Linsangs(Prionodon Horsfield,1822)are small,arboreal feliform carnivorans that live in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China.Several lines of morphological evidence from the soft ti...Linsangs(Prionodon Horsfield,1822)are small,arboreal feliform carnivorans that live in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China.Several lines of morphological evidence from the soft tissues,dentition,and basicranium support their placement in either Prionodontinae or Viverrinae of Viverridae.However,molecular evidence has not only excluded the linsangs from Viverridae but also established that they constitute a monogeneric family Prionodontidae sister to Felidae.For that reason,the examination of the skull osteology of linsangs and related taxa is necessary to better understand how morphological and molecular data-particularly morphology-have contributed to the reconstruction of the Feliformia phylogeny.During the summer field season in July of 2020,we stumbled across the carcass of a spotted linsang(P.pardicolor)in a karst cave on the outskirts of Chongzuo City.To contribute to the knowledge about the morphology of this enigmatic feliform carnivoran,we present a preliminary description of the exterior skull osteology of P.pardicolor.The craniodental morphology provides strong evidence for a closer phylogenetic relationship between P.pardicolor and Viverrinae.However,since both morphological and molecular approaches have inherent limitations,caution is urged when inferring feliform phylogeny based on either discipline alone.展开更多
This study documents a skull of the large cervid Nipponicervus longdanensis from the Early Pleistocene(~2.6-2.1 Ma)of Longdan,Gansu,China.Morphological comparisons indicate that N.longdanensis exhibits the type of“ad...This study documents a skull of the large cervid Nipponicervus longdanensis from the Early Pleistocene(~2.6-2.1 Ma)of Longdan,Gansu,China.Morphological comparisons indicate that N.longdanensis exhibits the type of“adaptive”distal fork(anterior tine smaller and oriented along the beam)that differs from the type species Nipponicervus praenipponicus,while it is aligned with Metacervocerus Dietrich,1938,necessitating reclassification as Metacervocerus longdanensis.The cranium exhibits posteriorly inclined pedicles demonstrating phylogenetic affinity with M.elegans(Nihewan Basin)and M.rhenanus(Europe),while derived features including a shortened neurocranium,rostrally tapered basioccipital,and duplicated P4 protocone distinguish it as an advanced lineage within the genus.Character assessments reveal that Metacervocerus is potentially paraphyletic because Metacervocerus?shansius and Metacervocerus?punjabiensis retain plesiomorphic conditions(elongated braincase,simple P4 morphology),while they exhibit pronouncedly erected pedicles and lyrated antler beams,suggesting a divergent lineage from Metacervocerus longdanensis.Previously published isotopic data(δ^(13)C=−10.9‰±0.9‰,δ^(18)O=−7.5‰±0.9‰,n=4)indicate a semi-open habitat and a browsing-to-mixed feeding ecology of M.longdanensis.This revision resolves persistent taxonomic uncertainties in Eurasian Cervinae while elucidating East Asia’s biogeographic significance in driving cervid morphological radiation during the Plio-Pleistocene transition.展开更多
Our purpose in this paper is to describe the hamster-like rodents(Cricetidae)from a Late Miocene age site in Linxia Basin,Gansu Province,and discuss their significance for the changing ecology of central Asia.The micr...Our purpose in this paper is to describe the hamster-like rodents(Cricetidae)from a Late Miocene age site in Linxia Basin,Gansu Province,and discuss their significance for the changing ecology of central Asia.The micromammal site known as Yihachi was introduced previously(Qiu et al.,2023;Qiu and Li,2023),when its squirrels were discussed in some detail.We take this opportunity to describe the more abundant cricetids.There are four genera,common Nannocricetus and Sinocricetus plus the less abundant living Mesocricetus.A few specimens represent the high-crowned and lophodont Rhinocerodon.The cricetids and other faunal elements indicate an early Late Miocene age,and the pattern of occurrence of the hamster species is consistent with a picture of a changing paleoenvironment due to increasing effects of the East Asia monsoon system.After the disappearance of older and archaic genera,Yihachi represents growing endemism in the Late Miocene of northern China due to increasing seasonal rain and the declining average temperature.展开更多
Eospalax,one of the only two extant genera within the Myospalacinae,has a high species richness.Each species is distinguished by unique cranial and dental morphologies,as well as variations in temporal and spatial dis...Eospalax,one of the only two extant genera within the Myospalacinae,has a high species richness.Each species is distinguished by unique cranial and dental morphologies,as well as variations in temporal and spatial distribution.Consequently,Eospalax serves as a reliable indicator for the biochronologic and paleoenvironmental studies of the Quaternary of East Asia.A recent discovery of a complete fossil skull in a conglomerate deposit,a part of the Lower Pleistocene Sanmen Formation,near Jianyucha Town,Zichang County,northern Shaanxi Province,has been subjected to a detailed analysis.The specimens were identified as Eospalax simplicidens,an extinct species of Eospalax,based on dental morphology.The recent discovery of E.simplicidens in Jianyucha offers significant insights into the species’cranial morphology and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of its geographical distribution.The distinctive feature of the posterodorsal location of the external acoustic meatus indicates either a plesiomorphy or an evolutionary convergence among E.simplicidens,African root rats(Tachyoryctes),and bamboo rats(Rhizomyini).A skull(IVPP V5398.1)and four upper jaws(V5398.2)from Gongwangling in Lantian,Shaanxi,previously identified as Myospalax fontanieri,is transferred to the species E.lingtaiensis.A skull(IVPP RV35055)from Jingou,Xin’an,Henan,previously identified as E.simplicidens,is transferred to the species E.youngianus.In this study,body mass estimates are made for extinct Eospalax.Both E.lingtaiensis and E.simplicidens are small-sized zokors,with an estimated body mass of less than or approximately 300 g,respectively.展开更多
Antilospira is a small to medium-sized antelope with heteronymously spiraled horn cores.It was widely distributed in northern China from the Late Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene.It is a typical fossil bovid with imp...Antilospira is a small to medium-sized antelope with heteronymously spiraled horn cores.It was widely distributed in northern China from the Late Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene.It is a typical fossil bovid with important implications for biostratigraphy and antilopin evolution in China.Antilospira robusta is a species with highly fragmentary materials and has previously only been briefly discussed.Here we report on a new frontal with horn cores from the Early Pleistocene Wucheng Loess in Nalesi Township,Dongxiang Autonomous County,Linxia Basin,Gansu Province.This new material features heteronymously spiraled horn cores,deep longitudinal grooves,a sharp anterior carena on the horn core,and a large body size,which are characteristics similar to those of A.robusta.However,the horn base of the new material is more compressed than all the previously discovered spiral-horned antelopes,so we attributed it to Antilospira cf.A.robusta.This is the first time Antilospira has been found in northwestern China,and this discovery provides more morphological data for the classification of this group.CT scans of the horn core reveal the well-remodeled horn core trabeculae in Antilospira,which is different from what is observed in Spirocerus.The frontal sinuses are moderately developed in the Linxia specimen,extending backwards to the orbit but not to the horn base.The virtual reconstruction of the endocranial cast indicated that Antilospira has bending and narrow frontal lobes,wide temporal lobes,and relatively complex sulci on the cerebral hemisphere,which differ from extant Antilopini bovids in China.展开更多
The study was based on material from the Medvezhiy Klyk Cave,located in the Southern Sikhote-Alin range in the Russian Far East.The aim of this research was to assess the taxonomic composition and changes in the speci...The study was based on material from the Medvezhiy Klyk Cave,located in the Southern Sikhote-Alin range in the Russian Far East.The aim of this research was to assess the taxonomic composition and changes in the species diversity of the Southern Primorye herpetofauna over geological time in response to environmental changes.In the fifth layer of sedimentary deposits in Medvezhiy Klyk Cave(horizons 15-11),corresponding to the Middle Holocene,remains of sixteen extant species of amphibians and squamate reptiles were identified:Bombina orientalis,Bufo sachalinensis,Dryophytes japonicus,Rana amurensis,R.dybowskii,Pelophylax nigromaculatus,Takydromus amurensis,T.wolteri,Zootoca vivipara,Elaphe dione,E.schrenckii,Lycodon rufozonatus,Hebius vibakari,Rhabdophis lateralis,Gloydius intermedius,and G.ussuriensis.Salamandrella sp.was identified only to the genus level due to difficulties in distinguishing species within this genus based on the preserved skeletal elements.Additionally,among the snake remains,some bones could not be assigned to any species in the comparative osteological collection.These remains are classified as Lycodon sp.and Serpentes gen.et sp.indet.They most likely also belong to extant species that currently inhabit regions south of the Russian border.The faunal assemblages of amphibians and reptiles indicate that forest vegetation predominated around the cave during the Middle Holocene,with the most extensive forest cover occurring during the accumulation of horizon 14.This period was also the most favorable for thermophilic and moisture-dependent species,including those whose current ranges lie further south.The climate throughout the deposition of the fifth layer is reconstructed as warmer and more humid than present-day conditions,consistent with other Middle Holocene climate reconstructions.Only horizon 11 corresponds to a relative climatic cooling.展开更多
The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutiona...The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutionary history of Chinese cyprinins have been effectively shaped by the Cenozoic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the evolution of the Asian monsoon.Here,we describe two new fossil fishes from the early and middle Miocene of the Lunpola Basin in central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,preserving the ethmoid and the rear of the occipital regions of the neurocranium,infraorbitals,hyopalatine arch,abdominal vertebrae,and some dorsal-fin pterygiophores and unbranched fin rays.Through detailed morphological comparisons,these fossils show definite affinities to Cyprinidae according to the morphology of the neurocranium,vertebral column,and dorsal fin rays;and one of which is classified into the Series Barbini,while the other can only be assigned to the Cyprinidae family level.These findings reveal that the hinterland of the plateau of the early Neogene should have hosted cyprinin fishes of greater diversity than today.This also indicates a warm-temperate paleoclimate suitable for their survival during that period,consistent with the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatical conditions reconstructed from the contemporaneous mammalian fossil and palynological evidences.展开更多
文摘Linsangs(Prionodon Horsfield,1822)are small,arboreal feliform carnivorans that live in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China.Several lines of morphological evidence from the soft tissues,dentition,and basicranium support their placement in either Prionodontinae or Viverrinae of Viverridae.However,molecular evidence has not only excluded the linsangs from Viverridae but also established that they constitute a monogeneric family Prionodontidae sister to Felidae.For that reason,the examination of the skull osteology of linsangs and related taxa is necessary to better understand how morphological and molecular data-particularly morphology-have contributed to the reconstruction of the Feliformia phylogeny.During the summer field season in July of 2020,we stumbled across the carcass of a spotted linsang(P.pardicolor)in a karst cave on the outskirts of Chongzuo City.To contribute to the knowledge about the morphology of this enigmatic feliform carnivoran,we present a preliminary description of the exterior skull osteology of P.pardicolor.The craniodental morphology provides strong evidence for a closer phylogenetic relationship between P.pardicolor and Viverrinae.However,since both morphological and molecular approaches have inherent limitations,caution is urged when inferring feliform phylogeny based on either discipline alone.
文摘This study documents a skull of the large cervid Nipponicervus longdanensis from the Early Pleistocene(~2.6-2.1 Ma)of Longdan,Gansu,China.Morphological comparisons indicate that N.longdanensis exhibits the type of“adaptive”distal fork(anterior tine smaller and oriented along the beam)that differs from the type species Nipponicervus praenipponicus,while it is aligned with Metacervocerus Dietrich,1938,necessitating reclassification as Metacervocerus longdanensis.The cranium exhibits posteriorly inclined pedicles demonstrating phylogenetic affinity with M.elegans(Nihewan Basin)and M.rhenanus(Europe),while derived features including a shortened neurocranium,rostrally tapered basioccipital,and duplicated P4 protocone distinguish it as an advanced lineage within the genus.Character assessments reveal that Metacervocerus is potentially paraphyletic because Metacervocerus?shansius and Metacervocerus?punjabiensis retain plesiomorphic conditions(elongated braincase,simple P4 morphology),while they exhibit pronouncedly erected pedicles and lyrated antler beams,suggesting a divergent lineage from Metacervocerus longdanensis.Previously published isotopic data(δ^(13)C=−10.9‰±0.9‰,δ^(18)O=−7.5‰±0.9‰,n=4)indicate a semi-open habitat and a browsing-to-mixed feeding ecology of M.longdanensis.This revision resolves persistent taxonomic uncertainties in Eurasian Cervinae while elucidating East Asia’s biogeographic significance in driving cervid morphological radiation during the Plio-Pleistocene transition.
文摘Our purpose in this paper is to describe the hamster-like rodents(Cricetidae)from a Late Miocene age site in Linxia Basin,Gansu Province,and discuss their significance for the changing ecology of central Asia.The micromammal site known as Yihachi was introduced previously(Qiu et al.,2023;Qiu and Li,2023),when its squirrels were discussed in some detail.We take this opportunity to describe the more abundant cricetids.There are four genera,common Nannocricetus and Sinocricetus plus the less abundant living Mesocricetus.A few specimens represent the high-crowned and lophodont Rhinocerodon.The cricetids and other faunal elements indicate an early Late Miocene age,and the pattern of occurrence of the hamster species is consistent with a picture of a changing paleoenvironment due to increasing effects of the East Asia monsoon system.After the disappearance of older and archaic genera,Yihachi represents growing endemism in the Late Miocene of northern China due to increasing seasonal rain and the declining average temperature.
文摘Eospalax,one of the only two extant genera within the Myospalacinae,has a high species richness.Each species is distinguished by unique cranial and dental morphologies,as well as variations in temporal and spatial distribution.Consequently,Eospalax serves as a reliable indicator for the biochronologic and paleoenvironmental studies of the Quaternary of East Asia.A recent discovery of a complete fossil skull in a conglomerate deposit,a part of the Lower Pleistocene Sanmen Formation,near Jianyucha Town,Zichang County,northern Shaanxi Province,has been subjected to a detailed analysis.The specimens were identified as Eospalax simplicidens,an extinct species of Eospalax,based on dental morphology.The recent discovery of E.simplicidens in Jianyucha offers significant insights into the species’cranial morphology and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of its geographical distribution.The distinctive feature of the posterodorsal location of the external acoustic meatus indicates either a plesiomorphy or an evolutionary convergence among E.simplicidens,African root rats(Tachyoryctes),and bamboo rats(Rhizomyini).A skull(IVPP V5398.1)and four upper jaws(V5398.2)from Gongwangling in Lantian,Shaanxi,previously identified as Myospalax fontanieri,is transferred to the species E.lingtaiensis.A skull(IVPP RV35055)from Jingou,Xin’an,Henan,previously identified as E.simplicidens,is transferred to the species E.youngianus.In this study,body mass estimates are made for extinct Eospalax.Both E.lingtaiensis and E.simplicidens are small-sized zokors,with an estimated body mass of less than or approximately 300 g,respectively.
文摘Antilospira is a small to medium-sized antelope with heteronymously spiraled horn cores.It was widely distributed in northern China from the Late Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene.It is a typical fossil bovid with important implications for biostratigraphy and antilopin evolution in China.Antilospira robusta is a species with highly fragmentary materials and has previously only been briefly discussed.Here we report on a new frontal with horn cores from the Early Pleistocene Wucheng Loess in Nalesi Township,Dongxiang Autonomous County,Linxia Basin,Gansu Province.This new material features heteronymously spiraled horn cores,deep longitudinal grooves,a sharp anterior carena on the horn core,and a large body size,which are characteristics similar to those of A.robusta.However,the horn base of the new material is more compressed than all the previously discovered spiral-horned antelopes,so we attributed it to Antilospira cf.A.robusta.This is the first time Antilospira has been found in northwestern China,and this discovery provides more morphological data for the classification of this group.CT scans of the horn core reveal the well-remodeled horn core trabeculae in Antilospira,which is different from what is observed in Spirocerus.The frontal sinuses are moderately developed in the Linxia specimen,extending backwards to the orbit but not to the horn base.The virtual reconstruction of the endocranial cast indicated that Antilospira has bending and narrow frontal lobes,wide temporal lobes,and relatively complex sulci on the cerebral hemisphere,which differ from extant Antilopini bovids in China.
基金carried out within the state assignment of Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (theme No. 124012200182-1)
文摘The study was based on material from the Medvezhiy Klyk Cave,located in the Southern Sikhote-Alin range in the Russian Far East.The aim of this research was to assess the taxonomic composition and changes in the species diversity of the Southern Primorye herpetofauna over geological time in response to environmental changes.In the fifth layer of sedimentary deposits in Medvezhiy Klyk Cave(horizons 15-11),corresponding to the Middle Holocene,remains of sixteen extant species of amphibians and squamate reptiles were identified:Bombina orientalis,Bufo sachalinensis,Dryophytes japonicus,Rana amurensis,R.dybowskii,Pelophylax nigromaculatus,Takydromus amurensis,T.wolteri,Zootoca vivipara,Elaphe dione,E.schrenckii,Lycodon rufozonatus,Hebius vibakari,Rhabdophis lateralis,Gloydius intermedius,and G.ussuriensis.Salamandrella sp.was identified only to the genus level due to difficulties in distinguishing species within this genus based on the preserved skeletal elements.Additionally,among the snake remains,some bones could not be assigned to any species in the comparative osteological collection.These remains are classified as Lycodon sp.and Serpentes gen.et sp.indet.They most likely also belong to extant species that currently inhabit regions south of the Russian border.The faunal assemblages of amphibians and reptiles indicate that forest vegetation predominated around the cave during the Middle Holocene,with the most extensive forest cover occurring during the accumulation of horizon 14.This period was also the most favorable for thermophilic and moisture-dependent species,including those whose current ranges lie further south.The climate throughout the deposition of the fifth layer is reconstructed as warmer and more humid than present-day conditions,consistent with other Middle Holocene climate reconstructions.Only horizon 11 corresponds to a relative climatic cooling.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42272013)the National Key Research and Development Project of China(2024YFF0807603,2023YFF0804501)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42302017,41872006)the NSFC BSCTPES project(No.41988101).
文摘The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutionary history of Chinese cyprinins have been effectively shaped by the Cenozoic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the evolution of the Asian monsoon.Here,we describe two new fossil fishes from the early and middle Miocene of the Lunpola Basin in central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,preserving the ethmoid and the rear of the occipital regions of the neurocranium,infraorbitals,hyopalatine arch,abdominal vertebrae,and some dorsal-fin pterygiophores and unbranched fin rays.Through detailed morphological comparisons,these fossils show definite affinities to Cyprinidae according to the morphology of the neurocranium,vertebral column,and dorsal fin rays;and one of which is classified into the Series Barbini,while the other can only be assigned to the Cyprinidae family level.These findings reveal that the hinterland of the plateau of the early Neogene should have hosted cyprinin fishes of greater diversity than today.This also indicates a warm-temperate paleoclimate suitable for their survival during that period,consistent with the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatical conditions reconstructed from the contemporaneous mammalian fossil and palynological evidences.
