Annales de Paleontologie最新文献

A coracoid of an enantiornithine bird from Upper Cretaceous (probably late Campanian) fluvial sediments at Castigno (Villespassans, Hérault, southern France) is described. It differs from all hitherto reported enantiornithine coracoids and is referred a new genus and species, Castignovolucris sebei. This bone is large and robust, indicating a bird that was among the largest known enantiornithines, possibly the size of a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). The new taxon is an addition to the short list of Late Cretaceous birds from France and confirms that enantiornithines were an important component of European avifaunas until late in the Cretaceous.

Messinian sedimentation in Tunisia is characterized by the absence of large carbonate platforms known in many Mediterranean marginal basins. As a result, correlations are not easy to establish in order to integrate it into a general pattern of development at the regional level. However, the discovery of microbial constructions of metric scale makes it possible to precise uncertain points. Thus in the sector of Cap Bon in the northeast of Tunisia, stromatolitic constructions can form, over distances of several hundred meters, domes containing columnar structures at different scales as well as carbonate beds showing sedimentary ripples also of microbialite nature. The highlighting of an assemblage of microbialites, associated with oolitic deposits, allows linking these formations to the Terminal Carbonate Complex which finds its place at a part of the so-called Messinian Salinity Crisis.

In the present work, we report the discovery of several carapaces of Zanthopsis sp. from the Lower Eocene of Central Iran, which represent the easternmost record of the genus. In addition, we discuss on the similarities of the different species and/or morphotypes of the genus, and conclude that the European species could be ascribed to the “Zanthopsis leachii complex”, until future works determine the validity of the species therein contained. In this sense, Zanthopsis jacobi Van Straelen, 1924, in agreement with Artal and Vía (1988), is herein considered a junior synonymous of Z. dufouri (H. Milne Edwards in d’Archiac, 1850). The presence of Zanthopsis in the lower Eocene of Iran suggests homogeneity of the brachyuran fauna on both sides of the Tethys Realm.

Alcide d’Orbigny made his mark in the history of French Palaeontology by becoming, in 1853, the first holder of the chair of Palaeontology at the Museum of Natural History, Paris. His work on foraminifera made him one of the pioneers of Micropalaeontology. Today, his original collection of foraminifera, bought by the Museum after his death, represents one of the most prestigious collections of the institution. However, for more than a century, it had been relegated to the reserves and to the good will of a few enthusiasts, while the priority of research study was given to the large vertebrate fossils. It survived the conflicts that affected the Palaeontology department, and was moved in response to construction works, wars and natural accidents such as the great flood of 1910. These different events, combined with inappropriate storage conditions, probably caused the fragility of the specimens. In order to better understand this phenomenon, known as Byne's decay, research has been undertaken to reconstruct the various storage points of the collection from its acquisition to the present day. This article aims to demonstrate the close link between the Foraminifera Collection and the history of the chair of Palaeontology, through evidence drawn from the archives of the Palaeontology laboratory and the Museum of Natural History.

Shurabia taewani sp. nov., is the first representative of the reculid family Geinitziidae described from the Upper Triassic of South Korea. The preservation of numerous wing venation characters on this new fossil allows for its placement in the genus Geinitzia and a deep comparison with other genera of Geinitziidae. This discovery suggests that the insect paleofauna of the Amisan Formation is rich and needs to be further investigated. Shurabia taewani sp. nov. differs from the other species currently included in the genus, inter alia, because its vein ScP ends near wing mid-length, its fork of M is at the same level as the fork of R, its RP has five branches, its MA four branches, its MP two branches, and its vein m-cua ‘M5′ originates from the stem of M and ends into CuA.

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas belt preserves an exceptional record of an Ediacaran microbial biosphere. The Amane Tazgart Formation of the Ouarzazate Group corresponds to an Ediacaran volcanic alkaline lake depositional system (ca. 571 Ma) where microbial buildups accreted in an extreme environment. These microbial accumulations are exceptional not only for their diverse range of extreme conditions but also for their significance in understanding the early biosphere and earth's habitability. A description of these buildups provides insights into their Spatio-temporal distribution. The lower part consists of thrombolitic limestones, usually displaying irregular to patchy mesoclots, associated with composite and stromatolitic buildups. The upper part dominated by clastic stromatolites exhibits a variety of morphotypes ranging vertically from planar wrinkly laminated to large domes. The transitional morphotypes are made of linked and vertically oriented or inclined columns, grading upward to cone-shaped domes. The increase in laminated fabrics and the decrease in clotted fabrics toward the top of the section indicate that environmental conditions were likely suitable for coexisting both fabrics during microbial carbonate accretion. The demise of carbonate production at the late stage coincides with riverine input of clastic sediments, subsequently followed during low sediment input by growth of siliciclastic stromatolites.