cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28512250.v3
title: A new species of <i>Urva</i> (Herpestidae, Carnivora) from late Upper Pleistocene deposits of East Fissure-Fillings, Fanchang, Anhui Province of Eastern China

description: Here we describe and erect a new species, <i>Urva fanchangensis</i>, from the middle or late Early Pleistocene of eastern Asia. <i>Urva fanchangensis</i> is the first known fossil species of the genus, and is a medium-sized member, characterized by moderately sized premolars, a robust P4 with a large parastyle and strong protocone, and transversely widened M1 and M2. It is closely related to the modern <i>U. urva</i> and <i>U. semitorquata</i>. Comparative studies suggest that <i>U. fanchangensis</i> is either the ancestor of <i>U. urva</i> or a common ancestor of <i>U. urva</i> and <i>U. semitorquata</i>. This species provides valuable information for estimating the divergence time of the genus as a node calibration, indicating that the divergence of <i>Urva</i> might occur more recently than previously thought.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28987747
title: Classification of dinosaur footprints using machine learning

description: Fossilized dinosaur footprints enable us to study the behavior of individual dinosaurs as well as interactions between dinosaurs of the same or different species. There are two principal groups of three-toed dinosaurs, ornithopods and theropods. Determining if a footprint is from an ornithopod or a theropod is a challenging problem. Based on a data set of over 300 dinosaur footprints we train several machine learning models for classifying footprints as either ornithopods or theropods. The data are provided in the form of 20 landmarks for representing each footprint which are derived from images. Variable selection using logistic forward regression demonstrates that the selected landmarks are at locations that are intuitively expected to be especially informative locations, such as the top or the bottom of a footprint. Most models show good accuracy but the recall of ornithopods, of which fewer samples were contained in the data set, was generally lower than the recall of theropods. The Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) stands out as the model which did best at dealing with the class imbalance. Finally, we investigate which footprints were misclassified by the majority of models. We find that some misclassified samples exhibit features that are characteristic of the other class or have a compromised shape, for example, a middle toe that points to the left or the right rather than straight ahead.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28987747.v1
title: Classification of dinosaur footprints using machine learning

description: Fossilized dinosaur footprints enable us to study the behavior of individual dinosaurs as well as interactions between dinosaurs of the same or different species. There are two principal groups of three-toed dinosaurs, ornithopods and theropods. Determining if a footprint is from an ornithopod or a theropod is a challenging problem. Based on a data set of over 300 dinosaur footprints we train several machine learning models for classifying footprints as either ornithopods or theropods. The data are provided in the form of 20 landmarks for representing each footprint which are derived from images. Variable selection using logistic forward regression demonstrates that the selected landmarks are at locations that are intuitively expected to be especially informative locations, such as the top or the bottom of a footprint. Most models show good accuracy but the recall of ornithopods, of which fewer samples were contained in the data set, was generally lower than the recall of theropods. The Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) stands out as the model which did best at dealing with the class imbalance. Finally, we investigate which footprints were misclassified by the majority of models. We find that some misclassified samples exhibit features that are characteristic of the other class or have a compromised shape, for example, a middle toe that points to the left or the right rather than straight ahead.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28387827
title: A new crocodylomorph (Pseudosuchia, Crocodylomorpha) from the Upper Triassic of Texas and its phylogenetic relationships

description: A new crocodylomorph taxon, <i>Pattisaura gracilis</i>, is described based on an associated partial skeleton from the Upper Triassic Dockum Group of northwest Texas. <i>Pattisaura</i> <i>gracilis</i> represents a non-crocodyliform crocodylomorph and can be characterized mainly by a set of character states from the skull, vertebral column, pelvis, and osteoderms. The discovery of <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i> expands the distribution range of non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs in North America. <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i> may be closely related to <i>Redondavenator quayensis</i> from northeast New Mexico. With addition of <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i>, our phylogenetic analysis does not support the monophyly of Sphenosuchia and the presence of an Argentinian clade, a purely North American clade, or a Middle to Late Jurassic Hallopodidae among non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs but confirms the closest relationship of <i>Almadasuchus</i> to Crocodyliformes and partly supports the existence of Solidocrania with <i>Hallopus victor</i> as its most basally branching member. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:572159ED-1546-4434-8AAA-052F56287539
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28435720
title: Anatomical description and systematics of a new notosuchian (Mesoeucrocodylia; Crocodyliformes) from the Quiricó Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Sanfranciscana Basin, Brazil

description: Notosuchians comprise a clade of mostly terrestrial crocodyliforms generally found in Cretaceous Gondwanan deposits. They evolved into many forms and some species show convergences with mammalian features such as the development of a high degree of heterodonty and multicuspid teeth. South American deposits concentrate the highest number of described notosuchian species, which is more than twice the number of taxa known from strata elsewhere. Here, a novel candidodontid notosuchian, <i>Thilastikosuchus scutorectangularis</i><b>,</b> gen. et sp. nov., is presented and described, comprising a new monospecific genus and the oldest notosuchian record found in Brazil, and likely from South America. This new taxon lacks the sharp hypertrophied caniniform teeth of closely related forms, such as <i>Malawisuchus</i> and <i>Pakasuchus</i>, but shares the posterior molariform teeth with increasingly wider crowns and denticulated cingula. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis with the inclusion of the new Brazilian material places Candidodontidae as the earliest notosuchian radiation, shedding new light into its origins.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28435720.v1
title: Anatomical description and systematics of a new notosuchian (Mesoeucrocodylia; Crocodyliformes) from the Quiricó Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Sanfranciscana Basin, Brazil

description: Notosuchians comprise a clade of mostly terrestrial crocodyliforms generally found in Cretaceous Gondwanan deposits. They evolved into many forms and some species show convergences with mammalian features such as the development of a high degree of heterodonty and multicuspid teeth. South American deposits concentrate the highest number of described notosuchian species, which is more than twice the number of taxa known from strata elsewhere. Here, a novel candidodontid notosuchian, <i>Thilastikosuchus scutorectangularis</i><b>,</b> gen. et sp. nov., is presented and described, comprising a new monospecific genus and the oldest notosuchian record found in Brazil, and likely from South America. This new taxon lacks the sharp hypertrophied caniniform teeth of closely related forms, such as <i>Malawisuchus</i> and <i>Pakasuchus</i>, but shares the posterior molariform teeth with increasingly wider crowns and denticulated cingula. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis with the inclusion of the new Brazilian material places Candidodontidae as the earliest notosuchian radiation, shedding new light into its origins.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28512250.v2
title: A new species of <i>Urva</i> (Herpestidae, Carnivora) from late Upper Pleistocene deposits of East Fissure-Fillings, Fanchang, Anhui Province of Eastern China

description: Here we describe and erect a new species, <i>Urva fanchangensis</i>, from the middle or late Early Pleistocene of eastern Asia. <i>Urva fanchangensis</i> is the first known fossil species of the genus, and is a medium-sized member, characterized by moderately sized premolars, a robust P4 with a large parastyle and strong protocone, and transversely widened M1 and M2. It is closely related to the modern <i>U. urva</i> and <i>U. semitorquata</i>. Comparative studies suggest that <i>U. fanchangensis</i> is either the ancestor of <i>U. urva</i> or a common ancestor of <i>U. urva</i> and <i>U. semitorquata</i>. This species provides valuable information for estimating the divergence time of the genus as a node calibration, indicating that the divergence of <i>Urva</i> might occur more recently than previously thought.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28911294
title: Paleoecological implications of the large mammals from a late glacial hyena den at Besaansklip (southwestern Cape, South Africa)

description: Southern Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has long been a focus of research aiming to integrate relationships between Quaternary climate dynamics, terrestrial ecosystem change, and modern human origins. Pleistocene mammal assemblages play a key role in this research. However, a lack of securely dated sites, especially from the western coastal plains of the CFR, has posed a challenge for understanding faunal communities and their connection to Pleistocene climate dynamics. Here, we present the systematic paleontology and paleoecological analysis of the large mammals from Besaansklip, a well-dated late glacial hyena den (∼16,000 years ago) from the west coast of the CFR. We identified &gt;400 mammalian specimens from Besaansklip, which we use to infer past climate and terrestrial environments. Like other Pleistocene fossil assemblages in the region, Besaansklip has a high abundance and diversity of water-dependent grazers, many of which are extinct (e.g., <i>Equus capensis</i> and <i>Syncerus antiquus</i>) or extirpated (e.g., <i>Connochaetes gnou</i>). Stable carbon isotope analysis of ostrich eggshells from Besaansklip suggests a lack of C<sub>4</sub> grasses, implying a cool growing season and dominance of winter rainfall. These findings reinforce previous models suggesting that glacial phases of the Pleistocene were associated with increased moisture availability and productivity, and perhaps an expansion of grassy vegetation in the southwestern Cape.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28911294.v1
title: Paleoecological implications of the large mammals from a late glacial hyena den at Besaansklip (southwestern Cape, South Africa)

description: Southern Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has long been a focus of research aiming to integrate relationships between Quaternary climate dynamics, terrestrial ecosystem change, and modern human origins. Pleistocene mammal assemblages play a key role in this research. However, a lack of securely dated sites, especially from the western coastal plains of the CFR, has posed a challenge for understanding faunal communities and their connection to Pleistocene climate dynamics. Here, we present the systematic paleontology and paleoecological analysis of the large mammals from Besaansklip, a well-dated late glacial hyena den (∼16,000 years ago) from the west coast of the CFR. We identified &gt;400 mammalian specimens from Besaansklip, which we use to infer past climate and terrestrial environments. Like other Pleistocene fossil assemblages in the region, Besaansklip has a high abundance and diversity of water-dependent grazers, many of which are extinct (e.g., <i>Equus capensis</i> and <i>Syncerus antiquus</i>) or extirpated (e.g., <i>Connochaetes gnou</i>). Stable carbon isotope analysis of ostrich eggshells from Besaansklip suggests a lack of C<sub>4</sub> grasses, implying a cool growing season and dominance of winter rainfall. These findings reinforce previous models suggesting that glacial phases of the Pleistocene were associated with increased moisture availability and productivity, and perhaps an expansion of grassy vegetation in the southwestern Cape.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28387827.v1
title: A new crocodylomorph (Pseudosuchia, Crocodylomorpha) from the Upper Triassic of Texas and its phylogenetic relationships

description: A new crocodylomorph taxon, <i>Pattisaura gracilis</i>, is described based on an associated partial skeleton from the Upper Triassic Dockum Group of northwest Texas. <i>Pattisaura</i> <i>gracilis</i> represents a non-crocodyliform crocodylomorph and can be characterized mainly by a set of character states from the skull, vertebral column, pelvis, and osteoderms. The discovery of <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i> expands the distribution range of non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs in North America. <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i> may be closely related to <i>Redondavenator quayensis</i> from northeast New Mexico. With addition of <i>P</i>. <i>gracilis</i>, our phylogenetic analysis does not support the monophyly of Sphenosuchia and the presence of an Argentinian clade, a purely North American clade, or a Middle to Late Jurassic Hallopodidae among non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs but confirms the closest relationship of <i>Almadasuchus</i> to Crocodyliformes and partly supports the existence of Solidocrania with <i>Hallopus victor</i> as its most basally branching member. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:572159ED-1546-4434-8AAA-052F56287539
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29038873
title: A new thyreophoran ichnotaxon from British Columbia, Canada confirms the presence of ankylosaurid dinosaurs in the mid Cretaceous of North America

description: A new thyreophoran trackway morphotype with tridactyl pes tracks is assigned to the new ichnospecies <i>Ruopodosaurus clava</i> ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. This morphotype differs from the well-known ankylosaurian ichnospecies <i>Tetrapodosaurus borealis</i>, which is characterized by tetradactyl pes tracks and has been widely reported from the Cretaceous of North America. Among ankylosaurs, only ankylosaurids have three pedal digits rather than four, making this the first known track morphotype for ankylosaurid ankylosaurs. This new taxon is currently known exclusively from the Cenomanian of northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta, and provides confirmation that ankylosaurid ankylosaurs were present in North America prior to the Campanian–Maastrichtian. <i>Ruopodosaurus clava</i> is found in the same localities and deposits as <i>Tetrapodosaurus borealis</i>, indicating that both ankylosaurid and non-ankylosaurid ankylosaurs co-existed in the mid Cretaceous of the Peace Region.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29038873.v1
title: A new thyreophoran ichnotaxon from British Columbia, Canada confirms the presence of ankylosaurid dinosaurs in the mid Cretaceous of North America

description: A new thyreophoran trackway morphotype with tridactyl pes tracks is assigned to the new ichnospecies <i>Ruopodosaurus clava</i> ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. This morphotype differs from the well-known ankylosaurian ichnospecies <i>Tetrapodosaurus borealis</i>, which is characterized by tetradactyl pes tracks and has been widely reported from the Cretaceous of North America. Among ankylosaurs, only ankylosaurids have three pedal digits rather than four, making this the first known track morphotype for ankylosaurid ankylosaurs. This new taxon is currently known exclusively from the Cenomanian of northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta, and provides confirmation that ankylosaurid ankylosaurs were present in North America prior to the Campanian–Maastrichtian. <i>Ruopodosaurus clava</i> is found in the same localities and deposits as <i>Tetrapodosaurus borealis</i>, indicating that both ankylosaurid and non-ankylosaurid ankylosaurs co-existed in the mid Cretaceous of the Peace Region.
DOI: 10.60893/figshare.pof.30933689
title: Additional Material for Reviewer

description: cover letter
DOI: 10.60893/figshare.pof.30933689.v1
title: Additional Material for Reviewer

description: cover letter
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28573123
title: Novel record of placodont remains including a <i>Henodus</i> cranium from the Upper Triassic Silves Group of the Algarve, southern Portugal

description: Recent fieldwork in the Upper Triassic deposits of the Silves Group in the Algarve, southern Portugal revealed novel cyamodontid placodont material. The collection includes a partial skull and numerous isolated armor plates from four localities in Silves and Loulé municipalities. The skull shows a strong affinity to henodontid placodonts, especially to <i>Henodus chelyops</i> from Tübingen-Lustnau in Germany. It shares features such as a rectangular outline of the cranium, occurrence of a broad spatulate rostrum, and toothless maxillae with curved longitudinally extending grooves. The only unambiguous difference observed pertains to the more robust and convex snout shape of the new specimen. Based on these multiple similarities, the specimen is identified as <i>Henodus</i> sp., but poor preservation prevents species-level identification. The new specimen from Portugal represents the second record of <i>Henodus</i> and illustrates a wider geographic distribution of that genus, extending beyond the Germanic Basin and reaching coastal areas near the westernmost branch of the Neotethys. The age of the deposits where the cranium was found is not well-established but refers to a time interval within the upper Carnian–Rhaetian, suggesting the specimen may be younger than other henodontid records. The novel <i>Henodus</i> material found in the continental, but likely the near-coastal depositional setting, concurs with the known records of brackish to the freshwater habitat of the other henodontid placodonts. The occurrence of abundant armor plates assigned to Cyamodontidae at multiple sites and stratigraphic horizons indicates that placodonts were common in the south Iberian margin.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28573123.v2
title: Novel record of placodont remains including a <i>Henodus</i> cranium from the Upper Triassic Silves Group of the Algarve, southern Portugal

description: Recent fieldwork in the Upper Triassic deposits of the Silves Group in the Algarve, southern Portugal revealed novel cyamodontid placodont material. The collection includes a partial skull and numerous isolated armor plates from four localities in Silves and Loulé municipalities. The skull shows a strong affinity to henodontid placodonts, especially to <i>Henodus chelyops</i> from Tübingen-Lustnau in Germany. It shares features such as a rectangular outline of the cranium, occurrence of a broad spatulate rostrum, and toothless maxillae with curved longitudinally extending grooves. The only unambiguous difference observed pertains to the more robust and convex snout shape of the new specimen. Based on these multiple similarities, the specimen is identified as <i>Henodus</i> sp., but poor preservation prevents species-level identification. The new specimen from Portugal represents the second record of <i>Henodus</i> and illustrates a wider geographic distribution of that genus, extending beyond the Germanic Basin and reaching coastal areas near the westernmost branch of the Neotethys. The age of the deposits where the cranium was found is not well-established but refers to a time interval within the upper Carnian–Rhaetian, suggesting the specimen may be younger than other henodontid records. The novel <i>Henodus</i> material found in the continental, but likely the near-coastal depositional setting, concurs with the known records of brackish to the freshwater habitat of the other henodontid placodonts. The occurrence of abundant armor plates assigned to Cyamodontidae at multiple sites and stratigraphic horizons indicates that placodonts were common in the south Iberian margin.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28416809
title: A juvenile specimen of <i>Sinoconodon rigneyi</i> with new information on pattern of tooth replacement

description: <i>Sinoconodon</i>, an early branching mammaliaform from the Early Jurassic, showcases a unique combination of both plesiomorphic (e.g., sustained and indeterminate growth, over two replacements of teeth) and derived features of mammaliaforms (e.g., jaw joint formed by the squamosal glenoid and dentary condyle, a shallow postdentary trough). Ontogenetic features of its dentition captured by different stages in a growth series are unique among early branching mammaliaforms but detailed knowledge remains scarce. Here we report a newly discovered mandible of <i>Sinoconodon rigneyi</i> from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, Lufeng, Yunnan, China. It has distinct mandibular and dental features of <i>Sinoconodon</i>, e.g., a prominent mandibular condyle leveled to the postcanine alveolar line, a reduced postdentary trough and its medial ridge, and a Meckelian groove parallel to the ventral border of the mandible. This very small mandible also shows two juvenile features of <i>Sinoconodon</i>: two molariform loci medial to the coronoid process and four lower premolariform loci as indicated by alveoli, without a postcanine diastema. The presence of more complete lower premolariform loci is undocumented and new to the known <i>Sinoconodon</i> specimens, augmenting the understanding of tooth development of early ontogenetic stages in <i>Sinoconodon</i>. It reinforces that the development and enlargement of the postcanine diastema is a growth feature indicating maturity of individuals. The aging-indicative pattern of premolariform loss without replacement and with their alveoli plugged is similar to that in other early mammaliaforms, and enhances our understanding of ontogenetic changes of dentition in early branching mammaliaforms.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.28416809.v1
title: A juvenile specimen of <i>Sinoconodon rigneyi</i> with new information on pattern of tooth replacement

description: <i>Sinoconodon</i>, an early branching mammaliaform from the Early Jurassic, showcases a unique combination of both plesiomorphic (e.g., sustained and indeterminate growth, over two replacements of teeth) and derived features of mammaliaforms (e.g., jaw joint formed by the squamosal glenoid and dentary condyle, a shallow postdentary trough). Ontogenetic features of its dentition captured by different stages in a growth series are unique among early branching mammaliaforms but detailed knowledge remains scarce. Here we report a newly discovered mandible of <i>Sinoconodon rigneyi</i> from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, Lufeng, Yunnan, China. It has distinct mandibular and dental features of <i>Sinoconodon</i>, e.g., a prominent mandibular condyle leveled to the postcanine alveolar line, a reduced postdentary trough and its medial ridge, and a Meckelian groove parallel to the ventral border of the mandible. This very small mandible also shows two juvenile features of <i>Sinoconodon</i>: two molariform loci medial to the coronoid process and four lower premolariform loci as indicated by alveoli, without a postcanine diastema. The presence of more complete lower premolariform loci is undocumented and new to the known <i>Sinoconodon</i> specimens, augmenting the understanding of tooth development of early ontogenetic stages in <i>Sinoconodon</i>. It reinforces that the development and enlargement of the postcanine diastema is a growth feature indicating maturity of individuals. The aging-indicative pattern of premolariform loss without replacement and with their alveoli plugged is similar to that in other early mammaliaforms, and enhances our understanding of ontogenetic changes of dentition in early branching mammaliaforms.