bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dentition of the enigmatic pycnodont fish, Athrodon wittei (Fricke, 1876) (Neopterygii, Pycnodontiformes; Late Jurassic; NW Germany)
Authors: Kriwet J.
Published: June 2014

Most pycnodontiform fishes are represented by their distinctive dentition alone, whereas articulated skeletons are very rare and the systematic position of most taxa based upon isolated teeth and the association of upper and lower dentitions to a specific taxon is still somewhat ambiguous in most cases. The vomerine dentition of the Late Jurassic pycnodontiform Athrodon wittei (Fricke, 1876), which is described here for the first time, is characterised by a high number of lateral tooth rows and the distinct morphology of the teeth. The dentition of Athrodon differs from most other pycnodont dentitions in the peculiar arrangement of the teeth into irregular rows and not well-differentiated principal row. The absence of regular tooth rows is not considered plesiomorphic here but most probably was achieved independently in different pycnodont lineages. The high number of lateral tooth rows (> four) is considered to be autapomorphic for Athrodon. The pycnodont fish Nonaphalagodus from the Albian of Texas, which also is known by isolated dentitions only, resembles Athrodon in the high number of vomerine tooth rows but differs in that this taxon displays the more derived feature of the teeth being arranged more regularly and individualized rows.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800002
The late Pleistocene horned crocodile Voay robustus (Grandidier & Vaillant, 1872) from Madagascar in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
Authors: Bickelmann C. , Klein N.
Published: June 2014

Crocodylian material from late Pleistocene localities around Antsirabe, Madagascar, stored in the collection of the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, was surveyed. Several skeletal elements, including skull bones, vertebrae, ribs, osteoderms, and limb bones from at least three large individuals could be unambiguously assigned to the genus Voay Brochu, 2007. Furthermore, the simultaneous occurrence of Voay robustus Grandidier & Vaillant, 1872 and Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768 in Madagascar is discussed. Voay robustus and Crocodylus niloticus are systematically separate but similar in stature and size, which would make them direct rivals for ecological resources. Our hypothesis on the extinction of the species Voay, which was endemic to Madagascar, suggests that C. niloticus invaded Madagascar only after V. robustus became extinct.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800007
Late Jurassic Sunosuchus (Crocodylomorpha, Neosuchia) from the Qigu Formation in the Junggar Basin (Xinjiang, China)
Authors: Schellhorn R. , Schwarz-Wings D. , Maisch M. W. , Wings O.
Published: June 2014

Various bone fragments of the crocodylomorph Sunosuchus from the Late Jurassic (Oxfordian) Qigu Formation in the southern Junggar Basin (Xinjiang Province/China) can be assigned to a single specimen and comprise the occipital region of the skull, mandibular fragments, and few postcranial elements. The size of the reconstructed skull does not exceed 30 cm in length and 13 cm in width. After comparison with other Sunosuchus species, the generic diagnosis of the genus can be expanded with the character of a lobe-like and unsculptured posterolateral process of the squamosal. The specimen is the first evidence of a crocodylomorph from the Qigu Formation and extends the geographical and stratigraphical range of Sunosuchus.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800010
Cannibalism in a small growth stage of the Early Permian branchiosaurid Apateon gracilis (Credner, 1881) from Saxony
Authors: Witzmann F.
Published: June 2014

An almost complete specimen of the branchiosaurid temnospondyl Apateon gracilis (Credner, 1881) with a skull length of approximately 7 mm from the Early Permian Döhlen Basin in Saxony is described that possesses a nearly complete conspecific specimen of approximately 4 mm skull length in its digestive tract. This is the first evidence of cannibalistic behaviour in small growth stages of branchiosaurids, whose dentition and hyobranchial morphology suggest adaptations to the capture of small invertebrates and feeding on small phyto- and zooplankton by filtering from the water. Therefore, cannibalism in small branchiosaurids certainly represents an exceptional case, possibly triggered by unfavourable environmental conditions.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800006
Assembling the history of the Parareptilia: phylogeny, diversification, and a new definition of the clade
Authors: Tsuji L. A. , Müller J.
Published: June 2014

In the present study, the historical development of Parareptilia as a phylogenetically valid clade is summarized, and for the first time a modern phylogenetic definition of both Parareptilia as well as Eureptilia is presented, which will facilitate the study of problems of early amniote classification. Furthermore, a preliminary study of the rates of diversification in parareptiles is performed on the basis of topological information on species diversity. While acknowledging that the bias of the fossil record also needs to be considered for a more definitive statement on parareptile diversification, our results show that a significant increase in diversification rate could be recorded only among Triassic procolophonoids, making it difficult to interpret evolutionary novelties such as herbivory or impedance-matching hearing as being key innovations that might have driven diversification.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200800011
A skull fragment of a Devonian tetrapod with a unique lateral line morphology in the collection of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
Authors: Witzmann F.
Published: June 2014

A dermal bone from the late Famennian of Ketleri in Latvia, identified as a probable tetrapod postorbital by Oleg Lebedev and stored in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, is described in detail. Its tetrapod status is confirmed based on the dermal sculpture consisting of polygonal pits and radially aligned ridges and furrows. The sculpture resembles that of Devonian tetrapods but is nevertheless not as regular as in most post-Devonian forms. The bone can be designated as a postorbital because of its concave anterior margin, the lateral line that shows no bifurcation, and the ossification centre that is located in the dorsal portion of the bone. The lateral line (i.e., the postorbital branch of the infraorbital line) forms an open, deep sulcus in the ventral portion of the postorbital but is enclosed within the bone in the dorsal portion and opens through pores to the surface. This morphology of the postorbital branch is unique among basal tetrapods. The bone might belong to the tetrapod Ventastega curonica Ahlberg et al., 1994 that is known from the same strata at Ketleri, however, since the postorbital is unknown in this taxon, this cannot be stated with certainty.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201000002
A juvenile Early Carboniferous (Viséan) coelacanth from Rösenbeck (Rhenish Mountains, Germany) with derived postcranial characters
Authors: Witzmann F. , Dorka M. , Korn D.
Published: June 2014

A small coelacanth specimen of Viséan age from a newly described locality near Rösenbeck at the northern margin of the Rhenish Mountains (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) is described. The head and pectoral girdle are not preserved, however, the specimen can be distinguished from all other known Carboniferous coelacanths by derived characters of the articulated postcranial skeleton. Derived characters include: (1) The slender first and second dorsal fins that carry only seven to eight and six fin rays, respectively. (2) Both the pelvic and anal fin have a broad base and are unusually weakly lobed. (3) The fin rays of the second dorsal fin are much more robust than those of the first dorsal fin. (4) The second dorsal and anal fins are longer than the first dorsal and pelvic fins. The Rösenbeck coelacanth is interpreted as a juvenile specimen, since the basal plates that support the fins are not ossified.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201000004
A key for the description of Palaeozoic ammonoids
Authors: Korn D.
Published: June 2014

A key for the description of Palaeozoic ammonoids is presented. It contains a catalogue of descriptive terms to characterise conch morphology, ornament, and suture line particularly of Carboniferous ammonoids. A number of examples of tables and illustrations are given for the description of conch characters, their ontogeny and intraspecific variability.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200900008
The potential distortion of sedimentary δ15N and Corg/N ratios by NH4+ and the effects of pre-analysis sample treatment
Authors: Meisel S. , Struck U.
Published: June 2014

We examined the susceptibility of δ15N-signals and Corg/N ratios in organic-rich sediments to pre-analysis sample treatment. Each sample was subjected to three different kinds of processing. For comparative purposes, the first measurement series (MS-1) was carried out on untreated sediment. In MS-2, the sediment was rinsed with distilled water. In MS-3, analyses were carried out on decalcified and rinsed material, in MS-4 the samples were decalcified without being subsequently washed. The sediment yielded conspicuously different results depending on the type of processing it was subjected to. Rinsing, irrespective of whether acidification was included or not, induced substantial modifications in δ15N accompanied by a pronounced loss of NH4+ (up to 14 wt% of the initial N-content). Molar Corg/N ratios, on the other hand, were only affected by a combination of acidification and rinsing. The discrepancies are ascribed to the influence of decomposition-derived ammonium (NH4+). In untreated sediment (MS-1), NH4+ seems to produce misleading shifts in both δ15N-signals and Corg/N ratios. Presumed mechanisms involved are as follows: Firstly, nitrogen isotopes fractionate during NH4+-volatilisation in the heating oven, where the sediment is put to desiccate. Secondly, NH4+-ions are able to escape that fractionation when adsorbed to negatively-charged SiO2-surfaces. The adsorption capacity of SiO2 increases with increasing pH of the pore water and hence with increasing carbonate content. Our findings raise serious doubts about whether untreated sediment (MS-1) can provide reliable Corg/N and δ15N-records. Pre-analysis acidification plus rinsing (MS-3) seems to eliminate the deceptive influence of NH4+-adsorption and -outgassing.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201100004
Nutrient dynamics and oceanographic features in the central Namibian upwelling region as reflected in δ15N-signals of suspended matter and surface sediments
Authors: Meisel S. , Struck U. , Emeis K.-C.
Published: June 2014

The study deals with the modern situation of the northern Benguela Upwelling, directing particular attention to the shelf region off central Namibia (21 to 24° S). At the centre of the investigation is the comparison of δ15N-records in surface sediments (δ15Nsediment) with suspended particulate matter (δ15NSPM) from the surface ocean. In addition to that, water column profiles (including hydrographic data) provide an insight into changes of δ15NSPM with depth and elucidate potential offsets between δ15NSPM and δ15Nsediment. The parallel spatial trend of δ15Nsediment and surface ocean δ15NSPM shows that secondary processes are not so pronounced as to obliterate the signal generated in the surface waters. Highest δ15N-signatures are found right off the coast where water temperatures are lowest. Concomitantly high productivity rates and low bottom oxygen suggest the upwelling of denitrified source waters. With increasing distance offshore, δ15N declines unexpectedly, reaching a minimum above the shelf break. Beyond that, the trend reverses to "normal" with δ15N-signals continuously increasing towards the mesopelagic ocean. The decrease in δ15Nsediment and surface ocean δ15NSPM with increasing distance to the coast disagrees with the concept of Rayleigh fractionation kinetics, viz. the progressive 15N-enrichment of the nitrate pool as it is gradually used up by phytoplankton growth. On the basis of the available evidence, the downward trend of δ15N results from decreased relative nitrate consumption, resting on a combination of reduced primary production and the existence of an ulterior source of nutrients. Nutrient replenishment seems to occur via an additional upwelling front at the edge of the shelf as well as tapping of subsurface nitrate through sufficiently deep penetration of wind- and wave-induced mixing over large areas of the shelf. Both mechanisms are considered capable of working against the expected nutrient drawdown (i.e. 15N-enrichment) as surface waters travel offshore. It is important to keep these caveats in mind when interpreting δ15N-variations in sediment cores retrieved from this area.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201100005
Trajectories of Late Permian – Jurassic radiolarian extinction rates: no evidence for an end-Triassic mass extinction
Authors: Kiessling W. , Danelian T.
Published: June 2014

The hypothesis that ocean acidification was a proximate trigger of the marine end-Triassic mass extinction rests on the assumption that taxa that strongly invest in the secretion of calcium-carbonate skeletons were significantly more affected by the crisis than other taxa. An argument against this hypothesis is the great extinction toll of radiolarians that has been reported from work on local sections. Radiolarians have siliceous tests and thus should be less affected by ocean acidification. We compiled taxonomically vetted occurrences of late Permian and Mesozoic radiolarians and analyzed extinction dynamics of radiolarian genera. Although extinction rates were high at the end of the Triassic, there is no evidence for a mass extinction in radiolarians but rather significantly higher background extinction in the Triassic than in the Jurassic. Although the causes for this decline in background extinction levels remain unclear, the lack of a major evolutionary response to the end-Triassic event, gives support for the hypothesis that ocean acidification was involved in the dramatic extinctions of many calcifying taxa.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201000017
The sporophyte of the Paleogene liverwort Frullania varians Caspary
Authors: Heinrichs J. , von Konrat M. , Grabenhorst H. , Schmidt A. R.
Published: June 2014

We document the sporophyte of the extinct Frullania varians based on an inclusion in Late Oligocene Bitterfeld amber from Germany. The sporophyte consists of a short, ca. 45 µm thick seta that exceeds the perianth only slightly; the elongate-ovate, acute valves of the opened capsule are about 225 µm long, curved backwards and consist of an epidermal and an internal layer. Cell walls of both layers possess nodulose trigones. Several trumpet-shaped, unispiral elaters are fixed to the upper third of the internal valve layer. They have a length of ca. 150 µm and a diameter of 15–18 µm. A subglobose structure of 19 µm diameter is interpreted as a degraded spore. Fossil elaters and spores as well as capsule wall details of Frullaniaceae are described for the first time.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200009
Pre-Cretaceous Agaricomycetes yet to be discovered: Reinvestigation of a putative Triassic bracket fungus from southern Germany
Authors: Kiecksee A. P. , Seyfullah L. J. , Dörfelt H. , Heinrichs J. , Süß H. , Schmidt A. R.
Published: June 2014

Agaricomycetes are major components of extant terrestrial ecosystems; however, their fruiting bodies are exceedingly rare as fossils. Reinvestigation of a peculiar fossil from Late Triassic sediments of southern Germany interpreted as a bracket fungus revealed that this fossil in fact represents a wood abnormality, resulting from injury to the cambium and subsequent callus growth in a Baieroxylon -like ginkgoalean wood. As a result, the fossil record of the Agaricomycetes does not yet pre-date the Early Cretaceous, suggesting a late diversification of basidiomycetes possessing large fruiting bodies.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201200006
New species of Grammolingia Ren, 2002 from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae)
Authors: Shi C. , Wang Y. , Ren D.
Published: June 2014

Three new species, Grammolingia uniserialis n. sp., Grammolingia binervis n. sp., and Grammolingia sticta n. sp. are described from the Jiulongshan Formation of northeastern China. G. uniserialis n. sp. exhibits a single row of cells in the costal area almost along the entire wing length except the basal part, which is rare in the family and firstly found in this genus. G. binervis n. sp. and G. sticta n. sp. add two new patterns of wing markings to the family. A key to the species of Grammolingia Ren, 2002 is provided. All types of wing markings present in this family are classified.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300008
Globacrochordiceras gen. nov. (Acrochordiceratidae, late Early Triassic) and its significance for stress-induced evolutionary jumps in ammonoid lineages (cephalopods)
Authors: Monnet C. , Bucher H. , Brayard A. , Jenks J. F.
Published: June 2014

Globacrochordiceras transpacificum gen. et sp. nov. is an ammonoid (Ammonoidea, Cephalopoda) with a shell characterized by plicate ribbing (rounded and undulating ribs strengthening on the venter without interruption), increasing involution through ontogeny, overhanging and deep umbilical wall, absence of tuberculation, subtriangular whorl section, globose adult shape with a closed umbilicus followed by an abrupt egressive coiling, and a subammonitic adult suture line. This new taxon occurs in Nevada (USA) and in Guangxi (South China). It has its typical occurrence within the Neopopanoceras haugi Zone of late Spathian age (Early Triassic). The plicate ribbing, suture line and general shell shape are diagnostic of the family Acrochordiceratidae. The large adult size, high degree of involution and subammonitic suture line of Globacrochordiceras markedly contrast with the next younger genus of the family (Paracrochordiceras of early Anisian age, Middle Triassic), which is evolute and displays a ceratitic suture shape. Shell coiling and suture line of Globacrochordiceras are closer to that of the youngest member of the family: Acrochordiceras carolinae (late middle Anisian). The latter is the end-member of a long-term morphological evolutionary trend of the family during the early and middle Anisian. This trend composed of classical increases in adult size (Cope's rule), shell involution and suture indentation, lasted ca. four Myr. The sudden morphological evolutionary jump between Globacrochordiceras and Paracrochordiceras at the Spathian/Anisian (Early/Middle Triassic) boundary may correspond to a generalized morphological reset of long-term trends, a process that differs from classic paedomorphic transformations. A dramatic global sea level change and carbon isotope positive excursion at the Early/Middle Triassic boundary both indicate stressful environmental changes that may have triggered this evolutionary jump.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300010
Ichneumonidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) in Canadian Late Cretaceous amber
Authors: McKellar R. C. , Kopylov D. S. , Engel M. S.
Published: June 2014

Three new species and two new genera are described within the wasp family Ichneumonidae from Late Cretaceous (Campanian) amber collected at the Grassy Lake locality in Alberta, Canada. New taxa include Pareubaeus rasnitsyni n. gen. et sp. and P. incertus n. sp. within the subfamily Labenopimplinae, and Albertocryptus dossenus n. gen. et sp. within the subfamily Labeninae. The presence of a labenopimpline genus closely related to Eubaeus Townes within Canadian amber further supports faunal similarity between the Canadian assemblage and that recovered from Siberian amber. The records of Labeninae are the first from Mesozoic amber, and demonstrate that the subfamily was present in the Northern Hemisphere in the Late Cretaceous, as opposed to their modern, predominantly austral distribution.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300011
The youngest trigonotarbid Permotarbus schuberti n. gen., n. sp. from the Permian Petrified Forest of Chemnitz in Germany
Authors: Dunlop J. A. , Rößler R.
Published: June 2014

A new trigonotarbid (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) is described as Permotarbus schuberti n. gen., n. sp. from the Early Permian Petrified Forest (Rotliegend) of Chemnitz in Saxony (Germany). At ca. 290 Ma it represents the youngest record of this extinct arachnid order discovered to date. Its familial affinities are uncertain, but may lie close to the Aphantomartidae. The distribution of the trigonotarbid genera through time is summarised, together with a list of their seventy-seven fossil-yielding localities. Together they offer a broad overview of the group's fossil record, which is heavily biased towards the Moscovian Stage (ca. 307–312 Ma) of the Late Carboniferous in Europe and North America. This is due in no small part to numerous localities associated with coal mining districts, and trigonotarbids are found less frequently after this stage. While it is tempting to associate this with biological events – such as a putative "Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse" dating to ca. 305 Ma – it is difficult to differentiate the effects of genuine extinction patterns from artefacts caused by fewer appropriate localities in the economically less relevant latest Carboniferous and Early Permian strata. Nevertheless, trigonotarbids became extinct at some point after the Early Permian and loss of the Coal Measures forests remains one of the most likely possible causes.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300012
Carbon isotope signatures of latest Permian marine successions of the Southern Alps suggest a continental runoff pulse enriched in land plant material
Authors: Kraus S. H. , Brandner R. , Heubeck C. , Kozur H. W. , Struck U. , Korte C.
Published: June 2014

The latest Permian mass extinction, the most severe Phanerozoic biotic crisis, is marked by dramatic changes in palaeoenvironments. These changes significantly disrupted the global carbon cycle, reflected by a prominent and well known negative carbon isotope excursion recorded in marine and continental sediments. Carbon isotope trends of bulk carbonate and bulk organic matter in marine deposits of the European Southern Alps near the low-latitude marine event horizon deviate from each other. A positive excursion of several permil in δ13Corg starts earlier and is much more pronounced than the short-term positive 13Ccarb excursion; both excursions interrupt the general negative trend. Throughout the entire period investigated, 13Corg values become lighter with increasing distance from the palaeocoastline. Changing 13Corg values may be due to the influx of comparatively isotopically heavy land plant material. The stronger influence of land plant material on the 13Corg during the positive isotope excursion indicates a temporarily enhanced continental runoff that may either reflect increased precipitation, possibly triggered by aerosols originating from Siberian Trap volcanism, or indicate higher erosion rate in the face of reduced land vegetation cover.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.201300004
A morphometric approach to conch ontogeny of Cymaclymenia and related genera (Ammonoidea, Late Devonian)
Authors: Klein C. , Korn D.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Representatives of the Late Devonian ammonoid family Cymaclymeniidae were studied for their conch ontogeny. Two methods were applied: (1) the analysis of classical morphometric conch parameters and (2) an outline analysis of the aperture using elliptic Fourier analysis. Application of both methods leads to similar results, allowing a separation of some of the species by means of their ontogenetic pathways. The new species Procymaclymenia ebbighauseni n. sp., Cymaclymenia subvexa n. sp., Cymaclymenia formosa n. sp., Cymaclymenia lambidia n. sp., Cymaclymenia carnata n. sp., Cymaclymenia aulax n. sp., Cymaclymenia serotina n. sp. and Postclymenia calceola n. sp. are described in the systematic part.
Hypothetical lung structure of Brachiosaurus (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) based on functional constraints
Authors: Perry S. F. , Reuter C.
Published: June 2014

Comparison of avian and crocodylian lung structure suggests a basic archosaurian structural type, consisting of four rows of chambers that radiate independently from an intrapulmonary bronchus. The later structure is cartilage-reinforced cranially. Caudally, the cartilage reinforcement diminishes and the radiating pattern of tubular chambers becomes irregular. The presence of extensive pneumatic spaces in the dorsal vertebrae combined with the extremely large size of Brachiosaurus suggests that the dorsal margin of the lungs was strongly attached to the body wall, thus restricting lung inflation in this region. By analogy with similarly structured testudine lungs, it is highly probable that the ventral part of the very large and cavernous lungs consisted of sac-like chambers, which acted as air reservoirs and also ventilated the gas exchange tissue, which was concentrated dorsally.

 Die Strukturen der Vogel- und der Krokodillunge deuten auf einen basalen Bauplan der Archosaurierlunge hin, der aus vier Reihen von Kammern besteht, die von einem intrapulmonalen Bronchus entspringen. Dieser ist cranial knorpelig verstärkt. Caudal vermindert sich die knorpelige Verstärkung und das Verteilungsmuster der Kammern wird ungleichmäßig. Die Anwesenheit von pneumatischen Räumen in den Wirbelkörpern und die extreme Größe von Brachiosaurus deuten daraufhin, daß der dorsale Bereich der Lunge mit der Körperwand verbunden war. Dies schränkte die Belüftung der Lunge in dieser Region ein. In Analogie zu den ähnlich strukturierten Schildkrötenlungen ist es höchst wahrscheinlich, daß der ventrale Teil der sehr großen Lungen aus sackartigen Kammern bestand, die als Luftreservoir dienten und das dorsal liegende Gasaustauschgewebe ventilierten.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.1999.4860020104
Ein Leoparden-Fund, Panthera pardus (L., 1758), aus dem jungpleistozänen Rixdorfer Horizont von Berlin und die Verbreitung des Leoparden im Pleistozän Europas
Authors: Fischer K.
Published: June 2014

Erstmals wurde das Vorkommen des Leoparden (Panthera pardus) im Rixdorfer Horizont (Früh-Weichsel, Jungpleistozän) von Berlin-Brandenburg durch ein Humerus-Fragment von Niederlehme bei Königs Wusterhausen nachgewiesen. Es ist das bisher nördlichste Vorkommen des Leoparden in Mitteleuropa.

 The finding of leopard, Panthera pardus (L., 1758), from the late Pleistocene horizon of Rixdorf in Berlin and the occurrence of leopards in the Pleistocene of Europe are described and discussed.

 For the first time the occurrence of the leopard (Panthera pardus) in the horizon of Rixdorf (Early Weichsel, Late Pleistocene) of Berlin-Brandenburg is proven. The find is represented by a fragment of a humerus from Niederlehme near Königs Wusterhausen. This is the most northern occurrence of the leopard in Middle Europe until now.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20000030111
Neck posture and overall body design in sauropods
Authors: Christian A.
Published: June 2014

The stress on the intervertebral discs in the necks of Brachiosaurus brancai, Diplodocus carnegii, and Dicraeosaurus hansemanni are calculated for various hypothetical neck postures. Assuming similar safety factors along the neck and a predominance of static or quasistatic forces, neck postures in which the stress is not more or less constant along the neck are rejected. The necks of two large and long-necked recent mammals, Giraffa camelopardalis and Camelus sp., are examined in the same way in order to test the method. The method is shown to be suitable for the reconstruction of the habitual posture of longnecked terrestrial vertebrates, even if the distribution of mass along the head and neck and the lever arms of the neck muscles and ligaments are only roughly estimated. Among sauropods, the neck posture differed considerably, being nearly vertical in Brachiosaurus brancai, but more horizontal in Dicraeosaurus hansemanni and especially in Diplodocus carnegii. Therefore, Brachiosaurus brancai appears to have been an extremely specialised high browser, whereas in Diplodocus carnegii and in Dicraeosaurus hansemanni the long neck permitted a large feeding volume. The constrast in neck posture is reflected in the overall body design, especially in tail and limb length.

 Für verschiedene Halsstellungen von Brachiosaurus brancai, Diplodocus carnegii und Dicraeosaurus hansemanni wurde der Druck auf den Gelenkknorpel der Zwischenwirbelgelenke berechnet. Halsstellungen, die nicht zu einem mehr oder weniger konstanten Druck entlang des Halses führten, wurden verworfen. Dabei wurden gleiche Sicherheitsfaktoren des Gelenkknorples sowie das Vorherrschen von statischen und quasistatischen Kräften entlang des Halses angenommen. Die Hälse zweier langhalsiger Säugetiere, Giraffa camelopardalis und Camelus sp., wurden in gleicher Weise analysiert, um die Methode zu überprüfen. Diese erwies sich als geeignet, die habituelle Halsstellung eines langhalsigen terrestrischen Wirbeltieres zu rekonstruieren, selbst wenn die Massenverteilung entlang des Halses und die Hebelarme der epaxialen Muskeln, Sehnen und Bänder nur grob geschätzt werden können. Unter den Sauropoden variierte die Halsstellung erheblich von nahezu vertikal bei Brachiosaurus brancai bis zu eher horizontal bei Diplodocus carnegii. Die Halsstellung von Dicraeosaurus hansemanni lag näher bei der Halsstellung von Diplodocus als von Brachiosaurus. Offenbar war Brachiosaurus darauf spezialisiert, Nahrung aus großen Höhen aufzunehmen, während Diplodocus und Dicraeosaurus ihre langen Hälse zum Abweiden eines weiten Areals nutzten. Die Unterschiede in der Halsstellung spiegeln sich in der Körperform, insbesondere in der Schwanz- und Beinlänge, wider.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20020050116
An owal from the Paleocene of Walbeck, Germany
Authors: Mayr G.
Published: June 2014

An owl of the genus Berruornis is described from a Paleocene fissure filling of Walbeck, Germany. The specimen is a well preserved incomplete right tarsometatarsus and is the earliest Old World record of an owl. A praemaxilla from the same locality which comes from a similarly-sized raptorial bird is described and is clearly distinguished from the praemaxilla of all extant raptorial birds. Although it might also belong to Berruornis, the specimen is classified as Aves incertae sedis in this study. Despite the fact that the Walbeck material was discovered more than 60 years ago, these two specimens are the first bird bones to be described from the numerous avian remains found at this locality.

 Eine Eule der Gattung Berruornis wird aus einer paläozänen Spaltenfüllung von Walbeck, Deutschland, beschrieben. Das Exemplar ist ein gut erhaltener, unvollständiger rechter Tarsometatarsus und ist der früheste altweltliche Nachweis einer Eule. Von der gleichen Lokalität wird eine Praemaxilla beschrieben, die von einem ähnlich großen Raubvogel stammt und sich deutlich von der Praemaxilla aller heutigen Raubvögel unterscheidet. Obwohl es auch zu Berruornis gehören könnte, wird das Stück als Aves incertae sedis klassifiziert. Ungeachtet der Tatsache, daß das Fossilmaterial von Walbeck bereits vor mehr als 60 Jahren entdeckt wurde, sind diese beiden Exemplare die ersten Knochen, die von den zahlreichen an dieser Lokalität gefundenen Vogelresten bisher beschrieben wurden.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20020050117
Neue Pflanzenfunde aus dem Tertiär der Rhön. – Teil 1: Miozäne Fundstellen
Authors: Gümbel S. F. , Mai D. H.
Published: June 2014

Aus dem Tertiär der Rhön werden 47 Pflanzenarten aus 32 Familien nach Früchten und Samen beschrieben. Sie entstammen den braunkohlenführenden Kaltennordheimer Schichten vom Bauersberg bei Bischofsheim, Hochrain bei Gerstengrund und Kaltennordheim. Ihr untermiozänes. Alter ist durch tierische Fossilien und radiometrische Altersdatierungen von Basalt festgelegt. Unklar bleibt ihre Einordnung in den Florenkomplex „Brandis-Bílina” (etwa 20,5–18 Mio. J.) oder "Kleinleipisch-Františkove Láznê" (jünger als 17,5 Mio. J.).

 On the base of fossil fruits and seeds 47 plant species belonging to 32 families are described. They have been derived from the browncoal-bearing layers of the Kaltennordheim section at the Bauersberg near Bischofsheim, Hochrain near Gerstengrund and Kaltennordheim. The age is Lower Miocene based on gastropods and mammals and also radiometic dates of the basalt. The assignment to the floral assemblages “Brandis-Bílina” (ca. 20,5 to 18 mio y.) or "Kleinleipisch-Františkove-Láznê" (younger than 17,5 mio y.) is still uncertain.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20020050122
Revision of Amygdalodon patagonicus Cabrera, 1947 (Dinosauria, Sauropoda)
Authors: Rauhut O. W. M.
Published: June 2014

The type material of the oldest known sauropod dinosaur from South America, Amygdalodon patagonicus, from the Cerro Carnerero Formation (Toarcian-Bajocian) of Chubut province. Argentina, is reviewed. The material includes elements of at least two individuals plus a remain of another, indeterminate vertebrate, and a posterior dorsal vertebra is designated as the lectotype of Amygdalodon. All of the sauropod material originally referred to this species represents very basal, non-neosauropodan eusauropods. Amygdalodon is the only South American evidence for a probable Early to early Middle Jurassic global dispersal of basal eusauropodan sauropods.

 Das Typusmaterial des ältesten südamerikanische sauropoden Dinosauriers. Amygdalodon patagonicus von der Cerro Carnerero Formation (Toarc-Bajoc) der Provinz Chubut, Argentinien, wird revidiert. Das Material enthält Elemente von mindestens zwei Individuen sowie eines anderen, nicht identifizierbaren Wirbeltieres. Ein hinterer Dorsalwirbel wird als Lektotypus von Amygdalodon bestimmt. Das gesamte ursprünglich zu diesem Taxon gestellte Sauropodenmaterial repräsentiert sehr basale Eusauropoden außerhalb der Neosauropoda. Amygdalodon ist der einzige südamerikanische Hinweis auf eine vermutlich globale Verbreitung der Eusauropoden im unteren bis frühen mittleren Jura.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20030060110
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Günter Hoppe zum 85. Geburtstag
Authors: Bautsch H.-J. , Schultze H.-P.
Published: June 2014

Die ersten Kontakte mit dem Museum für Naturkunde hatte Günter Hoppe bereits vor über fünfundfünfzig Jahren. Er besuchte Paul Ramdohr, der damals noch, bis zu seiner Berufung im April 1950 nach Heidelberg, Direktor des Mineralogisch-Petrographischen Institutes und Museums war. Zu dieser Zeit was Günter Hoppe Student an der Universität Halle und mit seiner Abschlussarbeit beschäftigt. Sein Lehrer in Halle war Ferdinand von Wolff, noch im hohen Alter Direktor des Mineralogisch-Petrographischen Institutes. Begonnen hatte Günter Hoppe 1938 ein Studium der Chemie in Halle, das durch die Einberufung zum Militärdienst unterbrochen werden musste. Nach Rückkehr aus dem Krieg nahm er mit Beginn des Studienbetriebes an der Universität Halle 1946 sein Studium wieder auf, jetzt aber in der Mineralogie, wohl angeregt durch eine Praktikumstätigkeit in einem Bergbaubetrieb.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20040070111
Friedrich Tamnau (1802–1879) – Mineraloge, Mineralsammler und Mäzen
Authors: Hoppe G.
Published: June 2014

Der Berliner Bankier Friedrich Tamnau betätigte sich neben seinem Beruf sein ganzes Leben lang als Mineraloge und mit großem finanziellem Aufwand als Mineralsammler. Seine berühmten Sammlungsbestände stellte er Fachleuten großzügig zur Verfügung. Eine erste große Sammlung verkaufte er 1841 der Berliner Universität. Seine noch größere zweite Sammlungsbeständte er am Lebensende testamentarisch der Berliner Technischen Hochschule. Außerdem gründete er die Tamnau-Stiftung, die der Finanzierung von Auslandsreisen zum Sammeln und Bearbeiten von Mineralen diente.

 The banker Friedrich Tamnau, Berlin, was active as a mineralogist during his entire life while at the same time conducting his profession. He also a large financial imput into the collection of minerals. He generously offered his famous collection to scinetists for study. He sold his first large collection to the University of Berlin. A the end of his life he presented by testament a second even larger collection to the Technical University of Berlin. In addition he founded the Tamnau-Foundation to support foreign travel to collect and study minerals.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.20040070104
A new trigonotarbid arachnid from the Coal Measures of Hagen-Vorhalle, Germany
Authors: Dunlop J. A. , Brauckmann C.
Published: June 2014

A new trigonotarbid (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida: Trigonotarbidae) is described as Archaeomartus roessleri n. sp. from the Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian; Namurian B, higher Marsdenian) of Hagen-Vorhalle, Germany. Originally assigned to Trigonotarbus johnsoni Pocock, 1911, our new fossil has a distinctly lobed carapace and thus resembles more closely the Early Devonian species Archaeomartus levis Størmer, 1970. In carapace morphology Archaeomartus approaches the condition seen in the larger and more heavily-armoured taxa Eophrynidae, Kreischeriidae and Aphantomartidae. Thus we provisionally resolve Archaeomartus as sister-group to this probably monophyletic trio of families and discuss the possibility that Trigonotarbidae may be paraphyletic.

 Ein neuer Trigonotarbiden-Fund (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida: Trigonotarbidae) aus dem Ober-Karbon (Pennsylvanium; Namurium B, höheres Marsdenium) von Hagen-Vorhalle, Deutschland, wird als Archaeomartus roessleri n. sp. beschrieben. Bei der Erst-Dokumentation wurde er noch zu Trigonotarbus johnsoni Pocock, 1911 gestellt; er unterscheidet sich hiervon aber durch die deutlichen Loben auf dem Carapax und ähnelt damit eher dem unterdevonischen Archaeomartus levis Størmer, 1970. In der Carapax-Morphologie nähert sich Archaeomartus mehr den größeren und kräftiger skulptierten Eophrynidae, Kreischeriidae und Aphantomartidae. Daher fassen wir Archaeomartus zumindest vorläufig als Schwestergruppe dieser wahrscheinlich monophyletischen Familien-Dreiergruppe auf; die Trigonotarbidae könnten somit paraphyletisch sein.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200600004
A new ammonoid fauna from the Gattendorfia-Eocanites Genozone of the Anti-Atlas (Early Carboniferous; Morocco)
Authors: Bockwinkel J. , Ebbighausen V.
Published: June 2014

From the eastern part of the Tafilalt (Anti-Atlas, Morocco), rich assemblages of ammonoids of the Gattendorfia-Eocanites Genozone are described. The detailed investigation of an outcrop near Mfis in the south-eastern Tafilalt yielded a diverse fauna with 24 species, of which 13 are new. The genus Weyerella n. gen. is newly erected with Weyerella protecta n. sp. as type species. Furthermore, the following new species are described: Paragattendorfia aboussalamae n. sp., Acutimitoceras hollardi n. sp., Acutimitoceras posterum n. sp., Acutimitoceras mfisense n. sp., Acutimitoceras occidentale n. sp., Imitoceras oxydentale n. sp., Kazakhstania nitida n. sp., Zadelsdorfia debouaaensis n. sp., Weyerella minor n. sp., Eocanites simplex n. sp., Eocanites rtbeckeri n. sp., and Eocanites dkorni n. sp. The state of preservation of the ammonoids as limonitic steinkern specimens permits a detailed study of sutures and conch ontogeny.

 Aus dem östlichen Tafilalt (Anti-Atlas, Marokko) wird eine Ammonoideen-reiche Abfolge aus der Gattendorfia-Eocanites Genus-Zone beschrieben. Ein im Detail untersuchtes Profil bei Mfis hat eine individuenreiche und diverse pelagische Fauna mit 24 Arten geliefert, von denen 13 neu sind. Die Gattung Weyerella n. gen. wird mit Weyerellaprotecta n. sp. als Typusart aufgestellt. Weitere neue Arten sind: Paragattendorfiaaboussalamae n. sp., Acutimitocerashollardi n. sp., Acutimitocerasposterum n. sp., Acutimitocerasmfisense n. sp., Acutimitocerasoccidentale n. sp., Imitocerasoxydentale n. sp., Kazakhstanianitida n. sp., Zadelsdorfiadebouaaensis n. sp., Weyerellaminor n. sp., Eocanitessimplex n. sp., Eocanitesrtbeckeri n. sp. und Eocanitesdkorni n. sp. Die in Limonit erhaltenen Steinkerne erlauben eine Detailuntersuchung der Lobenlinien und der Gehäuse-Ontogenie.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200600003
Rockslides on limestone cliffs with sub-horizontal bedding in the southwestern calcareous area, China
Authors: Feng Z. , Li B. , Yin Y. P. , He K.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Calcareous mountainous areas are highly prone to geohazards, and rockslides play an important role in cliff retreat. This study presents three examples of failures of limestone cliffs with sub-horizontal bedding in the southwestern calcareous area of China. Field observations and numerical modeling of Yudong Escarpment, Zengzi Cliff, and Wangxia Cliff showed that pre-existing vertical joints passing through thick limestone and the alternation of competent and incompetent layers are the most significant features for rockslides. A "hard on soft" cliff made of hard rocks superimposed of soft rocks is prone to rock slump, characterized by shearing through the underlying weak strata along a curved surface and backward tilting. When a slope contains weak interlayers rather than a soft basal layers, a rock collapse could occur from the compression fracture and tensile split of the rock mass near the interfaces. A rock slide might shear through a hard rock mass if no discontinuities are exposed in the cliff slope, and sliding may occur along a moderately inclined rupture plane. The "toe breakout" mechanism mainly depends on the strength characteristics of the rock mass.
Independent evaluation of the SNODAS snow depth product using regional scale LiDAR-derived measurements
Authors: Hedrick A. , Marshall H.-P. , Winstral A. , Elder K. , Yueh S. , Cline D.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Repeated Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys are quickly becoming the de facto method for measuring spatial variability of montane snowpacks at high resolution. This study examines the potential of a 750 km2 LiDAR-derived dataset of snow depths, collected during the 2007 northern Colorado Cold Lands Processes Experiment (CLPX-2), as a validation source for an operational hydrologic snow model. The SNOw Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) model framework, operated by the US National Weather Service, combines a physically-based energy-and-mass-balance snow model with satellite, airborne and automated ground-based observations to provide daily estimates of snowpack properties at nominally 1 km resolution over the coterminous United States. Independent validation data is scarce due to the assimilating nature of SNODAS, compelling the need for an independent validation dataset with substantial geographic coverage. Within twelve distinctive 500 m × 500 m study areas located throughout the survey swath, ground crews performed approximately 600 manual snow depth measurements during each of the CLPX-2 LiDAR acquisitions. This supplied a dataset for constraining the uncertainty of upscaled LiDAR estimates of snow depth at the 1 km SNODAS resolution, resulting in a root-mean-square difference of 13 cm. Upscaled LiDAR snow depths were then compared to the SNODAS-estimates over the entire study area for the dates of the LiDAR flights. The remotely-sensed snow depths provided a more spatially continuous comparison dataset and agreed more closely to the model estimates than that of the in situ measurements alone. Finally, the results revealed three distinct areas where the differences between LiDAR observations and SNODAS estimates were most drastic, suggesting natural processes specific to these regions as causal influences on model uncertainty.
The Expanding Horizon of Prosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Mohajer Mayar Al , Darouiche Rabih O.
Published: June 2014

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious and potentially devastating complication of arthroplasty. Prior arthroplasty, immunosuppression, severe comorbid conditions, and prolonged surgical duration are important risk factors for PJI. More than half of the cases of PJI are caused by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. The biofilm plays a central role in its pathogenesis. The diagnosis of PJI requires the presence of purulence, sinus tract, evidence of inflammation on histopathology, or positive microbiologic cultures. The use of diagnostic imaging techniques is generally limited but may be helpful in selected cases. The most effective way to prevent PJI is to optimize the health of patients, using antibiotic prophylaxis in a proper and timely fashion. Management of PJI frequently requires removal of all hardware and administration of intravenous antibiotics. This review summarizes and analyzes the results of previous reports of PJI and assesses the prevention and management of this important entity.
Simultaneous Determination of Eight Flavonoids in the Flowers of Matricaria chamomilla by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Xie Xiao-Yu , Chen Fang-Fang , Shi Yan-Ping
Published: June 2014

An HPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination of five flavones (apigenin, three apigenin 7-O-glucoside acylated derivatives, and luteolin) and three methoxylated flavonols in Matricaria chamomilla. Full validation of the assay was carried out including linearity, LODs, LOQs, precision, repeatability, stability, and accuracy. The results demonstrated that the method developed was simple, accurate, and reliable. Five batches of M. chamomilla samples were determined using the developed method, and total contents of the eight flavonoids ranged from 1.843 to 2.134 mg/g. Among them, the content of apigenin was the highest with values of 0.538 to 0.618 mg/g. In addition, the extract solution from M. chamomilla exhibited a significant dose-dependent inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, with a 50% inhibition (SC50) at a concentration of 3.06 ± 0.09 mg/mL, and the flavonoids apigenin-7-O-(6″-acetyl)-glucoside, luteolin, apigenin, eupatolitin, and chrysosplenol D played an important role in the antioxidant activities of the extract solution from M.chamomilla.
Speciation and Preservation of CrVI and CrIII in Finished Drinking Water Matrixes Using Collision Cell Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wilson Robert A , Creed Patricia A , Pinyayev Tatyana , Wymer Larry , Creed John T
Published: June 2014

The polyatomic background at the major isotope of Cr was evaluated as a function of collision cell gas flow rate using three different mobile phases. The stability of CrVI was evaluated as a function of solution pH by fortifying samples with enriched 53CrVI. The 53CrVI recovery was ≥95% at pH 7.8, but by pH 6.2 a significant amount of the enriched spike was recovered as 53CrIII-EDTA. The instability of CrIII at pHs above 7.8 required that CrIII be chelated prior to speciation. The concentration of EDTA was optimized by evaluating CrIII recoveries in six finished drinking waters, a U.S. Geological Survey reference water, and a challenge water fortified with competing matrix cations. If the CrIII was allowed to precipitate (characteristic of shipping a sample without field preservation), acceptable recoveries of CrIII required the sample to be heated to 70°C in 10 mM EDTA to quantitatively produce the CrIII-EDTA complex. The overall preservation/speciation approach was evaluated using an enriched 53CrVI and natural CrIII in seven drinking water matrixes over a 46 day period. A linear least squares analysis was performed on each water, and the corresponding P-values were estimated. The method detection limits for CrIII-EDTA and CrVI were 0.06 and 0.1 μg/L, respectively.