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Spinicaudatans and ostracods form two components of the diverse arthropod fauna from the Montceau Lagerstätte (Stephanian, France). Spinicaudatans are represented by Montcestheria orri gen. and sp. nov. and Euestheria feysi sp. nov., and ostracods by a single species, Carbonita sp. aff. salteriana (Jones, 1862). Allied forms such as Montcestheria sp. aff. orri, Montcestheria sp. and Euestheria cebennensis (Grand'Eury, 1890), all from coeval localities in France, are also described. Montcestheria gen. nov. has carapace features, external (possibly sexual) dimorphism, preserved soft parts (e.g.

• Read more about Spinicaudatans and ostracods (Crustacea) from the Montceau Lagerstätte (Late Carboniferous, France): morphology and palaeoenvironmental significance

An unusual trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian Bright Angel Shale Formation of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, consisting of two rows of biserially opposed circular or oval depressions, with alternating symmetry, is described as Bicavichnites martini ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. While specimens of this trace may represent the surface expression of a complex treptichnid-like burrow system, it is more likely that they are the walking traces of a bilaterally symmetrical benthic animal. The large variation in external width within the trackways is inconsistent with an arthropod producer.

• Read more about A new trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

A latest Early Cambrian and earliest Mid Cambrian polymeroid trilobite fauna, consisting of 16 genera and 25 species, is reported from the peritidal deposits of the Mule Spring Limestone and outer-shelf deposits of the Emigrant and Monola formations of Nevada and California. The Mid Cambrian fauna includes a new genus, Tonopahella, and four new species, T. goldfieldensis, Oryctocephalus americanus, Onchocephalites claytonensis, and Syspacephalus variosus.

• Read more about Early and Mid Cambrian trilobites from the outer-shelf deposits of Nevada and California, USA

The genus Spaniodon is decribed in detail. Contrary to previous authors, we have only recognized two species, S. elongatus and S. latus. Spaniodon shows the synapomorphies of clupeocephalans, protacanthopterygians and salmoniforms. Its relationships among salmoniforms are still undecided, although it could be closely related to the Osmeroidei. The main character that supports this grouping is the dermal part of the mesethmoid formed by the partial fusion of a pair of lateral dermethmoids, whereas the rostral is absent.

• Read more about Osteology and relationships of the genus Spaniodon (Teleostei, Salmoniformes) from the Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) of Lebanon

Parundichna schoelli igen. nov., isp. nov. from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Lower Keuper of Rot am See (Baden-Württemberg, Germany) consists of clusters of sigmoidal scratches symmetrically arranged in a plaited pattern. It is here interpreted as the swimming trace of a large coelacanth fish. In contrast to ichnospecies of Undichna there is no unpaired groove left by the tail fin. Instead, the sets of parallel scratches resulted from the pendulum motion of two pairs of appendages, the pectoral and pelvic fins, which acted in alternation, as in tetrapods.

• Read more about Swimming trace of a coelacanth fish from the Lower Keuper of south-west Germany

Eocoelia akimiskii sp. nov. from the Lower Silurian (upper Telychian) Attawapiskat Formation of Akimiski Island, James Bay, Nunavut, is the first and oldest Eocoelia to be described from the Hudson Bay Basin, one of three largest inland basins of North America. The new species lacks dental plates, dental cavities, and marginal deflection or lip, which indicates a post-Aeronian form of the well-known Eocoelia lineage. In rib numbers, Eocoelia akimiskii falls between E. curtisi and E. sulcata, being closer to E. sulcata. In rib strength, however, the new species is more closely allied to E.

• Read more about The Early Silurian brachiopod Eocoelia from the Hudson Bay Basin, Canada

Fragmentary theropod remains from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal, represent a new taxon of theropod dinosaurs, Aviatyrannis jurassica gen. et sp. nov. Together with Stokesosaurus from the Morrison Formation of North America, Aviatyrannis represents the oldest known tyrannosauroid, indicating that tyrannosauroid origins may be found in the Middle–Late Jurassic of Europe/North America. Furthermore, current evidence suggests that early tyrannosaurs were rather small animals, which is in general accordance with their origin amongst the generally rather small coelurosaurs.

• Read more about A tyrannosauroid dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal

A new lucinoidean genus and species, Cerkesia contiae gen. et sp. nov., from the Kimmeridgian carbonate platform deposits of the Çerkes area (western Pontides, Turkey), is described and placed in the family Fimbriidae. Morphological comparisons reveal similarities with Fimbria, Cyclopellatia and Sphaera. A phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of the family. Similarities between Cerkesia and Fimbria determine inclusion of these genera in the same clade. The unusual features characterizing Cerkesia closely relate it to Cyclopellatia.

• Read more about A new genus and species of fimbriid bivalve from the Kimmeridgian of the western Pontides, Turkey, and the phylogeny of the Jurassic Fimbriidae

Osteopygis emarginatus Cope 1868 is described from the Lower Tertiary of the Ouled Abdoun phosphate basin, Morocco, on the basis of skulls and lower jaws. Osteopygis is a cosmopolitan turtle that had a wide geographical distribution during the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene. Osteopygis emarginatus is a very conservative species which crossed the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary without major changes.

• Read more about Osteopygis (Testudines: Cheloniidae) from the Lower Tertiary of the Ouled Abdoun phosphate basin, Morocco

A limestone cube from Tunisia with embedded thalli of the Permian, coenocytic, cyathiform green alga, Ivanovia tebagaensis, was CT (computed tomography) scanned as a nondestructive method to study some of its morphological features.

• Read more about From CT scans of embedded Ivanovia to models using rapid prototyping