{"title":"FIRST SKELETAL REMAINS OF HELVETICOSAURUS FROM THE MIDDLE TRIASSIC ITALIAN OUTCROPS OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS, WITH REMARKS ON AN ISOLATED TOOTH","authors":"Gabriele Bindellini, C. Dal Sasso","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/17397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/17397","url":null,"abstract":"The enigmatic marine reptile Helveticosaurus zollingeri, from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation of Monte San Giorgio, is known from three specimens found in Swiss territory. This paper describes the first skeletal remains of this taxon recovered from the corresponding Italian outcrops of Besano (Varese). An isolated tooth assigned to the same taxon and coming from the San Salvatore Dolomite, Rasa di Varese (Varese), is also redescribed herein. The skeletal remains have been CT scanned to inspect the preserved morphology of the bones hidden below the surface; CT data also allowed the identification of an associated ammonoid which has been crucial to determine the stratigraphic position of the studied material. The redescription of the tooth has been helped by a digital model of the specimen obtained through photogrammetry. With the additional new data obtained from the two specimens, the first skeletal reconstruction of Helveticosaurus is provided. This is followed by a phylogenetic test of the taxon, assessing its position among marine Triassic diapsids. Finally, in the light of recent studies we discuss the swimming mode and the possible ecological niche occupied by the animal: we suggest a distinction between the function of forelimbs and hindlimbs, and a distinction between different swimming styles likely performed by Helveticosaurus, depending on the speed of movements.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44096295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"NEW GROUP OF TOURNAISIAN ADVANCED SIPHONODELLA (CONODONTS, LOWER CARBONIFEROUS)","authors":"Artem N. PLOTITSYN","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/17048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/17048","url":null,"abstract":"A new morphological group of advanced Siphonodella with diagonal or/and longitudinal ribbed ornamentation on the upper side of the platform of the P1 elements was identified and described based on the author's paleontological material from the Polar Urals and published data from East European, Central, and Northeast Asian successions. The group includes two valid species Siphonodella nandongensis Li and Siphonodella vladimirovi Plotitsyn nom. nov. Due to the low representativeness of the paleontological material, eight taxa are described in an open nomenclature under the species names Siphonodella sp. A-H. Siphonodella vladimirovi is described as a nomen novum in accordance with the recommendations of the International code of zoological nomenclature (previously identified species appeared under the invalid species names Siphonodella diagonalica Pazukhin or Siphonodella zeravshanica Bardasheva). It is assumed that the species Siphonodella nandongensis Li, Siphonodella vladimirovi Plotitsyn, and Siphonodella sp. A-H came from morphologically similar species from the cosmopolitan group or as descendants of the East European group.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49626860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stijn Goolaerts, Y. Christiaens, Frederik H. MOLLEN, Bernard Mottequin, É. Steurbaut
{"title":"APPLYING MICRO-CT IMAGING IN THE STUDY OF HISTORICALLY AND NEWLY COLLECTED SPECIMENS OF BELOSAEPIA (SEPIIDA, COLEOIDEA, CEPHALOPODA) FROM THE EARLY EOCENE (YPRESIAN) OF BELGIUM","authors":"Stijn Goolaerts, Y. Christiaens, Frederik H. MOLLEN, Bernard Mottequin, É. Steurbaut","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/16617","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/16617","url":null,"abstract":"The application of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography permits an appraisal of historically and newly collected specimens of Belosaepia (Belosaepiidae, Coleoidea, Cephalopoda) from the Ypresian (Early Eocene) of Belgium and provides resolution into the taxonomy of stem-group sepiids. The new finds are from the basal beds of the Egemkapel Clay Member (Tielt Formation) in the Ampe claypit at Egem and in the middle of the Roubaix Clay Member (Kortrijk Formation) in the Koekelberg claypit at Marke (province of West-Flanders, Belgium). Combining the historically and newly collected material allows us to conclude that only a single species can be positively identified, namely Belosaepia tricarinata (Watelet, 1851), and that all currently documented occurrences are restricted to the middle Ypresian (NP11-NP12). This seems to correspond well with the occurrence of Belosaepia tricarinata in the Paris, London, and Hampshire basins. Micro-CT imaging is an excellent, non-destructive tool in the study of the calcified remains. In the Belosaepia skeleton, this method allowed us to identify growth lines, ontogenetic changes, and resorption. Utilised in conjunction with a biostratigraphic assessment, this technology has the potential to be a major aid in taxonomic assignments and revisions. In the current study, it also highlighted stratigraphically important fossils (e.g. Nummulites) retained in the residual sediment attached to the specimens. This provides additional stratigraphic information that may otherwise be lost, or not recorded in older samples.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44887018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"BATHYAL FISH OTOLITHS FROM THE BARTONIAN (EOCENE) OF THE TURIN HILL (PIEDMONT, ITALY)","authors":"W. Schwarzhans, G. Carnevale","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/17086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/17086","url":null,"abstract":"A small collection of fish otoliths, mostly myctophids, from a bathyal environment are described from the Bartonian (late middle Eocene) Marne di Monte Piano Formation of San Genesio, Turin Hill, Piedmont. Myctophids have been rarely recorded from the Eocene in general, and few bathyal environments have been sampled for otoliths of that time interval globally. In this context, the assemblage described herein fills an important stratigraphic gap in the record and evolution of the Myctophidae. The findings are discussed in a regional and stratigraphic context. Seven species are recorded, of which one is new, Oligophus bartonensis n. sp., belonging to the family Myctophidae.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41856380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Romano, Fabio Manucci, Matteo Antonelli, M. A. Rossi, S. Agostini, M. R. Palombo
{"title":"In vivo restoration and volumetric body mass estimate of Mammuthus meridionalis from Madonna della Strada (Scoppito, L’Aquila)","authors":"M. Romano, Fabio Manucci, Matteo Antonelli, M. A. Rossi, S. Agostini, M. R. Palombo","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/16665","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/16665","url":null,"abstract":"In this contribution we present an in vivo reconstruction and volumetric body mass estimate for the mounted skeleton of Mammuthus meridionalis on exhibit at the east bastion of the Spanish Fortress at L’Aquila (Abruzzo, Central Italy). The reconstruction has been obtained starting from a 3D photogrammetric model of the skeleton acquired via a micro-drones and by digitally adding a percentage of soft tissues according to the conditions observed in wild specimens. By applying to the volume the density range proposed in literature for extant proboscideans we obtain an estimate of the body mass in the adult male specimen ranging from 11.3 t to 11.5 t, with average body mass equal to 11.43 t. In addition, we compare the volumetric BM estimate with the BM predictive values obtained by means of traditional regression equations based on long bones linear dimension and shoulder height. The results confirm that the volumetric method is always preferable if sufficiently complete mounted skeletons are available, since application of regression formulas to single bony element can lead to an underestimation or overestimation up to 130%. As a general indication, weight estimates in extinct tetrapods based on single measures and single bones should be totally avoided, especially in groups morphologically and phylogenetically distant from extant reference taxa.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44871527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Audije-Gil, M. Canillas, F. Barroso-Barcenilla, Mélani Berrocal-Casero, A. del Campo, A. González Martín, J. Molera, O. Vallcorba, Miguel A Rodríguez, Ó. Cambra‐Moo
{"title":"GOING DEEPER INTO MODERN AND FOSSIL CROCODILIAN TOOTH MICROANATOMY: WHAT CAN BE INFERRED OF PALAEOENVIRONMENT AND TAPHONOMY FROM HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSES?","authors":"J. Audije-Gil, M. Canillas, F. Barroso-Barcenilla, Mélani Berrocal-Casero, A. del Campo, A. González Martín, J. Molera, O. Vallcorba, Miguel A Rodríguez, Ó. Cambra‐Moo","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/15607","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/15607","url":null,"abstract":"Teeth provide information about the evolutionary pathway of an organism, its biology and habitat. This is the case even of fossilized teeth, since they have perdurable biomineralized structures, as biological apatite. The material that has been selected for this study comprises teeth from modern crocodilian individuals and extinct Cretaceous crocodylomorphs from Lo Hueco site. Microanatomy, histochemistry and crystallographic nature of enamel, dentine and cementum have been characterized by Polarized Light Microscopy, SEM-EDS, Confocal Raman Spectroscopy and SR-µXRD. A focus has been made on dentine lamination. In the fossil sample short-period incremental lines show alternate presence of dentinal tubules that has not been described previously either in living or fossil archosaur. This could be related to influence of environmental circadian rhythms in the abundance, size and/or activity of cells depositing dentine in the day-night cycle. Regarding histochemical and crystallographic compositions, the major and mostly unique phase is HA, but in the case of fossil teeth, a secondary phase identified as hematite appears locally between discontinuities of the material. Incremental lines would not be related to variation in chemical composition and furthermore do not present different HA crystallographic nature (different directions of HA or different crystallite sizes) either. Only small intensity oscillations are observed in the fossil sample by SR-µXRD which are compatible with the alternating abundance of dentinal tubules. Crystallinity differences between modern and fossil material, as crystallite size and presence of CO32- groups could be explained by postdepositional processes.\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45154996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"FISH OTOLITHS AND FORAMINIFERA FROM THE BORSKÝ MIKULÁŠ SECTION (SLOVAKIA, MIDDLE MIOCENE, UPPER BADENIAN, VIENNA BASIN) AND THEIR PALEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE","authors":"R. Brzobohatý, B. Zahradníková, N. Hudáčková","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/15773","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/15773","url":null,"abstract":"Thirty-eight otolith-based species of fishes and 41 foraminifera species have been recorded in the Borský Mikuláš-Vinohrádky section in the upper Badenian deposits in the eastern part of the Vienna Basin, in West Slovakia. Two new species of otoliths are introduced here: Thorogobius antirostratus n. sp. and Gerres mlynskyi n. sp. Among the foraminifera Biasterigerina planorbis and Elphidium crispum associated with other elphidiids, Lobatula lobatula and Cibicides crassiseptatum prevail. Overall, the family of Gobiidae dominate in the assemblage of otoliths (>90 % of specimens). Meso- and epipelagial fishes or diversified gadids and sciaenids are missing. From the molluscs, the first record of Aturia sp. in the Borský Mikuláš section is observed. Otoliths and foraminifera document a normal marine environment of well-aerated shallow water with a depth of 30-50 metres, with muddy to sandy bottoms of marine meadows and plenty of light in the subtropical climatic conditions. Several fish genera (for example Gerres) give evidence for the nearness of reef structures. There are no species (excepting Lesueurigobius vicinalis) in common with the known Lower Serravallian otolith fauna from the Eastern Paratethys. Some species from the Borský Mikuláš-Vinohrádky section can also be found in the Mediterranean Langhian-Serravallian interval and are interpreted as a relic of the lower Badenian (Langhian) fish assemblages. ","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42456251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A RUPELIAN CORAL REEF FISH ASSEMBLAGE FROM THE VENETIAN SOUTHERN ALPS (BERICI HILLS, NE ITALY)","authors":"G. Marramà, L. Giusberti, G. Carnevale","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/16601","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/16601","url":null,"abstract":"Here we describe a new bony fish assemblage collected from a fossiliferous outcrop located in Perarolo, Berici Hills, Venetian southern Alps. The fossiliferous deposits pertain to the Rupelian (lower Oligocene) Castelgomberto Calcarenite and are indicative of a tropical marine shallow water setting associated with coral reefs. The assemblage is characterized by diminutive putative cryptobenthic fishes, including a single goby (family Gobiidae) and several cardinalfishes of the subfamily Pseudmiinae (family Apogonidae. Furthermore, a new apogonine of the extinct tribe †Eoapogonini, a new butteflyfish (family Chaetodontidae), and an indeterminate viviparous brotula belonging to the ophidiiform family Dinematichthyidae, are also present, and likely represented part of the epibenthic community. Some of the taxa described herein are among the first occurrences for their respective lineages in the fossil record. The Perarolo taxa document the first Oligocene coral reef fish assemblage known to date. Four taxa are described as new: †Arconiapogon deangelii gen. et sp. n., †Chaetodon (Blumchaetodon) wattsi subgen. et sp. n., †Oligopseudamia iancurtisi gen. et sp. n., and †Oniketia akihitoi gen. et sp. n.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43722968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Rățoi, Bogdan S. Haiduc, G. Semprebon, Paul Țibuleac, R. Bernor
{"title":"THE TUROLIAN HIPPARIONS FROM CIOBURCIU SITE (REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA): SYSTEMATICS AND PALEODIET","authors":"B. Rățoi, Bogdan S. Haiduc, G. Semprebon, Paul Țibuleac, R. Bernor","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/15810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/15810","url":null,"abstract":"The Cioburciu hipparions, Republic of Moldova, are included in a Turolian assemblage, approximately dated between 9 and 7 million years. We assess herein their taxonomic position, systematics, biogeography and paleodietary habits. We have undertaken standard equid measurements as well as accessing the Vera Eisenmann website for measurements and images and analysed craniodental and postcranial elements. This assemblage has been determined to be of a medium-sized hipparion with an elongated muzzle, well developed preorbital fossa that is dorsoventrally extensive and placed close to the orbit, lacking a caninus fossa and having a prominent and deep buccinator fossa. As such, this assemblage is referable to Cremohipparion moldavicum Gromova 1952 common to the Western Ukraine, Balkans, Romania, Republic of Georgia, Turkey and Iran. We have employed a combination of gross cheek tooth wear morphology utilizing the mesowear method and a microscopic analysis of occlusal enamel scars utilizing the light microscope microwear technique. These complementary paleodietary methods indicate that these hipparions engaged in a mixed feeding dietary behavior and that the Cioburciu sample of C. moldavicum likely alternated its diet between browsing and grazing seasonally and/or regionally. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on average scratch and pit numbers positions this taxon among extant mixed feeding ungulates. Large pitting and gouging assessed through the microwear technique indicates occasional consumption of relatively coarser foods than typical mixed feeders or grazers or grit-laden food just prior to death while mesowear indicates that this was not a lifetime habit.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45747929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"DANIAN (SBZ2) LARGER FORAMINIFERA FROM THE BECIRMAN FORMATION (SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY) AS EVIDENCE OF ROTALIIDS DIVERSITY IN LOWER PALEOCENE SHALLOW-WATER ENVIRONMENTS","authors":"Derya Sinanoğlu, A. Benedetti, N. ÖZGEN-ERDEM","doi":"10.54103/2039-4942/15227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/15227","url":null,"abstract":"An important shallow marine deposit is described and illustrated with focus on the systematics and biostratigraphy of larger foraminifera from three stratigraphic sections of the Becirman Formation from the Batman and Siirt regions (Southeastern Turkey). A quite diverse association, mostly dominated by rotaliids (11 species belonging to 7 genera) and subordinate porcelaneous and agglutinated taxa, is documented as well. The fossil assemblage, including Elazigina dienii, Rotospirella conica, Praelockhartia cf. neoakbari, Cuvillierina cf. sireli associated with Mardinella daviesi and Idalina sinjarica, indicates the late Danian SBZ2.\u0000The abundance of rotaliids is linked, in this time frame, to the recovery of the shallow benthic communities after the K/Pg extinction including increase of surface water temperatures and oligotrophy. This was possibly due to the climatic warming recorded at the end of the Danian (Latest Danian Event), thus promoting a rapid adaptative radiation of rotaliids at genus rank.","PeriodicalId":54451,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana Di Paleontologia E Stratigrafia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2022-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43541783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}