News and Updatings

January 21, 2011 - Re-examination of Chuanjiesaurus anaensis (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Middle Jurassic Chuanjie Formation, Lufeng County, Yunnan Province, southwest China.
The present study re-evaluates Chuanjiesaurus anaensis Fang et al., 2000 from the Middle Jurassic of Lufeng,Yunnan, Southwest China. The holotype and a new referred specimen are described in detail, and re-examined osteologically and phylogenetically. In this report, the author proposes several emended diagnoses based on close observations and comparisons of the specimens. Some osteological features reveal that Chuanjiesaurus belongs to Mamenchisauridae. Compared to other mamenchisaurid dinosaurs, C. anaensis possesses relatively primitive characters. The phylogenetic position of C. anaensis was determined according to the present analysis. In addition,the data sets of some taxa of Mamenchisauridae from southwestern China are modified in the present research. The present analysis reveals that C. anaensis, Mamenchisaurus, Tienshanosaurus and Yuanmousaurus constitute a monophyletic group that belongs to relatively derived Eusauropoda. This suggests that Mamenchisauridae could be positioned at a more derived part of Eusauropoda than previously thought. This study confirms that C. anaensis is a member of Mamenchisauridae.
T. Sekiya. 2011. Re-examination of Chuanjiesaurus anaensis (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Middle Jurassic Chuanjie Formation, Lufeng County, Yunnan Province, southwest China. Memoir of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum 10:1-54

January 21, 2011 - Homology and Architecture of the Caudal Basket of Pachycephalosauria (Dinosauria: Ornithischia): The First Occurrence of Myorhabdoi in Tetrapoda.
Background: Associated postcranial skeletons of pachycephalosaurids, most notably those of Stegoceras and Homalocephale, reveal enigmatic osseous structures not present in other tetrapod clades. The homology and functional
significance of these structures have remained elusive as they were originally interpreted to be abdominal ribs or gastralia, and more recently have been interpreted as de novo structures in the tail.
Principal Findings: Analysis of these structures in nearly all pachycephalosaurid skeletons has facilitated a complete
description of their architecture, and the establishment of patterns consistent with those of myorhabdoid ossifications —
ossifications of the myoseptal tendons associated with myomeres. The presence and structure of myorhabdoid ossifications are well established for teleost fish, but this marks their first recognition within Tetrapoda. These elements are both structurally and histologically distinct from the deep, paraxial ossified tendon bundles of other ornithischian clades, although they may have performed a similar function in the stiffening of the tail.
Conclusions/Significance:These myorhabdoi are not de novo structures, but are instead ossifications (and therefore more amenable to fossilization) of the normally unossified plesiomorphic caudal myosepta of vertebrates. The ubiquitous ossification of these structures in pachycephalosaurids (all specimens preserving the tail also exhibit myorhabdoid ossifications) suggests it is a likely synapomorphic condition for Pachycephalosauria.
Brown CM, Russell AP (2012) Homology and Architecture of the Caudal Basket of Pachycephalosauria (Dinosauria: Ornithischia): The First Occurrence of Myorhabdoi in Tetrapoda. PLoS ONE 7(1): 1-12.

January 21, 2011 - The Braincase of the Basal Sauropod Dinosaur Spinophorosaurus and 3D Reconstructions of the Cranial Endocast and Inner Ear
Background: Sauropod dinosaurs were the largest animals ever to walk on land, and, as a result, the evolution of their
remarkable adaptations has been of great interest. The braincase is of particular interest because it houses the brain and inner ear. However, only a few studies of these structures in sauropods are available to date. Because of the phylogenetic position of Spinophorosaurus nigerensis as a basal eusauropod, the braincase has the potential to provide key evidence on the evolutionary transition relative to other dinosaurs.
Methodology/Principal Findings: The only known braincase of Spinophorosaurus (‘Argiles de l’Irhazer’, Irhazer Group;
Agadez region, Niger) differs significantly from those of the Jurassic sauropods examined, except potentially for Atlasaurus imelakei (Tilougguit Formation, Morocco). The basisphenoids of Spinophorosaurus and Atlasaurus bear basipterygoid processes that are comparable in being directed strongly caudally. The Spinophorosaurus specimen was CT scanned, and 3D renderings of the cranial endocast and inner-ear system were generated. The endocast resembles that of most other sauropods in having well-marked pontine and cerebral flexures, a large and oblong pituitary fossa, and in having the brain structure obscured by the former existence of relatively thick meninges and dural venous sinuses. The labyrinth is characterized by long and proportionally slender semicircular canals. This condition recalls, in particular, that of the basal non-sauropod sauropodomorph Massospondylus and the basal titanosauriform Giraffatitan.
Conclusions/Significance: Spinophorosaurus has a moderately derived paleoneuroanatomical pattern. In contrast to
what might be expected early within a lineage leading to plant-eating graviportal quadrupeds, Spinophorosaurus and
other (but not all) sauropodomorphs show no reduction of the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear. This characterstate
is possibly a primitive retention in Spinophorosaurus, but due the scarcity of data it remains unclear whether it is also the case in the various later sauropods in which it is present or whether it has developed homoplastically in these taxa. Any interpretations remain tentative pending the more comprehensive quantitative analysis underway, but the size and morphology of the labyrinth of sauropodomorphs may be related to neck length and mobility, among other factors.
Knoll F, Witmer LM, Ortega F, Ridgely RC, Schwarz-Wings D (2012) The Braincase of the Basal Sauropod Dinosaur Spinophorosaurus and 3D Reconstructions of the Cranial Endocast and Inner Ear. PLoS ONE 7(1): 1-12.

January 21, 2011 - Aetobarbakinoides brasiliensis - new aetosaur genus (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from the early Late Triassic of southern Brazil.
We describe the new aetosaur Aetobarbakinoides brasiliensis gen. et sp. nov. from the early Late Triassic (late Carnianearly Norian) Brazilian Santa Maria Formation. The holotype is composed of a partial postcranium including several cervical and dorsal vertebrae and ribs, one anterior caudal vertebra, right scapula, right humerus, right tibia, partial right pes, and anterior and mid-dorsal paramedian osteoderms. Aetobarbakinoides is differentiated from other aetosaurs by the presence of cervical vertebrae with widely laterally extended prezygapophyses, mid-cervical vertebrae with anterior articular facet width more than 1.2 times wider than the posterior one, anterior caudal vertebrae with extremely anteroposteriorly short prezygapophyses, elongated humerus and tibia in relation to the axial skeleton, and paramedian osteoderms with a weakly raised anterior bar. A cladistic analysis recovered the new species as more derived than the South American genera Aetosauroides (late Carnian-early Norian) and Neoaetosauroides (late Norian-Rhaetian), and it is nested as the sister-taxon of an unnamed clade, composed of Typothoracisinae and Desmatosuchinae, due to the absence of a ventral keel in the cervical vertebrae. Aetobarbakinoides presents a skeletal anatomy previously unknown among South American aetosaurs, with the combination of presacral vertebrae with hyposphene, anteroposteriorly short and unkeeled cervical vertebrae, gracile limbs, and paramedian osteoderms with a weakly raised anterior bar. Aetobarbakinoides is among the oldest known aetosaurs together with Aetosauroides from Argentina and Brazil and Stagonolepis robertsoni from Scotland, indicating a widely distributed early record for the group. In addition, the recognition of a suite of derived features in Aetobarbakinoides, which is one of the oldest known aetosaurs, is in agreement with an older origin for the group, as it is expected by the extensive ghost lineages at the base of the main pseudosuchian clades.
Julia B. Desojo, Martin D. Ezcurra and Edio E. Kischlat ,2012_A new aetosaur genus (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from the early Late Triassic of southern Brazil. Zootaxa 3166: 1-33.

January 21, 2011 - Pampaphoneus biccai - Carnivorous dinocephalian from the Middle Permian of Brazil and tetrapod dispersal in Pangaea.
The medial Permian (?270–260 Ma: Guadalupian) was a time of important tetrapod faunal changes, in particular reflecting a turnover from pelycosaurian- to therapsid-grade synapsids. Until now, most knowledge on tetrapod distribution during the medial Permian has come from fossils found in the South African Karoo and the Russian Platform, whereas other areas of Pangaea are still poorly known. We present evidence for the presence of a terrestrial carnivorous vertebrate from the Middle Permian of South America based on a complete skull. Pampaphoneus biccai gen. et sp. nov. was a dinocephalian “mammal-like reptile” member of the Anteosauridae, an early therapsid predator clade known only from the Middle Permian of Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and South Africa. The genus is characterized, among other features, by postorbital bosses, short, bulbous postcanines, and strongly recurved canines Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Brazilian dinocephalian occupies a middle position within the Anteosauridae, reinforcing
the model of a global distribution for therapsids as early as the Guadalupian. The close phylogenetic relationship of the Brazilian species to dinocephalians from South Africa and the Russian Platform suggests a closer faunistic relationship between South America and eastern Europe than previously thought, lending support to a Pangaea B-type continental reconstruction.
Cisneros et al. 2011 Carnivorous dinocephalian from the Middle Permian of Brazil and tetrapod dispersal in Pangaea. PNAS in press

January 21, 2011 - New Study of Anshunsaurus huangnihensis Cheng, 2007 (Reptilia:Thalattosauria): Revealing its Transitional Position in Askeptosauridae
The skull of Anshunsaurus huangnihensis Cheng, 2007, especially the skull roof, is described in detail in this paper. Compared to other genera and species of Askeptosauroidea, Anshunsaurus huangnihensis has some important transitional characters from Askeptosaurus italicus to Anshunsaurus huangguoshuensis: the rostral length related to the skull length between Askeptosaurus italicus and Anshunsaurus huangguoshuensis; the postfrontal existing but distinctly reduced; the posterolateral process relatedly short and overlapping the parietal. The phylogenetic analysis weakly supports the evolutional progress from Anshunsaurus huangnihensis to Anshunsaurus huangguoshuensis. The skeletal ratios indicated that the node among the Askeptosauridae ingroup. The evolutional direction of Askeptosauridae should be from Askeptosaurus italicus to Anshunsaurus huangguoshuensis. The skeletal ratios indicated that the evolutional progress is Askeptosaurus italicus – Anshunsaurus huangnihensis – Anshunsaurus huangguoshuensis. In biogeography provinces, the Askeptosauroidea taxa from south China have a close relationship with those from western Tethys; however, Xinpusaurus from the Late Triassic is more related to those from the eastern Pacific.
Cheng Long Chen Xiaohong Zhang Baomin Cai Yongjian,2011 New Study of Anshunsaurus huangnihensis Cheng, 2007 (Reptilia:Thalattosauria): Revealing its Transitional Position in Askeptosauridae. Acta Geologica Sinica,85(6):1231-1237

January 21, 2011 - Enantiornithine Birds in China
A brief introduction to the morphology, flight, size, habits, diet, feathers and systematic paleontology of fossil enantiornithine birds known from the Mesozoic of China is provided. Enantiornithine birds were the dominant land birds of the Mesozoic (245–65 Myr). Although they show great morphological differences from modern birds, their diversification in many respects mimics that of the modern land bird radiation and the reasons for their extinction at the end-Cretaceous remain a mystery.
Wang Xia Zhang Zihui ,2011_Enantiornithine Birds in China. Acta Geologica Sinica,85(6):1211-1223

January 21, 2011 - Disparity and convergence in bipedal archosaur locomotion
This study aims to investigate functional disparity in the locomotor apparatus of bipedal archosaurs. We use reconstructions of hindlimb myology of extant and extinct archosaurs to generate musculoskeletal biomechanical models to test hypothesized convergence between bipedal crocodile-line archosaurs and dinosaurs. Quantitative comparison of muscle leverage supports the inference that bipedal crocodile-line archosaurs and non-avian theropods had highly convergent hindlimb myology, suggesting similar muscular mechanics and neuromuscular control of locomotion. While these groups independently evolved similar musculoskeletal solutions to the challenges of parasagittally erect bipedalism, differences also clearly exist, particularly the distinct hip and crurotarsal ankle morphology characteristic of many pseudosuchian archosaurs. Furthermore, comparative analyses of muscle design in extant archosaurs reveal that muscular parameters such as size and architecture are more highly adapted or optimized for habitual locomotion than moment arms. The importance of these aspects of muscle design, which are not directly retrievable from fossils, warns against over-extrapolating the functional significance of anatomical convergences. Nevertheless, links identified between posture, muscle moments and neural control in archosaur locomotion suggest that functional interpretations of osteological changes in limb anatomy traditionally linked to postural evolution in Late Triassic archosaurs could be constrained through musculoskeletal modelling.
K. T.Bates & R.Schachner_ Disparity and convergence in bipedal archosaur locomotion Interface, First Cite November 2011

January 21, 2011 - Middle Jurassic turtles from the Sichuan Basin, China: a review
The turtle fauna of the Middle Jurassic Xiashaximiao Formation in the Sichuan Basin and the type series of Chengyuchelys baenoides Young & Chow, 1953 are revised. By the absence of a mesoplastron and other shell characters, both the holotype and paratype of Chengyuchelys baenoides belong to the family Xinjiangchelyidae and come probably from the Upper Jurassic Shangshaximiao Formation. TheMiddle Jurassic turtle assemblage of the Sichuan Basin is composed of two entities: the Bashuchelyidae fam. nov. (Bashuchelys gen. nov., Chuannanchelys gen. nov.) and Protoxinjiangchelys gen. nov. on the one hand, and Sichuanchelys on the other hand, with the former as the dominant group. Bashuchelyids and xinjiangchelyids are closely related to one another, while Sichuanchelys is more primitive and has no shared apomorphic features with bashuchelyids. The whole assemblage appears to be endemic to the Sichuan Basin at genus level and distinct from the Late Jurassic turtle fauna of the same basin in its relict nature and absence of the Polycryptodira.
HAIYAN TONG, IGOR DANILOV, YONG YE, HUI OUYANG &GUANGZHAO PENG, 2012. Middle Jurassic turtles from the Sichuan Basin, China: a review. Geol. Mag.: pp. 1-21.

January 21, 2011 - A new species of the side-necked turtle Foxemys (Pelomedusoides: Bothremydidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Hungary and the historical biogeography of the Bothremydini
The continental deposits of the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Csehbanya Formation of the Bakony Mountains in Hungary yielded abundant remains of a bothremydid side-necked turtle, which are attributed to a new species of the genus Foxemys, Foxemys trabanti. F. trabanti shows strong affinities with the European monophyletic group Foxemydina owing to the absence of pits in the upper and lower triturating surfaces, the exclusion of the jugal from the triturating surface, the separation of the Eustachian tube and the stapes by a narrow fissure, the presence of deep and narrow fossa pterygoidei, the partially closed foramen jugulare posterius and the pentagonal shape of the basisphenoid in ventral view. Among the Foxemydina the bothremydid from Iharkut is more closely related to F. mechinorum than to Polysternon provinciale from the Early Campanian of France, mainly because of the position of the occipital condyle relative to the mandibular condyles of the quadrate. The new remains represent the only record of the Foxemydina outside ofWestern Europe and provide the earliest known occurrence of this endemic, freshwater group in the former Mediterranean Basin. The historical biogeography of the tribe Bothremydini is investigated and a hypothesis of migration from Africa to North America via the high-latitude Thulean route is put forward.
MARTON RABI, HAIYAN TONG &GABOR BOTFALVAI, 2012. A new species of the side-necked turtle Foxemys (Pelomedusoides: Bothremydidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Hungary and the historical biogeography of the Bothremydini. Geol. Mag.: pp. 1-13.

January 12, 2011 - Qinglongopterus - new rhamphorhynchid (Pterosauria: Rhamphorhynchidae) from the Middle/Upper Jurassic of Qinglong, Hebei Province, China.
A heavily compressed, but nearly complete fossil skeleton recovered from the Middle/Upper Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of Mutoudeng, Qinglong County, Hebei Province, China, represents a new genus and species of long-tailed pterosaur, Qinglongopterus guoi gen. et sp. nov. The holotype and only known specimen has an estimated forelimb length of 0.18 m. The new taxon is distinguished by a relatively short skull, a remarkably short pteroid with a distinctive knob-like distal expansion, and a prepubis with a relatively slender distal process. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that Qinglongopterus is a member of Rhamphorhynchidae, exhibiting many of the unique character states found in members of this clade. Qinglongopterus is strikingly similar to Rhamphorhynchus and more closely related to this taxon than to any other rhamphorhynchine, this pairing is supported by morphometric data and several synapomorphies (short, broad nasal process of the maxilla; forelimb length more than four times that of the hind limb; wing-phalanx one more than twice the length of the tibia). Qinglongopterus demonstrates that the highly derived skeletal morphology of Rhamphorhynchus, known only from the latest Jurassic (Tithonian) of Europe, had already appeared by the start of the Late Jurassic. This hints at evolutionary stasis in Rhamphorhynchinae, a phenomenon seemingly also present in two other clades of basal pterosaurs, Anurognathidae and Scaphognathinae, and contrasting sharply with basal monofenestratans which appear to have undergone extensive evolutionary change during the same interval.
JUNCHANG LU, DAVID M. UNWIN, BO ZHAO, CHUNLING GAO & CAIZHI SHEN (2012) A new rhamphorhynchid (Pterosauria: Rhamphorhynchidae) from the Middle/Upper Jurassic of Qinglong, Hebei Province, China. Zootaxa 3158: 1–19

January 12, 2011 - Brain Anatomy of Amurosaurus riabinini and Some Neurobiological Peculiarities of Duck-billed Dinosaurs.
Изучено 22 слепка эндокраниальной полости от 12 экз. Amurosaurus riabinini Bolotsky et Kurzanov (Lambeosaurinae, Hadrosauridae). Обсуждены наиболее существенные особенности нейробиологии этого вида и утконосых динозавров в целом. Установлено, что обоняние являлось основной системой афферентации гадрозаврид. Возможно, у ламбеозаврин имело место усиление вомероназального обоняния для поиска партнеров в брачный период на значительном удалении. Гипотезы о звуковых и зрительных коммуникациях у утконосых динозавров данными работы не подтверждаются.
Twenty-two endocasts of 12 specimens of Amurosaurus riabinini Bolotsky et Kurzanov (Lambeosaurinae, Hadrosauridae) have been examined. The most important neurobiological features of this species and duck-billed dinosaurs integrally are discussed. It has been established that the sense of smell played the major role in afferentation of hadrosaurids. In lambeosaurines, the vomeronasal sense of smell was probably intensified to search for sexual partners at a large distance. The hypotheses of sound and visual communications of duck-billed dinosaurs are not corroborated.
S. V. Saveliev, V. R. Alifanov, Yu. L. Bolotsky, 2012. Brain Anatomy of Amurosaurus riabinini and Some Neurobiological Peculiarities of Duck-billed Dinosaurs. Pal. Journal, N. 1: 77-88.

January 12, 2011 - An abelisauroid dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Laurasia and its implications on theropod palaeobiogeography and evolution.
We review here the phylogenetic relationships of a theropod distal end of tibia (MB. R.2351) from the Middle Jurassic Stonesfield Slate (Taunton Formation, middle Bathonian) of Oxfordshire, England. This specimen was previously described as a small basal tetanuran, but our reinterpretation suggests that it was an early member of the Abelisauroidea. The new assignment is supported by the presence of an apomorphic vertical facet for the reception of the ascending process of the astragalus, sub-rectangular anterior scar of the astragalar ascending process, median vertical ridge in the scar for the reception of the ascending process of the astragalus, and posterolateral process not distinctly offset from the lateral margin of the shaft. In particular, the Stonesfield specimen shares an overall morphology and a unique combination of apomorphies with the Middle Jurassic Australian abelisauroid Ozraptor. Nevertheless, both specimens differ in some punctual features. MB. R.2351 constitutes the oldest evidence of an abelisauroid outside Gondwana and indicates that the group had achieved a Pangean distribution during, at least, the Middle Jurassic. Thus, the initial diversification of abelisauroids would have occurred earlier than previously thought. Accordingly, the Middle and Late Jurassic Pangean distribution of abelisauroids implies that the absence of the group in Cretaceous Asiamerican assemblages would reflect a regional extinction, in which a competitive replacement with coelurosaurs (e.g. tyrannosauroids) is surely one of the hypotheses that should be tested in future studies.
Ezcurra, M.D., & F.L. Agnollin. 2012. An abelisauroid dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Laurasia and its implications on theropod palaeobiogeography and evolution. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association in press

January 12, 2011 - An articulated pectoral girdle and forelimb of the abelisaurid theropod Majungasaurus crenatissimus from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar.
Abelisaurid theropods are common members of Cretaceous Gondwanan faunas and are characterized by a bizarre, highly reduced forelimb. Unfortunately, forelimb elements are rarely preserved and thus the basic structure of the abelisaurid forelimb remains poorly understood. Until recently, the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation of northwestern Madagascar has produced numerous exceptional specimens of the abelisaurid theropod Majungasaurus crenatissimus but comparatively little forelimb material. A recently discovered articulated skeleton of Majungasaurus preserves a virtually complete pectoral girdle and forelimb, which, along with additional isolated forelimb elements, affords important new insights into the structure of these elements. New specimens of the scapulocoracoid and humerus allow more detailed description of their morphology, and antebrachial and manual elements are described for the first time. The radius and ulna are approximately one-quarter the length of the humerus and both have expanded proximal and distal articular surfaces relative to their narrow diaphyses. The manus consists of four digits, each composed of a short metacarpal and one (digits I and IV) or two (digits II and III) phalanges. No ossified carpals are present. The proportions of the brachium and antebrachium are stout, more similar to the condition in Carnotaurus than in Aucasaurus. We reinterpret manual digit identities in Aucasaurus and Carnotaurus based on new information provided by the manus of Majungasaurus. Overall, the morphology of the forelimb in Majungasaurus reveals that abelisaurids share an extremely reduced, unique morphology that is dissimilar to the more typical theropod condition seen in other ceratosaurs.
Burch, S.H. & M.T. Carrano. 2012. An articulated pectoral girdle and forelimb of the abelisaurid theropod Majungasaurus crenatissimus from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32(1):1-16.

January 12, 2011 - Changes in vertebral laminae across the cervicodorsal transition of a well-preserved rebbachisaurid (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Cenomanian of Patagonia, Argentina.
The fossil record of rebbachisaurid sauropods has greatly increased recently (Calvo and Salgado, 1995; Bonaparte, 1996; Dalla Vecchia, 1998; Sereno et al., 1999, 2007; Medeiros and Schultz, 2001; Pereda-Suberbiola et al., 2001, 2003; Salgado et al., 2004, 2006; Gallina and Apestegu??a, 2005; Apestegu??a, 2007; Mannion, 2009). The first fossil remains belonging to this group were described by Nopcsa (1902) but only recently recognized as a rebbachisaurid (Calvo and Salgado, 1995; Apestegu??a, 2007). Lavocat (1954) erected Rebbachisaurus garasbae, which has a scapula with broad, ‘racquet’-shaped blade, and a mid-dorsal vertebra with a very tall neural spine. This family is mostly known
from rather fragmentary remains, and many specimens are unpublished or only partially described (Gallina and Apestegu??a, 2005).
In this contribution, we present new materials assignable to Rebbachisauridae, recovered from the Huincul Formation,
Neuqu?en Group, near Villa El Choc? on, Neuqu?en Province (Fig. 1A, B). The lowermost section of this geological unit has yielded other dinosaur taxa, such as Skorpiovenator bustingorryi (Canale et al., 2009). The rebbachisaurid remains correspond to a single, partially articulated, and exceptionally preserved skeleton, which includes cervical and dorsal vertebrae, thoracic ribs, scapula, and a humerus (Fig 1C).
Haluza, A., J.I. Canale, A. Otero, L.M. Perez, & C.A. Scanferla. 2012. Changes in vertebral laminae across the cervicodorsal transition of a well-preserved rebbachisaurid (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Cenomanian of Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32(1):219-224.

January 12, 2011 - Lorosuchus nodosus - new sebecid mesoeucrocodylian from the Rio Loro Formation (Palaeocene) of north-western Argentina.
A new basal mesoeucrocodylian, Lorosuchus nodosus gen. et sp. nov., from the Palaeocene of north-western
Argentina is presented here. The new taxon is diagnosed by the presence of external nares facing dorsally,
completely septated, and retracted posteriorly, elevated narial rim, sagittal crest on the anteromedial margins of
both premaxillae, dorsal crests and protuberances on the anterior half of the rostrum, and anterior-most three
maxillary teeth with emarginated alveolar margins. This taxon is most parsimoniously interpreted as a bizarre and
highly autapomorphic basal member of Sebecidae, a position supported (amongst other characters) by the
elongated bar-like pterygoid flanges, a laterally opened notch and fossa in the pterygoids located posterolaterally
to the choanal opening (parachoanal fossa), base of postorbital process of jugal directed dorsally, and palatal parts
of the premaxillae meeting posteriorly to the incisive foramen. Lorosuchus nodosus also shares with basal
neosuchians a suite of derived characters that are interpreted as convergently acquired and possibly related to
their semiaquatic lifestyle. The phylogenetic analysis used for testing the phylogenetic affinities of L. nodosus
depicts Sebecidae as the sister group of Baurusuchidae, forming a monophyletic Sebecosuchia that is deeply nested
within Notosuchia. Alternative phylogenetic placements of Sebecidae, such as the recently proposed affinities with
peirosaurids, were also evaluated within the context of the present data matrix and found to be only marginally
suboptimal.
Pol, D., & J.E. Powell. 2011. A new sebecid mesoeucrocodylian from the Rio Loro Formation (Palaeocene) of north-western Argentina. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S7-S36.

January 12, 2011 - Eremiasaurus heterodontus - new mosasaurine from the Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) phosphates of Morocco and its implications for mosasaurine systematics.
A new mosasaur, Eremiasaurus heterodontus, gen. et sp. nov., from the Maastrichtian phosphates of Morocco is described based on the basis of two specimens: one consisting of a nearly complete skull, vertebral column, and isolated appendicular elements, and the other a nearly complete skull with associated vertebral column. This new mosasaur exhibits a high degree of heterodonty and a large number of pygal vertebrae, the latter feature expressed to a greater degree only in Plotosaurus from the Maastrichtian of California. Analysis of a data matrix of 135 characters and 32 terminal taxa resulted in three equally most parsimonious trees, and recovered E. heterodontus as the sister taxon to Plotosaurini. A second analysis incorporating five species of the globidensine mosasaur Prognathodon recovered 252 most parsimonious trees. This second analysis also recovered E. heterodontus as the closest relative to the Plotosaurini, a position supported by the presence of an internarial bar keel, exclusion of the prefrontals from the narial borders, narial embayments in the frontal, and the presence of a quadrate ala groove. A change in the positions of several key character-state changes in the second analysis not only supports the exclusion of E. heterodontus from the globidensine mosasaurs, but also calls into question the monophyly of the Globidensini and the suite of quadrate and dental characters used to diagnose this group.
Leblanc, A.R.H., M.W. Caldwell, & N. Bardet. 2012. A new mosasaurine from the Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) phosphates of Morocco and its implications for mosasaurine systematics. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32(1):82-104.

January 12, 2011 - A new specimen of Uruguaysuchus aznarezi (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the middle Cretaceous of Uruguay and its phylogenetic relationships.
Uruguaysuchus is a small mesoeucrocodylian known from several partial skeletons and skulls from the Guichon Formation (middle Cretaceous, Uruguay). Several authors have pointed out derived similarities of this taxon with different basal notosuchian genera, highlighting its importance for mesoeucrocodylian phylogeny and biogeography.
However, the holotype is only partially prepared and has not been available for study for many years. Thus,
phylogenetic studies have included this form based on the original description, thereby resulting in a large amount of missing data in the character scorings of this taxon. Here, we describe a new specimen from the type locality consisting of a partial skull, lower jaw and cervical vertebrae which can be referred to U. aznarezi. The new specimen allows for the recognition and scoring of several characters previously unknown for this taxon, thus providing a more extensive diagnosis, as well as new information for understanding its phylogenetic relationships. These characters are congruent with the morphology present in basal notosuchians. The relationships of Uruguaysuchus are tested through a cladistic analysis using a recently published data set including the new information. The phylogenetic results differ from previous analyses, recovering this taxon as the sister group of the Araripesuchus clade. U. terrai is considered a juvenile individual of U. aznarezi.
Soto, M., D. Pol, & D. Perea. 2011. A new specimen of Uruguaysuchus aznarezi (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the middle Cretaceous of Uruguay and its phylogenetic relationships. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S173-S198.

January 12, 2011 - Baurusuchid crocodyliforms as theropod mimics: clues from the skull and appendicular morphology of Stratiotosuchus maxhechti (Upper Cretaceous of Brazil).
The Baurusuchidae crocodyliforms are usually interpreted as active terrestrial predators, but only some positive
evidence of such habits has been described to date, mainly the relative position of external nares and orbits. Here
we describe features that support this view in a complete specimen of the Baurusuchidae Stratiotosuchus
maxhechti, and have executed a parsimony analysis to confirm their phylogenetic position. S. maxhechti exhibits
theropodomorph features that have been previously recognized in skulls of the Baurusuchidae, as well as
postcranial characteristics related to a parasagittal gait, showing that the similarities between the Baurusuchidae
and theropods extend beyond the cranial morphology. These include a well-developed supracetabular crest, a
relatively medially offset femoral head and a caudally orientated calcaneal tuber. The orientations of the surfaces
for muscular attachments imply that the appendicular movements of S. maxhechti were mainly anteroposterior,
with abduction significantly constrained. S. maxhechti presents features that mimic some present in theropods,
including a ‘fossa brevis’ on the ilium and tubercles on the ischium and femur similar to the obturator process and
accessory trochanter. The relative proportions of the femur, tibia, and longer metatarsal are more similar to those
of Postosuchus than to other Crocodylomorpha. In the skull, besides the theropodomorph (ziphodont) dentition
concentrated in the anterior half of the rostrum, the baurusuchids are remarkable by the fusion of the nasals,
which can be related to a large resistance against feeding forces acting on a high-profile skull. The appendicular
morphology of S. maxhechti strengthens the interpretation that the Baurusuchidae were active land-dwelling
predators in the Upper Cretaceous of south-eastern Brazil, occuping ecological niches typical of small to mediumsized
theropod dinosaurs.
Riff, D., & A.W.A. Kellner. 2011. Baurusuchid crocodyliforms as theropod mimics: clues from the skull and appendicular morphology of Stratiotosuchus maxhechti (Upper Cretaceous of Brazil). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S37-S56.

January 12, 2011 - The skull of the Upper Cretaceous baurusuchid crocodile Baurusuchus albertoi Nascimento & Zaher 2010, and its phylogenetic affinities.
We here describe the cranial remains of Baurusuchus albertoi Nascimento & Zaher, 2010, a Baurusuchidae from
the Upper Cretaceous of Brazil that is known from a partially complete and articulated skeleton. The cranial
anatomy provided important new information that allowed a more accurate analysis of its phylogenetic affinities.
Phylogenetic results suggest that B. albertoi is the sister-group of a clade formed by Baurusuchus pachecoi and
Baurusuchus salgadoensis. Characters that place B. albertoi within the family Baurusuchidae are: antorbital
portion of the jugal more than two times higher than the infratemporal part; rod-shaped infratemporal bar of the
jugal; dorsal process of the quadratojugal extensively contacting the postorbital; posterolateral process of squamosal
totally deflected ventrally; cervical neural spines anteroposteriorly large; spool-shaped vertebral centra;
cranial table as wide as ventral portion. Baurusuchus albertoi differs from the remaining two species of the genus
by having a more excavated triangular depression of the jugal suborbital portion, an area that is also more
ventrally developed; a vertical and lateromedially thin retroarticular process; and descending expansion of the
lateral edge of the squamosal anteriorly concave.
Nascimento, P.M., & H. Zaher. 2011. The skull of the Upper Cretaceous baurusuchid crocodile Baurusuchus albertoi Nascimento & Zaher 2010, and its phylogenetic affinities. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S116-S131.

January 12, 2011 - Labidiosuchus amicum - new cretaceous notosuchian (Mesoeucrocodylia) with bizarre dentition from Brazil.
A new species of Notosuchia, Labidiosuchus amicum gen. et sp. nov., is described based on an incomplete lower
jaw (DGM 1480-R) from the Upper Cretaceous Marilia Formation (Maastrichtian) recovered from a quarry near
the Peiropolis municipality, Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil. The mandibular symphysis is long, strong
anterodorsally projected and ‘Y-shaped’. The bizarre dentition is formed by at least eight teeth placed in a
symphyseal tooth battery, some located lateral to each other. The first pair is larger than all others and
procumbent. Some teeth are obliquely implanted (anterolabially to posterolingually) and have sub circular to
elliptical outline. At least the posterior teeth are single cuspidate with acute apex. Labidiosuchus amicum shows
a rather bizarre dentition, increasing the taxonomic diversity and potential feeding strategies of notosuchian
crocodylomorphs.
Kellner, A.W.A., R.G. Figueiredo, S.A.K. Azevedo, & D.A. Campos. 2011. A new cretaceous notosuchian (Mesoeucrocodylia) with bizarre dentition from Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S109-S115.

January 12, 2011 - Caryonosuchus pricei - new crocodylomorph (Sphagesauridae, Notosuchia) with horn-like tubercles from Brazil.
A new species of a bizarre notosuchian mesoeucrocodylian is reported here. Caryonosuchus pricei gen. et sp.
nov. was found in the outcrops of the Adamantina Formation (Campanian–Masstrichtian) in Sao Paulo State,
Brazil, and shows a typical sphagesaurid dentition: strong and short teeth, obliquely implanted with the crown of
the upper teeth showing a rounded anteriolabial margin and a strong compressed posteriolingual edge developed
into a carina, ornamented by developed ridges and denticles. Amongst the diagnostic features of the new taxon are
the presence of horn-like tubercles on the premaxilla and maxilla, never reported in this group before. The
occurrence of C. pricei increases the diversity of sphagesaurids and confirms that all members of this clade, only
recorded in Late Cretaceous deposits from Brazil so far, share the same dentition.
Kellner, A.W.A., D.A. Campos, D. Riff, & M.B. de Andrade. 2011. A new crocodylomorph (Sphagesauridae, Notosuchia) with horn-like tubercles from Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S57-S65.

January 12, 2011 - Redescription and phylogenetic relationships of Meridiosaurus vallisparadisi, a pholidosaurid from the Late Jurassic of Uruguay.
Meridiosaurus vallisparadisi Mones, 1980, a freshwater pholidosaurid from the Late Jurassic of Uruguay, is
redescribed herein. It can be diagnosed by the possession of the following combination of features: (1) lateral
constriction of the rostrum at premaxilla–maxilla contact, strong lateral expansion of the premaxilla with the fifth
tooth placed in the widest portion; (2) sinusoidal premaxilla–maxilla suture in palatal view, posteromedially
directed on its lateral half, and anteromedially directed along its medial region; (3) evaginated maxillary alveolar
edges forming a discrete collar at each alveolus, lateroventrally oriented; (4) greater number of maxillary teeth (at
least 27) with respect to Elosuchus (less than 20 maxillary teeth); (5) nasals do not meet premaxilla dorsally; (6)
strong sinusoidal lateral contour of snout in dorsal view, with respect to the similar condition of Elosuchus, forming
two waves (‘festooned’); and (7) third, fourth, and fifth alveoli are equally enlarged. A phylogenetic analysis was
performed, including six pholidosaurids: Elosuchus, Meridiosaurus, Oceanosuchus, Pholidosaurus, Sarcosuchus,
and Terminonaris. The analysis confirmed the monophyly of Pholidosauridae, and a new definition is proposed: a
stem-based group name including Pholidosaurus schaumburgensis Meyer, 1841 and all taxa closer to it than to
Dyrosaurus phosphaticus (Thomas, 1893) or Pelagosaurus typus Bronn, 1841. Pholidosauridae originated in Europe
during the Middle Jurassic, dispersed to Africa, and North and South America, in several dispersal events, and
completely disappeared in the Late Cretaceous.
Fortier, D., D. Perea, & C. Schultz. 2011. Redescription and phylogenetic relationships of Meridiosaurus vallisparadisi, a pholidosaurid from the Late Jurassic of Uruguay. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S257-S275.

January 12, 2011 - Description of a new specimen of Susisuchus anatoceps (Crocodylomorpha: Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Crato Formation (Santana Group) with comments on Neosuchia.
A third specimen of Susisuchus anatoceps is described. The new material comprises postcranial remains, including
an almost complete sequence of cervical vertebrae, prothoracic and posterior dorsal vertebrae, and osteoderms from
dorsal and ventral shield, scapula, coracoid and the forelimb. The new specimen (MPSC-R1136) was recovered from
the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of the Santana Group, near Nova Olinda municipality, Ceara State,
Brazil. Some cervical vertebrae show slightly procoelous centra and at least one of these vertebrae is platycoelic,
a feature reported for the first time in Susisuchus. Nevertheless, dorsals have amphicoelic centra. The sagittal
segmented dorsal shield comprises two paravertebral rows of square osteoderms and two accessory rows of
ellipsoidal osteoderms on each side of the trunk. Three diagnostic characters are present in the new Susisuchus
specimen: the proximal and distal articulations of the ulna have about the same width and are thicker with respect
to the shaft; the scapular blade has posterior concave and anterior straight margins; and the ungual phalanges are
present only on first and second digits of the manus. A phylogenetic analysis of Susisuchus anatoceps based on new
characters of MPSC-R1136 in addition to the holotype, and employing a previous data set of Jouve, placed this
taxon as a basal member of the advanced neosuchian clade.
Figueiredo, R.G., J.K.R. Moreira, A.A.F. Saraiva, & A.W.A. Kellner. 2011. Description of a new specimen of Susisuchus anatoceps (Crocodylomorpha: Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Crato Formation (Santana Group) with comments on Neosuchia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S273-S288.

January 12, 2011 - Pathological features and insect boring marks in a crocodyliform from the Bauru Basin, Cretaceous of Brazil.
The type specimen of Stratiotosuchus maxhechti (DGM 1477-R), a baurusuchid mesoeucrocodylian from the Bauru
Basin (Upper Cretaceous of Brazil) displays some abnormalities that are here described. The holotype was
examined macroscopically and compared with other skeletal elements of S. maxhechti and Baurusuchus salgadoensis
(UFRJ DG 288-R). After this analysis, the elements with signs of alterations were subjected to a computed
tomography (CT) scan exam which gave more information about them. The medial and proximal thirds of the right
metacarpal V show an extensive bone growth, which modified the normal form of this element. The left metatarsals
I and II exhibit an abnormal bone callus covering part of the medial third of the distal end. Based on their
morphology these features are regarded as the result of two injuries of distinct natures. In the right metacarpal
V, the presence of a large bone callus and a fracture, with two possible causes: post-traumatic infection or tumour.
In the metatarsal I and II a case of stress fracture with a marked bone callus. Additionally, insect boring marks
in the left ulna and right and left tibia of the same specimen were observed, which could be confused with
pathologies. These bone changes may provide additional clues about the palaeoenvironment, such as habitat
conditions, in which the specimen studied here lived.
Cabral, U.G., D. Riff, A.W.A. Kellner, & D.D.R. Henriques. 2011. Pathological features and insect boring marks in a crocodyliform from the Bauru Basin, Cretaceous of Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S140-S151.

January 12, 2011 - Phylogenetic relationships of Necrosuchus ionensis Simpson, 1937 and the early history of caimanines.
Cranial fragments associated with the holotype of Necrosuchus ionensis reveal a dorsally shifted foramen aereum on
the quadrate and a long, slender descending process of the exoccipital lateral to the basioccipital and approaching
the basioccipital tubera. The former suggests that Necrosuchus is an alligatoroid and not a crocodylid, as first
suggested; and the latter that it is a caiman. The scapulocoracoid shows evidence of early closure of the synchondrosis,
further supporting a caiman affinity. Although we cannot yet pinpoint the phylogenetic placement of Necrosuchus
amongst caimans, it nevertheless establishes a caimanine presence in South America by the Early Palaeocene. A
review of other Palaeocene–Eocene caimans reveals a complex biogeographical history suggesting multiple dispersal
events between North and South America, even if the modern caiman assemblage is monophyletic.zoj_716 228..
Brochu, C.A. 2011. Phylogenetic relationships of Necrosuchus ionensis Simpson, 1937 and the early history of caimanines. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163(Suppl. S1):S228-S256.

January 12, 2011 - Two Jurassic salamanders with stomach contents from Inner Mongolia, China.
Conchostracans and corixids are part of the diet of extant salamanders, an ecologically important fact in a lacustrine environment. Here we report their discovery in the guts of the aquatic Jurassic salamanders Jeholotriton paradoxus and Chunerpeton tianyiensis, formerly abundant at Daohugou, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, China. This reveals something of the ecology of this important, ancient, vertebrate and invertebrate assemblage. The new fossil evidence indicates the highly selective feeding of these Jurassic salamanders; Jeholotriton preyed only on juveniles of the conchostracan Euestheria luanpingensis, and Chunerpeton only on the corixid Yanliaocorixa chinensis. We can infer the dietary differences as a consequence of different jaw and hyoid structures; and thus niche partitioning in Jurassic salamanders.
Dong, L., D. Huang, & Y. Wang. 2012. Two Jurassic salamanders with stomach contents from Inner Mongolia, China. Chinese Science Bulletin 57(1):72-76.

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