scholarly journals New material of “Eurysternidae” (Thalassochelydia, Pan-Cryptodira) from the Kimmeridgian of the Swiss Jura Mountains

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Püntener ◽  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Jean-Paul Billon-Bruyat
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Juvenile Individual ◽  
New Material ◽  
Swiss Jura ◽  
First Time

The region of Porrentruy (Swiss Jura Mountains) is known for its rich and diverse assemblage of Late Jurassic coastal marine turtles (Thalassochelydia). Dominated by the “Plesiochelyidae”, this assemblage also includes representatives of the two other thalassochelydian groups, the “Thalassemydidae” and “Eurysternidae.” In this study, we present new shell-based material from Porrentruy referable to eurysternids. One specimen represents a juvenile individual or a relatively small taxon, and is notably characterized by a well fenestrated plastron exhibiting a wider than long central plastral fontanelle. Two other specimens are much larger and possibly represent the largest eurysternids known to date. The fourth specimen is characterized by a unique plastral morphology otherwise only known in very small juveniles. This is the first time this unique plastral morphology is known to persist in an adult or subadult. The new material described herein represents at least three distinct taxa, all of them probably new. However, we refrain from naming new species based on this incomplete material in order to avoid adding confusion to an already complex taxonomical situation. This study provides new insights into the great diversity of eurysternids during the Late Jurassic.

scholarly journals Thalassemys bruntrutanan. sp., a new coastal marine turtle from the Late Jurassic of Porrentruy (Switzerland), and the paleobiogeography of the Thalassemydidae

PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e1282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Püntener ◽  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Jean-Paul Billon-Bruyat
Keyword(s):  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
New Material ◽  
Swiss Jura ◽  
Nw Switzerland ◽  
A New Species

Background.The Swiss Jura Mountains are a key region for Late Jurassic eucryptodiran turtles. Already in the mid 19th century, the Solothurn Turtle Limestone (Solothurn, NW Switzerland) yielded a great amount of Kimmeridgian turtles that are traditionally referred to Plesiochelyidae, Thalassemydidae, and Eurysternidae. In the past few years, fossils of these coastal marine turtles were also abundantly discovered in the Kimmeridgian of the Porrentruy region (NW Switzerland). These findings include numerous sub-complete shells, out of which we present two new specimens ofThalassemys(Thalassemydidae) in this study.Methods.We compare the new material from Porrentruy to the type speciesTh. hugii, which is based on a well preserved specimen from the Solothurn Turtle Limestone (Solothurn, Switzerland). In order to improve our understanding of the paleogeographic distribution ofThalassemys, anatomical comparisons are extended toThalassemysremains from other European countries, notably Germany and England.Results.While one of the twoThalassemysspecimens from Porrentruy can be attributed toTh. hugii, the other specimen represents a new species,Th. bruntrutanan. sp. It differs fromTh. hugiiby several features: more elongated nuchal that strongly thickens anterolaterally; wider vertebral scales; proportionally longer plastron; broader and less inclined xiphiplastron; wider angle between scapular process and acromion process. Our results show thatTh. hugiiandTh. bruntrutanaalso occur simultaneously in the Kimmeridgian of Solothurn as well as in the Kimmeridgian of England (Kimmeridge Clay). This study is an important step towards a better understanding of the paleobiogeographic distribution of Late Jurassic turtles in Europe.

scholarly journals First report of Plesiochelys etalloni and Tropidemys langii from the Late Jurassic of the UK and the palaeobiogeography of plesiochelyid turtles

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 150470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Sandra D. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
French Jura ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Clay Formation ◽  
First Time

Plesiochelyidae is a clade of relatively large coastal marine turtles that inhabited the shallow epicontinental seas that covered western Europe during the Late Jurassic. Although the group has been reported from many deposits, the material is rarely identified at the species level. Here, we describe historical plesiochelyid material from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England and compare it with contemporaneous localities from the continent. An isolated basicranium is referred to the plesiochelyid Plesiochelys etalloni based notably on the presence of a fully ossified pila prootica. This specimen represents the largest individual known so far for this species and is characterized by remarkably robust features. It is, however, uncertain whether this represents an ontogenetic trend towards robustness in this species, some kind of specific variation (temporal, geographical or sexual), or an abnormal condition of this particular specimen. Four other specimens from the Kimmeridge Clay are referred to the plesiochelyid Tropidemys langii . This contradicts a recent study that failed to identify this species in this formation. This is the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the presence of Plesiochelys etalloni and Tropidemys langii is confirmed outside the Swiss and French Jura Mountains. Our results indicate that some plesiochelyids had a wide palaeobiogeographic distribution during the Kimmeridgian.

scholarly journals A new species of the large-headed coastal marine turtle Solnhofia (Testudinata, Thalassochelydia) from the Late Jurassic of NW Switzerland

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9931
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Christian Püntener
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Ventral View ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Large Head ◽  
New Material ◽  
Nw Switzerland

Background The large-headed turtle Solnhofia parsonsi is known by a handful of specimens from the Late Jurassic of Germany and Switzerland (maybe also France). Solnhofia parsonsi is traditionally regarded as a “eurysternid” Thalassochelydia, a group of small to medium sized, mostly lagoonal or marginal turtles found almost exclusively in the Late Jurassic of Europe. More recently, Solnhofia parsonsi has been proposed to be a close relative of Sandownidae, an enigmatic group of Cretaceous to Paleogene turtles characterized by a derived cranial anatomy and a wider geographical distribution. Sandownids may therefore have evolved from thalassochelydian ancestors such as Solnhofia parsonsi. Methods We herein describe new material of Solnhofia from the Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) of Porrentruy, NW Switzerland. The bulk of the material consists of an association of a cranium and over 180 shell bones found together in a block of marly limestone. A second cranium and a mandible from slightly younger, but nearby localities are also described. Results We refer the new material to Solnhofia brachyrhyncha n. sp. The new species shares with Solnhofia parsonsi a relatively large head, an extensive secondary palate formed primarily by the maxillae, a greatly developed processus trochlearis oticum with a contribution from the parietal and quadratojugal, a large jugal-palatine contact in the floor of the fossa orbitalis, and a posteromedial process of the jugal running on the dorsal surface of the maxilla and pterygoid. Some of these characteristics are also present in sandownids, but our morphological study clearly shows that Solnhofia brachyrhyncha is closer to Solnhofia parsonsi than to any sandownids. Discussion Solnhofia brachyrhyncha differs from Solnhofia parsonsi in many aspects, notably: a shortened and broader cranium, a shorter and posteriorly broader upper triturating surface with a slightly sinusoidal lateral margin and without contribution from the palatine, a processus trochlearis oticum more oblique in dorsal or ventral view and less concave in anterior view, choanae that do not extend posteriorly on the pterygoids, a more developed processus pterygoideus externus, a condylus mandibularis situated anterior to the level of the occipital plane, a greater ventral exposure of the parabasisphenoid, a mandible about as wide as long, a relatively short symphysis, a lower triturating surface widened posterolaterally thanks to the presence of large laterally projecting dentary tubercles, a stouter and shorter coronoid process, a splenial positioned more anteriorly along the mandibular ramus, costo-peripheral fontanelles extending more anteriorly and posteriorly along the costal series, and an escutcheon shaped central plastral fontanelle formed mostly by the hypoplastra. In addition to the morphology of the new species, we also briefly discuss about observable ontogenetic variations and possible taphonomic origin of the assemblage.

scholarly journals Under the feet of sauropods: A trampled coastal marine turtle from the Late Jurassic of Switzerland?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Püntener ◽  
Jean-Paul Billon-Bruyant ◽  
Daniel Marty ◽  
Géraldine Paratte
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
The State ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Turtle Shell ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Swiss Jura

Recent excavations from the “Paléontologie A16” project brought to light thousands of dinosaur footprints and numer-ous turtle remains from the Late Jurassic of Porrentruy (Swiss Jura Mountains). While most fossil turtles (Thalassochelydia) were found in marly layers that were deposited in a coastal marine paleoenvironment, the dinosaur (theropods and sauropods) tracks were found in laminites that were deposited in a tidal flat environment. Despite extensive explo-ration, very few fossils were found in these dinosaur track-bearing laminites. On one occasion, a sub-complete turtle shell (Plesiochelys bigleri) was discovered within the laminites, embedded just beneath an important sauropod track level. The state of preservation of this specimen suggests that the turtle died on the tidal flat and was quickly buried. This is the first evidence that these turtles occasionally visited tidal flat paleoenvironments. Moreover, the particular configuration of the fossil turtle suggests that the shell was possibly trodden on by a large sauropod dinosaur.

scholarly journals A new species of the large-headed coastal marine turtle Solnhofia (Testudinata, Thalassochelydia) from the Late Jurassic of NW Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Anquetin ◽  
Christian Püntener
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Ventral View ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Large Head ◽  
New Material ◽  
Nw Switzerland

Background. The large-headed turtle Solnhofia parsonsi is known by a handful of specimens from the Late Jurassic of Germany and Switzerland (maybe also France). Solnhofia parsonsi is traditionally regarded as a eurysternid Thalassochelydia, a group of small to medium sized, mostly lagoonal or marginal turtles found almost exclusively from the Late Jurassic of Europe. More recently, Solnhofia parsonsi has been proposed to be a close relative of Sandownidae, an enigmatic group of Cretaceous to Paleogene turtles characterized by a derived cranial anatomy and a wider geographical distribution. Sandownids may therefore have evolved from thalassochelydian ancestors such as Solnhofia parsonsi.Methods. We herein describe new material of Solnhofia from the Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) of Porrentruy, NW Switzerland. The bulk of the material consists of an association of a cranium and over 180 shell bones found together in a block of marly limestone. A second cranium and a mandible from slightly younger, but nearby localities are also described.Results. We refer the new material to Solnhofia [edited] n. sp. The new species shares with Solnhofia parsonsi a relatively large head, an extensive secondary palate formed primarily by the maxillae, a greatly developed processus trochlearis oticum with a contribution from the parietal and quadratojugal, a large jugal-palatine contact in the floor of the fossa orbitalis, and a posteromedial process of the jugal running on the dorsal surface of the maxilla and pterygoid. Some of these characteristics are also present in sandownids, but our morphological study clearly shows that Solnhofia [edited] is closer to Solnhofia parsonsi than to any sandownids.Discussion. Solnhofia [edited] differs from Solnhofia parsonsi in many aspects, notably: a shortened and broader cranium, a shorter and posteriorly broader upper triturating surface with a slightly sinusoidal lateral margin and without contribution from the palatine, a processus trochlearis oticum more oblique in dorsal or ventral view and less concave in anterior view, choanae that do not extend posteriorly on the pterygoids, a more developed processus pterygoideus externus, a condylus mandibularis situated anterior to the level of the occipital plane, a greater ventral exposure of the parabasisphenoid, a mandible about as wide as long, a relatively short symphysis, a lower triturating surface widened posterolaterally thanks to the presence of large laterally projecting dentary tubercles, a stouter and shorter coronoid process, a splenial positioned more anteriorly along the mandibular ramus, costo-peripheral fontanelles extending more anteriorly and posteriorly along the costal series, and an escutcheon shaped central plastral fontanelle formed mostly by the hypoplastra. In addition to the morphology of the new species, we also briefy discuss about observable ontogenetic variations and possible taphonomic origin of the assemblage.

Checklist of the Pipunculidae (Diptera) of mainland France: further faunistic records and description of a new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5067 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-547
Author(s):  
PHIL WITHERS ◽  
JOCELYN CLAUDE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dna Analyses ◽  
Precise Data ◽  
New Material ◽  
First Time ◽  
Private Collections ◽  
A New Species

Since the first faunistic study of the Pipunculidae (Diptera) of mainland France in 2006, new material from 37 natural sites and four private collections has been evaluated by the authors of this article. A total of 5739 specimens of Pipunculidae collected in France were examined, of which 5214 were identified to species by the authors, for a total of 114 species. DNA analyses were also carried out on some specimens to confirm their morphological identifications. The list of Pipunculidae recorded in mainland France is updated to include 140 species. Tomosvaryella estebani sp. nov. is described from material collected in France and Italy. Twenty-four species are also reported for the first time from France. The records of Cephalops (Semicephalops) carinatus (Verrall, 1901), Cephalosphaera (Cephalosphaera) furcata (Egger, 1860), Eudorylas terminalis (Thomson, 1870) and Jassidophaga villosa (Roser, 1840), without precise data in the literature, are now precisely located in France with this work. For the other species, we provide new post-2006 records.  

Catochini, Strobliellini and Acoenoniini revisited: a taxonomic review of the small tribes of the Micromyinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4250 (3) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
MATHIAS JASCHHOF
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
New Species ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Taxonomic Review ◽  
New Material ◽  
First Time

The taxonomy of Catochini, Strobliellini and Acoenoniini, three species-poor tribes of the subfamily Micromyinae, is reviewed on the basis of new material from Europe and Japan. In the Catochini, the genus Anocha Pritchard stat. rev. is revived from synonymy with Catocha Haliday and shown to include eight species, five of which are new: Anocha glabra sp. nov. (Sweden), A. grytsjoenensis sp. nov. (Sweden), A. japonica sp. nov. (Japan), A. moraviensis sp. nov. (Czech Republic), and A. vernalis sp. nov. (Sweden). Anocha minuta (Jaschhof), originally described in the genus Catarete Edwards, and Catocha brachycornis (Spungis & Jaschhof), previously classified in the genus Strobliella Kieffer, tribe Strobliellini, are new combinations. In the Acoenoniini, new species described are Acoenonia baltica sp. nov. (Sweden, Latvia) and A. ulleviensis sp. nov. (Sweden). The female of Groveriella Mamaev (tribe Strobliellini) is described for the first time. Keys are provided to the species of Anocha and Acoenonia Pritchard. 

Polycystididae (Rhabditophora: Rhabdocoela: Kalyptorhynchia) from the Indian Ocean, with the description of twelve new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1849 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
TOM J. ARTOIS ◽  
BART S. TESSENS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
East Coast ◽  
New Records ◽  
Species Level ◽  
New Localities ◽  
New Material ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Taxonomical Position ◽  
First Time

An overview of the Polycystididae from the Indian Ocean is presented, including the description of twelve new species. The taxonomical position of each of these species is discussed. Austrorhynchus kerguelensis n. sp., Paraustrorhynchus neleae n. sp., Paulodora ancora n. sp., P. contortoides n. sp., P. drepanophora n. sp., P. hamifer n. sp., P. porcellus n. sp., P. schockaerti n. sp., P. watsoni n. sp., Phonorhynchoides linguatus n. sp. and Polycystis elsae n. sp. can all be distinguished from their congeners on characteristics of the construction of the hard parts of the male system. The older records of Paulodora contorta (Schockaert & Karling, 1975) Artois & Schockaert, 1998 by Schockaert (1982) and Jouk & De Vocht (1989) are re-evaluated and the material is recognised as Paulodora drepanophora n. sp.. The subspecies P. felis asymmetrica Artois & Schockaert, 2001 is raised to the species level. Annalisella bermudensis Karling, 1978, Paraustrorhynchus elixus (Marcus, 1954) Karling & Schockaert, 1977 and Phonorhynchoides haegheni Artois & Schockaert, 2001 are recorded for the first time in the Indian Ocean. The new material of these species is discussed and compared with older descriptions. For Alcha evelinae Marcus, 1949, Cincturorhynchus karlingi Schockaert, 1982, Djeziraia pardii Schockaert, 1971 Gyratrix hermaphroditus Ehrenberg, 1831, Paulodora subcontorta (Schockaert, 1982) Artois & Schockaert, 1998 and Polycystis ali Schockaert, 1982 new localities are given, and newly collected material is discussed. The discussion of P. ali leads to the split of the species into P. ali Schockaert, 1982 from the African East Coast and Galapagos and P. californica n. sp. from California. For some of the species, new records outside the Indian Ocean are also mentioned.

A new species of Protonemura Kempny, 1898 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from the French and Swiss Jura Mountains

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4276 (4) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
JEAN-PAUL G. REDING ◽  
AUDREY BOLARD ◽  
GILLES VINÇON
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Ecological Preferences ◽  
Swiss Jura ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Protonemura Kempny, 1898, P. jurassica sp. n., endemic to the Jura Mountains of France and Switzerland, is described from both adults and nymphs. Information on the distribution, ecological preferences and conservation status of this new species is also provided. 

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