Revision of Epigambriinae Handlirsch, stat. nov., a subfamily of Early Jurassic Ithonidae s.l. (Neuroptera)

We redescribe the holotype of Epigambria longipennis Handlirsch, 1939 from the Early Jurassic of Dobbertin (Germany), the type of the family Epigambriidae Handlirsch, 1939. Two other early Toarcian genera from Germany (Polyosmylus Ansorge, 1996 from Grimmen and Rasnitsyneura gen. nov., the type species R. aequabilis (Bode, 1953), comb. nov. from Schandelach) are assigned to Epigambriidae, which we interpret as Epigambriinae, stat. nov., a subfamily of Ithonidae s.l. The venation of Epigambriinae is most similar to that of the polystoechotid genus-group but may be distinguished from members of this group mainly by (1) a single gradate series between branches of RP in both the fore- and hind wings, and (2) the absence of crossveins between branches of MP and CuA in the forewing.

Genesis of the Weizigou Au Deposit, Heilongjiang Province, NE China: Constraints from LA-ICP-MS Trace Element Analysis of Magnetite, Pyrite and Pyrrhotite, Pyrite Re-Os Dating and S-Pb Isotopes

The Weizigou Au deposit in Heilongjiang Province, NE China, located in the southern Jiamusi Massif, shows similarities to IOCG deposits. To determine the mineralization age, sources of ore-forming materials and genetic type, pyrite Re-Os dating, S-Pb isotopic analysis, in situ sulfur analysis and LA-ICP-MS analysis of trace elements in magnetite, pyrite and pyrrhotite were conducted. Four pyrite samples yielded a Re-Os isochron age of 197 ± 11 Ma, implying the occurrence a metallogenic event in the Early Jurassic. The δ34S values of sulfides display a relatively narrow range from 4.70‰ to 12.83‰ (mainly 9.90‰ to 12.83‰), which may be accounted for the extensively exposed granitic gneiss and meta-gabbro, with δ34S values of 7.44‰ to 8.44‰ and 4.37‰ to 10.54‰, respectively. Sulfide lead isotopic compositions have 206Pb/204Pb = 18.605–20.136, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.637–15.710 and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.534–39.129, indicating that the lead was derived from a mixed source. Magnetite has the characteristics of a lower Ti content and higher Zn content, indicating that it should be of hydrothermal origin, which may be related to IOCG-type mineralization. Pyrite and pyrrhotite have a Co/Ni ratio greater than 1 and a lower As content, indicating that they are of magmatic hydrothermal origin. Integrating the above analysis results, we inferred that the Weizigou Au deposit experienced the IOCG-type mineralization in the Middle-Late Permian, associated with magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization in the Early Jurassic.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STUDY OF THE EARLY JURASSIC PETRIFIED FOREST OF HOLBAV AND CRISTIAN AREAS (BRAȘOV REGION, SOUTH CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA), 2nd PART

The present paper represents the second part of the palaeoxylotomical study on the “Grădinaru Collection” that is housed by the National Museum of Geology, Bucharest. By the study of a new material collected from the Getic domain of the South Carpathians, Romania, the following taxa were identified and discussed in detail: Protocupressinoxylon dragastanii, Protojuniperoxylon holbavicum (sp. nov.), Brachyoxylon holbavicum, B. cristianicum, Palaeoginkgoxylon sp., Bucklandia sp. A, and Bucklandia sp. B. All the studied specimens suggest to a tropical Early Jurassic petrified forest. Thus, the new data have not only palaeobotanical importance, but they also contribute to the palaeobiogeographic, palaeoecologic and palaeoclimatologic knowledge of the Mesophytic

A new early-branching armoured dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic of southwestern China

The early evolutionary history of the armoured dinosaurs (Thyreophora) is obscured by its patchily distributed fossil record and by conflicting views on the relationships of its Early Jurassic representatives. Here, we describe an early-diverging thyreophoran from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of Yunnan Province, China, on the basis of an associated partial skeleton that includes skull, axial, limb and armour elements. It can be diagnosed as a new taxon based on numerous cranial and postcranial autapomorphies and is further distinguished from all other thyreophorans by a unique combination of character states. Although the robust postcranium is similar to that of more deeply nested ankylosaurs and stegosaurs, phylogenetic analysis recovers it as either the sister taxon of Emausaurus or of the clade Scelidosaurus and Eurypoda. This new taxon, Yuxisaurus kopchicki, represents the first valid thyreophoran dinosaur to be described from the Early Jurassic of Asia and confirms the rapid geographic spread and diversification of the clade after its first appearance in the Hettangian. Its heavy build and distinctive armour also hint at previously unrealised morphological diversity early in the clade history.

Marbles from Castagneto Carducci Area (Tuscany, Italy)

In this work, marbles from Castagneto Carducci (Livorno province, Tuscany), which originated by contact metamorphism of the Calcare Massiccio Fm., an Early Jurassic limestone belonging to the Tuscan Sequence, were studied for determining their chemical, mineralogical and petrographic characteristics, and the main physical and mechanical properties. Forty marble samples were sampled and analysed; they are from two inactive quarries on the NW and NE slopes of the Mt. Romitorino, and from natural outcrops in the vicinity of the quarries. The analysed rocks are marbles with high calcite content (> 98% by weight). Optical microscopy observations showed Castagneto Carducci marbles generally have a heteroblastic/granoblastic texture with crystal boundaries from curved-right to lobate. The maximum grain size of the calcite crystals ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. The determination of the main physical and mechanical properties of the analysed marbles showed that these rocks are characterised by low porosity and, in general, good physical and mechanical properties.