Selenariidae Busk 1854 (Bryozoa) is considered endemic to Australia and New Zealand. Here we describe a new species of Selenaria Busk 1854 from the lower Miocene Monte León Formation (Patagonia, Argentina). Selenaria lyrulata sp. nov. is characterized by autozooids with a lyrula-like, anvil-shaped cryptocystal denticle, opesiular indentations and lateral condyles, as well as avicularia with a shield of fused costae. This is the first record of a selenariid bryozoan in South America.
Juan López-Gappa [lgappa@macn.
A new grylloblattid (Permoshurabia argentina sp. nov.: Geinitziidae) is described and illustrated from the Upper Triassic of Argentina. The material represents the first record of this family from Argentina and expands the geographic distribution of this group during the Triassic.
María Belén Lara [lara.
The record of fossil fish from the Pleistocene of Argentina is poor. Here we describe the first ichthyofauna from Late Pleistocene riverbank beds in the Salado River of Santa Fe Province, Argentina. The material consists of isolated pectoral and dorsal fin spines, together with skull fragments. Four species-level taxa referable to three families can be identified: Pterodoras granulosus (Doradidae), Pimelodus cf. maculatus and Pimelodus cf. albicans (Pimelodidae) and cf. Hypostomus sp. (Loricariidae). Specimens attributed to Pterodoras granulosus and Pimelodus maculatus represent a minimum age for origin of these taxa. The Salado River assemblage includes the richest record of Pleistocene catfishes yet documented from southern South America.
Evelyn Romina Vallone [evelynvallone@conicet.
Typical glacial–postglacial sequences associated with the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age (LPIA) are recognized in the Calingasta-Uspallata Basin, central-western Argentina, particularly in the Hoyada Verde and El Paso formations (late Serpukhovian–Bashkirian) at Barreal Hill (San Juan province). Brachiopods and bivalves accompanied by gastropods, conulariids, nautiloids, corals and ostracods constitute the marine assemblages of the El Paso Formation. They are assigned to the Aseptella–Tuberculatella/Rhipidomella–Micraphelia (AT/RM) fauna, characterized by two fossil assemblages: Aseptella–Tuberculatella, identified in the lower fossiliferous interval, and Rhipidomella–Micraphelia in the upper. The development of the different invertebrate assemblages within the El Paso Formation, and their relationship with coeval suite in the Hoyada Verde Formation, can be explained by a complex array of abiotic factors (substrate stability, turbidity, nutrient availability, variation in oxygen levels, poor circulation and salinity variations in the water column) that were directly related to glacial retreat dynamics and coastal configuration. A restricted palaeofjord setting is proposed for the depositional environment of the El Paso Formation in contrast to an exposed open marine coast with a gently sloping shelf for the Hoyada Verde Formation. The study of the postglacial fauna of the El Paso Formation and its relationship with the Levipustula fauna in the Calingasta-Uspallata Basin, help determine the main controls on the distribution of the postglacial faunas in other late Palaeozoic South American basins, such as the Tepuel Genoa Basin in Patagonia and the Tarija Basin in Bolivia.
Gabriela A. Cisterna [gabrielacisterna@conicet.
A new fossil elasmosaurid specimen, MLP 15-I-7-48, from the upper Maastrichtian Sandwich Bluff Member of the López de Bertodano Formation, Vega Island, Archipelago James Ross, Antarctica, is described. The fossil is a well-preserved anterior limb, which shares with Vegasaurus molyi from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica, a concave to flat anterior margin of the humeral shaft, and with Vegasaurus molyi and Aphrosaurus furlongi from the upper Maastrichtian of California, a well-defined depression on the anterior margin of the ventral surface of the humeral shaft. A phylogenetic analysis recovered MLP 15-I-7–48 as sister group of the lower Maastrichtian Vegasaurus molyi within a new clade nominated as Weddellonectia: Kawanectes lafquenianum ((Vegasaurus molyi; MLP 15-I-7–48) (Morenosaurus stocki (Aristonectinae))). This indicates that the previously proposed faunal turnover between the early and late Maastrichtian Weddellian marine reptile fauna, did not severely affect the non-aristonectine elasmosaurids. Additionally, other taxa previously considered evidence of a faunal turnover are re-evaluated.
José P. O’Gorman. [joseogorman@fcnym.
Boa constrictor is an extant boid widely distributed through the neotropical region, from the north of Central America to central Argentina. The fossil record of the species includes examples from several localities across the Americas that extend beyond the current distribution of the species. Here we report the first Plio–Pleistocene fossils of Boa from Monagas state, Venezuela. The material comes from El Breal de Orocual (Maturín municipality), which is an inactive tar seep deposit emplaced within the Mesa Formation. The specimens consist of two isolated anterior trunk vertebrae, an articulated sequence of six mid-trunk vertebrae and two posterior trunk vertebrae. The vertebrae are attributed to B. constrictor based on the following features: robust and high vertebrae; thick zygosphene with a notched or concave anterior edge; presence of a paracotylar, subcentral and lateral foramina; marked parasagittal ridges; epizygapophyseal process evident on the dorsal surface of the postzygapophyseal articular facets and high blade-like neural spine. The presence of B. constrictor in northern of Venezuela indicates a palaeoenvironment probably like savanna crossed by rivers with riparian forests, and suggests the predominance of a mesothermal climate with a moderate rainfall.
Silvio Y. Onary-Alves [silvioyuji@gmail.
Anatomical variation in the sacrum is useful for differentiating sauropod lineages. Morphological variation in the sacrum has been underestimated mainly because of its anatomical complexity and uncertain homologies with presacral and postsacral elements. We describe a titanosaurian sauropod pelvis (MLP 46-VIII-21-2) from Plottier (Neuquén Province, Argentina) collected in the 1940s from Coniacian–Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) strata. The degree of bone fusion in the specimen (fused vertebral centra forming a single rod, with neural arches fused to the corresponding centrum and to adjacent neural arches) indicates a late ontogenetic age. The presence of a space between the first vertebra and the anterior margin of the illium, together with a scar located on the anterior part of the preactabular process, suggest the possible presence of a sixth sacral vertebra (putative dorsosacral additional characters present in the ilium point towards affinities with Titanosauria. The completeness and good preservation of the specimen allowed us to track features along the sacral series and to compare characters with other sauropods. Within a phylogenetic context, and based on the pattern present in basal sauropodomorphs, the presence of three sacral elements attached to the rim of the acetabulum in eusauropods opens the possibility for considering such elements as primordial sacrals.
Florencia S. Filippini [florencia304@live.
Eocene penguins are known mostly from Antarctic specimens. A previously documented partial skeleton consisting of a pelvis, femur, tibiotarsus and fibula, from the middle Eocene Leticia Formation, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina, has been prepared and re-described. Re-analysis favours assignment to Palaeeudyptes gunnari, a species widely recorded in the Eocene of Antarctica. A new isolated coracoid belonging to an indeterminate species reveals new information about diving kinematics and swimming abilities. Palaeobiological attributes and morphology of the fossils indicate that both specimens belonged to large penguins with poor diving capability and wing propulsion systems similar to those of extant taxa. These penguin remains are the only vertebrate fossils thus far recorded from the Leticia Formation, and provide important insights into the relationships of South American and Antarctic penguins during the Paleogene. The presence of Palaeeudyptes in Argentina supports an Eocene connection between the South American and Antarctic penguin faunas.
Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche [acostacaro@fcnym.
Kukulkanus is the first genus of the tribe Buxtoniini recorded from rocks of the late Cisuralian (Artinskian–Kungurian). The Early Permian (Cisuralian) outcrops of the Santa Rosa Group, from southeastern Chiapas, are one of the most important marine Palaeozoic successions of Mexico. The Artinskian–Kungurian Paso Hondo Formation is the youngest unit in the succession and is dominated by massive limestone. Different marine invertebrates deposited in massive calcareous rocks characterize this formation. The buxtoniin Kukulkanus spinosus gen. et sp. nov. is reported from a single bed within the unit. The outcrops are located in southeastern Chiapas, very near the Guatemala–Mexico border. The lithological features and the preservation of fossils indicate that the fossil-bearing rocks were deposited in a low-energy open-waters paleoenvironment over the continental platform. Fusulinids, cephalopods and brachiopods previously described for the Paso Hondo Formation have been correlated with faunas of different coeval localities from Texas, New Mexico, Coahuila, Chiapas and Venezuela, regions that form part of the biotic Grandian Palaeo-Province.
Miguel A. Torres-Martínez [miguelatm@geologia.
Ratitae is represented in South America exclusively by Rheidae. Recently, the oldest purported fossil rheid, Diogenornis fragilis, was attributed by several authors to various other ratite clades. A new revision of museum fossil specimens from Argentina has resulted in the discovery of several ratite specimens that clearly do not belong to Rheidae, but resemble other clades. The newly identified specimens derive from Paleogene and Miocene strata. The great diversity of non-rheid Patagonian ratites ended via extinction of several groups by the late Miocene, probably owing to enhanced aridity that also favoured the dispersal of arid-adapted rheids. The new specimens described here reinforce the hypothesis that the traditional vicariant biogeographical model, which proposes ratite clades originated exclusively before the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent, is questionable owing to the unexpected diversity of various ratite clades in South America, and also in Europe and Africa. This might indicate that the history of Ratitae was more complex than previously envisioned.
Federico L. Agnolin* [fedeagnolin@yahoo.
The Miocene frog Wawelia gerholdi, from northern Patagonia, was previously attributed to Ceratophryidae, the clade of extant South American horned frogs, making it one of the oldest records known for this group. However, the only known specimen has juvenile traits and is strongly similar to the australobatrachian Calyptocephalella. We re-examined the morphology of W. gerholdi and provide additional anatomical information and comparisons with juvenile individuals of Ceratophryidae and Calyptocephalella gayi, the only extant species of Calyptocephalella. We reject a close relationship between W. gerholdi and Ceratophryidae. Furthermore, the holotype is indistinguishable from juveniles of C. gayi and shares with all the species of this genus a character state combination that seems unique among anurans. Therefore, we consider Wawelia to be a junior synonym of Calyptocephalella. The problematic taxonomic status of numerous fossil species of Calyptocephalella, together with its untested monophyly, also prompts us to provisionally consider the extinct species as a species inquirenda included in this genus, pending a comprehensive revision of all available remains.
Laura Nicoli [lnicoli@macn.
Various systematic approaches have been applied to the Neogene planicostate carditids of Patagonia. Some authors have included these species within Venericor (known from the Eocene of North America and Europe) or in Megacardita (recorded from the Miocene of Europe). By contrast, Rossi de García et al. erected the endemic Neovenericor in 1980 for Patagonian species. The three proposed genera have variable outlines and similar hinge teeth configuration. Two geometric morphometric analyses were performed, which included the type species of the following taxa: M. jouanneti (middle Miocene, Mediterranean Basin), V. planicosta (middle Eocene, Paris Basin) and N. austroplata (early Miocene, Chenque Formation, Chubut Province). In the first approach, an Elliptic Fourier Analysis was used to test the general variability of outlines. In the second, a landmark-based method was employed to analyse the hinge configuration, followed by a Discriminant Function Analysis. The outline analysis discriminated Megacardita from the other two taxa based on its more elongate and rectangular shells. The Landmark Analysis distinguished the three taxa based on both, left and right hinges. The Discriminant Function Analysis showed significant values for this differentiation. Neovenericor has a higher hinge plate, broader and less posteriorly inclined teeth, and a less sinuous ventral edge than Megacardita; and it has larger and more posteriorly inclined teeth than Venericor. Other morphological characters of the genus include an intermediate number of radial ribs that do not dissipate ventrally, and wide and deep intercostal spaces. Thus, Neovenericor is clearly a distinct taxon. All Argentinian planicostate carditids were revised and included in this genus because they embrace its diagnostic features.
Damián E. Pérez [trophon@gmail.
Numerous small specimens of hypercalcified sponges of the genus Plectroninia (Jurassic to Recent) are recorded from deep water in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, where they are attached to diverse hard substrata, mostly scleractinian skeletons. Being represented as skeletons of linked calcareous tetractines with an incomplete free spicule complement, the specimens could not be identified at the species level. These observations show that Plectroninia spp. have a wide distribution in the bathyal zone of the Recent World Ocean, where they may be the most common calcareous sponges.
Jean Vacelet* [jean.
Previously, Progiraffa exigua has been reported only from the Kamlial Formation (ca 18.3–14.2 Ma) of the Siwalik Group. We record Progiraffa exigua from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup at five localities: Jaba, Chinji Rest House, Rakh Wasnal, Dhok Bun Amir Khatoon and Ghungrila, Pakistan, thus extending the range of P. exigua to the Chinji Formation of the Siwalik Group (ca 14.2–11.2 Ma).
Kiran Aftab [kiranaftab2012@gmail.
Extant tettigarctids are also known as hairy cicadas because they are covered by long and abundant hairs. This character had not been reported in fossil species of Tettigarctidae because previous examples were poorly preserved or lacked long hairs. Hirtaprosbole erromera gen. et sp. nov. (Tettigarctidae) with a hairy body, from the latest Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China, is described here. This new species provides evidence that tettigarctids with long dense hairs had appeared by the latest Middle Jurassic and lived at high altitudes.
Xiao-hui Liu [liuxh8917@163.
New gazelle fossils are described from the Siwalik Group of Pakistan. The material includes horncores, maxilla and mandible fragments, and isolated teeth. The available samples are assigned to three Gazella species: Gazella sp. in the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (ca 14.2–11.2 Ma), and G. lydekkeri and G. superba in the Middle Siwalik Subgroup (ca 10.2–3.4 Ma). Based on a review of the Siwalik Group gazelles, G. padriensis is synonymized with G. lydekkeri. Gazella superba Pilgrim, 1939 sensu stricto is a large form and is a valid species of the genus in the Siwalik Group.
Muhammad Akbar Khan [akbaar111@yahoo.
The oldest Paleogene strata on Chatham Islands, east of New Zealand, are the phosphatized conglomerates and sandstones of the Takatika Grit that crops out on the northeastern coast at Tioriori and unconformably overlies the Chatham Schist. An intact Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary transition is not preserved at this locality. New biostratigraphic analysis of dinoflagellate, diatom and radiolarian microfossil assemblages confirms that the Takatika Grit is of late early–middle Paleocene (New Zealand Teurian stage) age but contains reworked microfossils of early Campanian (Early Haumurian) age. Vertebrate fossils found in this unit are inferred to be a mixture of reworked Cretaceous and in situ Paleocene bones and teeth. The overlying Tutuiri Greensand is of middle–late Paleocene age in its lower part and also contains reworked Cretaceous microfossils.
Christopher J. Hollis [c.
A new dasyuromorphian, Barinya kutjamarpensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of a partial dentary recovered from the Miocene Wipajiri Formation of northern South Australia. Although about the same size as the only other species of this genus, B. wangala from the Miocene faunal assemblages of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland, it has significant differences in morphology including a very reduced talonid on M4 and proportionately wider molars. Based on the structural differences and the more extensive wear on its teeth, the central Australian species might have consumed harder or more abrasive prey in a more silt-rich environment than its congener, which hunted in the wet early to middle Miocene forests of Riversleigh.
Pippa Binfield [pippa.