http://blog.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general hourly 1 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://gmane.org/img/gmane-25t.png http://gmane.org http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57215 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online article: S. Lautenschlager &amp; T. Hübner (2013) Ontogenetic trajectories in the ornithischian endocranium. Journal of Evolutionary Biology (advance online publication) DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12181 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jeb.12181/abstract Understanding ontogenetic and developmental patterns is critical for reconstructing the life history of fossil vertebrates. In dinosaurs, ontogenetic studies have nearly exclusively focused on changes in the cranial and post-cranial skeleton, whereas ontogenetic changes in the endocranium have received little attention. Here, we present digital reconstructions of the brain and inner ear anatomy of two ontogenetic stages of the Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki. Results show that the endocranial anatomy underwent considerable changes during growth, including a rostrocaudal elongation of the olfactory apparatus, a reduction in the cephalic and pontine flexure and an increase in </pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-20T21:32:18 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57214 <pre>David B. Baier. Stephen M. Gatesy, Kenneth P. Dial (2013) Three-Dimensional, High-Resolution Skeletal Kinematics of the Avian Wing and Shoulder during Ascending Flapping Flight and Uphill Flap-Running. PLOS ONE 8: e63982 Abstract: "Past studies have shown that birds use their wings not only for flight, but also when ascending steep inclines. Uphill flaprunning or wing-assisted incline running (WAIR) is used by both flight-incapable fledglings and flight-capable adults to retreat to an elevated refuge. Despite the broadly varying direction of travel during WAIR, level, and descending flight, recent studies have found that the basic wing path remains relatively invariant with reference to gravity. If so, joints undergo disparate motions to maintain a consistent wing path during those specific flapping modes. The underlying skeletal motions, however, are masked by feathers and skin. To improve our understanding of the form-functional relationship of the skeletal apparatus and joint morphology with a correspo</pre> Tim Williams 2013-05-20T03:58:08 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57213 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: Yanina Herrera, Marta S. Fernández &amp; Zulma Gasparini (2013) Postcranial skeleton of Cricosaurus araucanensis (Crocodyliformes: Thalattosuchia): morphology and palaeobiological insights. Alcheringa 37 (advance online publication) 1–14 DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2013.743709 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03115518.2013.743709#.UZkLobW1FcQ The metriorhynchid crocodyliform Cricosaurus araucanensis (Gasparini &amp; Dellapé) has been documented from Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) strata of the Vaca Muerta Formation exposed in the Neuquén Basin, northwest Patagonia, Argentina. Postcranial components of this species were mentioned but not described in the original analysis. Subsequently, other authors described the forelimbs. The postcranial elements of metriorhynchids are poorly documented in comparison with their skulls, but new data from C. araucanensis reveal delayed ossification of the caudal neurocentral sutures indicating skeletal paedomorphos</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-19T17:34:36 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57212 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: P. Martin Sander, Nicole Klein, Paul C. H. Albers, Constanze Bickelmann &amp; Herman Winkelhorst (2013) Postcranial morphology of a basal Pistosauroidea (Sauropterygia) from the Lower Muschelkalk of Winterswijk, The Netherlands. Paläontologische Zeitschrift (advance online publication) DOI: 10.1007/s12542-013-0181-5 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12542-013-0181-5 Two partial postcranial skeletons from the Lower Muschelkalk (early Anisian) of Winterswijk, The Netherlands, are described in detail. The specimens were assigned to basal Pistosauroidea, presumably to cf. Cymatosaurus or a closely related taxon. Cymatosaurus is currently the earliest member of the Pistosauroidea and is only known from skull material. Taxonomical assignment is based on humerus morphology and histology, and on morphological differences from other Sauropterygia (Nothosauria and Pachypleurosauria). </pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-19T02:32:06 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57211 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: Marta S. Fernández and Marianella Talevi (2013) Ophthalmosaurian (Ichthyosauria) records from the Aalenian–Bajocian of Patagonia (Argentina): an overview. Geological Magazine (advance online publication) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0016756813000058 http://128.232.233.5/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&amp;aid=8920772&amp;fulltextType=RA&amp;fileId=S0016756813000058 The oldest ophthalmosaurian records worldwide have been recovered from the Aalenian–Bajocian boundary of the Neuquén Basin in Central-West Argentina (Mendoza and Neuquén provinces). Although scarce, they document a poorly known period in the evolutionary history of parvipelvian ichthyosaurs. In this contribution we present updated information on these fossils, including a phylogenetic analysis, and a redescription of ‘Stenopterygius grandis’ Cabrera, 1939. Patagonian ichthyosaur occurrences indicate that during the Bajocian the Neuquén Basin palaeogulf, on the southern margi</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-17T15:15:58 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57210 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: Chun Li, Da-Yong Jiang, Long Cheng, Xiao-Chun Wu and Olivier Rieppel (2013) A new species of Largocephalosaurus (Diapsida: Saurosphargidae), with implications for the morphological diversity and phylogeny of the group. Geological Magazine (advance online publication) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S001675681300023X http://128.232.233.5/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&amp;aid=8920775&amp;fulltextType=RA&amp;fileId=S001675681300023X Largocephalosaurus polycarpon Cheng et al. 2012 was erected after the study of the skull and some parts of a skeleton and considered to be an eosauropterygian. Here we describe a new species of the genus, Largocephalosaurus qianensis, based on three specimens. The new species provides many anatomical details which were described only briefly or not at all in the type species, and clearly indicates that Largocephalosaurus is a saurosphargid. It differs from the type species mainly in having three premaxillary teeth, a very s</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-17T15:14:23 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57204 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com New in PLoS ONE: Michael Pittman, Stephen M. Gatesy, Paul Upchurch, Anjali Goswami &amp; John R. Hutchinson (2013) Shake a Tail Feather: The Evolution of the Theropod Tail into a Stiff Aerodynamic Surface. PLoS ONE 8(5): e63115. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063115 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063115 Theropod dinosaurs show striking morphological and functional tail variation; e.g., a long, robust, basal theropod tail used for counterbalance, or a short, modern avian tail used as an aerodynamic surface. We used a quantitative morphological and functional analysis to reconstruct intervertebral joint stiffness in the tail along the theropod lineage to extant birds. This provides new details of the tail’s morphological transformation, and for the first time quantitatively evaluates its biomechanical consequences. We observe that both dorsoventral and lateral joint stiffness decreased along the non-avian theropod lineage (between nodes</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T21:34:59 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57203 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com New in PLoS ONE: Phil R. Bell &amp; Rodolfo A. Coria (2013) Palaeopathological Survey of a Population of Mapusaurus (Theropoda: Carcharodontosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous Huincul Formation, Argentina. PLoS ONE 8(5): e63409. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063409 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063409 Paleoepidemiology (the study of disease and trauma in prehistoric populations) provides insight into the distribution of disease and can have implications for interpreting behavior in extinct organisms. A monospecific bonebed of the giant carcharodontosaurid Mapusaurus (minimum number of individuals = 9) from the Cañadón del Gato site, Neuquén Province, Argentina (Cenomanian) provides a rare opportunity to investigate disease within a single population of this important apex predator. Visual inspection of 176 skeletal elements belonging to a minimum of nine individuals yielded a small number of abnormalities on a cervical vertebra, two</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T21:31:07 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57202 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com New in open-access PLoS ONE: Lucio M. Ibiricu, Rubén D. Martínez, Gabriel A. Casal &amp; Ignacio A. Cerda (2013) The Behavioral Implications of a Multi-Individual Bonebed of a Small Theropod Dinosaur. PLoS ONE 8(5): e64253 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0064253 http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0064253 Background Central Patagonia, Argentina, preserves an abundant and rich fossil record. Among vertebrate fossils from the Upper Cretaceous Bajo Barreal Formation of Patagonia, five individuals of the small, non-avian theropod dinosaur Aniksosaurus darwini were recovered. Group behavior is an important aspect of dinosaur paleoecology, but it is not well-documented and is poorly understood among non-avian Theropoda. Methods/Principal Findings The taphonomic association of individuals from the Bajo Barreal Formation and aspects of their bone histology suggest gregarious behavior for Aniksosaurus, during at least a portion of the life history of thi</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T21:26:07 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57195 <pre>Hi, I am hoping that I could get sense of what the consensus, if any, is on endothemry. I try to stay up to date and knowledgeable on all things dino-related, but I just want to be clear on this to help settle a discussion on the Ars Technica forums. I believe that it pretty solidly accepted for therapods, but maybe somewhat less so for the rest? Or am I all wrong? Thanks very much, Kelly Clowers </pre> Kelly Clowers 2013-05-15T16:34:01 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57194 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online open-access paper: Qi Zhao, Michael J. Benton, Xing Xu, and Martin J. Sander (2013) Juvenile-only clusters and behaviour of the Early Cretaceous dinosaur Psittacosaurus. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica (in press) doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.2012.0128 http://app.pan.pl/article/item/app20120128.html It has hitherto been hard to prove that any association of juvenile dinosaurs represents original behaviour rather than sedimentary accumulation, and it has been hard also to determine the ages of such juveniles. A previously described specimen, which consists of an ‘adult’ Psittacosaurus with 34 fully articulated juveniles, turns out to be a composite: the ‘adult’ skull has been added, and in any case it is below breeding age. Other juvenile-only clusters have been reported, but the best examples that likely reflect behaviour rather than sedimentary accumulation are specimens from the Early Cretaceous Lujiatun beds in NE China, which were entom</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T15:31:48 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57193 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new paper: Geoffrey F. Birchard, Marcello Ruta, and D. Charles Deeming (2013) Evolution of parental incubation behaviour in dinosaurs cannot be inferred from clutch mass in birds. Biology Letters 9(4): 20130036; doi:10.1098/rsbl.2013.0036 http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/9/4/20130036.abstract A recent study proposed that incubation behaviour (i.e. type of parental care) in theropod dinosaurs can be inferred from an allometric analysis of clutch volume in extant birds. However, the study in question failed to account for factors known to affect egg and clutch size in living bird species. A new scaling analysis of avian clutch mass demonstrates that type of parental care cannot be distinguished by conventional allometry because of the confounding effects of phylogeny and hatchling maturity. Precociality of young but not paternal care in the theropod ancestors of birds is consistent with the available data. </pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T15:10:04 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57190 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new paper in open access: Ricardo N. Martínez, Eliana Fernandez &amp; Oscar A. Alcober (2013) A new non-mammaliaform eucynodont from the Carnian-Norian Ischigualasto Formation, Northwestern Argentina. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PALEONTOLOGIA 16 (1): 147-156 doi:10.4072/rbp.2013.1.05 http://www.sbpbrasil.org/revista/edicoes/16_1/05_Martinez_et_al.pdf The record of non-mammaliaformes eucynodonts from the Carnian-Norian Ischigualasto Formation is diverse and abundant, including a medium to large size herbivore and small carnivores. Here is described a new small eucynodont from the Ischigualasto Formation, on the basis of a partial skull. The new taxon is characterized by palatal process of the premaxilla extending posterior to the level of the fi rst postcanine; deep and large maxillary laterodorsal fossa that opens at the level of the root of the upper canine; and postorbital bar diverging posterolaterally at very low angle (35.6°) from the anteroposterior axis of the sku</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T02:57:17 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57189 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new paper in open access: Leonardo S. Filippi, Agustín G. Martinelli &amp; Alberto C. Garrido (2013) Record of an Aeolosaurini dinosaur (Sauropoda, Titanosauria) in the Upper Cretaceous (Plottier Formation) of Northern Neuquén Province, Argentina, and comments on the South American Aeolosaurini. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PALEONTOLOGIA 16 (1): 147-156 doi:10.4072/rbp.2013.1.11 http://www.sbpbrasil.org/revista/edicoes/16_1/11_Filippi_Martinelli_&amp;_Garrido.pdf The clade Aeolosaurini is represented by several specimens found, so far, only in Argentina and Brazil. The material reported here corresponds to a sauropod titanosaur consisting of four incomplete anterior caudal vertebrae, from the Narambuena Paleontological Site, Rincón de los Sauces, Neuquén Province, Argentina. The specimen comes from the Plottier Formation (late Coniacian-lower Santonian, Upper Cretaceous), Neuquén Group. The specimen has a combination of features that includes it into the clade Aeolosaurin</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T02:51:32 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57188 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com Some news stories and blogs about a new ichthyosaur Malawania--the paper in Biology Letters is not yet posted. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/04/130514-sea-monster-new-species-paleontology-science-evolution/ http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/2013/05/14/malawania-from-iraq/ http://phys.org/news/2013-05-fossil-mule-track-revolutionizes-ancient.html </pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-15T00:01:56 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57187 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: Mark T. Young &amp; Lorna Steel (2013) Evidence for the teleosaurid crocodylomorph genus Machimosaurus in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England. Historical Biology (advance online publication) DOI:10.1080/08912963.2013.793320 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2013.793320#.UZJQT7XvtcQ We report the only definite specimen of the teleosaurid crocodylomorph genus Machimosaurus from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England. This specimen (an isolated tooth) is now the only evidence of Machimosaurus in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation because a large skull and mandible, previously considered to be of Machimosaurus mosae, was recently shown to pertain to a metriorhynchid crocodylomorph. The tooth described herein was originally figured in 1884 as a tooth crown from a metriorhynchid crocodylomorph. However, its conical shape, blunt apex and distinctive enamel ornamentation are characteristic of the teleosaurid genus Mac</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-14T15:46:36 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57186 <pre>I thought list members might appreciate today's xkcd: http://xkcd.com/1211/ </pre> Andreas Johansson 2013-05-13T17:04:17 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57185 <pre>Dear colleagues: This is the last call for registration to the course "INTRODUCTION TO GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRICS- Fourth edition". End of registration with reduced fee May 31Th. INSTRUCTORS: Dr. Chris Klingenberg (University of Manchester, UK) and Dr. Jesús Marugán (UAM, Spain). DATES: July 14-18, 2013; 38 teaching hours. PLACE: Els hostalets de Pierola, Barcelona (Spain). Organized by: Transmitting Science, the Institut Catalá de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont and the Council of Hostalets de Pierola. More information: http://www.transmittingscience.org/introduction_to_gm.htm or writing to courses&lt; at &gt;transmittingscience.org The course is entitled to teach the main concepts of shape analysis based on landmark coordinates and its multivariate procedures, and how they can be put into practice across any biological discipline in which the phenotype (form) and its variation are the principal sources of information. Please feel free to distribute this information between your colleagues if </pre> Soledad Esteban 2013-05-13T07:56:53 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57184 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com New in Palaeontologia Electronica: Ricardo Araújo and Michael J. Polcyn (2013) A biomechanical analysis of the skull and adductor chamber muscles in the Late Cretaceous Plesiosaur Libonectes. Palaeontologia Electronica 16(2): 10A: 25p http://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2013/418-plesiosaur-mastication Plesiosaurs were a diverse clade of marine reptiles that spanned nearly three-quarters of the Mesozoic (earliest Jurassic to latest Cretaceous). They exhibit variation in head and neck morphology that presumably relates to functional differences in feeding habits. However, from a biomechanical standpoint, these marine creatures have a cranial organization shared with few reptile clades: the neodiapsid condition. Nevertheless, basic structural features in some derived clades, such as elasmosaurids, remain poorly understood, namely the presence of large supratemporal fenestrae, tall temporal bars, and high parietal crests. These features present biomechanical comprom</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-13T04:58:54 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57182 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new online paper: Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Leonardo Borghi &amp; Giuseppe Leonardi (2013) Preservation of dinosaur tracks induced by microbial mats in the Sousa Basin (Lower Cretaceous), Brazil. Cretaceous Research (advance online publication) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2013.04.004 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195667113000773 Dinosaur footprints and tracks in the Sousa Basin (Lower Cretaceous, Brazil) occur in at least 37 localities, in distinct stratigraphic positions. Footprints are rare in the Antenor Navarro (lower) and Rio Piranhas (upper) formations, where lithofacies analyses point to sedimentation in ancient alluvial fan to fluvial braided palaeoenvironments. In the Sousa Formation, the generally finer grain sized sediments rendered them more suitable for footprint preservation, where lithofacies analyses point to sedimentation in warm, small/shallow and temporary lakes, swamps and meandering fluvial palaeoenvironments. Microbia</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-11T01:46:46 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.dinosaurs.general/57181 <pre>From: Ben Creisler bcreisler&lt; at &gt;gmail.com A new paper available online. The pdf can be dowloaded from the abstract page. The main text is in Chinese. WANG Xu-Ri , JI Qiang, TENG Fang-Fang &amp; JIN Ke-Mo (2013) A new species of Yanornis (Aves: Ornithurae) from the Lower Cretaceous strata of Yixian, Liaoning Province. Geological Bulletin of China 32(4):601-606 http://dzhtb.cgs.cn/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20130408&amp;flag=1 A nearly complete specimen of Yanornis was recently discovered from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Yixian, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. This specimen shows typical characteristics of Yanornis, such as the straight dentary, about 2/3 the length of skull, with about 20 teeth on each side. The cervicals are long and heterocoelous. The synsacrum is composed of 9 sacrals. The length ratio of forelimb to hindlimb is about 1.1. The proximal pedal phalanges are longer and more robust than the distal ones. However, the new specimen is different from the type species-Yanornis mar</pre> Ben Creisler 2013-05-10T20:34:29 Search the mailing list at Gmane query http://search.gmane.org/?group=$group=gmane.science.dinosaurs.general