A new species of Gladiopycnodus (Coccodontoidea, Pycnodontomorpha) from the Cretaceous of Lebanon provides new insights about the morphological diversification of pycnodont fishes through time

The monophyletic Proceratophrys bigibbosa species group has a stable taxonomic history. Despite the increasing number of Proceratophrys described in the last decades, the P. bigibbosa group, for a long time, has consisted of four species distributed in south of South America; except for P. palustris that occurs in southeastern Brazil. Herein, based on concordant evidence of morphology and mtDNA barcoding, we describe a new species of Proceratophrys for specimens assigned to the P. bigibbosa group collected in Tibagi municipality, Paraná state, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed by its small size, snout rounded in dorsal view, palpebral ridge with small and rounded tubercles, small postocular swellings, presence of a line of small and round tubercles on dorso-lateral region of body, and dorsal region covered by small, sparse, and rounded tubercles. We also highlight the potential occurrence of the new species in other areas along the Campos Gerais of Paraná, given the strong association of the species with this vegetational formation in South Brazil.

Two new species of the valviferan isopod family Arcturidae, Astacilla depressa n. sp. and A. laevis n. sp. are described from the Ebro delta, Catalan coast of Spain. A diagnosis and description of the species are presented, and they are compared with the six other species of the same genus in the Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, and north Africa. A. depressa n. sp. is characterized by a dorsal sculpture comprising a pair of low, rounded tubercles on the head; a small dorsal tubercle on both pereonites 2 and 3; a large, broad, dorsal arch-shaped posteriorly-facing truncate tubercle near the anterior margin of pereonite 4, and a smaller, similar tubercle near the posterior margin. A. laevis n. sp. possesses a dorsal sculpture comprising a pair of small, rounded tubercles on the head; 1 small middorsal tubercle on pereonite 2; 1 middorsal broad, low tubercle on pereonite 3; 1 tubercle at one-third the length of pereonite 4 and a second one near the posterior margin of this pereonite.

The leopard-spotted goby, Gobius forsteri Corbin 1958, described from the western English Channel, is identified with the Madeiran Gobius ephippiatus Lowe 1839, the latter name becoming a senior subjective synonym for this species. From study of variation, with size of fish, in number of lateral-line sensory papillae in preopercular-mandibular row i, it is concluded that the Aegean Gobius thori De Buen 1928 may also be referred to G. ephippiatus. Examination of the syntypes of G. macrolepis Kolombatovic 1891, from the Adriatic, has shown that this name belongs to a close relative of G. ephippiatus and not to Mediterranean populations of the Atlantic Lesueurigobius friesii (Malm), as recent authors have supposed. A new genus, Thorogobius, is proposed for G. ephippiatus, the type species, and G. macrolepis, and a key provided to these two species, which differ in meristic features, development of pelvic anterior membrane and disc, head coloration, and relative number of sensory papillae. Further systematic data on material studied, synonymies, body proportions, papillae and meristic counts are also given.As the complete list of known occurrences indicates, T. ephippiatus appears to be a warm temperate Mediterranean-Atlantic form which penetrates the eastern Atlantic boreal region around the British Isles at least as far north as the North Channel and eastwards to Lulworth Cove (western English Channel). As an inshore shelf species, T. ephippiatus occurs in or near crevices associated with vertical rock faces, from LWST to 30–40 m. Diet probably consists chiefly of crustaceans and polychaetes. Maximum total length recorded is 129 mm, and greatest age 9 years (determined from otoliths), with sexual maturity by the fifth year of life (age 4 +).

Kokartus honorarius from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of Kyrgyzstan is one of the oldest and basalmost salamanders in the fossil record, and this taxon is useful for documenting a primitive caudate condition and patterns of character state transformations within Caudata. Here, we provide a histological analysis of its dermal bones based on two thin sections of a fragment of a sculptured dermal skull roof bone (squamosal?). The dermal bone histology of Kokartus is similar to that of basal crown-group tetrapods (e.g. temnospondyls, lepospondyls and seymouriamorphs) in the following features: the presence of basic pattern of organisation of dermal bones (diploë structure); the cancellous middle region occupies larger space than the compact cortices; active remodelling with the formation of numerous erosion bays and secondary osteons; high number of vascular canals with the formation a dense vascular network (= ‘rete vasculosum’); and parallel-fibred bone is a dominant type of primary bone matrix. Crown-group salamanders retained the diploë structure, but demonstrate features of simplification (in comparison with Kokartus): absence of pronounced sculpture, lower degree of vascularisation and lower degree of remodelling. The simplification of the histological structure is a derived feature for the Caudata which appeared during the transition from stem-group to crown-group salamanders.

Dendrobranchiate shrimps are abundant in Fossil-Lagerstätten (where fossils are exceptionally preserved). Despite their preservation, classifying them can be challenging as most diagnostic characters are based upon extant species. Penaeus natatorGlaessner, 1945 (Late Cretaceous, Lebanon, Sahel Alma), is one of those cases in which the systematic assignment of the species can be difficult. It was assigned by “default” to Penaeus Fabricius, 1798, before being moved to Metapenaeopsis Bouvier, 1905. The recent description of Pseudodrobna kenngottiWinkler, 2017 (Late Jurassic, Germany, Schernfeld, a Solnhofen-type Fossil-Lagerstätte) shows that Penaeus natator should be assigned to PseudodrobnaWinkler, 2017. This attests once again the similarity in composition of crustacean faunas between Late Jurassic Solnhofen-type Fossil-Lagerstätten and the Late Cretaceous Fossil-Lagerstätten of Lebanon. We also discuss the palaeoecological significance of bilobed eyes, which occur in three species from the Late Cretaceous of Sahel Alma: Pseudodrobna natator n. comb., Palaeobenthonectes arambourgi (Roger, 1946) and Palaeobenthesicymus libanensis (Brocchi, 1875). These eyes seem to have evolved convergently due to the deep-water and dim-light palaeoenvironment of these three shrimp species.

Electrode placement using robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) has been proven a safe and accurate technique in children. As its use increases, understanding the impact of registration methods and patient-specific factors on placement accuracy is crucial. The aim of this study was to compare 4 registration methods and to evaluate factors associated with lead placement error. This retrospective case series included pediatric patients who underwent robot-assisted SEEG from January 2019 to April 2022 at a single institution. Placement accuracy was assessed at both the inner skull table and the prespecified target using 4 registration techniques: 1) laser-based registration with a Mayfield skull clamp (laser), 2) a Leksell frame with bone fiducials (bone fiducials), 3) a Leksell frame with pins plus one bone fiducial (pins+fiducial), and 4) a frame-based registration with etched frame (frame-based). Accuracy differences were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. A stepwise multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate predictors of error. Overall, 231 electrodes were placed in 22 patients (median age 15 years). The median error at the inner skull table was lowest with the pins+fiducial (0.6 mm) technique and highest with the laser (1.7 mm) technique. The target error was also lowest with pins+fiducial (1.1 mm) technique and highest with the laser (2.04 mm) technique. All group differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Younger age (p = 0.0161) and increased bone thickness (p = 0.0304) were independently associated with error at the target and inner skull table, respectively. No clinical complications occurred, including hemorrhage, infection, or electrode malposition. The registration technique used significantly affects robot-assisted SEEG accuracy in children. The use of frame-based approaches, especially using pins and a single fiducial, yielded the highest accuracy. Additional caution should be exercised in younger patients and with trajectories through thicker bone.

A Dipnoan Tooth Plate from the Lower Cretaceous of Kansas, USA

A new species of the genus Phyllodytes is described from Fazenda Gravatá (10° 47'S, 36° 54'W), Municipality of Santo Amaro das Brotas, State of Sergipe, Brazil. Phyllodytes punctatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the small size (SVL 18.2-22.8 mm; x 20.6, s 1.49), dorsum of body pale brown with distinctive brown dots and smaller brown dots on dorsal surfaces of hindlimbs, dorsal surfaces of body and hindlimbs with small rounded tubercles, and presence of a distinctive tubercle on the tip of snout and one to three small tubercles on upper eyelid.

A new onychodont sarcopterygian is described from the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) of Morocco. Selenodus aquesbiae gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by a unique suite of traits among onychodonts such as a large maxilla with a rounded posterior expansion and a straight ventral margin, the presence of a single supraorbital, and a reduced opercular series. It also displays certain features commonly found in onychodontids and early sarcopterygians, like a lateral rostral contacting the orbit through a narrow posterodorsal projection, numerous sclerotic plates surrounding the orbit, the occurrence of an accessory row of small denticles labially lining the single row of teeth from the upper and lower jaws, a prearticular ornamented with small rounded tubercules, the postotic lateral line canal passing through the supratemporal, tabular and lateral extrascapular bones of the skull roof, and dermal bones and rounded scales ornamented by small dentine tubercules capped with enamel. All the fossil remains belong to a single individual representing a relatively large fish (around 1 m of estimated length based on the skull dimensions) for which the snout, cheek, and skull roof have been partially reconstructed. The well-preserved material comprises mainly the dermocranium but two branchial elements are known, adding to our knowledge of early osteichthyan endoskeleton. A phylogenetic analysis places Selenodus in an unresolved polytomy among onychodonts and coelacanths, enabling discussion of evolutionary scenarios and character combinations among early osteichthyans. The close relationship between onychodonts and actinistians is firmly established and suggests that all onychodont taxa are stem coelacanths. Selenodus represents the first occurrence of onychodonts from Africa and furnishes key information not only on onychodont morphology and interrelationships but also on their palaeobiogeographical distribution and Devonian faunal affinities between Euramerica and Gondwana.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3FEB765B-E203-4015-BB48-20B108509F3B

Bone ornamentation, that is, hollow (pits and grooves) or protruding (ridges) repetitive reliefs on the surface of dermal bones, is a frequent, though poorly studied and understood, feature in vertebrates. One of the most typical examples of this characteristic is given by the Crurotarsi, a taxon formed by the crocodilians and their closest allies, which generally display deep ornamentation on skull roof and osteoderms. However, the ontogenetic process responsible for the differentiation and development of this character remains controversial. This study was conducted to settle the question on histological and microanatomical evidence in several crurotarsan taxa. Observational and experimental data in extant and extinct crocodyliforms show that bone ornamentation is initially created, and later maintained during somatic growth (that is indefinite in crocodilians), by a complex process of bone remodeling comprising local resorption of superficial bone cortices, followed by partial reconstruction. The superficial reliefs of crocodilian dermal bones are thus permanently modified through pit enlargement, drift, stretching, shrinking, or complete filling. Ridges are also remodeled in corresponding ways. These processes allow accommodation of unitary ornamental motifs to the overall dimensions of the bones during growth. A parsimony optimization based on the results of this study, but integrating also published data on bone histology in non-crocodyliform crurotarsans and some non-crurotarsan taxa, suggests that the peculiar mechanism described above for creating and maintaining bone ornamentation is a general feature of the Crurotarsi and is quite distinct from that attributed by previous authors to other vertebrates.

Fossil juvenile coelacanths from the Devonian of South Africa shed light on the order of character acquisition in actinistians

A new genus, Afroramhus Legalov, gen. n. with type species: Afroramhus yakovlevi sp. n. from the subtribe Rhamphina (Rhamphini) from Zimbabwe is described. The new genus differs from the genus Indodinorrhopalus Pajni et Sood, 1981 in narrowly separated procoxal cavities and femora with small tubercle and from Rhynchaenus Clairville, 1798 in the unarmed pro- and mesotibiae and femora with small tubercle. This is the first record of the tribe Rhamphini for Zimbabwe. A list of the species of the subtribe Rhamphina of sub-Saharan Africa is provided.

A new ichnospecies Mammillichnis monstrum isp. nov. (Domichnia) is described from turbidite sandstone in the upper part of the Mospyne Formation (late Bashkirian, Early Pennsylvanian) of southern Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. Mammillichnis monstrum isp. nov. is represented by hypichnial, hemispherical, slightly flattened passive fillings of a large burrow; the apex of burrow casts has concentric depression or a small rounded tubercle. Mammillichnis monstrum isp. nov. differs from Mammillichnis aggeris Chamberlain, 1971 (Vendian–Oligocene) and Mammillichnis jakubi Pokorny et al., 2017 (Late Miocene, Neogene) by its much larger size. The depth of burrows varies greatly, which seems to be related to the different preservation of burrow casts, as well as, apparently, different maturity of burrow producers. In addition, such an important diagnostic feature as a rounded tubercle at the apex of the burrow casts is not observed in all specimens, which is probably also due to the different types of preservation of the trace fossils. Perhaps, the differences in the morphology of the apex of some examined specimens are due to the activity of organisms that lived in the burrows after the death of the trace fossil producer. The producers of the trace fossils Mammillichnis are apparently sea anemones (Actiniaria). The fossil record of Actiniaria has significant gaps because these animals lack a mineral skeleton that can be preserved as a fossil. The oldest sea anemones are known from the Vendian; there is no data on post-Carboniferous fossil Actiniaria. It seems that the only way to study the evolution of this group of animals is studying of their trace fossils, such as burrows (e.g. ichnogenera Astropolichnus, Bergaueria, Conostichus, and Kulindrichnus), which demonstrate some details of the body morphology of their producers. The trace fossils Mammillichnis monstrum apparently marks insignificant pauses in sedimentation preceding the accumulation of turbidite sandstones. In the coarse sandy sediments are preserved mainly large depressions left by sessile coelenterates. Trace fossils are well preserved in some sandstone lenses and poorly preserved in others. This circumstance is apparently related to the different intensity of erosive activity of turbidity currents.

The woodpecker family (Picidae) includes numerous species that vary in size and plumage colouration, but which share many easily recognisable external features. These birds possess pronounced anatomical adaptions that enable them to exploit arboreal habitats and live in niches that are inaccessible to most other birds. The aim of this study was to increase our knowledge on the relationships between skull shape, habitat preference, pecking abilities and foraging habits of 10 European woodpecker species. A geometric morphometric approach was used to analyse two-dimensional cranial landmarks. We used principal component (PC) analyses on those measurements that may be related to habitat preference and foraging habits. The PCs resulted in descriptions of the relative length and width of the bill, variation in its relative size, orientation of the nostrils variation in the elongation of the neurocranium, the relative size and position of the palatine bone, length of the rostrum, and the thickness of the mandible bone. The analysis showed and confirmed the presence of some cranial elements that are strongly associated with habitat preference, pecking behaviour and excavation abilities.

The freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium macrobrachion is one of the shrimp’s species that contribute to the fisheries in the Mono River – Coastal Lagoon water system of the Southern Benin, where major causes of environmental degradation that affect species integrity and survival, are hydro electrical dam, bridges, mangrove destruction, water hyacinth invasion, dumping of domestic wastes from a public market, use of detrimental fishing gears and overfishing. A total of 780 specimens of M. macrobrachionwere sampled from two locations to investigate the morphological and taxonomic characterization of the species and to detect whether the population is morphologically and taxonomically separable in order to ascertain possible genetic diversity. The population exhibited significant (P≤0.01) morphological relationships with positive slopes varying between 0.28 and 2.80 and coefficients of correlation “r” between 0.70 and 0.96. The positive slopes “b”<3 (2.80 for Heve location; 2.71 for Onkuiwe location) from the total length - body weight relationships suggest that M. macrobrachion exhibited an allometric growth in the Mono River – Coastal Lagoon system. The results indicated that the morphometric features across the two sub-populations of M. macrobrachion were not significantly different (0.00001 ≤F1,778 ≤ 0.205, P ≥0.05). Computed body proportions revealed that the prawn was twice as long as its cepholothorax and twice as long as its abdomen. Also, the cephalothorax was as long as the dorsal rostrum and twice as long as its height. The total length was 4.9-8.69 times the uropod length and 5.17-9.45 times the telson length, and the cephalothorax length was 6-8.83 times the eye diameter. Also, the meristic counts from the two sub-populations of M. macrobrachion were not significantly different (0.000001 ≤ F1,778 ≤ 0.000003, P ≥0.05). M. macrobrachion had 12-15 rostral spines at the dorsal side of the rostrum and 3-5 rostral spines at the ventral side. As a results the morphometric measurements and the meristic traits of M. macrobrachion from the two (2) locations did not differ significantly (P≥0.05), indicating that the population of M. macrobrachion in the Mono River – Coastal Lagoon system of Benin is morphologically and taxonomically inseparable and, consequently, may not be genetically diversified. Hence, search in genetic diversification requires molecular characterization to detect eventual variation among the population. Also, for species conservation and habitat protection purpose, the output generated from this study will form documentation for this prawn and serve as reference for species follow-up pending any further changes in the ecosystem. Key words: Degradation, genetic diversification, Macrobrachium macrobrachion, morphological characterization, Mono River, species conservation, sympatric speciation.