[Paleontology • 2023] Tiliqua frangens • A Giant Armoured Skink from Australia expands Lizard Morphospace and the Scope of the Pleistocene Extinctions

Tiliqua frangens Hutchinson & Scanlon, 2009
Life reconstruction of T. frangens (greater than 2000 g) alongside a typical living skink Lampropholis guichenoti (approx. 2 g).

in Thorn, Fusco, Hutchinson, Gardner, ... et Lee, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0704 

Artwork by Katrina Kenny.

 twitter.com/Kailah_Thorn

Abstract

There are more species of lizards and snakes (squamates) alive today than any other order of land vertebrates, yet their fossil record has been poorly documented compared with other groups. Here, we describe a gigantic Pleistocene skink from Australia based on extensive material that includes much of the skull and postcranial skeleton, and spans ontogenetic stages from neonate to adult. Tiliqua frangens substantially expands the known ecomorphological diversity of squamates. At approximately 2.4 kg, it was more than double the mass of any living skink, with an exceptionally broad, deep skull, squat limbs and heavy, ornamented body armour. It probably filled the armoured herbivore niche that land tortoises (testudinids), absent from Australia, occupy on other continents. Tiliqua frangens and other giant Plio-Pleistocene skinks suggest that small-bodied groups that dominate vertebrate biodiversity might have lost their largest and often most morphologically extreme representatives in the Late Pleistocene, expanding the scope of these extinctions.

Keywords: megafauna, Tiliqua, Australia, Pleistocene, reptile, extinction

Selected skeletal elements of Tiliqua frangens. All skull elements are left lateral views except for neonate dentary (in right medial). Some elements are mirrored right elements,

 (a) Life reconstruction of T. frangens (greater than 2000 g) alongside a typical living skink Lampropholis guichenoti (approx. 2 g). 

Kailah M. Thorn, Diana A. Fusco, Mark N. Hutchinson, Michael G. Gardner, Jessica L. Clayton, Gavin J. Prideaux and Michael S. Y. Lee. 2023. A Giant Armoured Skink from Australia expands Lizard Morphospace and the Scope of the Pleistocene Extinctions. Proc. R. Soc. B. 20230704. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0704

  twitter.com/Kailah_Thorn/status/1668777253147394048

[Paleontology • 2024] Phylogenetic Position of Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis (Dinosauria: Theropoda: Ornithomimosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous of Thailand

Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis  Buffetaut, Suteethorn & Tong, 2009

in Samathi, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5448.1.4  

 facebook.com/ASamathi

Abstract

A small-bodied ornithomimosaur, Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis Buffetaut, Suteethorn, and Tong 2009, from the Lower Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation of northeastern Thailand was first reported in 1995, then named in 2009. It is the only report of this group in Southeast Asia and was concluded to be a member of Ornithomimosauria, more derived than Harpymimus and Garudimimus but more basal than Archaeornithomimus. Since then, a few published studies have analyzed the phylogenetic position of Kinnareemimus but failed to find it within the clade Ornithomimosauria. Here, the phylogenetic analyses for assessing the relationships of Kinnareemimus within Ornithomimosauria were performed. The results suggested it might be a basal ornithomimosaur or belongs to the subclade Deinocheiridae. Kinnareemimus shares with deinocheirids the proximally projected cnemial crest and the shape of the fibula in proximal view. Its metatarsal III shows subarctometatarsalian condition with metatarsal III pinched between II and IV but visible in anterior view proximally, which might have evolved independently from other ornithomimids. However, the basal position of Kinnareemimus could also be due to the immaturity and the incomplete nature of this animal.

Reptilia, Ornithomimosauria, Southeast Asia, subarctometatarsalian metatarsus, Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation, Paleobiogeography

 

Adun SAMATHI. 2024. Phylogenetic Position of Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis (Dinosauria: Theropoda: Ornithomimosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous of Thailand. Zootaxa. 5448(1); 67-84. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5448.1.4 

 facebook.com/ASamathi/posts/10168580979200593

 

[Paleontology • 2021] Tethyshadros insularis • An Italian Dinosaur Lagerstätte reveals the Tempo and Mode of Hadrosauriform Body Size Evolution

Tethyshadros insularis Dalla Vecchia, 2009

in Chiarenza, Fabbri, Consorti, ... et Fanti, 2021.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02490-x

twitter.com/AAleChiarenza 

Abstract

During the latest Cretaceous, the European Archipelago was characterized by highly fragmented landmasses hosting putative dwarfed, insular dinosaurs, claimed as fossil evidence of the “island rule”. The Villaggio del Pescatore quarry (north-eastern Italy) stands as the most informative locality within the palaeo-Mediterranean region and represents the first, multi-individual Konservat-Lagerstätte type dinosaur-bearing locality in Italy. The site is here critically re-evaluated as early Campanian in age, thus preceding the final fragmentation stages of the European Archipelago, including all other European localities preserving hypothesized dwarfed taxa. New skeletal remains allowed osteohistological analyses on the hadrosauroid Tethyshadros insularis indicating subadult features in the type specimen whereas a second, herein newly described, larger individual is likely somatically mature. A phylogenetic comparative framework places the body-size of T. insularis in range with other non-hadrosaurid Eurasian hadrosauroids, rejecting any significant evolutionary trend towards miniaturisation in this clade, confuting its ‘pygmy’ status, and providing unmatched data to infer environmentally-driven body-size trends in Mesozoic dinosaurs.

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen (1842) 

Ornithischia Seeley (1887) 

Ornithopoda Marsh (1881) 

Hadrosauriformes Sereno (1997) 

Hadrosauroidea Cope (1870) sensu Madzia et al. 2020

Hadrosauromorpha Norman (2014) 

Tethyshadros insularis Dalla Vecchia 2009 

Locality and horizon: Liburnian facies (Fig. 1a; Fig. S1) of the Villaggio del Pescatore site (45.8° N, 13.6° E), referred by means of the associated foraminifera and lithostratigraphy to an interval comprised between the lower Campanian and the lowermost middle Campanian (see Geology and revised age of the VdP fossil assemblage section above and Supplementary information S1).

Revised diagnosis: 

Here we reformulate the diagnosis for this taxon based on the seven recently discovered articulated skeletons attributed to Tethyshadros collected at the type locality. Newly identified unique characters are highlighted with an asterisk (*). Tethyshadros insularis is a non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid dinosaur characterised by the following autapomorphies: proximalmost caudal centra (Fig. S11) are anteroposteriorly longer than dorsoventrally tall, apart from the 3rd and 4th centra*; distal caudal centra transition to becoming more elongated and cylindrical (Figs. S12, S13) in shape halfway through the caudal series (between caudal 23rd–33rd)*; apically broad neural spines in lateral view: haemal arch shape in lateral view vary from rod-like to boot-like to bilobate along the caudal series; flat distal articular end of metacarpals; only two phalanges in manual digit IV, distal one very reduced (lost phalanx 2 of other hadrosauriforms).

....

 

Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Matteo Fabbri, Lorenzo Consorti, Marco Muscioni, David C. Evans, Juan L. Cantalapiedra and Federico Fanti. 2021. An Italian Dinosaur Lagerstätte reveals the Tempo and Mode of Hadrosauriform Body Size Evolution. Scientific Reports. 11, 23295. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02490-x

 twitter.com/AAleChiarenza/status/1466347319973101570

       

[Paleontology • 2020] Protocinctus mansillaensis • Potential Evolutionary Trade‐off Between Feeding and Stability in Cambrian Cinctan Echinoderms

 Protocinctus mansillaensis 

Rahman & Zamora, 2009

Reconstruction of the cinctan Protocinctus mansillaensis in life position.

in Rahman, O'Shea, Lautenschlager & Zamora, 2020. 

  DOI: 10.5061/dryad.12   twitter.com/VirtualPalaeo

 Illustration: Óscar Sanisidro. 

Abstract

Reconstructing the function and behaviour of extinct groups of echinoderms is problematic because there are no modern analogues for their aberrant body plans. Cinctans, an enigmatic group of Cambrian echinoderms, exemplify this problem: their asymmetrical body plan differentiates them from all living species. Here, we used computational fluid dynamics to analyse the functional performance of cinctans without assuming an extant comparative model. Three‐dimensional models of six species from across cinctan phylogeny were used in computer simulations of water flow. The results demonstrate that cinctans with strongly flattened bodies produced much less drag than species characterized by dorsal protuberances or swellings, suggesting the former were more stable on the seafloor. However, unlike the flattened forms, cinctans with high‐relief bodies were able to passively direct flow towards the mouth and associated food grooves, indicating that they were capable of more efficient feeding on particles suspended in the water. This study provides evidence of a previously unknown evolutionary trade‐off between feeding and stability in Cambrian cinctan echinoderms.

Keywords: echinoderm, cinctan, Cambrian, computational fluid dynamics, function, evolutionary trade‐off

Imran A. Rahman, James O'Shea, Stephan Lautenschlager and Samuel Zamora. 2020. Potential Evolutionary Trade‐off Between Feeding and Stability in Cambrian Cinctan Echinoderms. Palaeontology. DOI: 10.5061/dryad.12   

twitter.com/VirtualPalaeo/status/1278966251872804865

[Entomology • 2019] Review of Genus Paratachycines Storozhenko, 1990 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Aemodogryllinae) with A New Recorded Species from China

Paratachycines (Hemitachycines) xiai Zhang, Liu & Bi, 2009

in Qin, Liu & Li, 2019. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.3.8

Abstract

One species Paratachycines (Paratachycines) ussuriensis Storozhenko, 1990 from China is described and illustrated with photographs. Two other known species of Paratachycines reported by Zhang et al., (2009) from China are also mentioned. A key to four subgenera of Paratachycines and keys to species of two subgenera: Paratachycines s. str., Hemitachycines Storozhenko, 1990 worldwide are all provided.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Aemodogryllini, Paratachycines, taxonomy, key, China

Yanyan Qin, Xianwei Liu and Kai Li. 2019. Review of Genus Paratachycines Storozhenko, 1990 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Aemodogryllinae) with A New Recorded Species from China. Zootaxa. 4700(3); 394–400. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.3.8

[Ornithology • 2018] Nok, gen. nov. • Phylogenetic Affinities of the Enigmatic Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon with Description of A New Genus

Nok hualon (Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009)

in Fuchs, Pasquet, Stuart, Woxvold, Duckworth & Bowie, 2018.  

   DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12580 

Abstract

The recently described Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon from Lao PDR has a very distinct morphology and habitat (karsts). Mitochondrial and nuclear data from the type material demonstrated that P. hualon is sister to members of the genus Spizixos. To highlight its unique morphology and phylogenetic distinctiveness, we describe a new monotypic genus for the Bare-faced Bulbul.

The Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009, was first collected from the small limestone karst outcrop of Pha Lom, north-east Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, in late 2008, following a 1995 sighting of strange bald-looking bulbuls about 185 km away, above the Hinboun plain at the northern end of the Khammouan limestone massif. As of 2017, the species remains known only from the karst landforms of Lao PDR between the Pha Lom and above the Hinboun plain. This discovery forms part of a sustained pulse of discoveries of new bird and mammal species in and around the Annamite Mountains of Lao PDR and Vietnam, mostly associated with two distinct habitat types, karst limestone and wet evergreen forest. Several of the newly discovered species are phylogenetically highly distinct. These include a forest bovid (Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Vu, Pham, Nguyen, Do, Arctander & MacKinnon, 1993; Vu et al. 1993); the first representative of Caudata for Lao PDR (Lao Warty Newt Laotriton laoensis (Stuart & Papenfuss, 2002); Stuart & Papenfuss 2002); and a living member of the Diatomyidae (Kha-nyou Laonastes aenigmamus Jenkins, Kilpatrick, Robinson & Timmins, 2005; Jenkins et al. 2005), a lineage of rodent formerly presumed to have been extinct for the past 11 million years (Dawson et al. 2006). Here we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of the Bare-faced Bulbul (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Image of Bare-faced Bulbul “Pycnonotus hualon”. captured on the Pha Lom limestone massif, northeast Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR in December 2008.

(Photo: I. Woxvold).

by Risso Romain commons.wikimedia.org 

Nok, gen. nov.

Type species: Pycnonotus hualon Woxvold, Duckworth and Timmins, 2009 by original description. 

Included species: Nok hualon (Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009), comb. nov. 

Etymology: Nok means bird in Lao (ນົກ) and is used to highlight the range-restricted distribution of the species. Nouns in the Lao language lack gender. Nok is proposed here as a masculine noun.

 ນົກຂວກຫົວ​ລ້ານ​ / ນົກ​ຂວາກ​ຫົວ​ລ້ານ

    

Jérôme Fuchs, Eric Pasquet, Bryan L. Stuart, Iain A. Woxvold, J. W. Duckworth and Rauri C.K. Bowie. 2018.  Phylogenetic Affinities of the Enigmatic Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon with Description of A New Genus. Ibis. The International Journal of Avian Science.  DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12580

ResearchGate.net/publication/322697999_Phylogenetic_affinities_Pycnonotus_hualon

facebook.com/bcst.or.th/photos/1593960444052226

 I.A. Woxvold; J.W. Duckworth and R.J. Timmins. 2009. An Unusual New Bulbul (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae) from the Limestone Karst of Lao PDR. Forktail. 25: 1–12.  http://lad.nafri.org.la/fulltext/2136-0.pdf

 wwf.se/press/pressrum/pressmeddelanden/1307077-nya-sensationella-arter-upptackta-i-sydostasien

  ​ຈາວ​ລໍ່ ຢົງ​ເຢ້. 2014. ​ການ​ກະ​ຈາຍ ແລະ​ພື້ນ​ທີ່​ອາ​ໄສ​ຂອງ​ນົກ​ຂວາກ​ຫົວ​ລ້ານ​ໃນ​ເຂດ​ພູ​ຫີນ​ປູນ ກໍ​ລະ​ນີ​ສຶກ​ສາ: ບ້ານ​ມ່ວງ​ດ່ອຍ, ເມືອງ​ທ່າ​ແຂກ, ແຂວງ​ຄຳ​ມ່ວນ  (Distribution and Habitat of Pycnonotus hualon in Limestone Karst: A Case Study in Mouagdoy Village Thakhed District, Khammouane Province). ມະ​ຫາ​ວິ​ທະ​ຍາ​ໄລ​ແຫ່ງ​ຊາດ.
http://dspace.nuol.edu.la:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/1091

[Paleontology • 2017] The Squamation of the Eocene stem-Basilisk Geiseltaliellus maarius (Squamata: Iguanidae: Corytophaninae) from Messel, Germany

Geiseltaliellus maarius  Smith, 2009

life reconstruction by J. Eberhardt & A. Vogel  (SMF)

Smith, 2017. SALAMANDRA. 53(4) 

Abstract

 An exceptional new specimen of the stem-basilisk Geiseltaliellus maarius from the middle Eocene of Messel, Germany, preserves details of the squamation of this extinct species. The dorsum and extremities were covered by small, rhomoidal scales, about 0.2 mm in size in most places; somewhat larger scales were present on the lower extremities and on the head. Scales of the venter were arranged in transverse rows, unlike in extant Polychrus and Laemanctus. There is some evidence that the scales on the extremities possessed keels, as in extant basilisks and Polychrus. Keratin appears to be preserved in places. The “Oberhäutchen” is nearly featureless, probably the result of postmortem microbial decomposition; scale organs were not observed. Overall, the body of G. maarius possessed a fine, homogeneous squamation most similar to Basiliscus. Possible sexual dimorphism in the form of the parietal crest raises the prospect of a projecting median keel composed of skin in male G. maarius, although direct evidence on this point is currently lacking. The squamation of the tail is discussed in light of the pseudoautotomy shown by this species. 

Key words: Fossils, Corytophanidae, Eocene, scales, keratin.

Figure 1. Skeleton with skin shadows of Geiseltaliellus maarius, SMF ME 11380a (part).
 (A) Detail of temple region of head. (B) Detail of throat or shoulder region. (C) Detail of right lower leg scales (over tibia and fibula). (D) Detail of left lower leg scales (torn downward and preserved around toe). (E) Detail of digit IV of left pes. Scale bar is 5 mm.

Figure 8. Reconstruction of the squamation of male Geiseltaliellus maarius from Messel.

Juliane Eberhardt (SMF) drew the life reconstruction, colored by Anika Vogel (SMF). 

 K. T. Smith. 2017. The Squamation of the Eocene stem-basilisk Geiseltaliellus maarius (Squamata: Iguanidae: Corytophaninae) from Messel, Germany. SALAMANDRA. 53(4); 519–530.  

http://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php/home/contents/2017-vol-53/1879-smith-k-t/file

  

[Paleontology • 2017] The Chinese Colossus: An Evaluation of the Phylogeny of ​Ruyangosaurus giganteus​ and Its Implications for Titanosaur Evolution

Skeletal and life restorations of the Ruyangosaurus giganteus holotype by Nima Sassani.
Osteoderms hypothesized based on Vidal, Ortega, and Sanz (2014). Beige elements are based on undescribed material likely referable to the holotype specimen. Scale bar equals 4m.

DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.2988v1

paleo-king.deviantart.com 

Abstract

For many years the precise taxonomy of Titanosauria has been a puzzle, and even today only certain segments of this vast clade are well-understood. The phylogenetic positions of many titanosaurs are murky, though specimens often still await rigorous analysis. One of the largest examples is the massive Chinese titanosaur Ruyangosaurus giganteus – though largely incomplete, the holotype is distinct enough to indicate strong phylogenetic affinities with a specific subgroup of titanosaurs. A review of previous literature on Ruyangosaurus, referred tentatively to Andesauridae, shows that this classification is based on three weak, non-diagnostic characters. Ruyangosaurus differs from taxa traditionally included in Andesauridae in at least 20 characters of the torso, femur, and tibia. Several plesiomorphies of Ruyangosaurus are extremely rare in titanosauria except for the clade Lognkosauria and its close relatives. The vertebra initially described as a posterior cervical is most likely an anterior dorsal, with a strong resemblance to that of Puertasaurus. The posterior dorsal of Ruyangosaurus shares synapomorphies with Mendozasaurus and Dreadnoughtus. The femur clusters close to the femora of Malawisaurus, Traukutitan, and Pitekunsaurus. Ruyangosaurus is here recovered as a lognkosaurian, with significant implications for the distribution and evolution of that group and the paleobiology of Mid-Cretaceous China.

Fig. 15. Skeletal and life restorations of the Ruyangosaurus giganteus holotype by Nima Sassani. Osteoderms hypothesized based on Vidal, Ortega, and Sanz (2014). Beige elements are based on undescribed material likely referable to the holotype specimen. Scale bar equals 4m.

DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.2988v1

CONCLUSION: 

Ruyangosaurus giganteus represents a new and unusual radiation of Lognkosauria in Asia in the early part of the Late cretaceous period, coinciding with a time of Africa’s final separation from South America and gradual collision with Asia. Its unique morphology implies a close relationship to Puertasaurus, and it is possible it may form a subclade within Lognkosauria with Notocolossus, Pitekunsaurus, and Puertasaurus, with Mendozasaurus, Dreadnoughtus and Futalognkosaurus forming another sub-clade. However, Ruyangosaurus differs from all other lognkosaurs and the rest of titanosauria in having neural fossae separated from the neural canal by laminae, in having a strange quartet of nearly flat “spider laminae” on the posterior neural arch of the posterior dorsal, and in having the intraprezygapophyseal lamina located far higher on the neural arch in the anterior dorsal. As there is a paucity of Ruyangosaurus material,diagnosis of many features is not possible, though it shows a particularly strong affinity with Puertasaurus in anterior dorsal morphology and with Lognkosauria and Lithostrotia in general asit lacks defined hypantra and hyposphenes. Based on the dorsal material, the Ruyangosaurus holotype is a very large sauropod, exceeding Futalognkosaurus and Dreadnoughtus in size.Based on the dimensions of the anterior dorsal, it likely also exceeded Notocolossus, though wasprobably smaller than Puertasaurus and the recently discovered titanosaur species in the MPEF collections still awaiting description. This newly excavated taxon from Argentina’s Chubut province is known from multiple specimens in an excellent state of preservation, which appearstrongly lognkosaurian in morphology, among which the largest femur appears to be roughly 2.6 m in length

Nima Sassani and Gunnar Tyler Bivens. 2017. The Chinese Colossus: An Evaluation of the Phylogeny of ​Ruyangosaurus giganteus​ and Its Implications for Titanosaur Evolution.   PeerJ Preprints. 5:e2988v1. DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.2988v1

 paleo-king.deviantart.com/art/Ruyangosaurus-giganteus-forgotten-giant-682409206

 

 Lü J, Xu L, Jia S, Zhang X, Zhang J, Yang L, You H and Ji Q. 2009. A New Gigantic Sauropod Dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Ruyang, Henan, China. Geological Bulletin of China. 28(1); 1-10.

Ruyangosaurus giganteus (Lü et al., 2009) ... Art by Zhao Chuang

 facebook.com/387756681326078/photos/750041688430907

facebook.com/387756681326078/photos/1053522108082862

[Herpetology • 2009] Oreophrynella seegobini • A New Species of Oreophrynella (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Pantepui Region of Guyana, with Notes on O. macconnelli Boulenger, 1900

Oreophrynella seegobini

Kok, 2009 

Abstract

Oreophrynella seegobini sp. nov. is described from 2088 m elevation on Maringma tepui in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana, at the Guyana-Brazil border. The new species is mainly distinguished from known congeners by small size, indistinct frontoparietal crests, prominent postorbital crests, prominent suborbital crests, well-developed webbing on hand and foot, dorsal skin minutely spiculate with scattered medium to large elevated tubercles, ventral skin anteriorly rugose with few flat granules, posteriorly tuberculate, blackish brown dorsal colour, and dark brownish orange ventral colour. Data on four specimens of O. macconnelli collected on the southeast slope of the tepui are provided.

Key words: Oreophrynella seegobini sp. nov., endemism, Guiana Shield, taxonomy, tepuis

Oreophrynella seegobini  Philippe J. R. Kok. 2009. A New Species of Oreophrynella (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Pantepui Region of Guyana, with Notes on O. macconnelli Boulenger, 1900. Zootaxa. 2071; 35–49.

ResearchGate.net/publication/259760039_A_new_species_of_Oreophrynella_Anura_Bufonidae_from_the_Pantepui_region_of_Guyana_with_notes_on_O_macconnelli_Boulenger_1900

http://blogs.taz.de/reptilienfonds/2010/03/page/2/

http://www.philippekok.com/scientific_papers/

https://twitter.com/amphibianphil/status/669609844471545856

[Crustacea • 2009] Karstarma ardea & K. waigeo • Two New Species of Sesarmid Crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) Associated with Limestone Formations in West Papua, Indonesia

 Karstarma ardea 

Wowor & Ng, 2009

Gua Kalepale, Waigeo, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia,
photo: C. Rahmadi (specimens not collected)

Abstract

Two new species of karst sesarmid crabs of the genus Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007, are described from western Papua, Indonesia. Karstarma ardea n. sp. differs from the allied K. ultrapes (Ng, Guinot & Iliffe, 1994) from the Solomon Islands by its proportionately shorter ambulatory legs and the shape of its vulva. Karstarma waigeo n. sp. is closest to K. balicum (Ng, 2002) from Bali, Indonesia, but differs in its proportionately longer ambulatory legs and in the morphology of the male first gonopod.

Key words: Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae, Karstarma, new species, Indonesia

Karstarma ardea n. sp.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin genus name for herons (Ardea), alluding to itsvery long legs. The name is used as a noun in apposition. 

Karstarma waigeo n. sp.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the type locality, Waigeo. The name is used as a noun inapposition.

Karstarma waigeo n. sp., Gua Kalepale, Waigeo, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia, by C. Rahmadi (specimens not collected) 

  Daisy Wowor and Peter K. L. Ng. 2009. Two New Species of Sesarmid Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) Associated with Limestone Formations in West Papua, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 2025: 21–31.

ResearchGate.net/publication/228616989_Two_new_species_of_sesarmid_crabs_Crustacea_Decapoda_Brachyura_associated_with_limestone_formations_in_West_Papua_Indonesia

https://biotagua.org/2009/03/10/dua-kepiting-jenis-baru-ditemukan-dari-gua-di-waigeo-raja-ampat-papua/

[Herpetology • 2009] Brasilotyphlus guarantanus • A Second Species of Brasilotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) from Brazilian Amazonia

 Brasilotyphlus guarantanus 

 Maciel, Mott & Hoogmoed, 2009 

Abstract

Brasilotyphlus is rediagnosed in light of the discovery of a second species of the genus, Brasilotyphlus guarantanus sp. nov., in the municipality of Guarantã do Norte, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species differs from B. braziliensis mainly in annular counts, having 151–170 primaries and at most 2 secondaries (instead of 142–147 primaries and 23–36 secondaries). 

Key words: Amazonia, Brazil, Brasilotyphlus, Brasilotyphlus guarantanus sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A Brasilotyphlus with maximum known total length of 305 mm; 47–76.1 times the width at midbody. Primary folds 151–170, secondary folds 0–2. The first nuchal collar is distinct dorsally and ventrally, the second is partly fused below with the first body collar. Two paired anal papillae may be present either side of midline just anterior of the vent. A weak vertical keel is present on the terminal part of the body of most specimens (in 27 of the type specimens). Maxillary teeth may reach the level of the posterior border of the choanae or extend slightly beyond them. Dermal scales present in folds in the posterior part of the body.

Etymology: The name of the species refers to the type-locality, Guarantã do Norte, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

 Adriano Oliveira Maciel, Tamí Mott and Marinus Steven Hoogmoed. 2009. A Second Species of Brasilotyphlus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) from Brazilian Amazonia. Zootaxa. 2226; 19-27.

ResearchGate.net/publication/280880320_A_second_species_of_Brasilotyphlus_Amphibia_Gymnophiona_Caeciliidae_from_Brazilian_Amazonia

academia.edu/1900644/A_second_species_of_Brasilotyphlus_Amphibia_Gymnophiona_Caeciliidae_from_Brazilian_Amazonia

Resumo: A diagnose do gênero Brasilotyphlus é redefinida a partir da descoberta de uma segunda espécie desse gênero, B. guarantanus sp. nov., no município de Guarantã do Norte, estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A nova espécie difere de B. braziliensis principalmente nas contagens de anéis corporais, possuindo entre 151 e 170 primários e no máximo dois secundários, enquanto B. braziliensis tem de 142 a 147 primários e 23 a 36 secundários

http://www.museudezoologia.ufv.br/bichodavez/edicao22.htm

[Paleontology • 2009] Basilochelys macrobios ‘เต่าทรงพระเจริญ’ • A Large Cryptodiran Turtle from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous) of the Khorat Plateau, Northeastern Thailand

Basilochelys macrobios  

Tong, Claude, Naksri, Suteethorn, Buffetaut, Khansubha, Wongko, & Yuangdetkla, 2009 

 ‘บาซิโลเชลิส มาโครไบออส - เต่าทรงพระเจริญ’  ||  MNRE.go.th 
  DOI: 10.1144/SP315.12

Abstract
 A large cryptodiran turtle, Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. n. sp. is described from the latest Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of NE Thailand, on the basis of skull, shell and other postcranial elements. Basilochelys presents a combination of primitive and derived characters. The derived characters include sculptured skull roof and shell surface; deeply embedded canalis caroticus internus; foramen posterius canalis carotici interni completely surrounded by pterygoid; neural formula of 6 > 4 < 6 < 6 < 6 < 6; anteroposteriorly expanded eleventh and twelfth marginal scutes extending onto the suprapygal and costal plates; narrow vertebral scutes; plastron sutured to the carapace, with large and wide anterior and posterior lobes, long and narrow bridge, very narrow axillary and inguinal notch; wide entoplastron; humeropectoral sulcus located on the posterior part of the entoplastron; anal notch absent. This taxon is placed in Trionychoidae and considered as the most basal member of that group.

Systematic palaeontology

Megaorder Cryptodira Cope

Parvorder Eucryptodira Gaffney

Epifamily Trionychoidae Fitzinger (fide Meylan & Gaffney 1989)

Genus Basilochelys new genus

Type species. Basilochelys macrobios sp. nov.

Etymology. Basileus: Greek, king; chelys: Greek, turtle. In honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol of Thailand; Macrobios: Greek, long life. In honour of His Majesty King Rama IX’s eightieth birthday.

Holotype. A nearly complete carapace articulated with a partial plastron, pelvic girdle and a cervical vertebra (MD8-2, collection of the Sirindhorn Museum, Phu Kum Khao, Sahatsakhan, Kalasin Province, Thailand).

Type locality. Kham Phok, Mukdahan Province, Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand.

Horizon. Phu Kradung Formation, terminal Jurassic–basal Cretaceous.

Conclusion: The large turtles from the terminal Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of the Khorat Group, NE Thailand, described herein represent anew genus and new species of Eucryptodira, Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. n. sp. This taxon is placed in Trionychoidae and considered as the most basal member of that group. The combination of primitive and derived characters of Basilochelys suggests that the group Trionychoidae may have originated from xinjiangchelyids and their close relatives. Siamochelys from the Middle Jurassic of the southern peninsula of Thailand may represent the sister taxon of Trionychoidae, because of its ligamentous carapace–plastron attachment, sculptured shell surface and wide entoplastron. These new discoveries add significantly to the still poorly known turtle fauna from the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous of SE Asia and provide important information about the origin and early evolution of modern cryptodiran turtles.

Haiyan Tong, Julien Claude, Wilailuck Naksri, Varavudh Suteethorn, Eric Buffetaut, Sasidhorn Khansubha, Kamonrak Wongko and Phisit Yuangdetkla. 2009.  Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. and n. sp., A Large Cryptodiran Turtle from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous) of the Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand. In: Buffetaut, E.; Cuny, G.; Le Loeuff, J. & Suteethorn, V. (eds.). Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Ecosystems in SE Asia. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 315: 229-243.  DOI: 10.1144/SP315.12

academia.edu/1223468/Basilochelys_macrobios_n._gen._and_n._sp._a_large_cryptodiran_turtle_from_the_Phu_Kradung_Formation_latest_Jurassic-earliest_Cretaceous_of_the_Khorat_Plateau_NE_
Researchgate.net/publication/237965988_Basilochelys_macrobios_a_large_cryptodiran_turtle_from_the_Phu_Kradung_Formation_NE_Thailand

เต่าทรงพระเจริญ ‘บาซิโลเชลิส มาโครไบออส’ Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. and n. sp., a large cryptodiran turtle from the Phu Kradung Formation ซึ่งผู้ศึกษาตั้งใจให้ชื่อเพื่อ เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ในวโรกาสมหามงคลเฉลิมพระชนพรรษา 80 พรรษา

ต้นตระกูลเต่าน้ำจืดชนิดใหม่โลก อายุ150ล้านปี แถมพบกระดูกไดโนเสาร์"ซอโรพอด"สมบูรณ์สุดในโลก

 matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1245663232&catid=04

       อธิบดีกรมทรัพยากรธรณี ยังเปิดเผยถึงการค้นพบฟอสซิลของสัตว์โบราณหลายชนิดกระจายอยู่ตามผิวหน้าหินเนินเขาเล็กๆ ประกอบไปด้วย ฟอสซิลจระเข้ ปลาเลปิโดเทส กระดูกไดโนเสาร์ และฟอสซิลเต่าขนาดใหญ่คู่หนึ่งอยู่ใกล้ๆกัน แหล่งฟอสซิลเต่ายักษ์คู่อยู่ในพื้นที่บ้านคำพอก อ.หนองสูง จ.มุกดาหาร ขนาดของเต่าตัวที่ 1 ยาว 96 ซม. ตัวที่ 2 ยาว 90 ซม. กว้าง 80 ซม.โดยคณะผู้วิจัยไทย-ฝรั่งเศล นำโดย ดร.ไฮยั่น ตง ได้ทำการอนุรักษ์ตัวอย่างเต่า และศึกษาวิจัยรายละเอียดจนพบลักษณะของหัวกะโหลก กระดองหลัง กระดองท้อง กระดูกคอ กระดูกสันหลัง กระดูกซี่โครง กระดูกขาหน้า และขาหลังที่ชัดเจนระบุว่าเป็นเต่าชนิดใหม่ สกุลใหม่ จึงได้ส่งพิมพ์ในวารสาร Geological Society, London, Special Publications ในปี 2552 โดยตั้งชื่อว่า "Basilochelys macrobios” เพื่อเฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ในวโรกาสมหามงคลเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา 80 พรรษา โดยชื่อเป็นภาษากรีก มีความหมายว่า "ขอให้พระมหากษัตริย์ไทยทรงมีพระชนมายุยิ่งยืนนาน”

http://website.mnre.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=428