 Subjects -> PALEONTOLOGY (Total: 43 journals)
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- Editorial
Authors: Carlos Martínez-Pérez, Sonia Ros-Franch, Samuel Zamora, Humberto G. Ferrón
Pages: 111 - 112
Abstract: The present issue of the Spanish Journal of Palaeontology - SJP represents the fi rst one entirely produced by the new editorial team. At this point, it is necessary to acknowledge the work done by our predecessors, led by our colleague Julio Aguirre, who have been able to maintain the scientifi c quality and periodicity of the Journal. This is especially remarkable given the problems related to the fact that SJP is entirely produced by our society and not by a big editorial. Their selfl essly work has set the bases and high-quality standards of our Journal, warning us about the diffi culty of our new commitment. We hope not to disappoint the trust that the Spanish Palaeontology Society has placed in this editorial team, the main goal of which being to continue with and improve the work done so far.
PubDate: 2021-12-15
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.22128
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- Devonian brachiopods of the Cantabrian Mountains (Northern Spain). 12)
Ferronirhynchia new genus, an Upper Emsian rhynchonellid
(Trigonirhynchiidae)
Authors: Jenaro L. García-Alcalde
Pages: 113 - 132
Abstract: The taxonomic status of the subfamily Trigonirhynchiinae is discussed based on the morphological features, together with the geographic and the stratigraphic distribution of the type genus Trigonirhynchia Cooper. The new genus, Ferronirhynchia n. gen., including the type species F. pulgari n. sp., is proposed. The new taxon, close to Trigonirhynchia, occurs in upper Emsian beds of the Moniello Formation, in Asturias, serotinus/patulus conodont zones, Faunal Intervals 14 to 16a. The ontogeny and palaeoecology of F. pulgari are analyzed. Growth of the new species is bicyclic. Juvenile forms are low and biconvex displaying sharp commissures. Adult forms are high, dorsi-biconvex, geniculate, with abrupt anterior and lateral margins. Ferronirhynchia pulgari is an opportunistic species, often found in paraautochtonous rhynchonellid assemblages that occur in quiet and muddy deposits formed below the wave-base level near or in reefal environments in the Cantabrian platfom. Shells of the new species supported a variety of small epizoans, commensalists or mutualists, mostly reticulate bryozoans, serpulid and other tubeworms, and auloporids. This life habit favoured the epizoans to escape from burial in muddy bottoms.
PubDate: 2021-06-21
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.20574
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- TAXONOMY AND AFFINITIES OF AFRICAN CENOZOIC METATHERIANS
Authors: Vicente D. Crespo, Francisco J. Goin
Pages: 133 - 148
Abstract: The record of extinct African metatherians (Mammalia, Theria) is scanty, restricted in time (Eocene–Miocene), and its taxonomy is still subject of debate. A review of all African metatherians, or alleged metatherians, known up to now, led us to the recognition of only three taxa referable to this group: (1) Kasserinotherium tunisiense (Peradectoidea'), from the early Eocene of Tunisia; (2) Peratherium africanum (Herpetotheriidae), from the early Oligocene of Egypt and Oman, and (3) an indeterminate Herpetotheriidae' from the early Miocene of Uganda. Herpetotheriids probably reached Afro-Arabia from Europe in one or more dispersal waves since the early Oligocene. Kasserinotherium, on the contrary, suggests an earlier (Paleocene) arrival from South America, judging from its alleged affinities with South American and Australian taxa. Such a migration event (probably, through a filter corridor such as the Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge system in the South Atlantic) may also explain the enigmatic presence of polydolopimorphian metatherians in the Cenozoic of central Anatolia (Turkey). A more radical hypothesis is that all European (Eurasian') Marsupialiformes have an ultimate origin in South America, from where they dispersed via Africa by the Paleocene–earliest Eocene.
PubDate: 2021-06-21
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.20974
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- ANALYSIS OF THE SEXUAL VARIABILITY IN THE SHELL OF THE SPANISH UPPER
CRETACEOUS TURTLE DORTOKA VASCONICA (PAN-PLEURODIRA, DORTOKIDAE)
Authors: Andrea Guerrero, Adán Pérez-García
Pages: 149 - 162
Abstract: The present study characterizes the morphological variability related to the sexual dimorphism in the shells of the Spanish Upper Cretaceous turtle Dortoka vasconica. This study is based on the material from its type locality: Laño, Burgos. Two morphotypes were identified there based on the posterior plastral area as well as two for the anterior plastral lobe. However, a correlation with the previously indicated morphotypes could not be established due to the disarticulation of the specimens and the limited information available on the sexual dimorphism of Pleurodira. The morphological variability previously identified for Dortoka vasconica is analysed here through a quantitative approach to evaluate the role that sexual dimorphism plays in the plastron. Comparative material of the main extinct and extant groups of pleurodires is included in this study. The results evidenced a noticeable sexual dimorphism in the anal notch of Dortoka vasconica. Likewise, the comparison of species belonging to several pleurodiran clades shows a wide range of variability in the direction and magnitude of the sexual dimorphism. Thus, a single evolutionary trend cannot be recognized, so that previous assumptions about which morphotype corresponds to each sexual dimorph in some extinct taxa and especially lineages (including basal pan-pleurodires) cannot be confirmed.
PubDate: 2021-07-01
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21018
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- Morphological, isotopic and proteomic study of the Pleistocene and
Holocene fauna of Cova dos Santos (Abadín, Lugo, NW Spain)
Authors: Ana García-Vázquez, Marcos Vaqueiro-Rodriguez, Esteban Guitián Fernández, Aurora Grandal-d’Anglade
Pages: 163 - 190
Abstract: Cova dos Santos is a karstic cavity in Abadín (Lugo), in a hitherto unexplored area that may have been the natural route between the well-known Quaternary faunas of the Cantabrian Mountain Range and those located further south in Galicia, such as in the Serra do Courel. The surface surveys carried out during the topographic layout revealed the presence of deposits of bone remains, usually extremely fragmented, of medium and large vertebrates. Due to the nature of these remains, different molecular techniques (ZooMS, stable isotopes), radiocarbon dating, and morphological and metric analysis were used to characterise the remains present at the site. Combining these methods, it has been possible to identify different taxa such as Ursus speleaeus, Ursus arctos, Panthera pardus, Cervus elaphus, Rhinocerotidae, and to confirm the occupation of this cave since at least 43000 years ago calBP. The presence of domestic species, such as Ovis aries, Equus sp. and Gallus gallus, also shows the use of this cave in more recent times.
PubDate: 2021-12-03
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21870
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- The ecology of the Lower Cretaceous coelacanths from Las Hoyas Konservat-
Lagerstätte (Cuenca, Spain): A new insight after the integration of
palaeontological and sedimentological data
Authors: Hugo Martín-Abad, Marian Fregenal- Martínez
Pages: 191 - 204
Abstract: Coelacanths are very rare in the upper Barremian fossil site of Las Hoyas (Cuenca, Spain). However, being one of the few predatory ichthyophagous fishes preserved at the locality, understanding their ecology is fundamental to continue advancing in our comprehension of the dynamics of this palaeowetland. A previous study based on the size distribution of the coelacanth specimens suggests that a natural population of this species did not inhabit the excavated area of Las Hoyas, perhaps due to them practicing habitat partitioning. Here we analyze the sedimentological characteristics of the laminae where these fossils were preserved. In the light of the extensive previous knowledge on the stratigraphy, depositional environments and evolution of Las Hoyas, we conclude that coelacanth fossils are preserved in wet facies associations, indicating that they were not present in this part of the wetland permanently, but during periods of overall flooding of the system and high connectivity among the different environments composing the regionalscale wetland.
PubDate: 2021-12-02
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21966
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- Upper Frasnian and Lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) conodonts of the
Compte section (Spanish Central Pyrenees)
Authors: Gonçalo G. Silvério, José I. Valenzuela-Ríos, Jau-Chyn Liao
Pages: 205 - 220
Abstract: Through the study of conodonts, strata around the Frasnian–Famennian boundary in the Compte section were analyzed in detail. Twenty-four samples in a 12 m thick sequence yielded 13 species of conodonts belonging to Ancyrodella, Ancyrognathus, Icriodus, Palmatolepis, and Polygnathus. Besides conodonts, other groups such as foraminifers, radiolarians, brachiopods, ostracods and crinoids were also found in the sequence. The conodont record, shows the FZ13, from the uppermost Frasnian, and the minuta and crepida zones from the lower Famennian. The last Frasnian fossil was obtained from Bed 92b and the first Famennian fossil was from Bed 92d, which are separated by about 45 cm. Thus, between these two samples, the lowest three Famennian conodont zones have to be represented or missing. The absence of any stratigraphic hiatus between these levels suggests that extreme condensation took place in the early Famennian in the CP section.
PubDate: 2021-12-03
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21950
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- Preparation protocols for SEM visualization of charred fossil plants: the
case of Weichselia reticulata pinnule anatomy
Authors: Candela Blanco-Moreno
Pages: 221 - 234
Abstract: The cosmopolite Mesozoic fern Weichselia reticulata presents many peculiarities in the anatomy of its stem as well as in the architecture of its leaves. Previous analyses of the ultrastructure of their pinnule laminas provided some insight on xeromorphic traits. In this work new protocols for the preparation of charred compression foliage specimens embedded in a limestone matrix for their observation under SEM are presented, which enhance the observation of different plant tissues. The preparation with HCl allows for the visualization of the whole lamina, from the upper to the lower epidermis, which had not been done to date. Additionally, collodion, latex, or wax coverings of the fossils before dissolving the matrix with HCl enhance the observation of different structures and prevent the fragmentation of the specimen. These techniques have permitted a better description of the vascular tissues, and a redescription of the stomata, which do not have subsidiary cells as previously described. Moreover, the traits observed suggest a closer systematic relationship of Weichselia reticulata with the Marattiales and that this fern lived in areas with fluctuating water availability
PubDate: 2021-07-13
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21300
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
- A new replacement name for the fossil spider Veterator Petrunkevitch, 1963
(Arthropoda: Arachnida: Araneae)
Authors: Filippo Ceccolini, Fabio Cianferoni
Pages: 235 - 238
Abstract: A junior homonym was detected in the genera of fossil Araneae and the following
replacement name is proposed within the family Trochanteriidae: Neoveterator Ceccolini
& Cianferoni nom. nov. pro Veterator Petrunkevitch,
PubDate: 2021-11-19
DOI: 10.7203/sjp.36.2.21867
Issue No: Vol. 36, No. 2 (2021)
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