The pterosaur collection at the Natural History Museum is of great historical importance. Most of the material is figured or cited, and several specimens are types or casts of types. Pterosaurs from UK localities are ...The pterosaur collection at the Natural History Museum is of great historical importance. Most of the material is figured or cited, and several specimens are types or casts of types. Pterosaurs from UK localities are well represented, but foreign material is also present as original specimens and as high quality casts. The entire collection has been recorded in a database and curatorial improvements have been made, which has improved physical and virtual access to the collection. Although many of the specimens were collected as long ago as the early 1800s, they are still useful today. A full list of Natural History Museum pterosaur specimens is published, for the first time since 1888.展开更多
In response to new European Union regulations,studies are underway to mitigate accumulation of toxic cadmium(Cd)in cacao(Theobroma cacao,Tc).This study advances such research with Cd isotope analyses of 19 genetically...In response to new European Union regulations,studies are underway to mitigate accumulation of toxic cadmium(Cd)in cacao(Theobroma cacao,Tc).This study advances such research with Cd isotope analyses of 19 genetically diverse cacao clones and yeast transformed to express cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage protein(NRAMP5)and heavy metal ATPases(HMAs).The plants were enriched in light Cd isotopes relative to the hydroponic solution withΔ^(114/110)Cd_(tot-sol)=−0.22±0.08‰.Leaves show a systematic enrichment of isotopically heavy Cd relative to total plants,in accord with closed-system isotope fractionation ofΔ^(114/110)C_(dseq-mob)=−0.13‰,by sequestering isotopically light Cd in roots/stems and mobilisation of remaining Cd to leaves.The findings demonstrate that(i)transfer of Cd between roots and leaves is primarily unidirectional;(ii)different clones utilise similar pathways for Cd sequestration,which differ from those of other studied plants;(iii)clones differ in their efficiency of Cd sequestration.Transgenic yeast that expresses TcNRAMP5(T.cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage gene)had isotopically lighter Cd than did cacao.This suggests that NRAMP5 transporters constitute an important pathway for uptake of Cd by cacao.Cd isotope signatures of transgenic yeast expressing HMA-family proteins suggest that they may contribute to Cd sequestration.The data are the first to record isotope fractionation induced by transporter proteins in vivo.展开更多
In the last couple of years the Museum developed a project financed by the National Agency for Culture and Technology in partnership with four schools from Lisbon.The guidelines of this project were the climate change...In the last couple of years the Museum developed a project financed by the National Agency for Culture and Technology in partnership with four schools from Lisbon.The guidelines of this project were the climate change and its influence on human lives in our society and on other living beings."Changing climate, changing lives",our project,evolved 8 months work of about 150 high school grade students,in which展开更多
Nowadays many urban museums are situated in ever-changing cities face with problems regardingspace and architecture. The main question this paper wants to discuss is how the museum could achieve accessibilityand inclu...Nowadays many urban museums are situated in ever-changing cities face with problems regardingspace and architecture. The main question this paper wants to discuss is how the museum could achieve accessibilityand inclusiveness to a greater extent via rethinking and reshaping its space, both physically and vir -tually,Based on practices conducted by the Museum of London since its establishment in the 20th century, Iendeavour to understand how the museum architecture was established during the negotiation and compro -mise among different individuals and parties and to extend the conception by exploring the possibilities of expanding out of the traditional realm of the museum architecture.展开更多
Suid is one of the most common taxa among the Pleistocene mammalian fauna in China.However,its phylogenetic taxonomy and evolution are far from clear.The newly recovered suid fossil materials from the Early Pleistocen...Suid is one of the most common taxa among the Pleistocene mammalian fauna in China.However,its phylogenetic taxonomy and evolution are far from clear.The newly recovered suid fossil materials from the Early Pleistocene Shanshenmiaozui site in Nihewan Basin in North China provide new insight into the evolution of its kind in North China.The new materials include partial skulls and mandibles of males,and most of their teeth were preserved in situ.The specimens can be referred to the species Sus lydekkeri,which is the only species of Sus found in North China from the Early Pleistocene.The fossils of the once reported Pleistocene species“Potamochoerus chinhsienensis”should also be provisionally included in the species S.lydekkeri according to its form and size,which at least now excludes it from Potamochoerus.The species S.lydekkeri is very close to the extant species S.scrofa,and even was combined into the latter as a chronological subspecies by some authors,while its larger size,prominent preorbital fossa,backwardly positioned infraorbital foramen,frequently appearing verrucosic type(at least the intermediate type of the male lower canine),and simple crown structures support its validness as an independent species.The Early Pleistocene forms are characterized by a larger size,lower L/W ratio of cheekteeth,both upper and lower M3s having no more than three lobes,and the male lower canine is exclusively of a verrucosic type.Suid fossils are a very good indicator of paleoenvironments and paleoclimate.Both the northern and the southern faunas in China contain suid fossils throughout the Pleistocene Epoch,while the southern fauna has prominently more diversified taxa and more abundant fossil collections;whether that is caused by different origins or by environmental modifications is still not clear.展开更多
This report is about the first record of non-avian dinosaur eggs in the Hefei Basin,Anhui Province,China.Based on the combination of elongated egg body,linear ridges on the outer surface and two structure layer,the eg...This report is about the first record of non-avian dinosaur eggs in the Hefei Basin,Anhui Province,China.Based on the combination of elongated egg body,linear ridges on the outer surface and two structure layer,the eggs can be referred to Elongatoolithidae.The gradual boundary between the cone and the column layers as well as the relative thin eggshell(less than 1 mm)indicates its affinity within Elongatoolithus.The eggs are identified as Elongatoolithus oosp.,as they were severely compressed and experienced erosion on both inner and outer surfaces.The discovery of egg fossil in the Hefei Basin offers evidence for stratum comparison in this region and supplements the diversity of egg fossils in Anhui.Meanwhile,this discovery also enriches the paleogeographic distribution of elongatoolithids.展开更多
The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells hav...The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells have been reported.The newly discovered material 41HⅤ0199 was excavated from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in 2021.The block preserves eight complete eggs arranged in two partial rings that form a partial clutch,and there are some scattered eggshells preserved closely with the block,showing a concave-up to concave-down ratio of 54.5:45.5,which indicates that the scattered eggshells come from the clutch and the clutch had been partially broken before it was buried.Based on morphological and microstructural characteristics,the eggs and eggshells can be assigned to Macroolithus yaotunensis(Elongatoolithidae),an oospecies known to be related to oviraptorids,which leads Yulong mini to be its probable producer.Besides,some eggshells show microstructural signs indicating egg retention,which marks the second example of egg retention in the oofamily Elongatoolithidae.展开更多
The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthen...The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthenictis,Leptarctus).The timing and composition of dispersers are thought to be controlled by filter-bridge mechanisms,but it is unclear what types of regional conditions promoted occasional dispersals outside of the three major waves.We study and report on new occurrences of small-bodied carnivorans from late Clarendonian-aged Black Hawk Ranch and Cuyama Valley fossil mammal assemblages in California.The relatively late occurrences of the mustelids Sthenictis and Hoplictis and the ailurid Alopecocyon in coastal regions of western North America suggest that nearshore dispersal corridors both facilitate and preserve faunal elements later than they might otherwise occur further inland.The availability of both marine-and terrestrially-derived food resources may be an important factor in allowing coastally dispersing taxa to be accommodated in those ecological communities compared to less heterogenous environments further inland.展开更多
Several tritylodontid taxa have been reported from the Upper Jurassic of the Wucaiwan area in the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang,northwestern China,including Yuanotherium minor.The original study described the partially pr...Several tritylodontid taxa have been reported from the Upper Jurassic of the Wucaiwan area in the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang,northwestern China,including Yuanotherium minor.The original study described the partially preserved postcanine teeth in the middle of the left upper maxilla.After detailed re-examination of the specimen and by CT scanning,3D reconstruction,and scanning electron microscopy observations,we provided a more detailed description of the osteology,neurosensory,and tooth wear pattern for all the bones preserved in this specimen and clarified some characters.Based on new information about the cusp wear pattern,the chewing movement pattern of the dentition and detailed cusp morphology,we discussed the cuspal homology of upper cheek teeth of tritylodontids and postulate a standardized method for cusp identification.We hypothesize that the unique maxilla characteristics furnish the evidence for transitional stages about the evolution of the upper jaw-palate structure in tritylodontids.展开更多
This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of t...This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of this species,allowing for further comparisons with other short-faced hedgehogs.Previously,E.pustulatus had only been recorded from the Hsanda Gol Formation at Taatsiin Gol,in the Valley of Lakes,Mongolia.This discovery of new material from Sonid Left Banner marks the first occurrence of the genus Exallerix in China.In addition,discussions of other short-faced hedgehog fossils from Chinese localities confirm the validity of Metexallerix gaolanshanensis,which lived during the late Late Oligocene,approximately 25 Ma.Furthermore,the short-faced hedgehog specimens from locality Damiao 16 in Nei Mongol are tentatively referred to Synexallerix junggarensis,rather than M.gaolanshanensis.展开更多
The collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates during the Eocene represents a major tectonic shift that significantly altered biotic dynamics and promoted species diversification across the Oriental region.To explain...The collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates during the Eocene represents a major tectonic shift that significantly altered biotic dynamics and promoted species diversification across the Oriental region.To explain the diversification of taxa from the Indian subcontinent into Southeast Asia,two principal hypotheses have been proposed:the“Biotic-ferry”and“Step-stone”models.The subfamily Perittopinae,a lineage of semi-aquatic bugs comprising a single genus and 20 extant species,provides an ideal system for testing these hypotheses due to its disjunct distribution spanning the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.This study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic analysis of the entire subfamily,incorporating newly defined morphological characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and historical biogeography.Morphological and phylogenetic evidence confirmed the monophyly of Perittopinae and supported the establishment of three new genera-Indoperittopus gen.nov.,Pachyperittopus gen.nov.,and Falciperittopus gen.nov.-in addition to four new species and four new combinations.Biogeographic reconstructions indicated a southern Indian origin,with initial diversification potentially occurring during the mid-Paleocene,coinciding with the major phases of the India-Eurasia collision.Subsequent range expansion over marine barriers facilitated colonization of the northern Sunda Shelf,consistent with the“Step-stone”dispersal mechanism.Later northward expansion from the southern Sunda Shelf during the early Miocene triggered further diversification of the genus Perittopus within the Indo-China Peninsula.These findings advance understanding of Perittopinae systematics,phylogeny,and historical biogeography,identifying the northward drift of the Indian plate and its eventual collision with Eurasia as catalysts of diversification within this semi-aquatic lineage.展开更多
Cave lion(Panthera spelaea)remains have been described in all the Holarctic domain,however,its records in China are very rare.Here we describe an almost complete cranium from Salawusu,Northern China.Even though the de...Cave lion(Panthera spelaea)remains have been described in all the Holarctic domain,however,its records in China are very rare.Here we describe an almost complete cranium from Salawusu,Northern China.Even though the dentition is largely broken or missing,the cranium shows key characters with clear cave lion affinity,particularly from the basicranium region.These features include wide and short nasals,wide rostrum without post-canine constriction,enlarged ectotympanic,flatted entotympanic,separated stylomastoid foramen and hyoid fossa and medially located hypoglossal foramen.The cranium is larger than the known cranial size range of Beringia cave lion P.spelaea vereshchagini,suggesting that the geographical delimitation of cave lion subspecies may be more complex than previously understood.The coexistence of cave lion with Palaeoloxodon in Salawusu indicates a high plasticity in diet and environmental adaptation for this species.展开更多
A prevailing theory suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered environmental changes,which compelled dinosaurs to migrate in search of new habitats.Compelling evidence for this hypothesis has now been discovered in th...A prevailing theory suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered environmental changes,which compelled dinosaurs to migrate in search of new habitats.Compelling evidence for this hypothesis has now been discovered in the Tunxi Basin of eastern China.During the Late Mesozoic,the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath southeastern China led to multi-stage volcanic activity.The Tunxi Formation in the basin,the first reported Upper Jurassic volcanic unit in the eastern Jiangnan orogen.It overlies the stratum bearing the easternmost mamenchisaurids,which is the dominant Asian sauropod lineage.Geochemical analyses suggest its affinity with coeval magmatism in southeastern China,while new rhyolite zircon U-Pb dating yields an age of 151.6±2.2 Ma,further indicating a transition from arc magmatism to back-arc extension driven by Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Late Jurassic.These studies also confirm that,as early as 156 Ma,the Tunxi Basin was already a key habitat for mamenchisaurids.The Late Jurassic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate caused extensive magmatism across eastern China.This intense tectonic shift likely induced abrupt environmental changes in relative basins.Severe volcanic activity drastically reduced the habitat of mamenchisaurids,prompting a northwestward and southward radiation trend-presents a coherent scene of volcanic eruptions,environmental catastrophe,and dinosaurs migrating.展开更多
We report new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,zircon Lu-Hf isotopic and whole rock geochemical data from Permian granitoids located in the Alxa area of Inner Mongolia,China.In combination with published geochronological and g...We report new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,zircon Lu-Hf isotopic and whole rock geochemical data from Permian granitoids located in the Alxa area of Inner Mongolia,China.In combination with published geochronological and geochemical data,the granitoids in the region can be divided into two age groups:ca.285 Ma and ca.269 Ma.The granitoids of the first group are mainly composed of calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline,weakly peraluminous Ⅰ-type granodiorites with ε_(Hf)(t)values of-19.6 to-4.3,which demonstrates evidence of crustal reworking;the granitoids of the second group,however,mainly consist of A-type granites that are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite,metaluminous to weakly peraluminous,and have high 10,000×Ga/Al ratios(2.59-3.12)and ε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-11.3 to-2.7,all of which demonstrates a mixed crust-mantle source.We interpret the granitoids of the first group to have formed during the subduction of Central Asian oceanic crust and the second group to have formed by the asthenospheric upwelling caused by the formation of slab windows during late ocean ridge subduction.展开更多
We report a new eusauropod dinosaur,Huashanosaurus qini gen.et sp.nov.,based on a partial skeleton recovered from a bed in the Lower to Middle Jurassic Wangmen Formation(Fm.)from Huqiu Quarry near Mingjiang River,Ning...We report a new eusauropod dinosaur,Huashanosaurus qini gen.et sp.nov.,based on a partial skeleton recovered from a bed in the Lower to Middle Jurassic Wangmen Formation(Fm.)from Huqiu Quarry near Mingjiang River,Ningming County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,southern China.The new taxon can be diagnosed by the following autapomorphies:posterior process of the ulna hook-shaped;the cross-section of the proximal part of the ulna crescent-shaped;groove structure present at the posterodistal surface of the fibula.Phylogenetic analysis reveals that H.qini is later-diverging than the Middle Jurassic Shunosaurus.Previous work showed that the Wangmen Fm.is early Early Jurassic in age whereas the new eusauropod discovery indicates that the Wangmen Fm.is probably somewhat younger Early-Middle Jurassic in age.The find increases the diversity of Jurassic eusauropods in China.展开更多
1.Objectives Dinosaur fossils were first discovered from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1960s,mainly including fossil bones and teeth from the Cretaceous.Only one dorsal vertebra and one ischium were reported fro...1.Objectives Dinosaur fossils were first discovered from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1960s,mainly including fossil bones and teeth from the Cretaceous.Only one dorsal vertebra and one ischium were reported from the Late Jurassic at Jiangshan Island of Fangchenggang City in 2007.展开更多
基金the Palaeontology Investment Fund committee for agreeing to fund my attendance at the 3rdInternational Symposium on Pterosaurs in Beijing
文摘The pterosaur collection at the Natural History Museum is of great historical importance. Most of the material is figured or cited, and several specimens are types or casts of types. Pterosaurs from UK localities are well represented, but foreign material is also present as original specimens and as high quality casts. The entire collection has been recorded in a database and curatorial improvements have been made, which has improved physical and virtual access to the collection. Although many of the specimens were collected as long ago as the early 1800s, they are still useful today. A full list of Natural History Museum pterosaur specimens is published, for the first time since 1888.
基金supported by grants from the GCRF programmes of STFC(grants ST/P003257/1,4070200262)and UKRI(grant EP/S515875/1)to M.R.as well as funding from Mars Wrigley Confectionery to J.M.D.and M.R.and Cocoa Research UK to J.M.D.V.H.d.O.was supported by CAPES(Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil)[project:13462-13-0].
文摘In response to new European Union regulations,studies are underway to mitigate accumulation of toxic cadmium(Cd)in cacao(Theobroma cacao,Tc).This study advances such research with Cd isotope analyses of 19 genetically diverse cacao clones and yeast transformed to express cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage protein(NRAMP5)and heavy metal ATPases(HMAs).The plants were enriched in light Cd isotopes relative to the hydroponic solution withΔ^(114/110)Cd_(tot-sol)=−0.22±0.08‰.Leaves show a systematic enrichment of isotopically heavy Cd relative to total plants,in accord with closed-system isotope fractionation ofΔ^(114/110)C_(dseq-mob)=−0.13‰,by sequestering isotopically light Cd in roots/stems and mobilisation of remaining Cd to leaves.The findings demonstrate that(i)transfer of Cd between roots and leaves is primarily unidirectional;(ii)different clones utilise similar pathways for Cd sequestration,which differ from those of other studied plants;(iii)clones differ in their efficiency of Cd sequestration.Transgenic yeast that expresses TcNRAMP5(T.cacao natural resistance-associated macrophage gene)had isotopically lighter Cd than did cacao.This suggests that NRAMP5 transporters constitute an important pathway for uptake of Cd by cacao.Cd isotope signatures of transgenic yeast expressing HMA-family proteins suggest that they may contribute to Cd sequestration.The data are the first to record isotope fractionation induced by transporter proteins in vivo.
文摘In the last couple of years the Museum developed a project financed by the National Agency for Culture and Technology in partnership with four schools from Lisbon.The guidelines of this project were the climate change and its influence on human lives in our society and on other living beings."Changing climate, changing lives",our project,evolved 8 months work of about 150 high school grade students,in which
文摘Nowadays many urban museums are situated in ever-changing cities face with problems regardingspace and architecture. The main question this paper wants to discuss is how the museum could achieve accessibilityand inclusiveness to a greater extent via rethinking and reshaping its space, both physically and vir -tually,Based on practices conducted by the Museum of London since its establishment in the 20th century, Iendeavour to understand how the museum architecture was established during the negotiation and compro -mise among different individuals and parties and to extend the conception by exploring the possibilities of expanding out of the traditional realm of the museum architecture.
文摘Suid is one of the most common taxa among the Pleistocene mammalian fauna in China.However,its phylogenetic taxonomy and evolution are far from clear.The newly recovered suid fossil materials from the Early Pleistocene Shanshenmiaozui site in Nihewan Basin in North China provide new insight into the evolution of its kind in North China.The new materials include partial skulls and mandibles of males,and most of their teeth were preserved in situ.The specimens can be referred to the species Sus lydekkeri,which is the only species of Sus found in North China from the Early Pleistocene.The fossils of the once reported Pleistocene species“Potamochoerus chinhsienensis”should also be provisionally included in the species S.lydekkeri according to its form and size,which at least now excludes it from Potamochoerus.The species S.lydekkeri is very close to the extant species S.scrofa,and even was combined into the latter as a chronological subspecies by some authors,while its larger size,prominent preorbital fossa,backwardly positioned infraorbital foramen,frequently appearing verrucosic type(at least the intermediate type of the male lower canine),and simple crown structures support its validness as an independent species.The Early Pleistocene forms are characterized by a larger size,lower L/W ratio of cheekteeth,both upper and lower M3s having no more than three lobes,and the male lower canine is exclusively of a verrucosic type.Suid fossils are a very good indicator of paleoenvironments and paleoclimate.Both the northern and the southern faunas in China contain suid fossils throughout the Pleistocene Epoch,while the southern fauna has prominently more diversified taxa and more abundant fossil collections;whether that is caused by different origins or by environmental modifications is still not clear.
文摘This report is about the first record of non-avian dinosaur eggs in the Hefei Basin,Anhui Province,China.Based on the combination of elongated egg body,linear ridges on the outer surface and two structure layer,the eggs can be referred to Elongatoolithidae.The gradual boundary between the cone and the column layers as well as the relative thin eggshell(less than 1 mm)indicates its affinity within Elongatoolithus.The eggs are identified as Elongatoolithus oosp.,as they were severely compressed and experienced erosion on both inner and outer surfaces.The discovery of egg fossil in the Hefei Basin offers evidence for stratum comparison in this region and supplements the diversity of egg fossils in Anhui.Meanwhile,this discovery also enriches the paleogeographic distribution of elongatoolithids.
文摘The Upper Cretaceous of Tantou Basin in western Henan has yielded many vertebrate fossils,which are featured by several non-avian dinosaurs.Meanwhile,studies on their eggs were yet inadequate though many eggshells have been reported.The newly discovered material 41HⅤ0199 was excavated from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation in 2021.The block preserves eight complete eggs arranged in two partial rings that form a partial clutch,and there are some scattered eggshells preserved closely with the block,showing a concave-up to concave-down ratio of 54.5:45.5,which indicates that the scattered eggshells come from the clutch and the clutch had been partially broken before it was buried.Based on morphological and microstructural characteristics,the eggs and eggshells can be assigned to Macroolithus yaotunensis(Elongatoolithidae),an oospecies known to be related to oviraptorids,which leads Yulong mini to be its probable producer.Besides,some eggshells show microstructural signs indicating egg retention,which marks the second example of egg retention in the oofamily Elongatoolithidae.
文摘The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthenictis,Leptarctus).The timing and composition of dispersers are thought to be controlled by filter-bridge mechanisms,but it is unclear what types of regional conditions promoted occasional dispersals outside of the three major waves.We study and report on new occurrences of small-bodied carnivorans from late Clarendonian-aged Black Hawk Ranch and Cuyama Valley fossil mammal assemblages in California.The relatively late occurrences of the mustelids Sthenictis and Hoplictis and the ailurid Alopecocyon in coastal regions of western North America suggest that nearshore dispersal corridors both facilitate and preserve faunal elements later than they might otherwise occur further inland.The availability of both marine-and terrestrially-derived food resources may be an important factor in allowing coastally dispersing taxa to be accommodated in those ecological communities compared to less heterogenous environments further inland.
文摘Several tritylodontid taxa have been reported from the Upper Jurassic of the Wucaiwan area in the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang,northwestern China,including Yuanotherium minor.The original study described the partially preserved postcanine teeth in the middle of the left upper maxilla.After detailed re-examination of the specimen and by CT scanning,3D reconstruction,and scanning electron microscopy observations,we provided a more detailed description of the osteology,neurosensory,and tooth wear pattern for all the bones preserved in this specimen and clarified some characters.Based on new information about the cusp wear pattern,the chewing movement pattern of the dentition and detailed cusp morphology,we discussed the cuspal homology of upper cheek teeth of tritylodontids and postulate a standardized method for cusp identification.We hypothesize that the unique maxilla characteristics furnish the evidence for transitional stages about the evolution of the upper jaw-palate structure in tritylodontids.
文摘This article describes new fossil material of Exallerix pustulatus from the early Late Oligocene of Nei Mongol,China.The specimens supplement and clarify certain mandibular and lower dental morphological features of this species,allowing for further comparisons with other short-faced hedgehogs.Previously,E.pustulatus had only been recorded from the Hsanda Gol Formation at Taatsiin Gol,in the Valley of Lakes,Mongolia.This discovery of new material from Sonid Left Banner marks the first occurrence of the genus Exallerix in China.In addition,discussions of other short-faced hedgehog fossils from Chinese localities confirm the validity of Metexallerix gaolanshanensis,which lived during the late Late Oligocene,approximately 25 Ma.Furthermore,the short-faced hedgehog specimens from locality Damiao 16 in Nei Mongol are tentatively referred to Synexallerix junggarensis,rather than M.gaolanshanensis.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin,China(24JCYBJC01910)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32322012,32470467)。
文摘The collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates during the Eocene represents a major tectonic shift that significantly altered biotic dynamics and promoted species diversification across the Oriental region.To explain the diversification of taxa from the Indian subcontinent into Southeast Asia,two principal hypotheses have been proposed:the“Biotic-ferry”and“Step-stone”models.The subfamily Perittopinae,a lineage of semi-aquatic bugs comprising a single genus and 20 extant species,provides an ideal system for testing these hypotheses due to its disjunct distribution spanning the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.This study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic analysis of the entire subfamily,incorporating newly defined morphological characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and historical biogeography.Morphological and phylogenetic evidence confirmed the monophyly of Perittopinae and supported the establishment of three new genera-Indoperittopus gen.nov.,Pachyperittopus gen.nov.,and Falciperittopus gen.nov.-in addition to four new species and four new combinations.Biogeographic reconstructions indicated a southern Indian origin,with initial diversification potentially occurring during the mid-Paleocene,coinciding with the major phases of the India-Eurasia collision.Subsequent range expansion over marine barriers facilitated colonization of the northern Sunda Shelf,consistent with the“Step-stone”dispersal mechanism.Later northward expansion from the southern Sunda Shelf during the early Miocene triggered further diversification of the genus Perittopus within the Indo-China Peninsula.These findings advance understanding of Perittopinae systematics,phylogeny,and historical biogeography,identifying the northward drift of the Indian plate and its eventual collision with Eurasia as catalysts of diversification within this semi-aquatic lineage.
文摘Cave lion(Panthera spelaea)remains have been described in all the Holarctic domain,however,its records in China are very rare.Here we describe an almost complete cranium from Salawusu,Northern China.Even though the dentition is largely broken or missing,the cranium shows key characters with clear cave lion affinity,particularly from the basicranium region.These features include wide and short nasals,wide rostrum without post-canine constriction,enlarged ectotympanic,flatted entotympanic,separated stylomastoid foramen and hyoid fossa and medially located hypoglossal foramen.The cranium is larger than the known cranial size range of Beringia cave lion P.spelaea vereshchagini,suggesting that the geographical delimitation of cave lion subspecies may be more complex than previously understood.The coexistence of cave lion with Palaeoloxodon in Salawusu indicates a high plasticity in diet and environmental adaptation for this species.
基金supported by the China Geological Survey(DD20230221)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42102018)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB26000000).
文摘A prevailing theory suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered environmental changes,which compelled dinosaurs to migrate in search of new habitats.Compelling evidence for this hypothesis has now been discovered in the Tunxi Basin of eastern China.During the Late Mesozoic,the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath southeastern China led to multi-stage volcanic activity.The Tunxi Formation in the basin,the first reported Upper Jurassic volcanic unit in the eastern Jiangnan orogen.It overlies the stratum bearing the easternmost mamenchisaurids,which is the dominant Asian sauropod lineage.Geochemical analyses suggest its affinity with coeval magmatism in southeastern China,while new rhyolite zircon U-Pb dating yields an age of 151.6±2.2 Ma,further indicating a transition from arc magmatism to back-arc extension driven by Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Late Jurassic.These studies also confirm that,as early as 156 Ma,the Tunxi Basin was already a key habitat for mamenchisaurids.The Late Jurassic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate caused extensive magmatism across eastern China.This intense tectonic shift likely induced abrupt environmental changes in relative basins.Severe volcanic activity drastically reduced the habitat of mamenchisaurids,prompting a northwestward and southward radiation trend-presents a coherent scene of volcanic eruptions,environmental catastrophe,and dinosaurs migrating.
基金financially supported by the Geological Survey of China(Grant Nos.DD20240075,and DD20243516)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41872209)Basic Scientific Research Fund of the Institute of Geology,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences(Grant No.J2314)。
文摘We report new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,zircon Lu-Hf isotopic and whole rock geochemical data from Permian granitoids located in the Alxa area of Inner Mongolia,China.In combination with published geochronological and geochemical data,the granitoids in the region can be divided into two age groups:ca.285 Ma and ca.269 Ma.The granitoids of the first group are mainly composed of calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline,weakly peraluminous Ⅰ-type granodiorites with ε_(Hf)(t)values of-19.6 to-4.3,which demonstrates evidence of crustal reworking;the granitoids of the second group,however,mainly consist of A-type granites that are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite,metaluminous to weakly peraluminous,and have high 10,000×Ga/Al ratios(2.59-3.12)and ε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-11.3 to-2.7,all of which demonstrates a mixed crust-mantle source.We interpret the granitoids of the first group to have formed during the subduction of Central Asian oceanic crust and the second group to have formed by the asthenospheric upwelling caused by the formation of slab windows during late ocean ridge subduction.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi(Grant No.2023GXNSFAA026496)the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42288201)the Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program(Grant No.202305AB350006).
文摘We report a new eusauropod dinosaur,Huashanosaurus qini gen.et sp.nov.,based on a partial skeleton recovered from a bed in the Lower to Middle Jurassic Wangmen Formation(Fm.)from Huqiu Quarry near Mingjiang River,Ningming County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,southern China.The new taxon can be diagnosed by the following autapomorphies:posterior process of the ulna hook-shaped;the cross-section of the proximal part of the ulna crescent-shaped;groove structure present at the posterodistal surface of the fibula.Phylogenetic analysis reveals that H.qini is later-diverging than the Middle Jurassic Shunosaurus.Previous work showed that the Wangmen Fm.is early Early Jurassic in age whereas the new eusauropod discovery indicates that the Wangmen Fm.is probably somewhat younger Early-Middle Jurassic in age.The find increases the diversity of Jurassic eusauropods in China.
基金This work is supported by China Geological Survey(DD20230221)Department of Natural Resources of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region(GXZC2022-C3-001314-GXCJ).
文摘1.Objectives Dinosaur fossils were first discovered from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1960s,mainly including fossil bones and teeth from the Cretaceous.Only one dorsal vertebra and one ischium were reported from the Late Jurassic at Jiangshan Island of Fangchenggang City in 2007.
