bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting photosynthetic characteristics of forest vs. savanna species (far North Queensland, Australia)
Authors: Bloomfield K. J. , Domingues T. F. , Saiz G. , Bird M. I. , Crayn D. M. , Ford A. , Metcalfe D. J. , Farquhar G. D. , Lloyd J.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Forest and savanna are the two dominant vegetation types of the tropical regions with very few tree species common to both. Aside from precipitation patterns, boundaries between these two vegetation types are strongly determined by soil characteristics and nutrient availability. For tree species drawn from a range of forest and savanna sites in tropical far north Queensland, Australia, we compared leaf traits of photosynthetic capacity, structure and nutrient concentrations. Area-based photosynthetic capacity was higher for the savanna species with a steeper slope to the photosynthesis ↔ Nitrogen relationship compared with the forest group. Higher leaf mass per unit leaf area for the savanna trees derived from denser rather than thicker leaves and did not appear to restrict rates of light-saturated photosynthesis when expressed on either an area- or mass-basis. Median ratios of foliar N to phosphorus were above 20 at all sites, but we found no evidence for a dominant P-limitation of photosynthesis for the forest group. A parsimonious mixed-effects model of area-based photosynthetic capacity retained vegetation type and both N and P as explanatory terms. Resulting model-fitted predictions suggested a good fit to the observed data (R2 = 0.82). The model's random component found variation in area-based photosynthetic response to be much greater among species (71% of response variance) than across sites (9%). These results suggest that in leaf area-based photosynthetic terms, savanna trees of far north Queensland, Australia are capable of out-performing forest species at their common boundaries1. 1 Adopted symbols and abbreviations are defined in Table 5.
Ein Arachniden-Opisthosoma aus dem Obervisé von NW-Sachsen
Authors: Kahlert E.
Published: June 2014

Ein aus dem Unterkarbon von NW-Sachsen stammendes Opisthosoma wird als Cryptomartus sp. beschrieben. Damit liegt stratigraphisch nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen der älteste Fund dieses Genus vor.

 An Arachnid-Opisthosoma from the Lower Carboniferous of North Western Saxony.

 An opisthosoma of Cryptomartus sp. is described from the Lower Carboniferous of North Western Saxony. That this my knowledge is the oldest record for the genus.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010109
Ein fruktifizierender Sproß von Asolanus camptotaenia Wood aus dem Westfal D Nordwestdeutschlands
Authors: Schultka S.
Published: June 2014

Erstmalig wird der fruktifizierende Sproß von Asolanus camptotaenia beschrieben. Bei den nachgewiesenen fertilen Organen handelt es sich um Megasporangien, Microsporangien sind noch nicht gefunden worden. Der Bau des fertilen Sprosses sowie die Organisation der Sporophylle belegen die isolierte Stellung der Gattung Asolanus innerhalb der Lepidophyta.

 A megasporangia bearing axis of Asolanus camptotaenia Wood from the Westphalian D of Northwestern Germany

 A fertil impression axis of Asolanus camptotaenia from Westfalian D strata is described. While some megasporangia are found, microsporangia are not yet established. The type specimen is not very well characterized by Wood 1860, but all differences described til now would be caused by preservation. The diagonal striation from cushion to cushion also is only a special mode of preservation and useless for taxonomic purposes. Well sculptered Asolanus-axis from the Stephanian belong to the genus Lepidodendron or possibly to a new not yet described genus. Lepidostrobus foliaceus and Lepidophyllum truncatus mentioned by Lesquereux 1880 as well as Gymnostrobus salisbury described by Bureau 1914 may belong to A. camptotaenia.

 The organisation of the fertil axis from the Piesberg demonstrates an isolated position of this genus within the lepidophytes not so far from Pinakodendron and relatives.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010110
Erstnachweis von Taiwania, Cryptomeria und Liquidambar aus dem Bitterfelder und Baltischen Bernstein
Authors: Jähnichen H.
Published: June 2014

Aus dem untermiozänen Bernstein von Bitterfeld (Sachsen-Anhalt) werden erstmalig ein strukturzeigender Zweig von Taiwania schaeferi, ein isoliertes Nadel-Fragment von Cryptomeria sp. sowie ein Fruchtstand von Liquidambar europaea beschrieben. Außerdem muß “Widdringtonites oblongifolius” (Goeppert & Menge) Caspary & Klebs 1906/07 pro parte aus dem obereozänen Baltischen Bernstein nach morphologisch-anatomischen Merkmalskomplexen ebenfalls zu Taiwania schaeferi gestellt werden. “Enormicutis eoconferta” — aff. Cryptomeria spec. (Schneider 1986) aus der obereozänen Braunkohle von Nordwestsachsen muß nach morphologisch-anatomischen Details zu Athrotaxis couttsiae (Heer) Gardner revidiert werden.

 First record of Taiwania, Cryptomeria and Liquidambar from Bitterfeld and Baltic amber

 A structure-bearing twig of Taiwania schaeferi, an isolated needle-fragment of Cryptomeria spec. as also an aggregate fruit of Liquidambar europaea are firstly described from the Lower Miocene amber of Bitterfeld (Saxony-Anhalt). Moreover “Widdringtonites oblongifolius” (Goeppert & Menge) Caspary & Klebs 1906/07 p.p. from the Upper Eocene Baltic amber after morphological-anatomical features must be also assigned to Taiwania schaeferi. “Enormicutis eoconferta” — aff. Cryptomeria sp. (Schneider 1986) from the Upper Eocene brown-coal of North Western Saxony after morphological-anatomical details must be revised to Athrotaxis couttsiae (Heer) Gardner.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010112
Sarcopterygian and other Fishes from the Marine Upper Devonian of Colorado, U.S.A.
Authors: Schultze H.-P. , Chorn J.
Published: June 2014

The fish fauna of Upper Devonian deposits of SW Colorado is described and compared with those of Central Colorado. The osteolepidid Litoptychus is redescribed including skull roof, cheek, palatoquadrate, cleithrum and postcranial elements. A second osteolepidid with cosmine-covered scales and bones is recognized in the Upper Devonian deposits of Colorado. A skull roof and a parasphenoid formerly attributed to Litoptychus, and a pterygoid, cleithrum, ribs and scales are assigned to dipnoans, partly to long-snouted dipnoans cf. Soederberghia. Comparison of the Late Devonian fish fauna of Colorado with that of Arizona places the fishes of Colorado into a coastal marine depositional environment.

 Die oberdevonische Fischfauna von SW Colorado ist beschrieben und mit der von Zentral-Colorado verglichen. Die osteolepidide Gattung Litoptychus ist neu beschrieben einschließlich Schädeldach, Wangenreigion, Palatoquadratum, Cleithrum und postkranialer Elemente und diagnostiziert. Ein zweiter Osteolepidide mit Kosmin bedeckten Schuppen und Knochen wird von Litoptychus (ohne Kosmin) abgetrennt. Ein Schädeldach und ein Paraschenoid, die früher zu Litoptychus gestellt wurden, und ein Pterygoid, ein Cleithrum, Rippen und Schuppen werden zu Lungenfischen gestellt, z. T. zu langschnauzigen Lungenfischen cf. soederberghia. — Der Vergleich der spätdevonischen Fischfauna von Colorado mit der von Arizona deutet auf eine küstennahe marine Lebenswelt der Colorado-Fische hin.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010104
The Neck Posture of Brachiosaurus brancai
Authors: Christian A. , Heinrich W.-D.
Published: June 2014

Compressive forces acting on the intervertebral discs along the neck of Brachiosaurus brancai from the Late Jurassic of Tendaguru are calculated for different neck postures. The distribution of compressive forces along the neck is compared to the distribution of the cross-sectional areas of the intervertebral discs. Neck postures in which the pattern of compressive forces does not match the pattern of cross-sectional areas of the intervertebral discs are rejected. The neck posture of Brachiosaurus brancai must have been nearly vertical. A more inclined neck posture can only occasionally have been kept. Therefore, Brachiosaurus brancai appears to have been an extremely specialized high browser. In the same area, different sized individuals fed in different heights instead of each individual exploiting an extended vertical feeding range.

 Die Halsstellung von Brachiosaurus brancai aus dem Ostafrika wird untersucht. Die auf die Bandscheiben wirkenden Druckkräfte entlang des Halses werden für verschiedene Halsstellungen berechnet. Die Verteilung dieser Druckkräfte entlang des Halses wird mit der Verteilung der Querschnittsflächen der Bandscheiben verglichen. Halsstellungen, bei denen die Form der Kurve für die Druckkräfte nicht mit der Form der Kurve für die Querschnittsflächen übereinstimmt, werden verworfen. Es zeigt sich, daß Brachiosaurus brancai seinen Hals nahezu senkrecht getragen haben muß. Eine deutlich gegen die Vertikale geneigte Halsstellung kann nur gelegentlich eingenommen worden sein. Daher scheint Brachiosaurus brancai hoch spezialisiert für eine Nahrungsaufnahme in extremen Höhen gewesen zu sein. Im selben Gebiet haben unterschiedlich große Individuen verschiedene. aber eng begrenzte Höhenbereiche der Vegetation ausgebeutet.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010105
Conodonts, Calcichordates and the Origin of Vertebrates
Authors: Bergström J. , Naumann W. W. , Viehweg J. , Martí-Mus M.
Published: June 2014

Interpretation of early deuterostome evolution and relationships has been hampered by the lack of soft-part preservation in most groups. In addition, a recently revealed upside-down life orientation of vertebrates (the only real notoneuralians) compared to other bilateral animals has been misinterpreted as evidence for a unique body design in all deuterostomes, misleading any search for relatives. Regarding echinoderms, the variety of body plans is confusing. The interpretation of some fossils with echinoderm-type calcite skeletons as “calcichordate” ancestors of chordates, however, involves a hypothetical reconstruction of an unusual body plan and a long series of hypothetical transitions. The number of necessary steps is much lower if cephalochordates (amphioxus or lancelet) are derived directly from hemichordate enteropneusts. “Sensation interpretations” of fossils (Yunnanozoon, Cathaymyrus) from Burgess Shale type deposits have added further confusion. Soft-part preservation of conodont animals, with V-shaped myomeres and a notochord, shows that they were segmented chordates, while probable eyes and teeth suggest that they were already on the vertebrate side.

 Die Interpretation früher Deuterostomia hinsichtlich ihrer Evolution und verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen ist in den meisten Gruppen durch den Mangel an Weichkörpererhaltung sehr erschwert. Die kürzlich entdeckte Tatsache, daß Vertebraten, d. h. die einzigen echten Notoneuralia, im Gegensatz zu anderen bilateral symmetrischen Organismen eine mit ihrer ursprünglichen Oberseite nach unten gerichtete Lebensstellung einnehmen, hat zu der irrtümlichen Ansicht geführt, daß alle Deuostomia über einen im Tierreich einzigartigen Bauplan verfügen. Diese Interpretation brachte naturgemäß jede Suche nach Verwandtschaftsverhältnissen auf Abwege.

 Hinsichtlich der Echinodermata ist die bauplanmäßige Variation in der Tat verwirrend. Die Interpretation einiger Fossilien mit Echinodermen-ähnlichen Kalzitskeletten als “calcichordate” Vorfahren der Chordata setzt jedoch die hypothetische Rekonstruktion eines ungewöhnlichen Bauplans sowie eine lange Serie hypothetischer Übergänge voraus. Die Anzahl der notwendigen Schritte ist sehr viel geringer. wenn Cephalochordaten (Amphioxus oder das Lanzettfischchen) von hemichordaten Enteropneusta abgeleitet werden. Zusätzliche Verwirrung hat es durch sensationelle Interpretationen von Fossilien, Wie Yunnanozoon und Cathaymyrus aus Burgess-Schiefer-artigen Ablagerungen gegeben. Weichkörpererhaltung von Conodontentieren, die V-förmige Myomere sowie einen Notochord besitzen, zeigen, daß es sich um segmentierte Chordata handelte, während sie die Präsenz möglicher Augenstrukturen und Zähne bereits auf die Seite der Vertebraten stellt.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010106
Mosasaurs, Limpets or Diagenesis: How Placenticeras Shells Got Punctured
Authors: Seilacher A.
Published: June 2014

Claimed mosasaur bites in Upper Cretaceous Placenticeras shells from the Western United States are reinterpreted as limpetmade pits that became punctured by compactional pressure and beveled during diagenesis.

 Die von Kauffman & Kesling (1960) als Mosasaurier-Bisse gedeuteten Perforationen in oberkretazischen Ammonitengehäusen werden auf die Raspeltätikeit patellider Schnecken zurückgeführt. Diese besiedelten wahrscheinlich nekroplanktonische Gehäuse und lebten hauptsächlich von schalenbohrenden Algen. Erst diagenetische Prozesse haben das Durchbrechen der ursprünglichen Fressdellen sowie die Bördelung der Bruchränder bewirkt.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010107
First xenacanthid shark from the Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) of the Northern Caucasus (Russia)
Authors: Hampe O. , Ivanov A.
Published: June 2014

The occurrence of Triodus teberdaensis n. sp. teeth from the Pennsylvanian Tolstiy Bugor Formation (Moscovian) of Karachay-Cherkess Republic is the first evidence of xenacanthid remains from the Caucasus. The new species was found in carbonate sediments interpreted as resulting from short-term transgressions during the Pennsylvanian regressive phase – further evidence that xenacanthids, predominantly adapted to freshwater, have also lived in marine environments.

 Das Auftreten von Zähnen des Triodus teberdaensis n. sp. in der oberkarbonischen Tolstiy Bugor Formation (Moscovium) von Karatschai-Tscherkessien ist der erste Nachweis xenacanthider Überreste aus dem Kaukasus. Die neue Art wurde in karbonatischen Sedimenten, die als Transgressions-Intervalle innerhalb der globalen Oberkarbon-Regression interpretiert werden, abgelagert – ein Beleg dafür, dass die überwiegend aus Süßwasserablagerungen bekannten Xenacanthiden auch im marinen Milieu lebten.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700004
A life devoted to fossil vertebrates and the collections of the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin – Wolf-Dieter Heinrich: contributions to palaeontology
Authors: Maul L. C. , Böhme G. , Hampe O. , Schultka S. , Stuart A. J.
Published: June 2014

No abstract available for this article.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200600015
Rhyacophila quadrata n. sp., a new caddisfly (Insecta, Trichoptera) from Eocene Baltic amber
Authors: Wichard W. , Neumann C.
Published: June 2014

Rhyacophila quadrata n. sp., a new fossil caddisfly, is described from Eocene Baltic amber. The new species belongs to the family Rhyacophilidae whose extant larvae prefer cool running-water habitats. In Baltic amber, the genus Rhyacophila is now represented by only seven species, whereas more than 500 extant species are described from the Holarctic region. Differences in the biodiversity patterns of the rare fossil faunas and extant species are discussed.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700009
Sampling-standardized expansion and collapse of reef building in the Phanerozoic
Authors: Kiessling W.
Published: June 2014

Tracing the variability of reef production over long temporal scales is important to approach natural processes favoring or suppressing reef growth. Raw compilations of reef abundance per unit of time do not necessarily depict biologically meaningful patterns, because the waxing and waning of reefs might just follow the quality of the fossil record, that is, the amount of paleontological information that is available in general. Here I standardize the published record of Phanerozoic reefs, as stored in the PaleoReefs database, to the published record of marine invertebrate fossils as stored in the Paleobiology Database. The sampling-standardized peaks in reef growth are essentially identical to those of previous studies, but significant peaks are rare. Times when unusual changes in ecological conditions are likely to control changes in metazoan reef proliferation were identified in the Late Devonian, Late Triassic, Late Jurassic and Neogene.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700008
Skeletochronology and isotopic analysis of a captive individual of Alligator mississippiensis Daudin, 1802
Authors: Klein N. , Scheyer T. , Tütken T.
Published: June 2014

In the present study, bone histology and isotope composition (C, N, O) of a femur and three postcranial osteoderms from an approximately 23–25 year-old captive female Alligator mississippiensis Daudin, 1802 were analyzed to infer the recorded life history. The number of visible annual growth marks in the femur cross-section is less than the known age for the individual concerned, this information clearly shows that skeletochronology has certain limits. However, bone histology reflects very well the traceable life history of this individual and its slow growth in early ontogeny. Bone histology on the basis of the osteoderms shows massive remodeling and an only incompletely preserved growth record, reflecting the egg-laying status of this individual. Interestingly, the carbon and especially the nitrogen isotope compositions of the osteoderms differ from those of the femur. This presumably reflects dietary changes and/or differences in resorption and remodeling processes during tissue formation of these bones. The N, C, and O isotope composition of the femur is consistent with the food and water the alligator had ingested during the last years of its life. Thus, contrary to the osteoderms, the femur yields reliable data for the reconstruction of an individual's dietary and environmental history.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900002
The Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, southern Tanzania): definition, palaeoenvironments, and sequence stratigraphy
Authors: Bussert R. , Heinrich W.-D. , Aberhan M.
Published: June 2014

The well-known Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Tendaguru Beds of southern Tanzania have yielded fossil plant remains, invertebrates and vertebrates, notably dinosaurs, of exceptional scientific importance. Based on data of the German-Tanzanian Tendaguru Expedition 2000 and previous studies, and in accordance with the international stratigraphic guide, we raise the Tendaguru Beds to formational rank and recognise six members (from bottom to top): Lower Dinosaur Member, Nerinella Member, Middle Dinosaur Member, Indotrigonia africana Member, Upper Dinosaur Member, and Rutitrigonia bornhardti-schwarzi Member. We characterise and discuss each member in detail in terms of derivation of name, definition of a type section, distribution, thickness, lithofacies, boundaries, palaeontology, and age. The age of the whole formation apparently ranges at least from the middle Oxfordian to the Valanginian through Hauterivian or possibly Aptian. The Tendaguru Formation constitutes a cyclic sedimentary succession, consisting of three marginal marine, sandstone-dominated depositional units and three predominantly coastal to tidal plain, fine-grained depositional units with dinosaur remains. It represents four third-order sequences, which are composed of transgressive and highstand systems tracts. Sequence boundaries are represented by transgressive ravinement surfaces and maximum flooding surfaces. In a more simple way, the depositional sequences can be subdivided into transgressive and regressive sequences/systems tracts. Whereas the transgressive systems tracts are mainly represented by shallow marine shoreface, tidal channel and sand bar sandstones, the regressive systems tracts predominantly consist of shallow tidal channel, tidal flat, and marginal lagoonal to supratidal deposits.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900004
A new Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) coleoid (Cephalopoda) from Hâdjoula, Lebanon
Authors: Fuchs D. , Weis R.
Published: June 2014

A new vampyropod coleoid from the late Cenomanian limestones of Hâdjoula (north-west Lebanon) is described. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. is classified as a representative of the Trachyteuthididae, mainly on the basis of its general gladius morphology. It represents the fourth species of its genus and the second species of its genus recorded from Hâdjoula. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. differs from Glyphiteuthis libanotica in having a more slender gladius. Additionally, the arms are considerably longer in Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. than in Glyphiteuthis libanotica.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900005
Late Viséan (Carboniferous) gastropods from the Gara El Itima (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Heidelberger D. , Korn D. , Ebbighausen V.
Published: June 2014

Diverse and well-preserved Late Viséan (Early Carboniferous) gastropod faunas from the eastern Anti-Atlas of Morocco are described herein. The new genus Itimaspira n. gen. is described as well as the six new species Ananias weyeri n. sp., Itimaspira klugi n. sp., Nodospira krawczynskii n. sp., Baylea cordulae n. sp., Cinclidonema marocensis n. sp., and Schizostoma africanum n. sp., together with specimens of the genera Baylea, Orthonema, ?Knightella sp. and Macrochilina in open nomenclature.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900006
Stratigraphic significance of carbon isotope variations in the shallow-marine Seis/Siusi Permian–Triassic boundary section (Southern Alps, Italy)
Authors: Kraus S. H. , Siegert S. , Mette W. , Struck U. , Korte C.
Published: June 2014

Carbonate carbon-isotope values from the Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary section at Seis/Siusi (Southern Alps, Italy) show a trend similar to that in numerous other P–T boundary sections worldwide. Values decrease from 3.2‰ (V-PDB) in the upper Bellerophon Limestone Formation (Late Permian) to a minimum of –1.7‰ in the lower Mazzin Member. This minimum may represent the P–T boundary. The overall declining carbon-isotope trend is interrupted by a ca. 1‰ positive excursion in the higher Tesero Oolite Horizon. This positive peak is located at a higher lithostratigraphic level than a comparable peak in the adjacent Pufels section, which suggests that the Tesero Oolite Horizon in the Seis section is stratigraphically slightly older than in the Pufels section, and this is also suggested by palaeomagnetic correlation. It is therefore concluded that the base of the Tesero Oolite Horizon does not reflect a synchronous "current event" but is slightly diachronous, a result that was previously shown by biostratigraphic correlation. Nevertheless, this suggestion should be verified by further detailed litho-, magneto- and chemostratigraphic analysis of other P–T sections in the Southern Alps.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900007
Conserved bone microstructure in the shells of long-necked and short-necked chelid turtles (Testudinata, Pleurodira)
Authors: Scheyer T. M.
Published: June 2014

Extant and fossil chelids are restricted to South America and Australasia. Based on morphological data, long-necked and short-necked chelids are hypothesised to form natural groups respectively, whereas molecular and serological data indicate South American and Australasian chelids are monophyletic, regardless of neck-length. Here I provide shell bone histological and microanatomical data and character mapping of seven chelid taxa and the Late Jurassic stem-pleurodiran Platychelys oberndorferi Wagner, 1853 to test both competing hypotheses. The chelid shells show conserved bone microstructures, many of which are plesiomorphic for all turtles. Part of the variation among chelid shell microstructures could be attributed to functional aspects associated with the ecology of the taxa, i.e. adaptation to an aquatic lifestyle. The character mapping further indicates that the hypothesis of clades based on neck length is supported by two synapomorphies (i.e., parallel-fibred bone grading into lamellar bone in internal cortex and vascularisation of internal cortex) and one less tree step (16 instead of 17) in contrast to the molecular-based separation based on geographic distribution.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800009
The largest specimen of Apateon and the life history pathway of neoteny in the Paleozoic temnospondyl family Branchiosauridae
Authors: Fröbisch N. B. , Schoch R. R.
Published: June 2014

Two distinct developmental trajectories, metamorphosis and neoteny (the retention of larval somatic features in adult animals), have been reported for the small gill-bearing branchiosaurids of the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian of central Europe. Based on a very large specimen of the species Apateon caducus (Ammon, 1889), anatomical features characteristic for the neotenic phenotype of branchiosaurids are described. Large neotenes lack changes that occur during a short phase of transformation into terrestrial adults (metamorphosis), such as ossification of the braincase and palatoquadrate and intercentra, further ossification of the girdles and formation of muscle attachment scars and processes on the limb bones. They also lack a distinct sculpturing of the dermal skull roofing elements with deep polygonal ridges and grooves. Instead, larval somatic features are retained including ossified branchial denticles indicative of open gill slits and accentuated larval-type sculpturing of the dermal skull roof. Large size, high degree of ossification as compared to the larvae, and the presence of uncinate processes on the ribs clearly demonstrate an adult ontogenetic stage. Neotenes remained in the aquatic environment throughout their life and were most likely not capable of effective terrestrial locomotion. The frequency distribution of the two phenotypes in modern salamander populations and the environmental cues that influence the development of them provide a comparative framework for the discussion of the evolution of the two life history pathways in branchiosaurids.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800012
The ammonoids from the Grès du Kahla supérieur of Timimoun (Middle-early Late Tournaisian; Gourara, Algeria)
Authors: Korn D. , Ebbighausen V. , Bockwinkel J.
Published: June 2014

The ammonoids from two very prolific horizons in the upper Kahla Sandstone (Tournaisian, Early Carboniferous) of Timimoun (Gourara, Algeria) are described monographically. Nine new ammonoid species are introduced: Imitoceras altilobatum n. sp., Triimitoceras amplisellatum n. sp., Kazakhstania inequalis n. sp., Acrocanites imperfectus n. sp., Xinjiangites scalaris n. sp., and Becanites canalifer n. sp. from the North African Kazakhstania-Acrocanites Assemblage as well as Acrocanites recurvus n. sp., Becanites singularis n. sp., and Becanites inflateralis n. sp. from the Pericyclus-Progoniatites Assemblage. The first of these is one of the most diverse ammonoid faunas known from this time interval.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900009
Ammonoids from the Dalle des Iridet of the Mouydir and Ahnet (Central Sahara) and the Formation d'Hassi Sguilma of the Saoura Valley (Late Tournaisian–Early Viséan; Algeria)
Authors: Korn D. , Ebbighausen V. , Bockwinkel J.
Published: June 2014

Four ammonoid species are described from the Early Carboniferous (Mississippian) Iridet Formation of the Ahnet and Mouydir (Central Sahara, Algeria); three of which are new: Eurites temertassetensis n. sp., Trimorphoceras teguentourense n. sp., and Trimorphoceras azzelmattiense n. sp. The species can be attributed to the North African Ammonellipsites-Merocanites Assemblage (Fascipericyclus-Ammonellipsites Genus Zone; Late Tournaisian to Early Viséan). Additionally, the two new species Ammonellipsites sguilmensis n. sp. and Muensteroceras beniabbesense n. sp. are described from the time equivalent Hassi Sguilma Formation of the Saoura Valley (north-western Algeria).

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900012
The ammonoids from the Argiles de Timimoun of Timimoun (Early and Middle Viséan; Gourara, Algeria)
Authors: Bockwinkel J. , Korn D. , Ebbighausen V.
Published: June 2014

Twenty-seven ammonoid species are described from the Argiles de Timimoun of Timimoun (Gourara, Algeria). The following taxa are newly described: Rhnetites n. gen., Rhnetites rhnetensis n. sp., Rhnetites ouladallalensis n. sp., Parahammatocyclus mutaris n. sp., Bollandoceras nitens n. sp., Bollandoceras subangulare n. sp., Bollandoceras politum n. sp., Bollandoceras aridum n. sp., Bollandoceras zuhara n. sp., Bollandoceras mirrih n. sp., Benimehlalites n. gen., Benimehlalites benimehlalensis n. sp., Benimehlalites belkassemensis n. sp., Benimehlalites brinkmanni n. sp., Pachybollandoceras n. gen., Pachybollandoceras intraevolutum n. sp., Pachybollandoceras repens n. sp., Bollanditinae n. subfam., Gourarites n. gen., Gourarites hagaraswad n. sp., Gourarites hagarkarim n. sp., Gourarites mustari n. sp., Gourarites zuhal n. sp., Semibollandites n. gen., Semibollandites kamil n. sp., Semibollandites pauculus n. sp., Semibollandites qawiy n. sp., Timimounia n. gen., Timimounia timimounensis n. sp., Timimounia lunula n. sp., Daaitidae n. fam., Daaites n. gen., Daaites daaensis n. sp., Dimorphoceras lanceolobatum n. sp., Nomismoceras salim n. sp., and Nomismoceras waltoni n. sp. The species occur in three successive horizons and can be attributed to the Bollandites-Bollandoceras Genus Zone (Early and Middle Viséan). They represent the most diverse ammonoid fauna known from this time interval.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900013
Nutrient regime and upwelling in the northern Benguela since the middle Holocene in a global context – a multi-proxy approach
Authors: Meisel S. , Emeis K.-C. , Struck U. , Kristen I.
Published: June 2014

The last 5500 years of climate change and environmental response in the northern Benguela Coastal Upwelling are reconstructed by means of three sediment cores from the inner shelf off central Namibia. The study is based on nutrient (δ15N, δ13C) and productivity proxies (accumulation rates of total organic carbon; ARTOC). Reconstructed sea surface temperatures (alkenone-derived SST) and temperatures at subsurface depths (Tδ18O; based on tests of planktonic foraminifers) reflect the physical boundary conditions. The selection of proxy indicators proved a valuable basis for robust palaeo-climatic reconstructions, with the resolution ranging from multi-decadal (NAM1) over centennial (core 178) to millennial scale (core 226620). The northern Benguela experienced pronounced and rapid perturbation during the middle and late Holocene, and apparently, not all are purely local in character. In fact, numerous correlations with records from the adjacent South African subcontinent and the northern hemisphere testify to global climatic teleconnections. The Holocene Hypsithermal, for instance, is just as evident as the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the Roman Warm Period. The marked SST-rise associated with the latter is substantiated by other marine and terrestrial data from the South African realm. The LIA (at least its early stages) manifests itself in intensified winds and upwelling, which accords with increased rainfall receipts above the continental interior. It appears that climate signals are transferred both via the atmosphere and ocean. The combined analysis of SST and Tδ18O proved a useful tool in order to differentiate between both pathways. SSTs are primarily controlled by the intensity of atmospheric circulation features, reflecting changes of upwelling-favourable winds. Tδ18O records the temperature of the source water and often correlates with global ocean conveyor speed due to varying inputs of warm Agulhas Water. It seems as though conveyor slowdown or acceleration not only affected the temperature of the source water but also its nutrient content. This relationship between source water quality and conveyor speed is already known from glacial times.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201100006
A new partial skeleton of Alligatorellus (Crocodyliformes) associated with echinoids from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) lithographic limestone of Kelheim, S-Germany
Authors: Schwarz-Wings D. , Klein N. , Neumann C. , Resch U.
Published: June 2014

A slab from the Late Jurassic (Early Tithonian) lithographic limestone exhibiting skeletal material of an atoposaurid crocodyliform associated with four echinoids from the vicinity of Kelheim (S-Germany) is described. The atoposaurid is represented by a row of dorsal paravertebral osteoderms, caudal osteoderms, a caudal vertebra and haemapophyses, dorsal ribs, and parts of the right fore- and hindlimb. Some of the bones have been prepared out of the slab and most of them are preserved three-dimensionally, which is in contrast to the general much flattened preservation of atoposaurid skeletons. This well preserved specimen allows one of the most detailed descriptions of an atoposaurid limb skeleton so far, yielding in particular well preserved manual elements. By comparison with all other known atoposaurid taxa, the specimen can be determined to belong to the genus Alligatorellus based on an identical morphology of osteoderms. In contrast, a high ontogenetic variety and missing data make comparisons of limb ratios in different atoposaurids virtually useless for taxonomy. Femoral and tibial lengths suggest that this specimen is the largest atoposaurid known from the Solnhofen-Eichstätt region. It is suggested that the crocodyliform carcass has been washed into the lagoon and was subsequently embedded together with the tests of four holectypoid echinoids, which probably populated the lagoon.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201100007
Organic carbon isotope values from the Late Permian Seis/Siusi succession (Dolomites, Italy): Implications for palaeoenvironmental changes
Authors: Siegert S. , Kraus S. H. , Mette W. , Struck U. , Korte C.
Published: June 2014

The Permian-Triassic boundary is marked by a globally prominent negative carbon isotope excursion traceable in marine carbonates and organic matter. In the shallow marine carbonate succession at Seis/Siusi (Dolomites, Italy), the δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg signatures follow the general Permian-Triassic boundary carbon isotope trend, but the δ13Corg values are slightly less depleted in 13C in two episodes representing restricted lagoonal environments and in the period around the Tesero Oolite Horizon. This isotopically less depleted organic matter in the lagoons is interpreted to be most likely caused by poor oxygen ventilation and/or slightly modified salinity which may have led to restricted bioproductivity and increased hence the relative amounts of continental-sourced organic matter. In addition, elevated riverine influx and supply of terrestrial organic matter, perhaps triggered by a wet period, might be the cause for the relatively less depleted 13C in the organic matter around the Tesero Oolite Horizon and in overlying sediments.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201100008
The Ordovician ostracodes established by Aurel Krause, Part I
Authors: Schallreuter R. , Hinz-Schallreuter I.
Published: June 2014

The lack of a revision of the ostracodes described by Aurel Krause at the end of the 19th century from glacial erratic boulders from Berlin and the Mark Brandenburg (Northern Germany) has led to taxonomic confusion in the corresponding literature of the 20th century. To attain stability in names, some of Krause's ostracode species have been revised based on the types stored in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, namely Primitia plana, P. plana tuberculata, P. intermedia, P. globifera, Entomis sigma antiquata, Bollia v-scripta, B. granulosa, B. duplex, Strepula lineata, Isochilina canaliculata, Beyrichia dissecta, B. mamillosa, B. signata, and B. bidens. Most species have up to four younger synonyms among species described later from outcrops or borings in Baltoscandia or glacial erratic boulders of Northern Germany and Sweden. Three of Krause's species, which have been considered as nomina dubia by Jaanusson are in fact valid species. Some of Krause's species or of their synonyms are type species.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201000015
Evolutionary and ecological patterns in body size, shape, and ornamentation in the Jurassic bivalve Chlamys (Chlamys) textoria (Schlotheim, 1820)
Authors: Nürnberg S. , Aberhan M. , Krause R. A.
Published: June 2014

Changes in body size have been the subject of numerous palaeontological and neontological studies, but despite several general postulated "rules", the underlying processes controlling them are still incompletely understood, and their broad applicability is debated. Here we utilise morphological and ecological data from the Jurassic marine bivalve Chlamys textoria (Schlotheim, 1820) to analyse spatial and temporal trends in body size and ornamentation. We find: (1) fluctuations in body size during the Jurassic and no support for Cope's rule (the tendency to increase body size over geological time within an individual lineage); (2) a gradual increase in the average height to length ratio of the valves during the Jurassic. In the absence of any obvious adaptive advantage we suggest genetic drift as the causal mechanism; (3) a significantly larger mean body size in mid-palaeolatitudes than in the Jurassic tropics, providing evidence for the validity of Bergmann's rule (the assertion that body mass increases with latitude); and (4) a complex relationship between the number of plicae and the environment, which we explain as an improvement towards camouflaging the shell.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200002
Redescription and phylogenetic relationships of Solenodonsaurus janenschi Broili, 1924, from the Late Carboniferous of Nýřany, Czech Republic
Authors: Danto M. , Witzmann F. , Müller J.
Published: June 2014

The basal tetrapod Solenodonsaurus janenschi Broili, 1924, from Nýřany (Westphalian D, Late Carboniferous), Czech Republic, is redescribed and its phylogenetic position reevaluated. A distinct groove at the base of the maxillary teeth is regarded as an autapomorphic character, which is present in both the large and small specimens. Other characteristic features, which are not unique to S. janenschi, are: an extension of the lacrimal that forms the anteroventral margin of the orbit; a long posterior extension of the jugal; spool-shaped vertebrae, and small, wedge-like intercentra. A phylogenetic analysis based on the data matrix of Ruta, Coates and Quicke suggests that S. janenschi is the sister taxon of the Lepospondyli. Shared characters include the shape of the vertebrae, non-swollen neural arches, and absence of an intertemporal. Although nested within the amniote stem, S. janenschi is not as closely related to basal amniotes as previously suggested. A rather long, slender humerus argues for a predominantly terrestrial mode of life, and the curved, slender ribs, as well as the comparatively small skull, suggest costal ventilation of the lungs similar to that in amniotes, rather than buccal pumping. The morphology of the shallow squamosal embayment in which an ossified dorsal margin is absent, renders the presence of a tympanum unlikely.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200003
New data on internal morphology of exceptionally preserved Nannirhynchia pygmaea (Morris, 1847) from the Lusitanian Basin (Brachiopoda, Early Jurassic, Portugal)
Authors: Schemm-Gregory M. , Henriques M. H.
Published: June 2014

Pyritized internal moulds of articulated shells of the Early Jurassic brachiopod taxon Nannirhynchia pygmaea were found in beds closely below the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event in the Polymorphum Zone in Portugal. The material allows a detailed study of the outline of the muscle fields, the length and direction of the crura, and the orientation of the cardinalia, which are hitherto undescribed. Three-dimensional reconstructions of articulated shells of N. pygmaea occurring in a single horizon were produced to show the orientation and length of arcuiform crura. The preservation of internal moulds together with the three-dimensional reconstruction of the internal shell morphology allow a more precise description of the internal morphology of this taxon than it is possible with articulated shells and serial sections.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200005
An enigmatic spiny harvestman from Baltic amber
Authors: Dunlop J. A. , Bartel C. , Mitov P. G.
Published: June 2014

A new harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) from Baltic amber (Palaeogene: Eocene; ca. 44–49 Ma) is described as Piankhi steineri n. gen., n. sp. This enigmatic fossil expresses long, slender pedipalps without a tarsal claw, which is characteristic for the suborder Dyspnoi. The chelicerae are notably enlarged and the dorsal body surface is formed from a carapace with a separate prosomatic tergite (metapeltidium), plus a large opisthosomal scute (or scutum parvum). However these characters, combined with the distinctly spiny limbs and further rows of spines across the fossil's opisthosoma, have no parallel among the modern dyspnoid harvestmen that we are aware of. The fossil resolves features reminiscent of modern members of the dyspnoid families Ceratolasmatidae, Nipponopsalididae, Ischyropsalididae and Sabaconidae, but does not show unequivocal apomorphies of any one particular family. We must entertain the possibility that this is an extinct body plan from the Eocene of north-central Europe, and we tentatively refer the fossil to a new genus in an unresolved position among the Ischyropsalidoidea (Dyspnoi). An amorphous triangular structure behind the anal region is assumed to be faecal matter, rather than part of the original anatomy.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200007
The Middle Miocene freshwater mollusk fauna of Lake Gacko (SE Bosnia and Herzegovina): taxonomic revision and paleoenvironmental analysis
Authors: Neubauer T. A. , Mandic O. , Harzhauser M.
Published: June 2014

The early Middle Miocene Lake Gacko was part of the Dinaride Lake System (DLS) and gave rise to a poorly known freshwater mollusk fauna. This was subject to malacological studies from the late 19th century onwards. Herein, we provide the first thorough taxonomic survey of Lake Gacko including revisions of several taxa. A total amount of 1,077 specimens was obtained from 17 samples, comprising at least 11 freshwater and 2 terrestrial gastropod species and 6 bivalve species. So far, none of the described taxa has been documented outside the Dinarides and the DLS, respectively. The fauna shows variable overlap with other paleolakes of the DLS, proofing once more the complex biogeographic patchwork of this system. The current paleoenvironmental reconstructions are tested and refined by application of a statistical analysis. This confirms the partition of the sedimentary history of Lake Gacko into three major depositional phases responding to astronomically forced climate changes. The low diverse mollusk assemblage in the initial phase, with abundant pulmonate and rissooid gastropods, signals a more arid climate with lowered lake level. During the second interval, the fauna becomes more diverse with common rissooid and melanopsid gastropods. It represents a more humid interval with enhanced precipitation and increased lake level, entailing the installation of a perennial lacustrine environment. The final phase is a return to arid conditions with the same elements as in the initial pulmonate-rissooid assemblage. The sphaeriid Pisidium vukovici n. sp. is introduced as new species.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300003
High-resolution stratigraphy of the Changhsingian (Late Permian) successions of NW Iran and the Transcaucasus based on lithological features, conodonts and ammonoids
Authors: Ghaderi A. , Leda L. , Schobben M. , Korn D. , Ashouri A. R.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The Permian–Triassic boundary sections in north-western Iran belong to the most complete successions, in which the largest mass extinction event in the history of the Earth can be studied. We investigated the Changhsingian stage in six sections in the area of Julfa (Aras Valley) for their lithology, conodonts and ammonoids. Revision of the biostratigraphy led to the separation of 10 conodont zones (from bottom to top Clarkina orientalis–C. subcarinata interval zone, C. subcarinata, C. changxingensis, C. bachmanni, C. nodosa, C. yini, C. abadehensis, C. hauschkei, Hindeodus praeparvus–H. changxingensis and Merrilina ultima–Stepanovites ?mostleri zones) and 8 ammonoid zones (from bottom to top Iranites transcaucasius–Phisonites triangulus, Dzhulfites nodosus, Shevyrevites shevyrevi, Paratirolites trapezoidalis, P. waageni, Stoyanowites dieneri, Abichites stoyanowi and Arasella minuta zones). The new ammonoid genera Stoyanowites and Arasella are described.
On a pterosaur jaw from the Upper Jurassic of Tendaguru (Tanzania)
Authors: Unwin D. M. , Heinrich W.-D.
Published: June 2014

A short section of a mandibular symphysis is the first cranial fossil of a pterosaur to be reported from the Upper Jurassic of Tendaguru, Tanzania. It is made the holotype of a new dsungaripteroid pterosaur, Tendaguripterus recki n. gen. n. sp. All previously named pterosaur taxa from Tendaguru are shown to be nomina dubia. The pterosaur assemblage from Tendaguru contains a "rhamphorhynchoid", as well as the dsungaripteroid, and is similar in its systematic composition to other Late Jurassic pterosaur assemblages from Laurasia. The diversity and broad distribution of dsungaripteroids in the Late Jurassic suggests that the group was already well established by this time.

 Der erste Schädelrest eines Flugsauriers aus dem Oberjura von Tendaguru in Tansania wird beschrieben. Bei dem Fundstück handelt es sich um ein bezahntes Unterkieferbruchstück aus der Symphysenregion. Der Fund gehört zu einem neuen Taxon, das als Tendaguripterus recki n. gen. n. sp. bezeichnet und zur Überfamilie Dsungaripteroidea gestellt wird. Alle zuvor aus den Tendaguru-Schichten beschriebenen Taxa werden als nomina dubia angesehen. In Tendaguru sind Verteter der „Rhamphorhynchoidea“ und Dsungaripteroidea nachgewiesen. Diese systematische Zusammensetzung ist derjenigen anderer Flugsaurier-Vergesellschaftungen der späten Jura-Zeit ähnlich. Die Vielfalt und die weite Verbreitung der Dsungaripteroidea in Laurasia läßt darauf schließen, daß sich diese Flugsauriergruppe bereits in der späten Jura-Zeit erfolgreich durchgesetzt hatte.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.1999.4860020109
Die mesophytische Flora der Saurierlagerstätte am Tendaguru (Tansania) Erste Ergebnisse
Authors: Kahlert E. , Schultka S. , Süß H.
Published: June 2014

Abgesehen von einem unreifen Araukarienzapfen, der 1927 von Gothan kurz beschrieben wurde, werden erstmalig Pflanzenreste aus den Jura-Kreide-Grenzschichten des Tendaguru bekannt gemacht. Verkieselte Hölzer vor allem aus kreidezeitlichen Schichtabschnitten repräsentieren die für den Jura üblichen Koniferengruppen wie Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae und Taxaceae. Daneben konnten Ginkgoaceae nachgewiesen werden. Fusit ist nicht selten, meist aber sehr schlecht erhalten, bis auf ein Stück, das die Merkmale einer wahrscheinlich neuen Art von Glyptostroboxylon, einer Taxodiacee, zeigt. Naturmazerate von Kutikulen sind in den mittleren Saurier-Mergeln (tieferes Kimmeridge) häufig und können möglicherweise Ginkgophyten des Baiera/Sphenobaiera-Typs zugerechnet werden. Damit scheint die Flora von Tendaguru auf den ersten Blick von Gymnospermen extrem stark dominiert zu sein. Diese Dominanz ist wahrscheinlich auf taphonomische Prozesse und auf die selektive Probennahme während der Grabungsexpedition in den Jahren 1909–1913 zurückzuführen. So erscheinen neue Profilaufnahmen im Gelände unumgänglich, um ein differenzierteres Bild der jurassisch-kretazischen Flora des östlichen Afrika – die die Ernährungsgrundlage der meisten Dinosaurier vom Tendaguru bildete – zu entwickeln und phytogeographische Beziehungen genauer fassen zu können.

 Little is known about the Jurassic flora of East Africa. Therefore a preliminary account on plant remains from the well-known „Saurierlagerstätte” of Tendaguru is presented. Specimens of silicified wood represent typical conifers, such as Taxodiaceae, Cupressaceae and Taxaceae, but also demonstrate the presence of Ginkgoales. Fusite is very common, but mostly not well preserved, except for one specimen which shows the characteristics of possibly a new species of the Taxodiacean genus Glyptostroboxylon. Natural macerated cuticules are abundant in the „middle Saurier-Mergel” (Lower Kimmeridgian) and they at least in part seem to belong to Ginkgophytaleans of the Baiera/Sphenobaiera-group. At first glance the composition of the flora of Tendaguru seems to be biased towards a predominance of Gymnosperms. This is not only a result of taphonomical processes, but also of selective sampling in 1909–1913. Preliminary observations support the opinion that further field work must be carried out if we would like to obtain a clearer „picture” of the Jurassic-Cretaceous flora that formed the diet of herbivorous dinosaurs.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.1999.4860020114