Archive

The hypothesis that conulariids were closely related to scyphozoan cnidarians is based in large part on interpretations of the morphology of the corners and midlines of the conulariid test. Corners and/or midlines of some or all species of at least ten of the twenty-one currently recognized conulariid genera are internally thickened. Internal midline structures of some or all species of six genera are paired or adaxially bifid. Midlines of one species, Eoconularia amoena Sinclair, exhibit features suggesting the presence of a single carina that bifurcates adaperturally.

• Read more about Morphology and phylogenetic significance of the corners and midlines of the conulariid test

Dental remains of a new hyracoid mammal, Titanohyrax tantulus sp. nov., are described from Eocene deposits at Chambi in Tunisia. This new form is one of very few Palaeogene hyracoid occurrences outside the Early Oligocene Jebel Qatrani Formation of Egypt. Very small size and low crown height reflect the primitive nature of the new species relative to other members of the genus. The Chambi rodent fauna and data from charophytes provisionally indicate an early Eocene age for the locality. T. tantulus is thus potentially the oldest known representative of the order Hyracoidea.

• Read more about A new species of the hyracoid mammal Titanohyrax from the Eocene of Tunisia

The morphology of scroll coprolites from the post-Llandovery Silurian of Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, Ireland is described. The coprolites occur within relatively fine-grained laminites along with the anaspid agnathan Birkenia elegans the dermal scales of Loganellia, and the enigmatic 'Glauconome'. Such a faunal association also exists in the Midland Valley of Scotland. The significance of detritus as a nutrient source and the evolution of particulate feeding among the early vertebrates is examined. By association, Birkenia and/or Loganellia appear to be the most likely producers.

• Read more about Scroll coprolites from the Silurian of Ireland and the feeding of early vertebrates

The coleoid genus Belemnotheutis Pearce, 1842, from the Lower Oxford Clay (Jurassic; Callovian) of Christian Malford, Wiltshire, England, gave rise to controversy and bad feeling between Richard Owen and Joseph Pearce, Gideon Mantell and others. Owen erroneously combined Belemnothceutis with an ordinary belemnite rostrum in his reconstructions of the belemnite animal. The type material of the type species, B.antiquus Pearce. is catalogued and described in detail for the first time.

• Read more about The type material of the Jurassic cephalopod Belemnotheutis

Nine genera and fourteen species are recognized among the rhinocerotid remains of the Spanish Miocene and Lower Pliocene. Protaceratherium minutum and Prosantorhinus sp. are reported in Spain for the first time, and the species Alicornops alfambrense has been published recently as a final form in the A simorrense evolutionary lineage. The overall diversity of Rhinocerotidae in the Neogene record of Spain is generally much greater than that of the Equidae. Palaeoclimatic curves for the Spanish Neogene show how rhinoceros diversity depended on the relative humidity and the temperature.

• Read more about Spanish Neogene rhinoceroses

Adoketophyton subverticillatum (Li and Cai) comb. nov. is described from the Siegenian of southern Yunnan, China. It consists of dichotomously branching axes, with terminal compact strobili in which lateral units are inserted oppositely and decussately so that they form four vertical rows. Each unit comprises a stalked, fan-shaped, bract-like appendage bearing an adaxial sporangium with dehiscence into two equal valves.

• Read more about A new genus of early land plants with novel strobilar construction from the Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation, Yunnan Province, China

Yaberinella jamaicensis Vaughan. a genus and species previously regarded as endemic to the Americas, is described from a sample of Middle Eocene (Lutetian) limestone from coastal Oman. The new occurrence is shown to be well within the known stratigraphic range of this species in the Caribbean region. Recently published records of Austrotrillina, Helicostegina, Helicolepidina, Lepidocyclina, and Polylepidina are discussed briefly in the context of the disjunct distribution of Yaberinella.

• Read more about The occurrence and palaeobiogeographical significance of the foraminiferid Yaberinella from the Eocene of Oman

Collecting fossils for scientific study or as a pastime activity can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. However, the motives for collecting fossils, which can range from pure scientific research through hobby collections to commercial enterprise, can present the genuine scientist, hobbyist/collector or legislator with a variety of challenging and conflicting points of view.

• Read more about Fossil collecting and site conservation in Britain: are they reconcilable?

The oldest fossil mygalomorph spider, from the Anisian Gres a Voltzia of the northern Vosges, France, is described as Rosamygale grauvogeli gen. et sp. nov. The spider exhibits mainly plesiomorphic characters. It is a tuberculote (sensu Raven 1985) and is placed in the Hexathelidae, with some reservations. A ground-dwelling spider, Rosamygale was an integral part of the halophilous terrestrial biota of the time. The spiders became entombed in the wet sediment of desiccating pools.

• Read more about A Triassic mygalomorph spider from the northern Vosges, France

Two new species of cladid crinoids are described from the Starfish Bed (Ashgill, late Rawtheyan) at Threave Glen, near Girvan, southwest Scotland; this bed has yielded the most diverse crinoid fauna of any British Ordovician locality. Euspirocrinus girvanensis sp. nov. is based on a unique internal mould of the dorsal cup and anal series. The five infrabasal plates form a low circlet, the anal X plate is infolded and the short anal series comprises numerous small polygonal plates, Dendrocrinus collapsus sp. nov. is known from five specimens, all external moulds.

• Read more about New cladid crinoids from the late Ordovician of Girvan, Scotland