Bostrichidae is commonly referred to as auger beetles. Of them, the subfamily Alitrepaninae is the only extinct subfamily of the family Bostirichidae. Here, based on detailed characterization analysis and comparisons with other species of the Alitrepaninae subfamily, we identified two new species of the genus Poinarinius in well-preserved Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber from northern Myanmar, along with a key to Poinarinius genus. Our new species can be clearly distinguished through the feature of head visible from above, dorsal plate of the pronotum, elytra performance and length of each tarsomere. Our study deepens insight into the adaptive evolution of the subfamily Alitrepaninae regarding feeding habits and resistance, as well as discussed the ecological habits of this taxon in Cretaceous. In summary, our findings will contribute to the understanding of the diversity and evolutionary origin of Bostirichidae.
{"title":"Two new species of the extinct subfamily Alitrepaninae (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Kachin amber in northern Myanmar","authors":"Huan Wang, Yuan Peng, Qianhui Lin, Ruiqing Tao, Zirui Zhang, Shuo Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106051","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106051","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bostrichidae is commonly referred to as auger beetles. Of them, the subfamily Alitrepaninae is the only extinct subfamily of the family Bostirichidae. Here, based on detailed characterization analysis and comparisons with other species of the Alitrepaninae subfamily, we identified two new species of the genus <em>Poinarinius</em> in well-preserved Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber from northern Myanmar, along with a key to <em>Poinarinius</em> genus. Our new species can be clearly distinguished through the feature of head visible from above, dorsal plate of the pronotum, elytra performance and length of each tarsomere. Our study deepens insight into the adaptive evolution of the subfamily Alitrepaninae regarding feeding habits and resistance, as well as discussed the ecological habits of this taxon in Cretaceous. In summary, our findings will contribute to the understanding of the diversity and evolutionary origin of Bostirichidae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106051"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142747482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106054
Yan Zhang , Yun-fei Xue , Chuan-biao Wan , Wen-chun Ge
The Cretaceous period, recognized as one of the warmest in Earth's geological timeline, is crucial for understanding paleoclimatic conditions. Palynological analyses, focusing on spores and pollen, play a vital role in reconstructing paleoenvironmental. This study emphasizes the relationship between climate and plant distribution through detailed palynological analyses. It reports the first discovery of abundant and diverse palynomorphs from the lower Nantun Fm in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. The identified palynological assemblage, termed the Protoconiferus flavus—Pinuspollenites sp.—Quantouendinium sp. (PPQ) assemblage, provides significant insights into the Early Cretaceous flora of northeastern China. The PPQ assemblage can be chronologically attributed to the Hauterivian–early Barremian interval, consistent with the LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb isotope ages of the Nantun Fm volcanic rocks. Paleovegetation reconstruction reveals a prevailing dominance of coniferous vegetation in the region represented by the PPQ assemblage, indicative of a characteristic of mid-to high-latitude mountain coniferous forest landscape. The climatic was mainly humid or semi-humid. This conclusion is supported by the abundance of freshwater dinocyst and green algae fossils, suggesting that sedimentation occurred in a shallow, freshwater hydrostatic environment with an estimated water temperature of approximately 20–25 °C. The environment was also nutrient-rich, which facilitated the proliferation of green algae such as Scenedesmus, Pediastrum, and Tetraedron. Identifying this assemblage is important for determining the age of the lower Nantun Fm, reconstructing paleovegetation and paleoclimate, and analyzing the lacustrine water conditions during the sedimentary period in the Hailar Basin.
{"title":"A new palynological assemblage of the Nantun Formation in the Huhehu Sag, Hailar Basin, NE China: Implications for paleoenvironments","authors":"Yan Zhang , Yun-fei Xue , Chuan-biao Wan , Wen-chun Ge","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106054","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Cretaceous period, recognized as one of the warmest in Earth's geological timeline, is crucial for understanding paleoclimatic conditions. Palynological analyses, focusing on spores and pollen, play a vital role in reconstructing paleoenvironmental. This study emphasizes the relationship between climate and plant distribution through detailed palynological analyses. It reports the first discovery of abundant and diverse palynomorphs from the lower Nantun Fm in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. The identified palynological assemblage, termed the <em>Protoconiferus flavus</em>—<em>Pinuspollenites</em> sp.—<em>Quantouendinium</em> sp. (PPQ) assemblage, provides significant insights into the Early Cretaceous flora of northeastern China. The PPQ assemblage can be chronologically attributed to the Hauterivian–early Barremian interval, consistent with the LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb isotope ages of the Nantun Fm volcanic rocks. Paleovegetation reconstruction reveals a prevailing dominance of coniferous vegetation in the region represented by the PPQ assemblage, indicative of a characteristic of mid-to high-latitude mountain coniferous forest landscape. The climatic was mainly humid or semi-humid. This conclusion is supported by the abundance of freshwater dinocyst and green algae fossils, suggesting that sedimentation occurred in a shallow, freshwater hydrostatic environment with an estimated water temperature of approximately 20–25 °C. The environment was also nutrient-rich, which facilitated the proliferation of green algae such as <em>Scenedesmus</em>, <em>Pediastrum</em>, and <em>Tetraedron</em>. Identifying this assemblage is important for determining the age of the lower Nantun Fm, reconstructing paleovegetation and paleoclimate, and analyzing the lacustrine water conditions during the sedimentary period in the Hailar Basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106054"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142747480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106052
Ángela D. Buscalioni , Raman Umamaheswaran , Alba Sánchez-García , Ana Isabel López-Archilla , Jaime Joaquim Dias , Ismar de Souza Carvalho , Candela Blanco-Moreno , Jesús Marugán-Lobón
The present study focuses on a group of macroinvertebrates that have played an important role in past and present lentic ecosystems: the Ephemeroptera. The study analyses the diversity, relative abundance, taphonomic alterations and fossilisation patterns of the Las Hoyas nymphs. The objective is to investigate the factors that may contribute to the presence of soft tissues in fossils with poor corporeal preservation. In accordance with this, only three morphotypes of the Leptophlebiidae family and one of the Euthyplociidae family have been characterised. However, the ultrastructural details of digestive and respiratory tissues have been documented, including the digestive canal, the shape of the gills, tracheoles, chloride cells, and importantly, in situ bacteria in cytokinetic stages located at the hindgut. The nymphs were fossilised in a variety of ways, including carbonaceous films, mineralised casts, and impressions. The nymphs that have been fossilised as composite moulds (Type III) and carbon films (Type II) tend to be larger in size. However, their bodies are rather well-preserved and show less soft tissue remains than those of the nymphs that have been preserved as impressions (Type I) and mineralised phosphorus casts (Type IV). These latter nymphs are smaller in size, and their bodies are poorly preserved. However, they show a greater variety of soft tissue details. This bias suggests an interesting link to environmental factors differentiating watered and flooding from microbial mat binding conditions.
{"title":"Exceptional preservation in mayfly nymphs (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from the Early Cretaceous of the Las Hoyas fossil site","authors":"Ángela D. Buscalioni , Raman Umamaheswaran , Alba Sánchez-García , Ana Isabel López-Archilla , Jaime Joaquim Dias , Ismar de Souza Carvalho , Candela Blanco-Moreno , Jesús Marugán-Lobón","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106052","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106052","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study focuses on a group of macroinvertebrates that have played an important role in past and present lentic ecosystems: the Ephemeroptera. The study analyses the diversity, relative abundance, taphonomic alterations and fossilisation patterns of the Las Hoyas nymphs. The objective is to investigate the factors that may contribute to the presence of soft tissues in fossils with poor corporeal preservation. In accordance with this, only three morphotypes of the Leptophlebiidae family and one of the Euthyplociidae family have been characterised. However, the ultrastructural details of digestive and respiratory tissues have been documented, including the digestive canal, the shape of the gills, tracheoles, chloride cells, and importantly, in situ bacteria in cytokinetic stages located at the hindgut. The nymphs were fossilised in a variety of ways, including carbonaceous films, mineralised casts, and impressions. The nymphs that have been fossilised as composite moulds (Type III) and carbon films (Type II) tend to be larger in size. However, their bodies are rather well-preserved and show less soft tissue remains than those of the nymphs that have been preserved as impressions (Type I) and mineralised phosphorus casts (Type IV). These latter nymphs are smaller in size, and their bodies are poorly preserved. However, they show a greater variety of soft tissue details. This bias suggests an interesting link to environmental factors differentiating watered and flooding from microbial mat binding conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106052"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142747481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046
Xuanyu Zhou , Naoki Ikegami , Rodrigo V. Pêgas , Toru Yoshinaga , Takahiro Sato , Toshifumi Mukunoki , Jun Otani , Yoshitsugu Kobayashi
The Japanese pterosaur record is relatively scarce and represented by a limited number of fragmentary specimens from Cretaceous deposits, including a partial cervical vertebra of an azhdarchid from the “Upper Formation” (Turonian-Coniacian) of the Mifune Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Here, we redescribe this notable Japanese pterosaur specimen and test its phylogenetic position. We interpret it as a sixth cervical vertebra and identify diagnostic features that enable its recognition as a new taxon, Nipponopterus mifunensis gen. et sp. nov. It is noteworthy that this represents the first nominal species of pterosaur from Japan and that this new taxon shows numerous quetzalcoatline features, being strikingly similar to the unnamed Burkhant azhdarchid from the Turonian–Coniacian of Mongolia. Our phylogenetic analysis places Nipponopterus as a sister taxon to the Burkhant azhdarchid and nested within the clade of Quetzalcoatlinae.
{"title":"Reassessment of an azhdarchid pterosaur specimen from the Mifune Group, Upper Cretaceous of Japan","authors":"Xuanyu Zhou , Naoki Ikegami , Rodrigo V. Pêgas , Toru Yoshinaga , Takahiro Sato , Toshifumi Mukunoki , Jun Otani , Yoshitsugu Kobayashi","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Japanese pterosaur record is relatively scarce and represented by a limited number of fragmentary specimens from Cretaceous deposits, including a partial cervical vertebra of an azhdarchid from the “Upper Formation” (Turonian-Coniacian) of the Mifune Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Here, we redescribe this notable Japanese pterosaur specimen and test its phylogenetic position. We interpret it as a sixth cervical vertebra and identify diagnostic features that enable its recognition as a new taxon, <em>Nipponopterus mifunensis</em> gen. et sp. nov. It is noteworthy that this represents the first nominal species of pterosaur from Japan and that this new taxon shows numerous quetzalcoatline features, being strikingly similar to the unnamed Burkhant azhdarchid from the Turonian–Coniacian of Mongolia. Our phylogenetic analysis places <em>Nipponopterus</em> as a sister taxon to the Burkhant azhdarchid and nested within the clade of Quetzalcoatlinae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106045
E. Aldrin Juárez-Aguilar , Francisco Sánchez-Beristain , Juan Pablo Bernal , Ofelia Morton-Bermea , Pedro García-Barrera
The Tlayúa Quarry is considered one of the most important Cretaceous outcrops in Mexico. Its well-preserved palaeobiota has allowed this outcrop to be considered a Konservat-Lagerstätte. Geochemical proxies such as major, minor and trace elements were evaluated from selected Zones of the Tlayúa Quarry, in order to infer some features of the depositional environment in which Tlayúa limestones originated. Aluminum, Thorium and Zirconium concentrations in addition to a low Phosphorous content evidence little terrigenous contamination, as well as a phosphate-free environment. Additionally, proxies such as Fe vs ΣREE, Mn vs ΣREE, Al vs ΣREE, Fe vs NdSN/YbSN, Al vs NdSN/YbSN, and Ce/Ce∗ vs Eu/Eu∗ show low correlation values (r2 less than 0.25 in all cases with n = 128 and p < 0.05), thus suggesting a negligible influence of diagenetic effects or terrigenous contamination. These conditions are necessary for carrying out reliable palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Rare Earth Elements + Yttrium (REE+Y) concentrations were normalised to the Post-Archean Australian Shale standard to evaluate REE+Y patterns and anomalies. Following traits were identified: a slightly enrichment of heavy REE relative to light REE and moderate REE; positive La/LaSN, Gd/GdSN and Y/YSN anomalies; negative/positive Ce/CeSN anomalies; superchondritic and chondritic Y/Ho ratios. Here, we described that most of our limestone samples show the influence of marine waters and well oxidising conditions. However, freshwater signals that have been reported for some regions of the Tlayúa Quarry were also verified. Geochemical data are in agreement with the depositional environment evidenced by microfacies.
{"title":"Palaeoenvironmental inferences of a Mexican Konservat-Lagerstätte (Tlayúa Quarry; Lower Cretaceous) based on the geochemistry of rare earth elements","authors":"E. Aldrin Juárez-Aguilar , Francisco Sánchez-Beristain , Juan Pablo Bernal , Ofelia Morton-Bermea , Pedro García-Barrera","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Tlayúa Quarry is considered one of the most important Cretaceous outcrops in Mexico. Its well-preserved palaeobiota has allowed this outcrop to be considered a <em>Konservat-Lagerstätte</em>. Geochemical proxies such as major, minor and trace elements were evaluated from selected Zones of the Tlayúa Quarry, in order to infer some features of the depositional environment in which Tlayúa limestones originated. Aluminum, Thorium and Zirconium concentrations in addition to a low Phosphorous content evidence little terrigenous contamination, as well as a phosphate-free environment. Additionally, proxies such as Fe vs ΣREE, Mn vs ΣREE, Al vs ΣREE, Fe vs Nd<sub>SN</sub>/Yb<sub>SN</sub>, Al vs Nd<sub>SN</sub>/Yb<sub>SN</sub>, and Ce/Ce∗ vs Eu/Eu∗ show low correlation values (r<sup>2</sup> less than 0.25 in all cases with n = 128 and p < 0.05), thus suggesting a negligible influence of diagenetic effects or terrigenous contamination. These conditions are necessary for carrying out reliable palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Rare Earth Elements + Yttrium (REE+Y) concentrations were normalised to the Post-Archean Australian Shale standard to evaluate REE+Y patterns and anomalies. Following traits were identified: a slightly enrichment of heavy REE relative to light REE and moderate REE; positive La/La<sub>SN</sub>, Gd/Gd<sub>SN</sub> and Y/Y<sub>SN</sub> anomalies; negative/positive Ce/Ce<sub>SN</sub> anomalies; superchondritic and chondritic Y/Ho ratios. Here, we described that most of our limestone samples show the influence of marine waters and well oxidising conditions. However, freshwater signals that have been reported for some regions of the Tlayúa Quarry were also verified. Geochemical data are in agreement with the depositional environment evidenced by microfacies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106045"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-09DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106037
Marouf Abdelaty Mohamed Abdelhamid , Osman Abdelghany , Mahmoud Abu Saima , Anhar Asan
Thirteen species of regular echinoid, in ten genera, are recorded from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian Qahlah and Simsima formations of two sections located along the western borders of the Northern Oman Mountains. Twelve of these are from the Simsima Formation in the Jebel El Rawdah section, four from the Qahlah and Simsima formations in the Jebel Huwayyah section. One new species, Hattopsis muradi, is described from the Jebel El Rawdah section. The status of the genus Pseudorthopsis is confirmed; differences between it and Orthopsis are discussed and Orthopsis sanfilippoi is transferred to Pseudorthopsis, here being recorded for the first time from the Arabian Gulf region. Revision of three species referred to Hattopsis and nine species ascribed to Protechinus (=Noetlingia, Noetlingaster) has elucidated the relationship between these two genera and affirmed the distinctiveness of Hattopsis. Hattopsis sphericus and Echinotiara perebaskinei are recorded for the first time from Jebel Huwayyah. All species identified are compared with other related taxa, and their stratigraphical ranges, affinities, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology discussed.
{"title":"Selected regular echinoids (Echinoidea) from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian along the western borders of the Northern Oman Mountains, with description of a new species","authors":"Marouf Abdelaty Mohamed Abdelhamid , Osman Abdelghany , Mahmoud Abu Saima , Anhar Asan","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thirteen species of regular echinoid, in ten genera, are recorded from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian Qahlah and Simsima formations of two sections located along the western borders of the Northern Oman Mountains. Twelve of these are from the Simsima Formation in the Jebel El Rawdah section, four from the Qahlah and Simsima formations in the Jebel Huwayyah section. One new species, <em>Hattopsis muradi</em>, is described from the Jebel El Rawdah section. The status of the genus <em>Pseudorthopsis</em> is confirmed; differences between it and <em>Orthopsis</em> are discussed and <em>Orthopsis sanfilippoi</em> is transferred to <em>Pseudorthopsis</em>, here being recorded for the first time from the Arabian Gulf region. Revision of three species referred to <em>Hattopsis</em> and nine species ascribed to <em>Protechinus</em> (=<em>Noetlingia</em>, <em>Noetlingaster</em>) has elucidated the relationship between these two genera and affirmed the distinctiveness of <em>Hattopsis</em>. <em>Hattopsis sphericus</em> and <em>Echinotiara perebaskinei</em> are recorded for the first time from Jebel Huwayyah. All species identified are compared with other related taxa, and their stratigraphical ranges, affinities, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106037"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106036
Yang Li , Xiaolin Wang , Shunxing Jiang , Junyi Song
Pterosaur footprints are important trace fossils for understanding the ecological habits of pterosaurs, and they are extremely rare worldwide. Within the Lower Cretaceous of the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang, hundreds of large pterosaur footprints have been unearthed. These imprints underwent a meticulous examination encompassing their dimensions, length-to-width ratio, proportions of digital and metatarsal parts, and divarication between digits of the manus imprints. A new ichnospecies, Pteraichnus junggarensis isp. nov., has been proposed based on these detailed analyses. By comparing these footprints with the anatomical characteristics of local larger pterosaur pedal bone fossils, it is suggested that the large-sized P. junggarensis footprints were produced by Dsungaripterus weii. The successful correlation between pterosaur fossils and their footprints within the Wuerho Pterosaur Fauna marks a momentous stride in deducing trackmakers based on their footprints. Moreover, estimates of pterosaur pes length and hip height were, for the first time, derived from a comprehensive scrutiny of 54 non-pterodactyloid and pterodactyloid specimens. A salient discovery was the markedly reduced ratio of hip height to pes length in non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs in comparison to their pterodactyloid counterparts. By employing fitted linear equations grounded on footprint dimensions, it is posited that the hip height for Noripterus complicidens ranges from 0.10 to 0.20 m, while for D. weii, it ranges from 0.28 to 0.46 m. Additionally, based on the ratio of stride length to hip height in the trackways, it is inferred that the trackmakers exhibited a typical walking gait, with speeds of 0.33 and 0.25 m/s, respectively.
{"title":"First deciphering of large pterosaur footprints and their trackmaker in the Junggar Basin, China","authors":"Yang Li , Xiaolin Wang , Shunxing Jiang , Junyi Song","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pterosaur footprints are important trace fossils for understanding the ecological habits of pterosaurs, and they are extremely rare worldwide. Within the Lower Cretaceous of the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang, hundreds of large pterosaur footprints have been unearthed. These imprints underwent a meticulous examination encompassing their dimensions, length-to-width ratio, proportions of digital and metatarsal parts, and divarication between digits of the manus imprints. A new ichnospecies, <em>Pteraichnus junggarensis</em> isp. nov., has been proposed based on these detailed analyses. By comparing these footprints with the anatomical characteristics of local larger pterosaur pedal bone fossils, it is suggested that the large-sized <em>P. junggarensis</em> footprints were produced by <em>Dsungaripterus weii</em>. The successful correlation between pterosaur fossils and their footprints within the Wuerho Pterosaur Fauna marks a momentous stride in deducing trackmakers based on their footprints. Moreover, estimates of pterosaur pes length and hip height were, for the first time, derived from a comprehensive scrutiny of 54 non-pterodactyloid and pterodactyloid specimens. A salient discovery was the markedly reduced ratio of hip height to pes length in non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs in comparison to their pterodactyloid counterparts. By employing fitted linear equations grounded on footprint dimensions, it is posited that the hip height for <em>Noripterus complicidens</em> ranges from 0.10 to 0.20 m, while for <em>D. weii</em>, it ranges from 0.28 to 0.46 m. Additionally, based on the ratio of stride length to hip height in the trackways, it is inferred that the trackmakers exhibited a typical walking gait, with speeds of 0.33 and 0.25 m/s, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106036"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106033
Jongyun Jung , Hyemin Jo , Minguk Kim , Min Huh
Pteraichnus is the most reported pterosaur ichnotaxa and the taxon with the largest number of reported ichnospecies. However, most ichnospecies of Pteraichnus are restricted to the type locality and type specimens and have not been expanded. This study employs two-dimensional landmark-based Geometric Morphometric analyses (GMA) to investigate the manus tracks of four ichnotaxa of Pteraichnus (P. koreanensis, P. nipponensis, P. wuerhoensis, and P. gracilis) from the Early Cretaceous of East Asia. These analyses are the first attempt to perform GMA on pterosaur ichnofossil and reveal that the morphological characteristics of these ichnotaxa are significantly distinguishable. In addition to traditional descriptive criteria, features such as the width of the digits and the metacarpal-phalangeal joint area were identified as valid criteria for numerical comparison. The results suggest that GMA can enhance the ichnotaxonomic classification of invalid or questionable ichnotaxa and provide taxonomic estimation for manus-only tracks. This approach highlights the potential for spatiotemporal comparisons between disparate pterosaur footprints. The distinct morphological features observed in tracks from relatively close localities suggest the presence of diverse pterosaur faunas across East Asia. Further research with an expanded dataset of pterosaurian ichnotaxa is recommended to refine ichnotaxonomic classifications and enhance our knowledge of pterosaur paleogeography.
翼龙是报道最多的翼龙生物群，也是报道的翼龙生物群数量最多的类群。然而，大多数翼龙的图案种仅限于模式产地和模式标本，尚未扩展。本研究采用基于二维地标的几何形态计量分析（GMA），研究了东亚早白垩世四个翼手目（P. koreanensis、P. nipponensis、P. wuerhoensis 和 P. gracilis）的肛迹。这些分析是对翼龙化石进行 GMA 的首次尝试，并揭示了这些化石群的形态特征具有显著的可区分性。除了传统的描述性标准外，指骨宽度和掌指关节面积等特征也被确定为进行数字比较的有效标准。结果表明，GMA 可以加强对无效或有疑问的生物分类学分类，并为仅有鬃毛的足迹提供分类估计。这种方法凸显了对不同翼龙足迹进行时空比较的潜力。在相对较近地点的足迹中观察到的不同形态特征表明，东亚地区存在多样化的翼龙动物群。建议通过扩大翼龙图谱数据集开展进一步研究，以完善图谱分类学，增进我们对翼龙古地理的了解。
{"title":"Ichnotaxonomic and morphological differentiation in pterosaur tracks using Geometric Morphometric analysis: A case study on Pteraichnus manus tracks from Cretaceous East Asia","authors":"Jongyun Jung , Hyemin Jo , Minguk Kim , Min Huh","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Pteraichnus</em> is the most reported pterosaur ichnotaxa and the taxon with the largest number of reported ichnospecies. However, most ichnospecies of <em>Pteraichnus</em> are restricted to the type locality and type specimens and have not been expanded. This study employs two-dimensional landmark-based Geometric Morphometric analyses (GMA) to investigate the manus tracks of four ichnotaxa of <em>Pteraichnus</em> (<em>P. koreanensis, P. nipponensis, P. wuerhoensis</em>, and <em>P. gracilis</em>) from the Early Cretaceous of East Asia. These analyses are the first attempt to perform GMA on pterosaur ichnofossil and reveal that the morphological characteristics of these ichnotaxa are significantly distinguishable. In addition to traditional descriptive criteria, features such as the width of the digits and the metacarpal-phalangeal joint area were identified as valid criteria for numerical comparison. The results suggest that GMA can enhance the ichnotaxonomic classification of invalid or questionable ichnotaxa and provide taxonomic estimation for manus-only tracks. This approach highlights the potential for spatiotemporal comparisons between disparate pterosaur footprints. The distinct morphological features observed in tracks from relatively close localities suggest the presence of diverse pterosaur faunas across East Asia. Further research with an expanded dataset of pterosaurian ichnotaxa is recommended to refine ichnotaxonomic classifications and enhance our knowledge of pterosaur paleogeography.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106033"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106035
Bintao Gao , Qinghai Zhang , Xin Rao , Lin Ding
The closing of the Tethys Ocean during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic dramatically affected the palaeogeography, palaeoenvironment and biotic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding areas. The timing of closure of the Tethys Ocean in different areas is recorded by the youngest marine deposits. In the western Kunlun area of northwestern Tibet, the Tielongtan Group represents the youngest marine deposits, and is rich in rudist bivalves; however, its depositional age, particularly the age of final deposition, is poorly constrained. Systematic and palaeobiogeographic analyses were conducted on rudists from the Tielongtan Group in the eastern Loqzung Mountains. Four genera and two species were identified: Biradiolites boldjuanensis, Gorjanovicia acuticostata, Durania sp. and Radiolites sp. The occurrence of the lower Maastrichtian index fossil, Biradiolites boldjuanensis, indicates that deposition of the Tielongtan Group continued until the early Maastrichtian. Therefore, the results of this and previous studies indicate that deposition of the Tielongtan Group spanned from at least the Turonian to the early Maastrichtian. Palaeobiogeographical analyses show that B. boldjuanensis was endemic in Central Asia, whereas G. acuticostata might have extended beyond the Mediterranean region. During the Late Cretaceous, the shallow ocean in the western Kunlun area contained both cosmopolitan and endemic rudists.
{"title":"Persistence of a shallow-marine environment in the western Kunlun area (northwestern Tibet) until the early Maastrichtian: Evidence from radiolitid rudist bivalves","authors":"Bintao Gao , Qinghai Zhang , Xin Rao , Lin Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The closing of the Tethys Ocean during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic dramatically affected the palaeogeography, palaeoenvironment and biotic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding areas. The timing of closure of the Tethys Ocean in different areas is recorded by the youngest marine deposits. In the western Kunlun area of northwestern Tibet, the Tielongtan Group represents the youngest marine deposits, and is rich in rudist bivalves; however, its depositional age, particularly the age of final deposition, is poorly constrained. Systematic and palaeobiogeographic analyses were conducted on rudists from the Tielongtan Group in the eastern Loqzung Mountains. Four genera and two species were identified: <em>Biradiolites boldjuanensis</em>, <em>Gorjanovicia acuticostata</em>, <em>Durania</em> sp. and <em>Radiolites</em> sp. The occurrence of the lower Maastrichtian index fossil, <em>Biradiolites boldjuanensis</em>, indicates that deposition of the Tielongtan Group continued until the early Maastrichtian. Therefore, the results of this and previous studies indicate that deposition of the Tielongtan Group spanned from at least the Turonian to the early Maastrichtian. Palaeobiogeographical analyses show that <em>B</em>. <em>boldjuanensis</em> was endemic in Central Asia, whereas <em>G</em>. <em>acuticostata</em> might have extended beyond the Mediterranean region. During the Late Cretaceous, the shallow ocean in the western Kunlun area contained both cosmopolitan and endemic rudists.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106035"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106034
Jun Chen , De Zhuo , Guangying Ren , Fei Yang , Baizheng An
Minute litter bugs (Dipsocoromorpha) constitute one of the most ancient and specialized lineages of Heteroptera. This infraorder displays an array of deviant body structures, such as dramatically varying tarsal formula, asymmetrical male abdominal terminal segments, and beetle-like appearance with elytriform tegmina. Most these unusual morphological traits have been reported in early dipsocoromorphans, except the stunning coleopteroid wings. Herein, a new minute litter bug, Qiaoia menghaoae Chen and Zhuo, gen. et sp. nov. is described from middle Cretaceous Kachin amber, northern Myanmar, representing the first beetle-like dipsocoromorphan in the Mesozoic. The new genus and species is characterized by three pairs of extremely strong spine-like trichobothria on vertex and pronotum, thoracic legs densely covered with tiny setae and long spines, hemelytra generally dark-stained and with a narrow bright transverse stripe in middle. Our new find further confirms that the grotesque morphological characteristics displayed in modern minute litter bugs have evolved and likely prevalent in their Cretaceous ancestors. Additionally, morphological analyses suggest some Mesozoic dipsocoromorphans including Qiaoia menghaoae Chen and Zhuo, gen. et sp. nov. probably lived in relatively open areas like arboreal habitats and were more mobile and active than their recent descendants, which are commonly with cryptic life style.
微小垃圾虫（Dipsocoromorpha）是异翅目中最古老、最特化的种类之一。该亚纲显示出一系列奇特的身体结构，如跗骨式的显著变化、雄性腹部末节的不对称以及甲虫般的外观和椭圆形的蜕膜。除了令人惊叹的鞘翅外，大多数这些不寻常的形态特征都曾在早期的二翅目中被报道过。本文描述了缅甸北部中白垩世克钦琥珀中发现的一种新的微小垃圾虫--Qiaoia menghaoae Chen and Zhuo, gen.新属、新种的特征是：顶点和前胸有三对极强的刺状三齿，胸腿密布细小刚毛和长刺，半甲壳一般呈暗色，中间有一条窄而明亮的横纹。我们的新发现进一步证实，现代微小垃圾虫所表现出的怪异形态特征是进化而来的，很可能在其白垩纪祖先中就已普遍存在。此外，形态学分析表明，中生代的一些双角虫，包括陈和卓（Qiaoia menghaoae Chen and Zhuo，gen. et sp. nov.），可能生活在树栖等相对开阔的地区，与它们的近代后代相比，它们的活动能力更强，更活跃，而它们的生活方式通常是隐蔽的。
{"title":"A beetle-like minute litter bug trapped in 99 million-year-old Kachin amber (Hemiptera, Dipsocoromorpha, Schizopteridae)","authors":"Jun Chen , De Zhuo , Guangying Ren , Fei Yang , Baizheng An","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Minute litter bugs (Dipsocoromorpha) constitute one of the most ancient and specialized lineages of Heteroptera. This infraorder displays an array of deviant body structures, such as dramatically varying tarsal formula, asymmetrical male abdominal terminal segments, and beetle-like appearance with elytriform tegmina. Most these unusual morphological traits have been reported in early dipsocoromorphans, except the stunning coleopteroid wings. Herein, a new minute litter bug, <em>Qiaoia menghaoae</em> Chen and Zhuo, gen. et sp. nov. is described from middle Cretaceous Kachin amber, northern Myanmar, representing the first beetle-like dipsocoromorphan in the Mesozoic. The new genus and species is characterized by three pairs of extremely strong spine-like trichobothria on vertex and pronotum, thoracic legs densely covered with tiny setae and long spines, hemelytra generally dark-stained and with a narrow bright transverse stripe in middle. Our new find further confirms that the grotesque morphological characteristics displayed in modern minute litter bugs have evolved and likely prevalent in their Cretaceous ancestors. Additionally, morphological analyses suggest some Mesozoic dipsocoromorphans including <em>Qiaoia menghaoae</em> Chen and Zhuo, gen. et sp. nov. probably lived in relatively open areas like arboreal habitats and were more mobile and active than their recent descendants, which are commonly with cryptic life style.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 106034"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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