Paleobiology and Evolution
The team consists of two groups:
- PARADIVE (head: Kenneth De Baets)
- Vertebrate Paleobiology (heads: Sergi López-Torres and Mateusz Tałanda)
Publications
2024
Selig, Keegan R.; López-Torres, Sergi; Burrows, Anne M.; Silcox, Mary T.; Meng, Jin
Dental caries in living and extinct strepsirrhines with insights into diet Journal Article
In: The Anatomical Record, no. 1-12, 2024.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25420,
title = {Dental caries in living and extinct strepsirrhines with insights into diet},
author = {Keegan R. Selig and Sergi López-Torres and Anne M. Burrows and Mary T. Silcox and Jin Meng},
url = {https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ar.25420},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25420},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-11},
urldate = {2024-03-11},
journal = {The Anatomical Record},
number = {1-12},
abstract = {Abstract Dental caries is one of the most common diseases afflicting modern humans and occurs in both living and extinct non-human primates, as well as other mammalian species. Compared to other primates, less is known about the etiology or frequency of caries among the Strepsirrhini. Given the link between caries and diet, caries frequency may be informative about the dietary ecology of a given animal. Understanding rates of caries in wild populations is also critical to assessing dental health in captive populations. Here, we examine caries frequency in a sample of 36 extant strepsirrhine species (n = 316 individuals) using odontological collections of wild-, non-captive animals housed at the American Museum of Natural History by counting the number of specimens characterized by the disease. Additionally, in the context of studying caries lesions in strepsirrhines, case studies were also conducted to test if similar lesions were found in their fossil relatives. In particular, two fossil strepsirrhine species were analyzed: the earliest Late Eocene Karanisia clarki, and the subfossil lemur Megaladapis madagascariensis. Our results suggest that caries affects 13.92% of the extant individuals we examined. The frugivorous and folivorous taxa were characterized by the highest overall frequency of caries, whereas the insectivores, gummivores, and omnivores had much lower caries frequencies. Our results suggest that caries may be common among wild populations of strepsirrhines, and in fact is more prevalent than in many catarrhines and platyrrhines. These findings have important implications for understanding caries, diet, and health in living and fossil taxa.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Dental caries is one of the most common diseases afflicting modern humans and occurs in both living and extinct non-human primates, as well as other mammalian species. Compared to other primates, less is known about the etiology or frequency of caries among the Strepsirrhini. Given the link between caries and diet, caries frequency may be informative about the dietary ecology of a given animal. Understanding rates of caries in wild populations is also critical to assessing dental health in captive populations. Here, we examine caries frequency in a sample of 36 extant strepsirrhine species (n = 316 individuals) using odontological collections of wild-, non-captive animals housed at the American Museum of Natural History by counting the number of specimens characterized by the disease. Additionally, in the context of studying caries lesions in strepsirrhines, case studies were also conducted to test if similar lesions were found in their fossil relatives. In particular, two fossil strepsirrhine species were analyzed: the earliest Late Eocene Karanisia clarki, and the subfossil lemur Megaladapis madagascariensis. Our results suggest that caries affects 13.92% of the extant individuals we examined. The frugivorous and folivorous taxa were characterized by the highest overall frequency of caries, whereas the insectivores, gummivores, and omnivores had much lower caries frequencies. Our results suggest that caries may be common among wild populations of strepsirrhines, and in fact is more prevalent than in many catarrhines and platyrrhines. These findings have important implications for understanding caries, diet, and health in living and fossil taxa.
Sulej, Tomasz; Machalski, Marcin; Tałanda, Mateusz
New finds of Olenekian, Early Triassic, trematosaurid amphibians and prolocophonid reptiles from Poland Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 49–56, 2024.
@article{sulej2024new,
title = {New finds of Olenekian, Early Triassic, trematosaurid amphibians and prolocophonid reptiles from Poland},
author = {Tomasz Sulej and Marcin Machalski and Mateusz Tałanda},
url = {https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app011092023.html},
doi = {10.4202/app.01109.2023},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-08},
urldate = {2024-03-08},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {69},
number = {1},
pages = {49–56},
abstract = {The continental Lower Triassic (Middle Buntsandstein) siliciclastic deposits exposed along the margins of the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, yield locally abundant vertebrate footprints and bones. Although the footprints have been described in a number of studies, providing, for example, new insights into the origin of dinosaurs, there are few studies focusing on the bones. Here, we describe new amphibian and reptile material from the Buntsandstein fluvial sandstones of early Olenekian age exposed at Stryczowice on the north-eastern margin of the Holy Cross Mountains. These finds include fragmentary cranial specimens referred to as Trematosauridae gen. et sp. indet. and Procolophonidae gen. et sp. indet. Faunal differences between Stryczowice and the best-known Polish Olenekian vertebrate-bearing site of Czatkowice 1 near Kraków support heterogeneity in the Early Triassic vertebrate distribution across Pangea.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The continental Lower Triassic (Middle Buntsandstein) siliciclastic deposits exposed along the margins of the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, yield locally abundant vertebrate footprints and bones. Although the footprints have been described in a number of studies, providing, for example, new insights into the origin of dinosaurs, there are few studies focusing on the bones. Here, we describe new amphibian and reptile material from the Buntsandstein fluvial sandstones of early Olenekian age exposed at Stryczowice on the north-eastern margin of the Holy Cross Mountains. These finds include fragmentary cranial specimens referred to as Trematosauridae gen. et sp. indet. and Procolophonidae gen. et sp. indet. Faunal differences between Stryczowice and the best-known Polish Olenekian vertebrate-bearing site of Czatkowice 1 near Kraków support heterogeneity in the Early Triassic vertebrate distribution across Pangea.
Łaska, Weronika; Rodríguez-Tovar, Francisco J; Uchman, Alfred
New insights into endolithic palaeocommunity development in mobile hard substrate using CT imaging of bioeroded clasts from the Pliocene (Almería, SE Spain) Journal Article
In: The Science of Nature, vol. 111, no. 1, pp. 1–25, 2024.
@article{laska2024new,
title = {New insights into endolithic palaeocommunity development in mobile hard substrate using CT imaging of bioeroded clasts from the Pliocene (Almería, SE Spain)},
author = {Weronika Łaska and Francisco J Rodríguez-Tovar and Alfred Uchman},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-08},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {The Science of Nature},
volume = {111},
number = {1},
pages = {1–25},
publisher = {Springer},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Skawina, Aleksandra; Dąbrowska, Agnieszka; Bonk, Agata; Paterczyk, Bohdan; Nowakowska, Julita
Tracking the micro-and nanoplastics in the terrestrial-freshwater food webs. Bivalves as sentinel species Journal Article
In: Science of The Total Environment, vol. 917, pp. 170468, 2024.
@article{skawina2024tracking,
title = {Tracking the micro-and nanoplastics in the terrestrial-freshwater food webs. Bivalves as sentinel species},
author = {Aleksandra Skawina and Agnieszka Dąbrowska and Agata Bonk and Bohdan Paterczyk and Julita Nowakowska},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170468},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-05},
urldate = {2024-02-05},
journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {917},
pages = {170468},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {Micro- (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are currently ubiquitous in the ecosystems, and freshwater biota is still insufficiently studied to understand the global fate, transport paths, and consequences of their presence. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of bivalves and a trophic transfer of MPs and NPs in an experimental food chain. The food chain consisted of terrestrial non-selective detritivore Dendrobaena (Eisenia) sp., freshwater benthic filter feeder Unio tumidus, and freshwater benthic detritivore-collectors Asellus aquaticus or Gammarus sp. Animals were exposed to different fluorescently labeled micro- and nanoplastics (PMMA 20 μm, nanoPS 15–18 nm, and 100 nm, PS 1 μm and 20 μm, PE from cosmetics) as well as to the faeces of animals exposed to plastics to assess their influence on the environmental transportation, availability to biota, and bioaccumulation of supplied particles. Damaged and intact fluorescent particles were observed in the faeces of terrestrial detritivores and in the droppings of aquatic filter feeders, respectively. They were also present in the guts of bivalves and of crustaceans which were fed with bivalve droppings. Bivalves (Unio tumidus, and additionally Unio pictorum, and Sphaerium corneum) produced droppings containing micro- and nanoparticles filtered from suspension and deposited them onto the tank bottom, making them available for broader feeding guilds of animals (e.g. collectors, like crustaceans). Finally, the natural ageing of PS and its morphological changes, leakage of the fluorescent labelling, and agglomeration of particles were demonstrated. That supports our hypothesis of the crucial role of the characterization of physical and chemical materials in adequately understanding the mechanisms of their interaction with biota. Microscopical methods (confocal, fluorescent, scanning electron) and Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to track the particles' passage in a food web and monitor structural changes of the MPs' and NPs' surface.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Micro- (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are currently ubiquitous in the ecosystems, and freshwater biota is still insufficiently studied to understand the global fate, transport paths, and consequences of their presence. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of bivalves and a trophic transfer of MPs and NPs in an experimental food chain. The food chain consisted of terrestrial non-selective detritivore Dendrobaena (Eisenia) sp., freshwater benthic filter feeder Unio tumidus, and freshwater benthic detritivore-collectors Asellus aquaticus or Gammarus sp. Animals were exposed to different fluorescently labeled micro- and nanoplastics (PMMA 20 μm, nanoPS 15–18 nm, and 100 nm, PS 1 μm and 20 μm, PE from cosmetics) as well as to the faeces of animals exposed to plastics to assess their influence on the environmental transportation, availability to biota, and bioaccumulation of supplied particles. Damaged and intact fluorescent particles were observed in the faeces of terrestrial detritivores and in the droppings of aquatic filter feeders, respectively. They were also present in the guts of bivalves and of crustaceans which were fed with bivalve droppings. Bivalves (Unio tumidus, and additionally Unio pictorum, and Sphaerium corneum) produced droppings containing micro- and nanoparticles filtered from suspension and deposited them onto the tank bottom, making them available for broader feeding guilds of animals (e.g. collectors, like crustaceans). Finally, the natural ageing of PS and its morphological changes, leakage of the fluorescent labelling, and agglomeration of particles were demonstrated. That supports our hypothesis of the crucial role of the characterization of physical and chemical materials in adequately understanding the mechanisms of their interaction with biota. Microscopical methods (confocal, fluorescent, scanning electron) and Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to track the particles' passage in a food web and monitor structural changes of the MPs' and NPs' surface.
2023
Klug, Christian; Stevens, Kevin; Hoffmann, René; Zatoń, Michał; Clements, Thomas; Košťák, Martin; Weis, Robert; De Baets, Kenneth; Lehmann, Jens; Vinther, Jakob; Fuchs, Dirk
Revisiting the identification of Syllipsimopodi bideni and timing of the decabrachian-octobrachian divergence Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 8094, 2023, ISSN: 2041-1723.
@article{klug_revisiting_2023,
title = {Revisiting the identification of Syllipsimopodi bideni and timing of the decabrachian-octobrachian divergence},
author = {Christian Klug and Kevin Stevens and René Hoffmann and Michał Zatoń and Thomas Clements and Martin Košťák and Robert Weis and De Baets, Kenneth and Jens Lehmann and Jakob Vinther and Dirk Fuchs},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42842-x},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-023-42842-x},
issn = {2041-1723},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-12-07},
urldate = {2023-12-07},
journal = {Nature Communications},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {8094},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Świś, Przemysław
Anagenetic evolution and peramorphosis of a latest Devonian conodont from Holy Cross Mountain (Poland) Journal Article
In: Journal of Micropalaeontology, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 193–210, 2023.
@article{jm-42-193-2023,
title = {Anagenetic evolution and peramorphosis of a latest Devonian conodont from Holy Cross Mountain (Poland)},
author = {Przemysław Świś},
url = {https://jm.copernicus.org/articles/42/193/2023/},
doi = {10.5194/jm-42-193-2023},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-11-20},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Micropalaeontology},
volume = {42},
number = {2},
pages = {193–210},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Barido-Sottani, Joëlle; Pohle, Alexander; De Baets, Kenneth; Murdock, Duncan; Warnock, Rachel C. M.
Putting the F into FBD analysis: tree constraints or morphological data? Journal Article
In: Palaeontology, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. e12679, 2023.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12679,
title = {Putting the F into FBD analysis: tree constraints or morphological data?},
author = {Joëlle Barido-Sottani and Alexander Pohle and De Baets, Kenneth and Duncan Murdock and Rachel C. M. Warnock},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pala.12679},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12679},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-11-12},
urldate = {2023-11-12},
journal = {Palaeontology},
volume = {66},
number = {6},
pages = {e12679},
abstract = {Abstract The fossilized birth–death (FBD) process provides an ideal model for inferring phylogenies from both extant and fossil taxa. Using this approach, fossils are directly integrated into the tree, leading to a statistically coherent prior on divergence times. Since fossils are typically not associated with molecular sequences, additional information is required to place fossils in the tree. We use simulations to evaluate two different approaches to handling fossil placement in FBD analyses: using topological constraints, where the user specifies monophyletic clades based on established taxonomy, or using total-evidence analyses, which use a morphological data matrix in addition to the molecular alignment. We also explore how rate variation in fossil recovery or diversification rates impacts these approaches. We find that the extant topology is well recovered under all methods of fossil placement. Divergence times are similarly well recovered across all methods, with the exception of constraints which contain errors. We see similar patterns in datasets which include rate variation, however, relative errors in extant divergence times increase when more variation is included in the dataset, for all approaches using topological constraints, and particularly for constraints with errors. Finally, we show that trees recovered under the FBD model are more accurate than those estimated using non-time calibrated inference. Overall, we show that both fossil placement approaches are reliable even when including uncertainty. Our results underscore the importance of core taxonomic research, including morphological data collection and species descriptions, irrespective of the approach to handling phylogenetic uncertainty using the FBD process.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract The fossilized birth–death (FBD) process provides an ideal model for inferring phylogenies from both extant and fossil taxa. Using this approach, fossils are directly integrated into the tree, leading to a statistically coherent prior on divergence times. Since fossils are typically not associated with molecular sequences, additional information is required to place fossils in the tree. We use simulations to evaluate two different approaches to handling fossil placement in FBD analyses: using topological constraints, where the user specifies monophyletic clades based on established taxonomy, or using total-evidence analyses, which use a morphological data matrix in addition to the molecular alignment. We also explore how rate variation in fossil recovery or diversification rates impacts these approaches. We find that the extant topology is well recovered under all methods of fossil placement. Divergence times are similarly well recovered across all methods, with the exception of constraints which contain errors. We see similar patterns in datasets which include rate variation, however, relative errors in extant divergence times increase when more variation is included in the dataset, for all approaches using topological constraints, and particularly for constraints with errors. Finally, we show that trees recovered under the FBD model are more accurate than those estimated using non-time calibrated inference. Overall, we show that both fossil placement approaches are reliable even when including uncertainty. Our results underscore the importance of core taxonomic research, including morphological data collection and species descriptions, irrespective of the approach to handling phylogenetic uncertainty using the FBD process.
Czepiński, Łukasz; Pawlak, Wojciech; Rytel, Adam; Tałanda, Mateusz; Szczygielski, Tomasz; Sulej, Tomasz
A new Middle Triassic vertebrate assemblage from Miedary (southern Poland) Journal Article
In: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 0, no. 0, pp. e2265445, 2023.
@article{doi:10.1080/02724634.2023.2265445,
title = {A new Middle Triassic vertebrate assemblage from Miedary (southern Poland)},
author = {Łukasz Czepiński and Wojciech Pawlak and Adam Rytel and Mateusz Tałanda and Tomasz Szczygielski and Tomasz Sulej},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2023.2265445},
doi = {10.1080/02724634.2023.2265445},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-10-27},
urldate = {2023-10-27},
journal = {Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology},
volume = {0},
number = {0},
pages = {e2265445},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Skawina, Aleksandra
X-rays and invisible sand: two new methods for designing burrowing behavioral experiments with juvenile unionoids Journal Article
In: Hydrobiologia, 2023.
@article{Skawina_23_hydro,
title = {X-rays and invisible sand: two new methods for designing burrowing behavioral experiments with juvenile unionoids},
author = {Aleksandra Skawina},
doi = {10.1007/s10750-023-05362-9},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-09-20},
urldate = {2023-09-20},
journal = {Hydrobiologia},
abstract = {Unionoids are in global decline, which may be associated with their complex life cycle. Their juveniles are unique because while hidden (burrowed deeply in bottom sediments) they undergo critical anatomical changes (also developing a characteristic juvenile shell sculpture). Currently, the juveniles’ period of life is believed to be both the least known and one of the most vulnerable—thus the possibility of obtaining any biological knowledge is essential for establishing conservation strategies and addressing functional or evolutionary questions. I propose two new methods for visualization of the burrowing behavior of unionoid juveniles within deposits that are cheap and easy: (1) laminated deposits of quartz–aragonite sand for time-stepped X-ray images of bivalve traces, and (2) silica gel serving as 'invisible sand' for direct observations and video recording of behavior within sediments. Both deposits in a pilot study were accepted by the juvenile unionoids—they were stable enough and penetrable, with no observable signs of harmful effects on animals’ behavior during trials. In both, juveniles were clearly visible, settled within the top 1 cm layer of deposits. Both methods are promising tools for future in situ within the deposits research on the biology of this much unexplored and vulnerable unionoids' life stage.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Unionoids are in global decline, which may be associated with their complex life cycle. Their juveniles are unique because while hidden (burrowed deeply in bottom sediments) they undergo critical anatomical changes (also developing a characteristic juvenile shell sculpture). Currently, the juveniles’ period of life is believed to be both the least known and one of the most vulnerable—thus the possibility of obtaining any biological knowledge is essential for establishing conservation strategies and addressing functional or evolutionary questions. I propose two new methods for visualization of the burrowing behavior of unionoid juveniles within deposits that are cheap and easy: (1) laminated deposits of quartz–aragonite sand for time-stepped X-ray images of bivalve traces, and (2) silica gel serving as 'invisible sand' for direct observations and video recording of behavior within sediments. Both deposits in a pilot study were accepted by the juvenile unionoids—they were stable enough and penetrable, with no observable signs of harmful effects on animals’ behavior during trials. In both, juveniles were clearly visible, settled within the top 1 cm layer of deposits. Both methods are promising tools for future in situ within the deposits research on the biology of this much unexplored and vulnerable unionoids' life stage.
Žliobaitė, Indrė; Fortelius, Mikael; Bernor, Raymond L.; Ostende, Lars W. Hoek; Janis, Christine M.; Lintulaakso, Kari; Säilä, Laura K.; Werdelin, Lars; Casanovas-Vilar, Isaac; Croft, Darin A.; Flynn, Lawrence J.; Hopkins, Samantha S. B.; Kaakinen, Anu; Kordos, László; Kostopoulos, Dimitris S.; Pandolfi, Luca; Rowan, John; Tesakov, Alexey; Vislobokova, Innessa; Zhang, Zhaoqun; Aiglstorfer, Manuela; Alba, David M.; Arnal, Michelle; Antoine, Pierre-Olivier; Belmaker, Miriam; Bilgin, Melike; Boisserie, Jean-Renaud; Borths, Matthew R.; Cooke, Siobhán B.; Dam, Jan A.; Delson, Eric; Eronen, Jussi T.; Fox, David; Friscia, Anthony R.; Furió, Marc; Giaourtsakis, Ioannis X.; Holbrook, Luke; Hunter, John; López-Torres, Sergi; Ludtke, Joshua; Minwer-Barakat, Raef; Made, Jan; Mennecart, Bastien; Pushkina, Diana; Rook, Lorenzo; Saarinen, Juha; Samuels, Joshua X.; Sanders, William; Silcox, Mary T.; Vepsäläinen, Jouni
The NOW Database of Fossil Mammals Book Chapter
In: Casanovas-Vilar, Isaac; Ostende, Lars W. Hoek; Janis, Christine M.; Saarinen, Juha (Ed.): Evolution of Cenozoic Land Mammal Faunas and Ecosystems: 25 Years of the NOW Database of Fossil Mammals, pp. 33–42, Springer International Publishing, Cham, 2023, ISBN: 978-3-031-17491-9.
@inbook{Žliobaitė2023,
title = {The NOW Database of Fossil Mammals},
author = {Indrė Žliobaitė and Mikael Fortelius and Raymond L. Bernor and Lars W. Hoek Ostende and Christine M. Janis and Kari Lintulaakso and Laura K. Säilä and Lars Werdelin and Isaac Casanovas-Vilar and Darin A. Croft and Lawrence J. Flynn and Samantha S. B. Hopkins and Anu Kaakinen and László Kordos and Dimitris S. Kostopoulos and Luca Pandolfi and John Rowan and Alexey Tesakov and Innessa Vislobokova and Zhaoqun Zhang and Manuela Aiglstorfer and David M. Alba and Michelle Arnal and Pierre-Olivier Antoine and Miriam Belmaker and Melike Bilgin and Jean-Renaud Boisserie and Matthew R. Borths and Siobhán B. Cooke and Jan A. Dam and Eric Delson and Jussi T. Eronen and David Fox and Anthony R. Friscia and Marc Furió and Ioannis X. Giaourtsakis and Luke Holbrook and John Hunter and Sergi López-Torres and Joshua Ludtke and Raef Minwer-Barakat and Jan Made and Bastien Mennecart and Diana Pushkina and Lorenzo Rook and Juha Saarinen and Joshua X. Samuels and William Sanders and Mary T. Silcox and Jouni Vepsäläinen},
editor = {Isaac Casanovas-Vilar and Lars W. Hoek Ostende and Christine M. Janis and Juha Saarinen},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17491-9_3},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-17491-9_3},
isbn = {978-3-031-17491-9},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-08-09},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
booktitle = {Evolution of Cenozoic Land Mammal Faunas and Ecosystems: 25 Years of the NOW Database of Fossil Mammals},
pages = {33–42},
publisher = {Springer International Publishing},
address = {Cham},
abstract = {NOW (New and Old Worlds) is a global database of fossil mammal occurrences, currently containing around 68,000 locality-species entries. The database spans the last 66 million years, with its primary focus on the last 23 million years. Whereas the database contains recordsNOW Databaserecords from all continents, the main focus and coverage of the database historically has been on Eurasia. The database includes primarily, but not exclusively, terrestrial mammals. It covers a large part of the currently known mammalian fossil record, focusing on classical and actively researched fossil localities. The database is managed in collaboration with an international advisory board of experts. Rather than a static archive, it emphasizes the continuous integration of new knowledge of the communityNOW Databasedatacuration in, data curationDatacuration, and consistencyNOW Databaseconsistency of scientific interpretations. The database records species occurrences at localities worldwide, as well as ecologicalEcological characteristics of fossil species, geological contextsGeologic/geologicalcontext of localities and more. The NOW database is primarily used for two purposes: (1) queries about occurrences of particular taxa, their characteristics and properties of localities in the spirit of an encyclopedia; and (2) large scale research and quantitative analyses of evolutionary processes, patterns, reconstructing past environments, as well as interpreting evolutionary contexts. The data are fully open, no logging in or community membership is necessary for using the data for any purpose.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
NOW (New and Old Worlds) is a global database of fossil mammal occurrences, currently containing around 68,000 locality-species entries. The database spans the last 66 million years, with its primary focus on the last 23 million years. Whereas the database contains recordsNOW Databaserecords from all continents, the main focus and coverage of the database historically has been on Eurasia. The database includes primarily, but not exclusively, terrestrial mammals. It covers a large part of the currently known mammalian fossil record, focusing on classical and actively researched fossil localities. The database is managed in collaboration with an international advisory board of experts. Rather than a static archive, it emphasizes the continuous integration of new knowledge of the communityNOW Databasedatacuration in, data curationDatacuration, and consistencyNOW Databaseconsistency of scientific interpretations. The database records species occurrences at localities worldwide, as well as ecologicalEcological characteristics of fossil species, geological contextsGeologic/geologicalcontext of localities and more. The NOW database is primarily used for two purposes: (1) queries about occurrences of particular taxa, their characteristics and properties of localities in the spirit of an encyclopedia; and (2) large scale research and quantitative analyses of evolutionary processes, patterns, reconstructing past environments, as well as interpreting evolutionary contexts. The data are fully open, no logging in or community membership is necessary for using the data for any purpose.
Szczygielski, Tomasz; Piechowski, Rafał
Limb anatomy of the Triassic turtles: appendicular osteology of Proterochersis (Testudinata, Proterochersidae) Journal Article
In: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, pp. zlad057, 2023, ISSN: 0024-4082.
@article{10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad057,
title = {Limb anatomy of the Triassic turtles: appendicular osteology of Proterochersis (Testudinata, Proterochersidae)},
author = {Tomasz Szczygielski and Rafał Piechowski},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad057},
doi = {10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad057},
issn = {0024-4082},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-25},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society},
pages = {zlad057},
abstract = {The turtle locomotor system is heavily modified owing to the severe impact of development of the shell on the body plan of these reptiles. Although limb and girdle osteology of the earliest, Triassic turtles is relatively well understood in general, the exact impacts of variability, ontogeny and preservation (e.g. deformation) on the observed morphologies have rarely been considered in detail. Here, we describe in detail and document the osteology and intraspecific variability of the limbs and girdles of Proterochersis spp., the basalmost true turtles (Testudinata). We also provide a synthesis of currently available data and detailed comparisons with other Triassic stem turtles to gain a better understanding of the diagnostic value of the early turtle appendicular skeleton and to pave the way for future biomechanical and functional studies. Our data suggest that Proterochersis spp. could be at least partly aquatic and could change their preferred habitat during ontogeny, with larger (and, presumably, older) specimens presenting more characters suggestive of a more terrestrial environment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The turtle locomotor system is heavily modified owing to the severe impact of development of the shell on the body plan of these reptiles. Although limb and girdle osteology of the earliest, Triassic turtles is relatively well understood in general, the exact impacts of variability, ontogeny and preservation (e.g. deformation) on the observed morphologies have rarely been considered in detail. Here, we describe in detail and document the osteology and intraspecific variability of the limbs and girdles of Proterochersis spp., the basalmost true turtles (Testudinata). We also provide a synthesis of currently available data and detailed comparisons with other Triassic stem turtles to gain a better understanding of the diagnostic value of the early turtle appendicular skeleton and to pave the way for future biomechanical and functional studies. Our data suggest that Proterochersis spp. could be at least partly aquatic and could change their preferred habitat during ontogeny, with larger (and, presumably, older) specimens presenting more characters suggestive of a more terrestrial environment.
Nätscher, Paulina S.; Gliwa, Jana; De Baets, Kenneth; Ghaderi, Abbas; Korn, Dieter
Exceptions to the temperature–size rule: no Lilliput Effect in end-Permian ostracods (Crustacea) from Aras Valley (northwest Iran) Journal Article
In: Palaeontology, vol. 66, no. 4, pp. e12667, 2023.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12667,
title = {Exceptions to the temperature–size rule: no Lilliput Effect in end-Permian ostracods (Crustacea) from Aras Valley (northwest Iran)},
author = {Paulina S. Nätscher and Jana Gliwa and De Baets, Kenneth and Abbas Ghaderi and Dieter Korn},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pala.12667},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12667},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-11},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Palaeontology},
volume = {66},
number = {4},
pages = {e12667},
abstract = {Abstract The body size of marine ectotherms is often negatively correlated with ambient water temperature, as seen in many clades during the hyperthermal crisis of the end-Permian mass extinction (c. 252 Ma). However, in the case of ostracods, size changes during ancient hyperthermal events are rarely quantified. In this study, we evaluate the body size changes of ostracods in the Aras Valley section (northwest Iran) in response to the drastic warming during the end-Permian mass extinction at three taxonomic levels: class, order, species. At the assemblage level, the warming triggers a complete species turnover in the Aras Valley section, with larger, newly emerging species dominating the immediate post-extinction assemblage for a short time. Individual ostracod species and instars do not show dwarfing or a change in body size as an adaptation to the temperature stress during the end-Permian crisis. This may indicate that the ostracods in the Aras Valley section might have been exceptions to the temperature–size rule (TSR), using an adaptation mechanism that does not involve a decrease in body size. This adaptation might be similar to the accelerated development despite constant instar body sizes that can be observed in some recent experimental studies of ostracod responses to thermal stress.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract The body size of marine ectotherms is often negatively correlated with ambient water temperature, as seen in many clades during the hyperthermal crisis of the end-Permian mass extinction (c. 252 Ma). However, in the case of ostracods, size changes during ancient hyperthermal events are rarely quantified. In this study, we evaluate the body size changes of ostracods in the Aras Valley section (northwest Iran) in response to the drastic warming during the end-Permian mass extinction at three taxonomic levels: class, order, species. At the assemblage level, the warming triggers a complete species turnover in the Aras Valley section, with larger, newly emerging species dominating the immediate post-extinction assemblage for a short time. Individual ostracod species and instars do not show dwarfing or a change in body size as an adaptation to the temperature stress during the end-Permian crisis. This may indicate that the ostracods in the Aras Valley section might have been exceptions to the temperature–size rule (TSR), using an adaptation mechanism that does not involve a decrease in body size. This adaptation might be similar to the accelerated development despite constant instar body sizes that can be observed in some recent experimental studies of ostracod responses to thermal stress.
Allaire, Ninon; Ginot, Samuel; De Baets, Kenneth; Korn, Dieter; Goudemand, Nicolas; Monnet, Claude; Crônier, Catherine
Morphological disparity of early ammonoids: A geometric morphometric approach to investigate conch geometry Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 193–212, 2023.
@article{allaire2023morphological,
title = {Morphological disparity of early ammonoids: A geometric morphometric approach to investigate conch geometry},
author = {Ninon Allaire and Samuel Ginot and De Baets, Kenneth and Dieter Korn and Nicolas Goudemand and Claude Monnet and Catherine Crônier},
url = {https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app010332022.html},
doi = {10.4202/app.01033.2022},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-03},
urldate = {2023-07-03},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {68},
number = {2},
pages = {193–212},
abstract = {Fossils of Devonian ammonoids are abundant and well-preserved in the Anti-Atlas of Morocco; as such they provide an invaluable record of regional morphological disparity changes (diversity of shapes) that characterise the first steps of ammonoid evolution. However, they were rarely analysed quantitatively with respect to their morphological spectrum. Here, we investigated the morphological disparity of the Early–Middle Devonian ammonoids of the Moroccan Anti- Atlas by analysing the shape of their whorl profile. A geometric morphometric approach based on the acquisition of outline semilandmark coordinates was used to analyse the whorl profiles. For comparison, morphometric ratios based on classical conch measurements were also analysed to investigate the overall conch geometry. Several standard disparity estimators were computed to measure different aspects of morphological disparity fluctuations through time. It appears that a major increase in disparity occurred throughout the Early Devonian, followed by fluctuating disparity during the Middle Devonian constituting a general decreasing trend. Only the end-Eifelian Kačák Event shows a significant decrease in disparity. Thus, the ammonoids explored the range of possible shapes fairly quickly during their initial radiation; however, we found no evidence for an early burst of shape diversity (i.e., the rise does not exceed the expectations given diversity). Nevertheless, correlation tests between diversity and disparity time series support that they are partially decoupled. The highly resolved biozone record highlights that the increase in disparity began earlier than the increase in diversity that characterises the late Emsian.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Fossils of Devonian ammonoids are abundant and well-preserved in the Anti-Atlas of Morocco; as such they provide an invaluable record of regional morphological disparity changes (diversity of shapes) that characterise the first steps of ammonoid evolution. However, they were rarely analysed quantitatively with respect to their morphological spectrum. Here, we investigated the morphological disparity of the Early–Middle Devonian ammonoids of the Moroccan Anti- Atlas by analysing the shape of their whorl profile. A geometric morphometric approach based on the acquisition of outline semilandmark coordinates was used to analyse the whorl profiles. For comparison, morphometric ratios based on classical conch measurements were also analysed to investigate the overall conch geometry. Several standard disparity estimators were computed to measure different aspects of morphological disparity fluctuations through time. It appears that a major increase in disparity occurred throughout the Early Devonian, followed by fluctuating disparity during the Middle Devonian constituting a general decreasing trend. Only the end-Eifelian Kačák Event shows a significant decrease in disparity. Thus, the ammonoids explored the range of possible shapes fairly quickly during their initial radiation; however, we found no evidence for an early burst of shape diversity (i.e., the rise does not exceed the expectations given diversity). Nevertheless, correlation tests between diversity and disparity time series support that they are partially decoupled. The highly resolved biozone record highlights that the increase in disparity began earlier than the increase in diversity that characterises the late Emsian.
De Baets, Kenneth; Vanadzina, Karina; Schiffbauer, James
Parasitic Relationships: Trapped in time Journal Article
In: eLife, vol. 12, pp. e90008, 2023, ISSN: 2050-084X.
@article{10.7554/eLife.90008,
title = {Parasitic Relationships: Trapped in time},
author = {De Baets, Kenneth and Karina Vanadzina and James Schiffbauer},
url = {https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.90008},
doi = {10.7554/eLife.90008},
issn = {2050-084X},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-01},
urldate = {2023-07-01},
journal = {eLife},
volume = {12},
pages = {e90008},
publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd},
abstract = {Analysis of specimens preserved in amber from the Cretaceous period suggests that nematodes changed their host preference towards insects with a complete metamorphosis more recently.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Analysis of specimens preserved in amber from the Cretaceous period suggests that nematodes changed their host preference towards insects with a complete metamorphosis more recently.
Czepiński, Łukasz
Skull of a dromaeosaurid Shri devi from the Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert suggests convergence to the North American forms Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 68, 2023.
@article{Czepiński_2023,
title = {Skull of a dromaeosaurid Shri devi from the Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert suggests convergence to the North American forms},
author = {Łukasz Czepiński},
doi = {10.4202/app.01065.2023},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-21},
urldate = {2023-06-21},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {68},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Vinn, Olev; De Baets, Kenneth; Isakar, Mare; Toom, Ursula
Parasite-induced shell damage in brachiopod Porambonites (Porambonites) laticaudata from the Late Ordovician (Sandbian) of Estonia Journal Article
In: Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 110–113, 2023.
@article{vinn2023parasite,
title = {Parasite-induced shell damage in brachiopod Porambonites (Porambonites) laticaudata from the Late Ordovician (Sandbian) of Estonia},
author = {Vinn, Olev and De Baets, Kenneth and Isakar, Mare and Toom, Ursula },
url = {https://kirj.ee/wp-content/plugins/kirj/pub/earth-1-2023-110-113_20230610122825.pdf},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-14},
urldate = {2023-06-14},
journal = {Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences},
volume = {72},
number = {1},
pages = {110–113},
abstract = {A new type of shell damage has been described in Ordovician brachiopods in Porambonites (Porambonites) laticaudata. There is a pair of small pits with somewhat different outline in the shell surface at the anterior commissure of the brachiopod. These pits are oriented in lateral direction, about 40o from the direction of the sulcus on the anterior commissure. Previously known shell damage has resulted from failed predatory attacks by durophagous predators and differ from the shell damage in P. (P.) laticaudata. The pits in the shell margin are most likely the result of shell malformation caused by the presence of symbionts. It is plausible that the symbionts of the P. (P.) laticaudata benefitted from inhalant currents and were cleptoparasites. The symbionts caused damage to the host brachiopod, which also suggests a parasitic relationship.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new type of shell damage has been described in Ordovician brachiopods in Porambonites (Porambonites) laticaudata. There is a pair of small pits with somewhat different outline in the shell surface at the anterior commissure of the brachiopod. These pits are oriented in lateral direction, about 40o from the direction of the sulcus on the anterior commissure. Previously known shell damage has resulted from failed predatory attacks by durophagous predators and differ from the shell damage in P. (P.) laticaudata. The pits in the shell margin are most likely the result of shell malformation caused by the presence of symbionts. It is plausible that the symbionts of the P. (P.) laticaudata benefitted from inhalant currents and were cleptoparasites. The symbionts caused damage to the host brachiopod, which also suggests a parasitic relationship.
López-Torres, Sergi; Bertrand, Ornella C.; Lang, Madlen M.; Fostowicz-Frelik, Łucja; Silcox, Mary T.; Meng, Jin
Cranial endocast of Anagale gobiensis (Anagalidae) and its implications for early brain evolution in Euarchontoglires Journal Article
In: Palaeontology, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. e12650, 2023.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12650,
title = {Cranial endocast of Anagale gobiensis (Anagalidae) and its implications for early brain evolution in Euarchontoglires},
author = {Sergi López-Torres and Ornella C. Bertrand and Madlen M. Lang and Łucja Fostowicz-Frelik and Mary T. Silcox and Jin Meng},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pala.12650},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12650},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-01},
urldate = {2023-06-01},
journal = {Palaeontology},
volume = {66},
number = {3},
pages = {e12650},
abstract = {Abstract Anagalids are an extinct group of primitive mammals from the Asian Palaeogene thought to be possible basal members of Glires. Anagalid material is rare, with only a handful of crania known. Here we describe the first virtual endocast of an anagalid, based on the holotype of Anagale gobiensis (AMNH 26079; late Eocene, China), which allows for comparison with published endocasts from fossil members of modern euarchontogliran lineages (i.e. primates, rodents, lagomorphs). The endocast displays traits often observed in fossorial mammals, such as relatively small petrosal lobules and a low neocortical ratio, which would be consistent with previous inferences about use of subterranean food sources based on heavy dental wear. In fact, Anagale gobiensis has the lowest neocortical ratio yet recorded for a euarchontogliran. This species was olfaction-driven, based on the relatively large olfactory bulbs and laterally expansive palaeocortex. The endocast supports previous inferences that relatively large olfactory bulbs, partial midbrain exposure and low encephalization quotient are ancestral for Euarchontoglires, although the likely fossorial adaptations of Anagale gobiensis may also partly explain these traits. While Anagale gobiensis is a primitive mammal in many aspects, some of its derived endocranial traits point towards a new, different trajectory of brain evolution within Euarchontoglires.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Anagalids are an extinct group of primitive mammals from the Asian Palaeogene thought to be possible basal members of Glires. Anagalid material is rare, with only a handful of crania known. Here we describe the first virtual endocast of an anagalid, based on the holotype of Anagale gobiensis (AMNH 26079; late Eocene, China), which allows for comparison with published endocasts from fossil members of modern euarchontogliran lineages (i.e. primates, rodents, lagomorphs). The endocast displays traits often observed in fossorial mammals, such as relatively small petrosal lobules and a low neocortical ratio, which would be consistent with previous inferences about use of subterranean food sources based on heavy dental wear. In fact, Anagale gobiensis has the lowest neocortical ratio yet recorded for a euarchontogliran. This species was olfaction-driven, based on the relatively large olfactory bulbs and laterally expansive palaeocortex. The endocast supports previous inferences that relatively large olfactory bulbs, partial midbrain exposure and low encephalization quotient are ancestral for Euarchontoglires, although the likely fossorial adaptations of Anagale gobiensis may also partly explain these traits. While Anagale gobiensis is a primitive mammal in many aspects, some of its derived endocranial traits point towards a new, different trajectory of brain evolution within Euarchontoglires.
López-Torres, Sergi; Bhagat, Raj; Bertrand, Ornella C.; Silcox, Mary T.; Fostowicz-Frelik, Łucja
Locomotor behavior and hearing sensitivity in an early lagomorph reconstructed from the bony labyrinth Journal Article
In: Ecology and Evolution, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. e9890, 2023.
@article{LopezE&E2023,
title = {Locomotor behavior and hearing sensitivity in an early lagomorph reconstructed from the bony labyrinth},
author = {Sergi López-Torres and Raj Bhagat and Ornella C. Bertrand and Mary T. Silcox and Łucja Fostowicz-Frelik},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.9890},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9890},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-18},
urldate = {2023-03-18},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
volume = {13},
number = {3},
pages = {e9890},
abstract = {Abstract The structure of the bony labyrinth is highly informative with respect to locomotor agility (semicircular canals [SCC]) and hearing sensitivity (cochlear and oval windows). Here, we reconstructed the agility and hearing sensitivity of the stem lagomorph Megalagus turgidus from the early Oligocene of the Brule Formation of Nebraska (USA). Megalagus has proportionally smaller SCCs with respect to its body mass compared with most extant leporids but within the modern range of variability, suggesting that it was less agile than most of its modern relatives. A level of agility for Megalagus within the range of modern rabbits is consistent with the evidence from postcranial elements. The hearing sensitivity for Megalagus is in the range of extant lagomorphs for both low- and high-frequency sounds. Our data show that by the early Oligocene stem lagomorphs had already attained fundamentally rabbit-like hearing sensitivity and locomotor behavior, even though Megalagus was not a particularly agile lagomorph. This is likely because Megalagus was more of a woodland dweller than an open-habitat runner. The study of sensory evolution in Lagomorpha is practically unknown, and these results provide first advances in understanding the primitive stages for the order and how the earliest members of this clade perceived their environment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract The structure of the bony labyrinth is highly informative with respect to locomotor agility (semicircular canals [SCC]) and hearing sensitivity (cochlear and oval windows). Here, we reconstructed the agility and hearing sensitivity of the stem lagomorph Megalagus turgidus from the early Oligocene of the Brule Formation of Nebraska (USA). Megalagus has proportionally smaller SCCs with respect to its body mass compared with most extant leporids but within the modern range of variability, suggesting that it was less agile than most of its modern relatives. A level of agility for Megalagus within the range of modern rabbits is consistent with the evidence from postcranial elements. The hearing sensitivity for Megalagus is in the range of extant lagomorphs for both low- and high-frequency sounds. Our data show that by the early Oligocene stem lagomorphs had already attained fundamentally rabbit-like hearing sensitivity and locomotor behavior, even though Megalagus was not a particularly agile lagomorph. This is likely because Megalagus was more of a woodland dweller than an open-habitat runner. The study of sensory evolution in Lagomorpha is practically unknown, and these results provide first advances in understanding the primitive stages for the order and how the earliest members of this clade perceived their environment.
Silcox, Mary T.; López-Torres, Sergi
Primate Origins: The Earliest Primates and Euprimates and Their Role in the Evolution of the Order Book Chapter
In: Chapter 22, pp. 365-380, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2023, ISBN: 9781119828075.
@inbook{Sergi2023,
title = {Primate Origins: The Earliest Primates and Euprimates and Their Role in the Evolution of the Order},
author = {Mary T. Silcox and Sergi López-Torres},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119828075.ch22},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119828075.ch22},
isbn = {9781119828075},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-15},
urldate = {2023-03-15},
pages = {365-380},
publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Ltd},
chapter = {22},
abstract = {This chapter provides an overview of the fossil record for the key early euprimate groups, and for the plesiadapiforms, and discusses how this record relates to Primate Origins and to the origins of Strepsirrhini and Anthropoidea. Adapis was the first fossil primate to be named, although the reference in its name to Apis, the sacred Egyptian bull, implies some initial confusion about its identity. Primitive adapoids and omomyoids are very similar dentally, although adapoids do possess two apparently derived features of the dentition that allows them to be distinguished. Traditionally, omomyoids have been viewed as tarsier-like, in contrast to the lemur-like adapoids. The endocasts of plesiadapiforms indicate that the brain had not yet evolved a euprimate-like expansion of the neocortex, with notably larger olfactory bulbs relative to the overall size of the brain compared to even the most primitive euprimates.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
This chapter provides an overview of the fossil record for the key early euprimate groups, and for the plesiadapiforms, and discusses how this record relates to Primate Origins and to the origins of Strepsirrhini and Anthropoidea. Adapis was the first fossil primate to be named, although the reference in its name to Apis, the sacred Egyptian bull, implies some initial confusion about its identity. Primitive adapoids and omomyoids are very similar dentally, although adapoids do possess two apparently derived features of the dentition that allows them to be distinguished. Traditionally, omomyoids have been viewed as tarsier-like, in contrast to the lemur-like adapoids. The endocasts of plesiadapiforms indicate that the brain had not yet evolved a euprimate-like expansion of the neocortex, with notably larger olfactory bulbs relative to the overall size of the brain compared to even the most primitive euprimates.
Hsieh, Shannon; Łaska, Weronika; Uchman, Alfred
Intermittent and temporally variable bioturbation by some terrestrial invertebrates: implications for ichnology Journal Article
In: The Science of Nature, vol. 110, no. 2, pp. 11, 2023.
@article{hsieh2023intermittent,
title = {Intermittent and temporally variable bioturbation by some terrestrial invertebrates: implications for ichnology},
author = {Shannon Hsieh and Weronika Łaska and Alfred Uchman},
doi = {10.1007/s00114-023-01833-0},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-07},
urldate = {2023-03-07},
journal = {The Science of Nature},
volume = {110},
number = {2},
pages = {11},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {Bedding planes and vertical sections of many sedimentary rock formations reveal bioturbation structures, including burrows, produced by diverse animal taxa at different rates and durations. These variables are not directly measurable in the fossil record, but neoichnological observations and experiments provide informative analogues. Comparable to marine invertebrates from many phyla, a captive beetle larva burrowing over 2 weeks showed high rates of sediment disturbance within the first 100 h but slower rates afterwards. Tunnelling by earthworms and adult dung beetles is also inconstant—displacement of lithic material alternates with organic matter displacement, often driven by food availability with more locomotion when hungry. High rates of bioturbation, as with locomotion generally, result from internal and external drives, slowing down or stopping when needs are filled. Like other processes affecting sediment deposition and erosion, rates can drastically differ based on measured timescale, with short bursts of activity followed by hiatuses, concentrated in various seasons and ontogenetic stages for particular species. Assumptions of constant velocities within movement paths, left as traces afterward, may not apply in many cases. Arguments about energetic efficiency or optimal foraging based on ichnofossils have often overlooked these and related issues. Single bioturbation rates from short-term experiments in captivity may not be comparable to rates measured at an ecosystem level over a year or generalized across multiple time scales where conditions differ even for the same species. Neoichnological work, with an understanding of lifetime variabilities in bioturbation and their drivers, helps connect ichnology with behavioural biology and movement ecology.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Bedding planes and vertical sections of many sedimentary rock formations reveal bioturbation structures, including burrows, produced by diverse animal taxa at different rates and durations. These variables are not directly measurable in the fossil record, but neoichnological observations and experiments provide informative analogues. Comparable to marine invertebrates from many phyla, a captive beetle larva burrowing over 2 weeks showed high rates of sediment disturbance within the first 100 h but slower rates afterwards. Tunnelling by earthworms and adult dung beetles is also inconstant—displacement of lithic material alternates with organic matter displacement, often driven by food availability with more locomotion when hungry. High rates of bioturbation, as with locomotion generally, result from internal and external drives, slowing down or stopping when needs are filled. Like other processes affecting sediment deposition and erosion, rates can drastically differ based on measured timescale, with short bursts of activity followed by hiatuses, concentrated in various seasons and ontogenetic stages for particular species. Assumptions of constant velocities within movement paths, left as traces afterward, may not apply in many cases. Arguments about energetic efficiency or optimal foraging based on ichnofossils have often overlooked these and related issues. Single bioturbation rates from short-term experiments in captivity may not be comparable to rates measured at an ecosystem level over a year or generalized across multiple time scales where conditions differ even for the same species. Neoichnological work, with an understanding of lifetime variabilities in bioturbation and their drivers, helps connect ichnology with behavioural biology and movement ecology.
Silcox, Mary T; Bertrand, Ornella C; Harrington, Arianna R; Lang, Madlen M; Martin-Flores, Gabriela A San; López-Torres, Sergi
Early Evolution of the Brain in Primates and Their Close Kin Book Chapter
In: Dozo, María Teresa; Paulina-Carabajal, Ariana; Macrini, Thomas E; Walsh, Stig (Ed.): Chapter 12, pp. 457–506, Springer Cham, Switzerland, 2023, ISBN: 978-3-031-13983-3.
@inbook{Silcox_Bertrand_Harrington_Lang_SanMartin-Flores_Lopez-Torres_2023,
title = {Early Evolution of the Brain in Primates and Their Close Kin},
author = {Mary T Silcox and Ornella C Bertrand and Arianna R Harrington and Madlen M Lang and Gabriela A San Martin-Flores and Sergi López-Torres},
editor = {María Teresa Dozo and Ariana Paulina-Carabajal and Thomas E Macrini and Stig Walsh},
url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-13983-3_12},
isbn = {978-3-031-13983-3},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
pages = {457–506},
publisher = {Springer Cham},
address = {Switzerland},
chapter = {12},
abstract = {The interpretation of early primate endocasts can be framed around four critical questions: (1) What are accurate estimates of endocranial capacity for known euprimate specimens? (2) What does the available data for stem primates tell us with respect to the earliest phases of primate brain evolution? (3) How should relative brain size be assessed? and (4) What is the appropriate comparative context for interpreting fossil primate endocasts? The widespread availability of CT data has allowed for better estimates of endocranial volume (#1), and for more data from stem primates (#2). From these data it is clear that the earliest primates had brains that were little differentiated in terms of form or size from their ancestors, although there might have been some modest increase in the relative size of the neocortex. Major changes in shape occurred at the euprimate node, with expansions in the temporal and occipital lobes (reflected in an expanded neocortex), and a lack of expansion in the olfactory bulbs. The brain of early fossil euprimates nonetheless still displayed primitive features such as narrow frontal lobes. Questions #3 and #4 remain contentious, although a much-expanded comparative sample of fossil endocasts allows for new perspectives on these issues.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
The interpretation of early primate endocasts can be framed around four critical questions: (1) What are accurate estimates of endocranial capacity for known euprimate specimens? (2) What does the available data for stem primates tell us with respect to the earliest phases of primate brain evolution? (3) How should relative brain size be assessed? and (4) What is the appropriate comparative context for interpreting fossil primate endocasts? The widespread availability of CT data has allowed for better estimates of endocranial volume (#1), and for more data from stem primates (#2). From these data it is clear that the earliest primates had brains that were little differentiated in terms of form or size from their ancestors, although there might have been some modest increase in the relative size of the neocortex. Major changes in shape occurred at the euprimate node, with expansions in the temporal and occipital lobes (reflected in an expanded neocortex), and a lack of expansion in the olfactory bulbs. The brain of early fossil euprimates nonetheless still displayed primitive features such as narrow frontal lobes. Questions #3 and #4 remain contentious, although a much-expanded comparative sample of fossil endocasts allows for new perspectives on these issues.
Scott, Craig S; López-Torres, Sergi; Silcox, Mary T; Fox, Richard C
New paromomyids (Mammalia, Primates) from the Paleocene of southwestern Alberta, Canada, and an analysis of paromomyid interrelationships Journal Article
In: Journal of Paleontology, pp. 1–22, 2023.
@article{scott2023new,
title = {New paromomyids (Mammalia, Primates) from the Paleocene of southwestern Alberta, Canada, and an analysis of paromomyid interrelationships},
author = {Craig S Scott and Sergi López-Torres and Mary T Silcox and Richard C Fox},
url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-paleontology/article/new-paromomyids-mammalia-primates-from-the-paleocene-of-southwestern-alberta-canada-and-an-analysis-of-paromomyid-interrelationships/85328AE223A9AE66A2948F6FB06712CD},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Paleontology},
pages = {1--22},
publisher = {Cambridge University Press},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2022
De Baets, Kenneth; Jarochowska, Emilia; Buchwald, Stella Zora; Klug, Christian; Korn, Dieter
Lithology controls ammonoid size distributions Journal Article
In: PALAIOS, vol. 37, iss. 12, pp. 744-754, 2022, ISSN: 0883-1351.
@article{deBaets2022.12.30,
title = {Lithology controls ammonoid size distributions},
author = {De Baets, Kenneth and Jarochowska, Emilia and Buchwald, Stella Zora and Klug, Christian and Korn, Dieter},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2021.063
https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/sepm/palaios/article-pdf/37/12/744/5758729/i1938-5323-37-12-744.pdf},
doi = {10.2110/palo.2021.063},
issn = {0883-1351},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-12-30},
urldate = {2022-12-30},
journal = {PALAIOS},
volume = {37},
issue = {12},
pages = {744-754},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Uhlik, Marcin; Brzeziński, Tomasz
In: Crustaceana, vol. 95, iss. 8-9, pp. 907-923, 2022.
@article{Uhlik_2022,
title = {Embryogeny of Bosmina longirostris (O. F. Müller, 1785) (Bosminidae) confirms a close relationship to the superfamily Eurycercoidea (Branchiopoda, Cladocera, Anomopoda)},
author = {Marcin Uhlik and Tomasz Brzeziński},
doi = {10.1163/15685403-bja10236},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-11-18},
urldate = {2022-11-18},
journal = {Crustaceana},
volume = {95},
issue = {8-9},
pages = {907-923},
abstract = {The embryonic stages of the anomopod Bosmina longirostris of the family Bosminidae were elucidated by scanning electron microscopy. Along with the corresponding stages of Bosmina coregoni described by Kotov (2001), these findings have enabled a comparison to Dunhevedia crassa, as a representative species of the family Chydoridae, and to Eurycercus lamellatus of the family Eurycercidae. In general, the developmental patterns are similar in these four species, particularly from blastulation to the first instar. The principal difference during embryogenesis is that in D. crassa and B. longirostris five thoracopods (six in E. lamellatus) are differentiated already with endo- and exopodites.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The embryonic stages of the anomopod Bosmina longirostris of the family Bosminidae were elucidated by scanning electron microscopy. Along with the corresponding stages of Bosmina coregoni described by Kotov (2001), these findings have enabled a comparison to Dunhevedia crassa, as a representative species of the family Chydoridae, and to Eurycercus lamellatus of the family Eurycercidae. In general, the developmental patterns are similar in these four species, particularly from blastulation to the first instar. The principal difference during embryogenesis is that in D. crassa and B. longirostris five thoracopods (six in E. lamellatus) are differentiated already with endo- and exopodites.
Tałanda, Mateusz; Fernandez, Vincent; Panciroli, Elsa; Evans, Susan E; Benson, Roger J
Synchrotron tomography of a stem lizard elucidates early squamate anatomy Journal Article
In: Nature, vol. 611, no. 7934, pp. 99-104, 2022.
@article{talanda2022synchrotron,
title = {Synchrotron tomography of a stem lizard elucidates early squamate anatomy},
author = {Mateusz Tałanda and Vincent Fernandez and Elsa Panciroli and Susan E Evans and Roger J Benson},
doi = {10.1038/s41586-022-05332-6},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-10-26},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {611},
number = {7934},
pages = {99-104},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
abstract = {Squamates (lizards and snakes) include more than 10,000 living species, descended from an ancestor that diverged more than 240 million years ago from that of their closest living relative, Sphenodon. However, a deficiency of fossil evidence1,2,3,4,5,6,7, combined with serious conflicts between molecular and morphological accounts of squamate phylogeny8,9,10,11,12,13 (but see ref. 14), has caused uncertainty about the origins and evolutionary assembly of squamate anatomy. Here we report the near-complete skeleton of a stem squamate, Bellairsia gracilis, from the Middle Jurassic epoch of Scotland, documented using high-resolution synchrotron phase-contrast tomography. Bellairsia shares numerous features of the crown group, including traits related to cranial kinesis (an important functional feature of many extant squamates) and those of the braincase and shoulder girdle. Alongside these derived traits, Bellairsia also retains inferred ancestral features including a pterygoid–vomer contact and the presence of both cervical and dorsal intercentra. Phylogenetic analyses return strong support for Bellairsia as a stem squamate, suggesting that several features that it shares with extant gekkotans are plesiomorphies, consistent with the molecular phylogenetic hypothesis that gekkotans are early-diverging squamates. We also provide confident support of stem squamate affinities for the enigmatic Oculudentavis. Our findings indicate that squamate-like functional features of the suspensorium, braincase and shoulder girdle preceded the origin of their palatal and vertebral traits and indicate the presence of advanced stem squamates as persistent components of terrestrial assemblages up to at least the middle of the Cretaceous period.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Squamates (lizards and snakes) include more than 10,000 living species, descended from an ancestor that diverged more than 240 million years ago from that of their closest living relative, Sphenodon. However, a deficiency of fossil evidence1,2,3,4,5,6,7, combined with serious conflicts between molecular and morphological accounts of squamate phylogeny8,9,10,11,12,13 (but see ref. 14), has caused uncertainty about the origins and evolutionary assembly of squamate anatomy. Here we report the near-complete skeleton of a stem squamate, Bellairsia gracilis, from the Middle Jurassic epoch of Scotland, documented using high-resolution synchrotron phase-contrast tomography. Bellairsia shares numerous features of the crown group, including traits related to cranial kinesis (an important functional feature of many extant squamates) and those of the braincase and shoulder girdle. Alongside these derived traits, Bellairsia also retains inferred ancestral features including a pterygoid–vomer contact and the presence of both cervical and dorsal intercentra. Phylogenetic analyses return strong support for Bellairsia as a stem squamate, suggesting that several features that it shares with extant gekkotans are plesiomorphies, consistent with the molecular phylogenetic hypothesis that gekkotans are early-diverging squamates. We also provide confident support of stem squamate affinities for the enigmatic Oculudentavis. Our findings indicate that squamate-like functional features of the suspensorium, braincase and shoulder girdle preceded the origin of their palatal and vertebral traits and indicate the presence of advanced stem squamates as persistent components of terrestrial assemblages up to at least the middle of the Cretaceous period.
López-Torres, Sergi
Primate Evolution and the Emergence of Humans (Vertebrate Life 11th ed.) Book Chapter
In: Pough, Harvey; Bemis, William E.; McGuire, Betty Anne; Janis, Christine M. (Ed.): Chapter 24, pp. 557-585, Oxford University Press, New York, 11, 2022, ISBN: 978-0197564882.
@inbook{Lopez_primates_2022,
title = {Primate Evolution and the Emergence of Humans (Vertebrate Life 11th ed.)},
author = {Sergi López-Torres},
editor = { Harvey Pough and William E. Bemis and Betty Anne McGuire and Christine M. Janis },
url = {https://global.oup.com/academic/product/vertebrate-life-9780197564882?cc=us&lang=en#},
isbn = {978-0197564882},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-10-01},
urldate = {2022-10-01},
pages = {557-585},
publisher = {Oxford University Press},
address = {New York},
edition = {11},
chapter = {24},
abstract = {Primates have been a moderately successful group for most of the Cenozoic, although since the end of the Eocene they have been largely confined to tropical latitudes (with the exception of humans). Primates include not only the anthropoids—the group of apes and monkeys to which humans belong—but also the prosimians, animals such as bush babies and lemurs, and earlier less derived forms known only from the fossil record. Molecular techniques show that chimpanzees are the closest extant relatives of humans, and both molecular data and the fossil record indicate that the separation of humans from the African great apes occurred about 6.6 Ma. Fossils of Australopithecus—the sister taxon to our own genus, Homo—clearly show that bipedal walking arose before the appearance of a large brain. A diversity of new fossils has shown that early human evolution was much more complex and diverse than previously thought.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Primates have been a moderately successful group for most of the Cenozoic, although since the end of the Eocene they have been largely confined to tropical latitudes (with the exception of humans). Primates include not only the anthropoids—the group of apes and monkeys to which humans belong—but also the prosimians, animals such as bush babies and lemurs, and earlier less derived forms known only from the fossil record. Molecular techniques show that chimpanzees are the closest extant relatives of humans, and both molecular data and the fossil record indicate that the separation of humans from the African great apes occurred about 6.6 Ma. Fossils of Australopithecus—the sister taxon to our own genus, Homo—clearly show that bipedal walking arose before the appearance of a large brain. A diversity of new fossils has shown that early human evolution was much more complex and diverse than previously thought.
Mulvey, Laura PA; Warnock, Rachel CM; De Baets, Kenneth
Where traditional extinction estimates fall flat: using novel cophylogenetic methods to estimate extinction risk in platyhelminths Journal Article
In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 289, no. 1981, pp. 20220432, 2022.
@article{doi:10.1098/rspb.2022.0432,
title = {Where traditional extinction estimates fall flat: using novel cophylogenetic methods to estimate extinction risk in platyhelminths},
author = {Laura PA Mulvey and Rachel CM Warnock and De Baets, Kenneth},
url = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/abs/10.1098/rspb.2022.0432},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2022.0432},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-31},
urldate = {2022-08-31},
journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
volume = {289},
number = {1981},
pages = {20220432},
abstract = {Today parasites comprise a huge proportion of living biodiversity and play a major role in shaping community structure. Given their ecological significance, parasite extinctions could result in massive cascading effects across ecosystems. It is therefore crucial that we have a way of estimating their extinction risk. Attempts to do this have often relied on information about host extinction risk, without explicitly incorporating information about the parasites. However, assuming an identical risk may be misleading. Here, we apply a novel metric to estimate the cophylogenetic extinction rate, Ec, of parasites with their hosts. This metric incorporates information about the evolutionary history of parasites and hosts that can be estimated using event-based cophylogenetic methods. To explore this metric, we investigated the use of different cophylogenetic methods to inform the Ec rate, based on the analysis of polystome parasites and their anuran hosts. We show using both parsimony- and model-based approaches that different methods can have a large effect on extinction risk estimation. Further, we demonstrate that model-based approaches offer greater potential to provide insights into cophylogenetic history and extinction risk.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Today parasites comprise a huge proportion of living biodiversity and play a major role in shaping community structure. Given their ecological significance, parasite extinctions could result in massive cascading effects across ecosystems. It is therefore crucial that we have a way of estimating their extinction risk. Attempts to do this have often relied on information about host extinction risk, without explicitly incorporating information about the parasites. However, assuming an identical risk may be misleading. Here, we apply a novel metric to estimate the cophylogenetic extinction rate, Ec, of parasites with their hosts. This metric incorporates information about the evolutionary history of parasites and hosts that can be estimated using event-based cophylogenetic methods. To explore this metric, we investigated the use of different cophylogenetic methods to inform the Ec rate, based on the analysis of polystome parasites and their anuran hosts. We show using both parsimony- and model-based approaches that different methods can have a large effect on extinction risk estimation. Further, we demonstrate that model-based approaches offer greater potential to provide insights into cophylogenetic history and extinction risk.
Okamura, Beth; Gruhl, Alexander; De Baets, Kenneth
Evolutionary Transitions of Parasites between Freshwater and Marine Environments Journal Article
In: Integrative and Comparative Biology, vol. 62, no. 2, pp. 345–356, 2022, ISSN: 1540-7063.
@article{deBaets2022,
title = {Evolutionary Transitions of Parasites between Freshwater and Marine Environments},
author = {Beth Okamura and Alexander Gruhl and Kenneth De Baets},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icac050},
doi = {10.1093/icb/icac050},
issn = {1540-7063},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-02},
journal = {Integrative and Comparative Biology},
volume = {62},
number = {2},
pages = {345–356},
abstract = {Evolutionary transitions of organisms between environments have long fascinated biologists, but attention has been focused almost exclusively on free-living organisms and challenges to achieve such transitions. This bias requires addressing because parasites are a major component of biodiversity. We address this imbalance by focusing on transitions of parasitic animals between marine and freshwater environments. We highlight parasite traits and processes that may influence transition likelihood (e.g., transmission mode, life cycle, host use), and consider mechanisms and directions of transitions. Evidence for transitions in deep time and at present are described, and transitions in our changing world are considered. We propose that environmental transitions may be facilitated for endoparasites because hosts reduce exposure to physiologically challenging environments and argue that adoption of an endoparasitic lifestyle entails an equivalent transitioning process as organisms switch from living in one environment (e.g., freshwater, seawater, or air) to living symbiotically within hosts. Environmental transitions of parasites have repeatedly resulted in novel forms and diversification, contributing to the tree of life. Recognizing the potential processes underlying present-day and future environmental transitions is crucial in view of our changing world and the current biodiversity crisis.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Evolutionary transitions of organisms between environments have long fascinated biologists, but attention has been focused almost exclusively on free-living organisms and challenges to achieve such transitions. This bias requires addressing because parasites are a major component of biodiversity. We address this imbalance by focusing on transitions of parasitic animals between marine and freshwater environments. We highlight parasite traits and processes that may influence transition likelihood (e.g., transmission mode, life cycle, host use), and consider mechanisms and directions of transitions. Evidence for transitions in deep time and at present are described, and transitions in our changing world are considered. We propose that environmental transitions may be facilitated for endoparasites because hosts reduce exposure to physiologically challenging environments and argue that adoption of an endoparasitic lifestyle entails an equivalent transitioning process as organisms switch from living in one environment (e.g., freshwater, seawater, or air) to living symbiotically within hosts. Environmental transitions of parasites have repeatedly resulted in novel forms and diversification, contributing to the tree of life. Recognizing the potential processes underlying present-day and future environmental transitions is crucial in view of our changing world and the current biodiversity crisis.
Grau-Camats, Montserrat; Bertrand, Ornella C; Prieto, Jérome; López-Torres, Sergi; Silcox, Mary T; Casanovas-Vilar, Isaac
A Miopetaurista (Rodentia, Sciuridae) cranium from the Middle Miocene of Bavaria (Germany) and brain evolution in flying squirrels Journal Article
In: Papers in Palaeontology, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. e1454, 2022.
@article{grau2022miopetaurista,
title = {A Miopetaurista (Rodentia, Sciuridae) cranium from the Middle Miocene of Bavaria (Germany) and brain evolution in flying squirrels},
author = {Montserrat Grau-Camats and Ornella C Bertrand and Jérome Prieto and Sergi López-Torres and Mary T Silcox and Isaac Casanovas-Vilar},
doi = {10.1002/spp2.1454},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-07-25},
journal = {Papers in Palaeontology},
volume = {8},
number = {4},
pages = {e1454},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Flying squirrels (Sciurinae, Pteromyini) are the most successful group of gliding mammals. However, their fossil record mostly consists of isolated dental remains that provide very limited insights into their palaeobiology and evolution. The first skeleton of a fossil flying squirrel, belonging to the species Miopetaurista neogrivensis, has been described only recently. It presents all the diagnostic gliding-related postcranial features of its extant relatives and shows that this group has undergone very little morphological change for almost 12 myr. However, the associated cranium is badly crushed, and particular details of the cranial morphology cannot be described. Here, we describe a well-preserved cranium of the closely related Miopetaurista crusafonti from 12.5–12.0 Ma from Bavaria (Germany). Its cranial morphology is found to be almost identical to extant large flying squirrels, even in details such as the position of the foramina. The virtual endocast also shows close affinities to living large flying squirrels in morphology and in the relative volume of different brain regions, showing diagnostic features such as the size reduction of petrosal lobules and olfactory bulbs. However, the encephalization quotient (EQ) and neocortical ratio are lower than observed in extant flying squirrels. EQ is known to increase through time in squirrels, but might also be related to locomotion, given that arboreal and gliding squirrels display higher EQs than terrestrial ones. Because Miopetaurista was certainly a glider, its comparatively lower EQ and neocortical size support the existence of an independent trend of increasing EQ and neocortical complexity in this flying squirrel subclade.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Flying squirrels (Sciurinae, Pteromyini) are the most successful group of gliding mammals. However, their fossil record mostly consists of isolated dental remains that provide very limited insights into their palaeobiology and evolution. The first skeleton of a fossil flying squirrel, belonging to the species Miopetaurista neogrivensis, has been described only recently. It presents all the diagnostic gliding-related postcranial features of its extant relatives and shows that this group has undergone very little morphological change for almost 12 myr. However, the associated cranium is badly crushed, and particular details of the cranial morphology cannot be described. Here, we describe a well-preserved cranium of the closely related Miopetaurista crusafonti from 12.5–12.0 Ma from Bavaria (Germany). Its cranial morphology is found to be almost identical to extant large flying squirrels, even in details such as the position of the foramina. The virtual endocast also shows close affinities to living large flying squirrels in morphology and in the relative volume of different brain regions, showing diagnostic features such as the size reduction of petrosal lobules and olfactory bulbs. However, the encephalization quotient (EQ) and neocortical ratio are lower than observed in extant flying squirrels. EQ is known to increase through time in squirrels, but might also be related to locomotion, given that arboreal and gliding squirrels display higher EQs than terrestrial ones. Because Miopetaurista was certainly a glider, its comparatively lower EQ and neocortical size support the existence of an independent trend of increasing EQ and neocortical complexity in this flying squirrel subclade.
Dzik, Jerzy; Phong, Nguyen Duc; Thuy, Nguyen Thi; Swiś, Przemyslaw
Evolution and migration of conodonts and ammonoids near the end of Devonian recorded in distant localities Journal Article
In: Stratigraphy, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 27-50, 2022.
@article{Dzik2022,
title = {Evolution and migration of conodonts and ammonoids near the end of Devonian recorded in distant localities},
author = {Jerzy Dzik and Nguyen Duc Phong and Nguyen Thi Thuy and Przemyslaw Swiś},
url = {https://www.micropress.org/microaccess/check/2272},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-15},
journal = {Stratigraphy},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {27-50},
abstract = {The Devonian-Carboniferous boundary is allegedly marked by one of the most catastrophic global extinctions associated with sedimentation of the Hangenberg black shale. A dense sampling of the Kowala section in the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, challenges this view, showing that the faunal dynamics across the Hangenberg black shalewas not more dramatic than that across the preceding Kowala black shale. Quantitative analysis and biologically meaningful conodont apparatus study of the Kowala material offer probably the most complete record of faunal change in the latest Famennian and earliest Tournaisian among those sampled bed-by-bed for ammonoids and conodonts. It appears that the faunal dynamics of both cephalopods and conodonts was controlled by environmental changes that resulted in numerous immigrations and disappearances of particular lineages. Only a small fraction of lineages persisted long enough at the place, and transformed their morphology fast enough, to leave a record of their evolution. Most of the evolution apparently took place elsewhere. Locations of remote refugia where these lineages evolved in the time span bracketed by the Kowala and Hangenberg black shale events remain to be identified. Conodont apparatus study on geographically distant Vietnamese locality Cat Ba provides evidence that at least in the latest Famennian some conodont species unknown from Poland were present in Vietnam. Moreover, the contribution of species known from both localities to Polish and Vietnamese fossil assemblages was dramatically different.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Devonian-Carboniferous boundary is allegedly marked by one of the most catastrophic global extinctions associated with sedimentation of the Hangenberg black shale. A dense sampling of the Kowala section in the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, challenges this view, showing that the faunal dynamics across the Hangenberg black shalewas not more dramatic than that across the preceding Kowala black shale. Quantitative analysis and biologically meaningful conodont apparatus study of the Kowala material offer probably the most complete record of faunal change in the latest Famennian and earliest Tournaisian among those sampled bed-by-bed for ammonoids and conodonts. It appears that the faunal dynamics of both cephalopods and conodonts was controlled by environmental changes that resulted in numerous immigrations and disappearances of particular lineages. Only a small fraction of lineages persisted long enough at the place, and transformed their morphology fast enough, to leave a record of their evolution. Most of the evolution apparently took place elsewhere. Locations of remote refugia where these lineages evolved in the time span bracketed by the Kowala and Hangenberg black shale events remain to be identified. Conodont apparatus study on geographically distant Vietnamese locality Cat Ba provides evidence that at least in the latest Famennian some conodont species unknown from Poland were present in Vietnam. Moreover, the contribution of species known from both localities to Polish and Vietnamese fossil assemblages was dramatically different.
Pawlak, Wojciech; Rozwalak, Piotr; Sulej, Tomasz
Triassic fish faunas from Miedary (Upper Silesia, Poland) and their implications for understanding paleosalinity Journal Article
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, vol. 590, pp. 110860, 2022, ISSN: 0031-0182.
@article{Pawlak_2022,
title = {Triassic fish faunas from Miedary (Upper Silesia, Poland) and their implications for understanding paleosalinity},
author = {Wojciech Pawlak and Piotr Rozwalak and Tomasz Sulej},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003101822200030X},
issn = {0031-0182},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-02-09},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology},
volume = {590},
pages = {110860},
abstract = {We describe two new fish-dominated faunas from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Miedary site, Upper Silesia, Poland, and present a comparative analysis of Middle-to-Late Triassic vertebrate assemblages from the Germanic Basin, in order to explore the influence of salinity on faunal composition. The composition of the assemblage from dolomite beds at Miedary is similar to those from the Muschalkalk facies, whereas the assemblage from glauconite beds appears to be the first brackish vertebrate assemblage of the Serrolepis lake-type recognized from the eastern Germanic Basin. Comparative analysis of all sites, using hierarchical clustering, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and principal component approaches, revealed the existence of vertebrate taxa associated withfreshwater, brackish and marine conditions, as well as euryhaline taxa with wide salinity preferences. Moreover, it confirms the brackish nature of Serrolepis-bearing assemblages, and suggests that Serrolepis suevicus is a brackish specialist, indicative of oligohaline to miohaline paleosalinities. The Middle-Late Triassic vertebrate faunas appear dominated by stenohaline taxa, with a conspicuous separation of species living in the freshwater and marine conditions. The euryhaline taxa are rare, and comprise Acrodus lateralis, Eusauropterygia, Lissodus nodosus, and Saurichthyiformes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We describe two new fish-dominated faunas from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Miedary site, Upper Silesia, Poland, and present a comparative analysis of Middle-to-Late Triassic vertebrate assemblages from the Germanic Basin, in order to explore the influence of salinity on faunal composition. The composition of the assemblage from dolomite beds at Miedary is similar to those from the Muschalkalk facies, whereas the assemblage from glauconite beds appears to be the first brackish vertebrate assemblage of the Serrolepis lake-type recognized from the eastern Germanic Basin. Comparative analysis of all sites, using hierarchical clustering, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and principal component approaches, revealed the existence of vertebrate taxa associated withfreshwater, brackish and marine conditions, as well as euryhaline taxa with wide salinity preferences. Moreover, it confirms the brackish nature of Serrolepis-bearing assemblages, and suggests that Serrolepis suevicus is a brackish specialist, indicative of oligohaline to miohaline paleosalinities. The Middle-Late Triassic vertebrate faunas appear dominated by stenohaline taxa, with a conspicuous separation of species living in the freshwater and marine conditions. The euryhaline taxa are rare, and comprise Acrodus lateralis, Eusauropterygia, Lissodus nodosus, and Saurichthyiformes.
2021
Leonhard, Isabella; Shirley, Bryan; Murdock, Duncan J E; Repetski, John; Jarochowska, Emilia
Growth and feeding ecology of coniform conodonts Journal Article
In: PeerJ, vol. 9, pp. e12505, 2021, ISSN: 2167-8359.
@article{Leonhard2021,
title = {Growth and feeding ecology of coniform conodonts},
author = {Isabella Leonhard and Bryan Shirley and Duncan J E Murdock and John Repetski and Emilia Jarochowska},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.12505},
issn = {2167-8359},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-12-15},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {9},
pages = {e12505},
abstract = {<p> Conodonts were the first vertebrates to develop mineralized dental tools, known as elements. Recent research suggests that conodonts were macrophagous predators and/or scavengers but we do not know how this feeding habit emerged in the earliest coniform conodonts, since most studies focus on the derived, ‘complex’ conodonts. Previous modelling of element position and mechanical properties indicate they were capable of food processing. A direct test would be provided through evidence of <italic>in vivo</italic> element crown tissue damage or through <italic>in vivo</italic> incorporated chemical proxies for a shift in their trophic position during ontogeny. Here we focus on coniform elements from two conodont taxa, the phylogenetically primitive <italic>Proconodontus muelleri</italic> Miller, 1969 from the late Cambrian and the more derived <italic>Panderodus equicostatus</italic> Rhodes, 1954 from the Silurian. Proposing that this extremely small sample is, however, representative for these taxa, we aim to describe in detail the growth of an element from each of these taxa in order to the test the following hypotheses: (1) <italic>Panderodus</italic> and <italic>Proconodontus</italic> processed hard food, which led to damage of their elements consistent with prey capture function; and (2) both genera shifted towards higher trophic levels during ontogeny. We employed backscatter electron (BSE) imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) to identify growth increments, wear and damage surfaces, and the Sr/Ca ratio in bioapatite as a proxy for the trophic position. Using these data, we can identify whether they exhibit determinate or indeterminate growth and whether both species followed linear or allometric growth dynamics. Growth increments (27 in <italic>Pa. equicostatus</italic> and 58 in <italic>Pr. muelleri</italic> ) were formed in bundles of 4–7 increments in <italic>Pa. equicostatus</italic> and 7–9 in <italic>Pr. muelleri</italic> . We interpret the bundles as analogous to Retzius periodicity in vertebrate teeth. Based on applied optimal resource allocation models, internal periodicity might explain indeterminate growth in both species. They also allow us to interpret the almost linear growth of both individuals as an indicator that there was no size-dependent increase in mortality in the ecosystems where they lived <italic>e.g</italic> ., as would be the case in the presence of larger predators. Our findings show that periodic growth was present in early conodonts and preceded tissue repair in response to wear and damage. We found no microwear and the Sr/Ca ratio, and therefore the trophic position, did not change substantially during the lifetimes of either individual. Trophic ecology of coniform conodonts differed from the predatory and/or scavenger lifestyle documented for “complex” conodonts. We propose that conodonts adapted their life histories to top-down controlled ecosystems during the Nekton Revolution. </p>},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
<p> Conodonts were the first vertebrates to develop mineralized dental tools, known as elements. Recent research suggests that conodonts were macrophagous predators and/or scavengers but we do not know how this feeding habit emerged in the earliest coniform conodonts, since most studies focus on the derived, ‘complex’ conodonts. Previous modelling of element position and mechanical properties indicate they were capable of food processing. A direct test would be provided through evidence of <italic>in vivo</italic> element crown tissue damage or through <italic>in vivo</italic> incorporated chemical proxies for a shift in their trophic position during ontogeny. Here we focus on coniform elements from two conodont taxa, the phylogenetically primitive <italic>Proconodontus muelleri</italic> Miller, 1969 from the late Cambrian and the more derived <italic>Panderodus equicostatus</italic> Rhodes, 1954 from the Silurian. Proposing that this extremely small sample is, however, representative for these taxa, we aim to describe in detail the growth of an element from each of these taxa in order to the test the following hypotheses: (1) <italic>Panderodus</italic> and <italic>Proconodontus</italic> processed hard food, which led to damage of their elements consistent with prey capture function; and (2) both genera shifted towards higher trophic levels during ontogeny. We employed backscatter electron (BSE) imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) to identify growth increments, wear and damage surfaces, and the Sr/Ca ratio in bioapatite as a proxy for the trophic position. Using these data, we can identify whether they exhibit determinate or indeterminate growth and whether both species followed linear or allometric growth dynamics. Growth increments (27 in <italic>Pa. equicostatus</italic> and 58 in <italic>Pr. muelleri</italic> ) were formed in bundles of 4–7 increments in <italic>Pa. equicostatus</italic> and 7–9 in <italic>Pr. muelleri</italic> . We interpret the bundles as analogous to Retzius periodicity in vertebrate teeth. Based on applied optimal resource allocation models, internal periodicity might explain indeterminate growth in both species. They also allow us to interpret the almost linear growth of both individuals as an indicator that there was no size-dependent increase in mortality in the ecosystems where they lived <italic>e.g</italic> ., as would be the case in the presence of larger predators. Our findings show that periodic growth was present in early conodonts and preceded tissue repair in response to wear and damage. We found no microwear and the Sr/Ca ratio, and therefore the trophic position, did not change substantially during the lifetimes of either individual. Trophic ecology of coniform conodonts differed from the predatory and/or scavenger lifestyle documented for “complex” conodonts. We propose that conodonts adapted their life histories to top-down controlled ecosystems during the Nekton Revolution. </p>
Czepiński, Łukasz; Dróżdż, Dawid; Szczygielski, Tomasz; Tałanda, Mateusz; Pawlak, Wojciech; Lewczuk, Antoni; Rytel, Adam; Sulej, Tomasz
An Upper Triassic Terrestrial Vertebrate Assemblage from the Forgotten Kocury Locality (Poland) with a New Aetosaur Taxon Journal Article
In: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, pp. e1898977, 2021.
@article{Czepinski2021,
title = {An Upper Triassic Terrestrial Vertebrate Assemblage from the Forgotten Kocury Locality (Poland) with a New Aetosaur Taxon},
author = {Łukasz Czepiński and Dawid Dróżdż and Tomasz Szczygielski and Mateusz Tałanda and Wojciech Pawlak and Antoni Lewczuk and Adam Rytel and Tomasz Sulej},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2021.1898977},
doi = {10.1080/02724634.2021.1898977},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-04-14},
journal = {Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology},
pages = {e1898977},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Świś, Przemysław
A new Devonian species of the enigmatic Carboniferous conodont Dollymae Journal Article
In: Palaeoworld, 2021, ISSN: 1871-174X.
@article{SWIS2021,
title = {A new Devonian species of the enigmatic Carboniferous conodont Dollymae},
author = {Przemysław Świś},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871174X21000251},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2021.03.003},
issn = {1871-174X},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-03-30},
journal = {Palaeoworld},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dzik, Jerzy
Protaspis larva of an aglaspidid-like arthropod from the Ordovician of Siberia and its habitat Journal Article
In: Arthropod Structure & Development, vol. 61, pp. 101026, 2021, ISSN: 1467-8039.
@article{DZIK2021101026,
title = {Protaspis larva of an aglaspidid-like arthropod from the Ordovician of Siberia and its habitat},
author = {Jerzy Dzik},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467803920301493},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2020.101026},
issn = {1467-8039},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Arthropod Structure & Development},
volume = {61},
pages = {101026},
abstract = {A fossil larva lacking segmentation of the calcified carapace, closely resembling the trilobite protaspis, has been found associated with other skeletal elements of an angarocaridid Girardevia species in the mid Darriwilian of central Siberia. The presence of protaspis larvae in the angarocaridids, generally believed to represent a branch of the Aglaspidida, supports their proximity to trilobites and proves a low position on the arthropod phylogenetic tree but does not necessarily contradict the chelicerate affinity. The cephalic appendages of angarocaridids bore massive gnathobases with detachable spines, closely similar to those known in extant xiphosurans and in their probable Cambrian relatives. The stratigraphic succession of the angarocaridids, their phosphatized cuticle pieces being abundant in the Ordovician strata of Siberia, shows a gradual improvement of mechanical resistance of their carapaces, eventually resulting in a honeycomb structure. The associated benthic mollusc assemblage is dominated with the bellerophontids showing high mortality at metamorphosis and only the limpet-like Pterotheca, infaunal bivalves, and scaphopods being able to survive this in a substantial number. This suggests a strong selective pressure from predators equipped with well-skeletonised oral apparatuses able to crush mineralized body covers of their prey. Possibly, these were some of the associated conodonts of appropriate size and co-evolving towards their ability to crush more and more resistant cuticle. Less likely candidates for durophagy are endoceratid or orthoceratid cephalopods. Also the angarocaridids themselves, equipped with robust gnathobases of cephalic appendages, apparently predated on benthic shelly animals.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A fossil larva lacking segmentation of the calcified carapace, closely resembling the trilobite protaspis, has been found associated with other skeletal elements of an angarocaridid Girardevia species in the mid Darriwilian of central Siberia. The presence of protaspis larvae in the angarocaridids, generally believed to represent a branch of the Aglaspidida, supports their proximity to trilobites and proves a low position on the arthropod phylogenetic tree but does not necessarily contradict the chelicerate affinity. The cephalic appendages of angarocaridids bore massive gnathobases with detachable spines, closely similar to those known in extant xiphosurans and in their probable Cambrian relatives. The stratigraphic succession of the angarocaridids, their phosphatized cuticle pieces being abundant in the Ordovician strata of Siberia, shows a gradual improvement of mechanical resistance of their carapaces, eventually resulting in a honeycomb structure. The associated benthic mollusc assemblage is dominated with the bellerophontids showing high mortality at metamorphosis and only the limpet-like Pterotheca, infaunal bivalves, and scaphopods being able to survive this in a substantial number. This suggests a strong selective pressure from predators equipped with well-skeletonised oral apparatuses able to crush mineralized body covers of their prey. Possibly, these were some of the associated conodonts of appropriate size and co-evolving towards their ability to crush more and more resistant cuticle. Less likely candidates for durophagy are endoceratid or orthoceratid cephalopods. Also the angarocaridids themselves, equipped with robust gnathobases of cephalic appendages, apparently predated on benthic shelly animals.
2020
Sulej, Tomasz; Krzesiński, Grzegorz; Tałanda, Mateusz; Wolniewicz, Andrzej S.; Błażejowski, Błażej; Bonde, Niels; Gutowski, Piotr; Sienkiewicz, Maksymilian; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz
The earliest-known mammaliaform fossil from Greenland sheds light on origin of mammals Journal Article
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117, no. 43, pp. 26861-26867, 2020.
@article{Sulej26861,
title = {The earliest-known mammaliaform fossil from Greenland sheds light on origin of mammals},
author = {Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Krzesiński and Mateusz Tałanda and Andrzej S. Wolniewicz and Błażej Błażejowski and Niels Bonde and Piotr Gutowski and Maksymilian Sienkiewicz and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki},
url = {https://www.pnas.org/content/117/43/26861},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2012437117 },
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-27},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
volume = {117},
number = {43},
pages = {26861-26867},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Sulej, Tomasz; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz; Tałanda, Mateusz; Dróżdż, Dawid; Hara, Ewa
A new early Late Triassic non-mammaliaform eucynodont from Poland Journal Article
In: Historical Biology, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 80-92, 2020.
@article{doi:10.1080/08912963.2018.1471477,
title = {A new early Late Triassic non-mammaliaform eucynodont from Poland},
author = {Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki and Mateusz Tałanda and Dawid Dróżdż and Ewa Hara},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2018.1471477},
doi = {10.1080/08912963.2018.1471477},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Historical Biology},
volume = {32},
number = {1},
pages = {80-92},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {ABSTRACTBicuspid, tricuspid and tetracuspid postcanine teeth of a new non-mammaliaform eucynodont, Polonodon woznikiensis gen. et sp. nov. from the mid-late Carnian (early Late Triassic) of Woźniki clay-pit, Silesia (southern Poland) show incipient root division. They are similar to teeth of Dromatheriidae from the Carnian (early Late Triassic) to the Rhaetian (late Late Triassic) of Europe, India, and USA and the dentition of brasilodontids from the early Norian (mid Late Triassic) of Brazil. The P. woznikiensis teeth differ from those of the latter group mostly in the absence of cingulum. Some of the new fossils from Silesia provide the oldest Laurasian record of eucynodont teeth with the main cusp (a) anterior edge very long as the mesial cusp b is placed much lower than cusp c (distal). The contemporaneous Alemoatherium huebneri, from Gondwana, had similar postcanines. The findings from Poland indicate that this postcanine morphology was present in non-mammaliaform cynodonts from both hemispheres as early as the mid-late Carnian. The distal end of the humerus from the same locality is also described.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACTBicuspid, tricuspid and tetracuspid postcanine teeth of a new non-mammaliaform eucynodont, Polonodon woznikiensis gen. et sp. nov. from the mid-late Carnian (early Late Triassic) of Woźniki clay-pit, Silesia (southern Poland) show incipient root division. They are similar to teeth of Dromatheriidae from the Carnian (early Late Triassic) to the Rhaetian (late Late Triassic) of Europe, India, and USA and the dentition of brasilodontids from the early Norian (mid Late Triassic) of Brazil. The P. woznikiensis teeth differ from those of the latter group mostly in the absence of cingulum. Some of the new fossils from Silesia provide the oldest Laurasian record of eucynodont teeth with the main cusp (a) anterior edge very long as the mesial cusp b is placed much lower than cusp c (distal). The contemporaneous Alemoatherium huebneri, from Gondwana, had similar postcanines. The findings from Poland indicate that this postcanine morphology was present in non-mammaliaform cynodonts from both hemispheres as early as the mid-late Carnian. The distal end of the humerus from the same locality is also described.
Pawlak, Wojciech; Tałanda, Mateusz; Sulej, Tomasz; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz
Dipnoan from the Upper Triassic of East Greenland and remarks about palaeobiogeography of Ptychoceratodus Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 65, pp. 561-574, 2020.
@article{Pawlak2020DipnoanFT,
title = {Dipnoan from the Upper Triassic of East Greenland and remarks about palaeobiogeography of Ptychoceratodus},
author = {Wojciech Pawlak and Mateusz Tałanda and Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {65},
pages = {561-574},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pindakiewicz, Maciej; Tałanda, Mateusz; Sulej, Tomasz; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz; Sennikov, A G; Bakayev, A; Bulanov, V V; Golubev, V; Minikh, A V
Feeding convergence among ray-finned fishes: teeth of the herbivorous actinopterygians from the latest Permian of East European Platform, Russia Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 71–79, 2020.
@article{Pindakiewicz2020FeedingCA,
title = {Feeding convergence among ray-finned fishes: teeth of the herbivorous actinopterygians from the latest Permian of East European Platform, Russia},
author = {Maciej Pindakiewicz and Mateusz Tałanda and Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki and A G Sennikov and A Bakayev and V V Bulanov and V Golubev and A V Minikh},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {65},
number = {1},
pages = {71--79},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Piechowski, Rafał; Tałanda, Mateusz
The locomotor musculature and posture of the early dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis provides a new look into the evolution of Dinosauromorpha Journal Article
In: Journal of Anatomy, vol. 236, no. 6, pp. 1044-1100, 2020.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13155,
title = {The locomotor musculature and posture of the early dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis provides a new look into the evolution of Dinosauromorpha},
author = {Rafał Piechowski and Mateusz Tałanda},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/joa.13155},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13155},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Anatomy},
volume = {236},
number = {6},
pages = {1044-1100},
abstract = {Abstract It is widely accepted that ornithodirans (bird lineage) and some pseudosuchians (crocodilian lineage) achieved fully erect limb posture in different ways. Ornithodirans have buttress-erected hindlimbs, while some advanced pseudosuchians have pillar-erected hindlimbs. Analysis of the musculoskeletal apparatus of the early dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis challenges this view. This ornithodiran had pillar-erected hindlimbs like some pseudosuchians. This condition could be autapomorphic or represents a transitional state between adductor-controlled limb posture of early dinosauromorphs and the buttress-erected hindlimbs of dinosaurs. This sequence of changes is supported by Triassic tracks left by animals of the dinosaurian lineage. It was associated with the strong development of knee flexors and extensors. Furthermore, the forelimbs of Silesaurus were fully erect, analogously to those of early sauropods. Members of both lineages reduced the muscles related to the protraction, retraction and bending of the limb. They used forelimbs more as a body support and less for propulsion. A similar scapula and humerus construction can be found in the Lagerpetidae and Lewisuchus, suggesting that long, slender, fully erected forelimbs are primitive for all Dinosauromorpha, not just Silesauridae. Early dinosaurs redeveloped several muscle attachments on the forelimb, probably in relation to bipedality.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract It is widely accepted that ornithodirans (bird lineage) and some pseudosuchians (crocodilian lineage) achieved fully erect limb posture in different ways. Ornithodirans have buttress-erected hindlimbs, while some advanced pseudosuchians have pillar-erected hindlimbs. Analysis of the musculoskeletal apparatus of the early dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis challenges this view. This ornithodiran had pillar-erected hindlimbs like some pseudosuchians. This condition could be autapomorphic or represents a transitional state between adductor-controlled limb posture of early dinosauromorphs and the buttress-erected hindlimbs of dinosaurs. This sequence of changes is supported by Triassic tracks left by animals of the dinosaurian lineage. It was associated with the strong development of knee flexors and extensors. Furthermore, the forelimbs of Silesaurus were fully erect, analogously to those of early sauropods. Members of both lineages reduced the muscles related to the protraction, retraction and bending of the limb. They used forelimbs more as a body support and less for propulsion. A similar scapula and humerus construction can be found in the Lagerpetidae and Lewisuchus, suggesting that long, slender, fully erected forelimbs are primitive for all Dinosauromorpha, not just Silesauridae. Early dinosaurs redeveloped several muscle attachments on the forelimb, probably in relation to bipedality.
Świś, Przemysław; Broda, Krzysztof; Duda, Piotr; Dróżdż, Dawid; Łazuka, Anna
The early Famennian (Late Devonian) conodonts natural assemblages from Holy Cross Mountains (Poland) Journal Article
In: Historical Biology, vol. 0, no. 0, pp. 1-8, 2020.
@article{doi:10.1080/08912963.2020.1719085,
title = {The early Famennian (Late Devonian) conodonts natural assemblages from Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)},
author = {Przemysław Świś and Krzysztof Broda and Piotr Duda and Dawid Dróżdż and Anna Łazuka},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2020.1719085},
doi = {10.1080/08912963.2020.1719085},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Historical Biology},
volume = {0},
number = {0},
pages = {1-8},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Świś, Przemysław; Dzik, Jerzy
The oral apparatus composition of the Early Carboniferous elictognathid conodont 'Siphonodella' Journal Article
In: Lethaia, 2020, (Publisher: Wiley).
@article{swis_oral_2020,
title = {The oral apparatus composition of the Early Carboniferous elictognathid conodont 'Siphonodella'},
author = {Przemysław Świś and Jerzy Dzik},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111%2Flet.12406},
doi = {10.1111/let.12406},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Lethaia},
note = {Publisher: Wiley},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Czepiński, Łukasz
New protoceratopsid specimens improve the age correlation of the Upper Cretaceous Gobi Desert strata Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 65, 2020.
@article{Czepiski2020NewPS,
title = {New protoceratopsid specimens improve the age correlation of the Upper Cretaceous Gobi Desert strata},
author = {Łukasz Czepiński},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {65},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Czepiński, Łukasz
Ontogeny and variation of a protoceratopsid dinosaur Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi from the Late Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert Journal Article
In: Historical Biology, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 1394–1421, 2020.
@article{doi:10.1080/08912963.2019.1593404,
title = {Ontogeny and variation of a protoceratopsid dinosaur Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi from the Late Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert},
author = {Łukasz Czepiński},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2019.1593404},
doi = {10.1080/08912963.2019.1593404},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Historical Biology},
volume = {32},
number = {10},
pages = {1394--1421},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi is a ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Baruungoyot Formation of the Gobi Desert, closely related to Protoceratops spp. Several Bag. rozhdestvenskyi skulls demonstrate a wide range of variation in their morphology and size. Here I argue that the observed variability is most likely of intraspecific nature. Specimens classified in a few allegedly distinct species from the same or near-contemporary sediments, namely Gobiceratops minutus, Lamaceratops tereschenkoi and Platyceratops tatarinovi from Baruungoyot Formation, and Magnirostris dodsoni from Bayan Mandahu, are younger subjective synonyms of Bag. rozhdestvenskyi. They plausibly represent an ontogenetic series within the latter. Breviceratops kozlowskiiis a distinct taxon. The evolutionary relationships within Protoceratopsidae are complicated by the mosaic distribution of plesiomorphic and derived features in distinct species. I suggest that taxa distribution and observed changes in morphology are an evidence for the ancestral position of Protoceratops andrewsi among protoceratopsids. It implies possible temporary separation between the geological formations of the Gobi Desert yielding distinct protoceratopsid species. The novel evolutionary scenario suggests number of convergences that occurred in Protoceratopsidae and Ceratopsoidea (reduction of the premaxillary dentition, fusion of nasals, development of the accessory antorbital fenestra). Present study reveals the significance of the intraspecific and ontogenetic variation in the study of the neoceratopsian taxonomy.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi is a ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Baruungoyot Formation of the Gobi Desert, closely related to Protoceratops spp. Several Bag. rozhdestvenskyi skulls demonstrate a wide range of variation in their morphology and size. Here I argue that the observed variability is most likely of intraspecific nature. Specimens classified in a few allegedly distinct species from the same or near-contemporary sediments, namely Gobiceratops minutus, Lamaceratops tereschenkoi and Platyceratops tatarinovi from Baruungoyot Formation, and Magnirostris dodsoni from Bayan Mandahu, are younger subjective synonyms of Bag. rozhdestvenskyi. They plausibly represent an ontogenetic series within the latter. Breviceratops kozlowskiiis a distinct taxon. The evolutionary relationships within Protoceratopsidae are complicated by the mosaic distribution of plesiomorphic and derived features in distinct species. I suggest that taxa distribution and observed changes in morphology are an evidence for the ancestral position of Protoceratops andrewsi among protoceratopsids. It implies possible temporary separation between the geological formations of the Gobi Desert yielding distinct protoceratopsid species. The novel evolutionary scenario suggests number of convergences that occurred in Protoceratopsidae and Ceratopsoidea (reduction of the premaxillary dentition, fusion of nasals, development of the accessory antorbital fenestra). Present study reveals the significance of the intraspecific and ontogenetic variation in the study of the neoceratopsian taxonomy.
Dzik, Jerzy
Decline in diversity of early Palaeozoic loosely coiled gastropod protoconchs Journal Article
In: Lethaia, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 32–46, 2020.
@article{dzik_decline_2020,
title = {Decline in diversity of early Palaeozoic loosely coiled gastropod protoconchs},
author = {Jerzy Dzik},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Lethaia},
volume = {53},
number = {1},
pages = {32--46},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dzik, Jerzy
Ordovician conodonts and the Tornquist Lineament Journal Article
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, vol. 549, 2020.
@article{dzik_ordovician_2020,
title = {Ordovician conodonts and the Tornquist Lineament},
author = {Jerzy Dzik},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology},
volume = {549},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dzik, Jerzy
Variability of conch morphology in a cephalopod species from the Cambrian to Ordovician transition strata of Siberia Journal Article
In: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, vol. 65, pp. 149–165, 2020, (Publisher: Polska Akademia Nauk Instytut Paleobiologii (Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences)).
@article{dzik_variability_2020,
title = {Variability of conch morphology in a cephalopod species from the Cambrian to Ordovician transition strata of Siberia},
author = {Jerzy Dzik},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4202%2Fapp.00674.2019},
doi = {10.4202/app.00674.2019},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Acta Palaeontologica Polonica},
volume = {65},
pages = {149--165},
note = {Publisher: Polska Akademia Nauk Instytut Paleobiologii (Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences)},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}