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The cranial anatomy of the Lower Permian synapsid Edaphosaurus boanerges is described, based upon well-preserved material from the Geraldine Bonebed (Wichita Group: Nocona Formation) of north-central Texas. Two autapomorphies for this species are identified: (1) 120-150 teeth are present on each palatal tooth plate; and (2) the mandibular symphysis is deeply excavated dorsally. Phylogenetic analysis of the interrelationships of Edaphosaurus species supports the hypotheses that the Lower Permian Texan species E. boanerges, E. cruciger, and E. pogonias are a monophyletic group, and E.

• Read more about The skull of the herbivorous synapsid Edaphosaurus boanerges from the Lower Permian of Texas

Diapsids represent one of the most diverse lineages within Amniota, yet, until recently, their Carboniferous record was restricted to one taxon from a single locality near Garnett, Kansas. Accordingly diapsids were thought not to have undergone the degree of evolutionary radiation which has been attributed to other Carboniferous amniotes. The description of Spinoaequalis schultzei gen. et sp. nov.

• Read more about A new diapsid reptile from the uppermost Carboniferous (Stephanian) of Kansas

The lectotype of Ornithopsis is usually placed within the Brachiosauridae, but is unlike any other material that has been referred to the genus. This referred material is also brachiosaurid but is regarded as belonging to the genus Eucamerotus which was originally established without a type species. Eucamerotus foxi sp. nov. is erected for this material, and a holotype and five paratypes are designated. Eucamerotus is placed within the Brachiosauridae.

• Read more about The Early Cretaceous brachiosaurid dinosaurs Ornithopsis and Eucamerotus from the Isle of Wight, England

A new vertebrate assemblage is described from the base of the Khao Loc Formation at Tong Vai, Dong Van district, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. It includes the galeaspid Polybranchiaspis liaojaoshanensis, two acanthothoracid placoderms, and the sarcopterygian Youngolepis praecursor. This assemblage is quite similar to that of the Xitun Formation of Yunnan (Late Lianhuashanian to Early Nagaolingian) and can also be correlated with the vertebrate faunas which occur at the base of the Bac Bun Formation of the Bac Bo in Vietnam. New data on the morphology of P.

• Read more about Lower Devonian biostratigraphy and vertebrates of the Tong Vai valley, Vietnam

The ultrastructure of spores isolated from sporangia of Cooksonia pertoni from Pridoli and Lochkovian rocks of the Welsh Borderland has been elucidated using both scanning and transmission electr microscopy. The Silurian material, attributable to C. pertoni subsp. synorispora, contains Synorispori vermcatus while the Devonian C. pertoni subsp. apiculispora yields either Streelispora newportensis Aneurospora sp.

• Read more about The ultrastructure of spores of Cooksonia pertoni

Principal components quantitative shape analysis (PC shape analysis) is demonstrated to be a rapid and effective palaeontological morphometric technique for quantifying shape. It allows easy interpretation, as morphology can be reconstructed from PC scores. Results of PC shape analysis have revealed that temporal patterns of shape variation in four Chesapeake Group (Miocene) taxa from Maryland are not congruent.

• Read more about A new palaeontological technique describing temporal shape variation in Miocene bivalves

Decay experiments were carried out on three Recent species of coleoid cephalopods (the squids Alloteuthis subulata and Loligo forbesi, and the sepiolid Sepiola atlantica) over a period of 1 day to 50 weeks. The morphological sequence of degradation and the fate of the more decay resistant organs (beaks, radula, suckers, gladius, statoliths, eye lenses) were recorded. Crystalline magnesium phosphate precipitated, but tissue ultrastructure was not preserved. Sex and stage of maturity may influence rate of degradation.

• Read more about Decay and fossilization of non-mineralized tissue in coleoid cephalopods

Anopaea is a distinctive Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous inoceramid bivalve genus. Traditionally recognized by its elongate-pyriform outline and impressed antero-ventral sulcus, it is now apparent that it also has a distinctive hingeline. In each valve the thickened shell material of the hinge region terminates in a prominent fold, the anterior buttress; this often takes on the appearance of a small anterior 'ear'. Some fifteen taxa are now assigned to the genus and a further seven are probable members. The bulk of these forms fall within the Late Tithonian-Early Albian. A. callistoensis sp.

• Read more about Composition and distribution of the inoceramid bivalve genus Anopaea

A supposed lineage extending from Mimomys occitanus - M. ostramosensis to Arvicola terrestru through at least seven species has been widely accepted. The early part of the lineage, from M. occitanus to M ostramosensis, has been shown mathematically to be a good example of phyletic gradualism. But the transition from M. ostramosensis to M. savini is somewhat hypothetical. A new morphological analysis of the type population of M. savini (West Runton, England) has demonstrated that this species cannot be derived from M. ostramosensis, but must stem from another parent species, possibly M.

• Read more about Discontinuity in the Plio-Pleistocene Eurasian water vole lineage

Inquilinism is that association in which one organism lives within another, using the host as a place of refuge. Four specimens are described from the Jurassic of England and Germany which illustrates ammonite inquilinism by decapods. The inquiline use of ammonite shells in the geological record, and its ecological and taphonomical implications are discussed.

• Read more about Decapods in ammonite shells: examples of inquilinism from the Jurassic of England and Germany