diverging from the braconid stem subsequent to many protorhyssalines, while remaining basal relative to generalized cyclostome groups such as Rhyssalinae.  In addition, the Late Cretaceous <em>Diospilus allani</em> Brues, in Campanian Canadian amber, is transferred to <strong><em>Diorhyssalus</em></strong> Engel, new genus, and its similarity to <em>Rhetinorhyssalus</em> is discussed.  This transfer results in the new combination, <em>Diorhyssalus allani</em> (Brues).  Both genera are tentatively considered as subfamily <em>incertae sedis</em>.


1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 1655-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darla K. Zelenitsky ◽  
L. V. Hills ◽  
Philip J. Currie

Examination of a large number of eggshell fragments collected from the Oldman Formation of southern Alberta reveals a greater ootaxonomic diversity than is known from complete eggs or clutches. Three new oogenera and oospecies of the ornithoid-ratite morphotype and one of the ornithoid-prismatic morphotype are established, based on the eggshell fragments. Porituberoolithus warnerensis oogen. et oosp. nov. and Continuoolithus canadensis oogen. et oosp. nov. have a microstructure similar to that of elongatoolithid eggs of theropod dinosaurs. Tristraguloolithus cracioides oogen. et oosp. nov. and Dispersituberoolithus exilis oogen. et oosp. nov. possess an external zone and thus have a microstructure like modern avian eggshell. Tristraguloolithus has a shell thickness, microstructure, and surface sculpture similar to those of recent bird eggshell of the family Cracidae (order Galliformes). Dispersituberoolithus exhibits the primitive or normal eggshell condition of some recent neognathous avian taxa. The ootaxa described indicate a diversity of both avian and theropod dinosaur egg layers within Devil's Coulee and Knight's Ranch, southern Alberta, during the Late Cretaceous.


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 750-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Harasewych ◽  
Anton Oleinik ◽  
William Zinsmeister

Leptomaria antipodensis and Leptomaria hickmanae are described from the Upper Cretaceous [Maastrichtian] Lopez de Bertodano Formation, Seymour Island, and represent the first Mesozoic records of the family Pleurotomariidae from Antarctica. Leptomaria stillwelli, L. seymourensis, Conotomaria sobralensis and C. bayeri, from the Paleocene [Danian], Sobral Formation, Seymour Island, are described as new. Leptomaria larseniana (Wilckens, 1911) new combination, also from the Sobral Formation, is redescribed based on better-preserved material. The limited diversity of the pleurotomariid fauna of Seymour Island is more similar to that of the Late Cretaceous faunas of Australia and New Zealand in terms of the number of genera and species, than to the older, more diverse faunas of South America, southern India, or northwestern Madagascar, supporting the status of the Weddelian Province as a distinct biogeographic unit. The increase in the species richness of this fauna during the Danian may be due to the final fragmentation of Gondwana during this period.


2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivona Milačić Vidojević ◽  
Dragana Ðurić Jočić ◽  
Oliver Tošković

Aim: The presented study is part of the International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO) conducted in 28 countries. The aim of this study was to compare the degree of experienced and anticipated stigma of patients with schizophrenia in Serbia with world results. Method: The Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC) was applied in individual interviews. The sample comprised 732 subjects of the main study and 50 subjects from Serbia. Results: The amount of negative experienced discrimination in Serbia is the same as in other participating countries. The Serbian sample shows more negative discrimination in intimate relationships, personal safety and general harm due to the diagnosis, but more positive discrimination within the family, privileges during treatment of somatic illnesses, and benefits enjoyed in social and retirement insurance. The Serbian sample shows less anticipated discrimination in looking for a close relationship and in stopping self from applying for work. The results show that socio-demographic variables could not predict negative experienced and anticipated discrimination, while those same variables enable the prediction of 34% of positive discrimination. Conclusion: Compared to other investigated countries, stigmatization processes for persons with schizophrenia do not differ considerably in Serbia, which justifies the implementation of unique anti-stigma programmes and joint upgrading of legal regulations.


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