Unique Skull Research Articles

Postcranial anatomy of Dsungaripterus weii (Pterosauria: Ornithocheiroidea) from the Lower Cretaceous of Wuerho, China

ABSTRACT Ornithocheiroidea was a globally diverse group of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous. However, well-documented ornithocheiroids are highly derived, hampering our understanding on the morphological evolution of this clade. Dsungaripterus weii Young, 1964 from the Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group (Valanginian) of the Junggar Basin is an iconic early member of Ornithocheiroidea. Dsungaripterus is known from numerous three-dimensionally preserved specimens, ranging from isolated bones to partially articulated individuals. Here we provide a comprehensive description of the postcranium of Dsungaripterus. We find that Dsungaripterus has many autapomorphies in the postcranial skeleton parallelling its unique skull, including the asynchronous fusion between the sacrum and pelvis and a posterodorsal fossa of the humerus with a paper-thin bone wall. Dsungaripterus also displays some plesiomorphic features of Ornithoecheiroidea, for example, limb bones with relatively thick bone walls, variably reduced pneumatic features in cervical vertebrae and appendicular skeletons, absence of spinoprezygapophyseal and spinopostzygapophyseal ridges in middle-series cervical vertebrae, at least one metacarpal articulating with the distal syncarpal, and a distally displaced adductor ridge on the femur. Additionally, Dsungaripterus possesses some unexpected features possibly convergent with other members of Ornithocheiroidea. Although the postcranial skeletons of Dsungaripterus are represented by osteologically mature specimens, notable morphological variation is present. Functional reconstructions of several aspects of the postcranial skeleton of Dsungaripterus are elucidated, including the arrangement of the metacarpophalangeal region during terrestrial locomotion. Niche partitioning between the two dsungaripterids from the Tugulu Group of Wuerho, Dsungaripterus and Noripterus, is supported by their distinct dentitions, neck morphology, and limb proportions.

Digital skull anatomy of the Oligocene North American tortoise Stylemys nebrascensis with taxonomic comments on the species and comparisons with extant testudinids of the Gopherus–Manouria clade

The anatomy of North American tortoises is poorly understood, despite a rich fossil record from the Eocene and younger strata. Stylemys nebrascensis is a particularly noteworthy turtle in this regard, as hundreds of specimens are known from Oligocene deposits, and as this species is one of the earliest fossil turtles to have been described in the scientific literature. Since its initial description based on a shell, many specimens with more complete material have been referred to Stylemys nebrascensis. Here, we review and confirm the referral of an important historic specimen to Stylemys nebrascensis, which includes shell, non-shell postcranial, and skull material. This allows us to document unique skull features of Stylemys nebrascensis (e.g., an unusual ‘poststapedial canal’ that connects the posterior skull surface with the cavum acustico-jugulare) and to refer another well-preserved skull to the species. Based on computed-tomography scanning of these two skulls, we provide a detailed description of the cranial and mandibular osteology of Stylemys nebrascensis. Stylemys nebrascensis has a combination of plesiomorphic skull characteristics (e.g., retention of a medial jugal process) and derived traits shared with extant gopher tortoises (e.g., median premaxillary ridge) that suggest it may be a stem-representative of the gopher tortoise lineage. This supports the hypothesis that extant and fossil tortoises from North America form a geographically restricted clade that split from Asian relatives during the Paleogene.

Human Face Reconstruction using Divine Proportions and Gestalt for Occluded Video Face Recovery in Forensic Analysis using Deep Learning

Forensic video analysis has been used in diverse kind of high-profile cases, global discrepancies, and conflict zones. It is a three-phase process of scientific examination, comparison, and evaluation of video in legal matters. Human face reconstruction using deep learning for occluded video face recovery to aid in forensic analysis is the main objective of this paper. Forensic facial reconstruction is a combination of both scientific methods and artistic skill. In this paper, we introduce a method to reconstruct human faces occluded due to short noise innight-time video clips. A skull database is created with unique skull models with varying shapes, forms and proportions. Human body mathematical model biometric using golden ratio algorithm is proposed and used to find the occluded face proportions. Closure principle of gestalt theory of visual perception is used to fill in the missing parts of a face design and to create a whole face image using gan. The proposed model is found to have 50% lesser reduced Median error rate and 20% reduced Stdev than PrNet and 10% lower Mean error rate than 3Dddfav2.

Ontogeny of the skull of the blind snakeAmerotyphlops brongersmianus(Serpentes: Typhlopidae) brings new insights on snake cranial evolution

AbstractBlind snakes represent the most basal group of extant snakes and include fossorial species with unusual skeletal traits. Despite their known phylogenetic position, little is known about their ontogeny and what it might reveal about the origin of their skull anatomy. Here we describe for the first time the ontogenetic transformations of the skull of a blind snake, the typhlopid Amerotyphlops brongersmianus, including embryos and postnatal individuals. Furthermore, we provide data on the size changes relative to skull growth of the main elements of the gnathic complex. We observed that the skull of this blind snake undergoes considerable morphological change during late ontogeny. Additionally, we detected delayed development of some traits (closure of the skull roof, opisthotic-exoccipital suture, ossification of the posterior trabeculae) simultaneously with clearly peramorphic traits (development of the crista circumfenestralis, growth of the pterygoid bar). Our analysis suggests that the unique skull anatomy of blind snakes displays plesiomorphic and highly autapomorphic features, as an outcome of heterochronic processes and miniaturization, and is shaped by functional constraints related to a highly specialized feeding mechanism under the selective pressures of a fossorial lifestyle.

Management of Dental Disease in Aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) and Potential Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Simple SummaryOral disease involving teeth is a common condition of aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) housed in zoos, although research is limited. Medical records of aardvarks housed at a single zoo in the United States between 1995 and 2021 were evaluated for dental abnormalities. Eight out of ten aardvarks had dental abnormalities, with most cases having mild disease (4/8). Three patients required the removal of abnormal teeth for treatment. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a technology used to create a three-dimensional image of the teeth and skull and was used in two aardvarks. This technology was considered helpful in documenting dental abnormalities in patients with severe disease and may be a valuable tool for veterinarians managing oral disease in aardvarks.Oral disease involving teeth is a common cause of morbidity in aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) under managed care. Cases can be challenging due to the species’ unique skull and dental anatomy and limited veterinary literature. A retrospective evaluation was performed on dental examinations in nine aardvarks housed at a single zoological institution in the United States between 1995 and 2021. The prevalence of dental disease in this population was 88%, with most cases categorized as mild (4/8). Clinical signs were only seen in three cases. Facial swelling prior to surgery was the most common clinical sign (3/8). Dental pathology was more common in the mandibular teeth (27/38) compared to the maxillary teeth (11/38). Dental abnormalities found upon intraoral examination included the presence of dental points (7/8), crown elongation (3/8), purulent material within the oral cavity (4/8), loose teeth (2/8), periodontal pockets (2/8), and oronasal fistula (1/8). Three patients required dental extractions with a lateral buccostomy approach. Diagnostic imaging was performed in most cases (7/8), with two cases undergoing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to characterize dental pathology that was difficult to fully evaluate with standard radiography. Tomographic findings are described in both cases. CBCT was found to be a helpful tool for diagnosing and characterizing dental disease in aardvarks.

Cranial skeletogenesis of one of the largest amphibians, Andrias japonicus, provides insight into ontogenetic adaptations for feeding in salamanders

Abstract Skeletal development in salamanders is greatly influenced by their complex life history. Although the relationship between skull development and life history has been investigated in a variety of salamander species, few studies have compared skull development among lineages. Here, we describe the cranial skeletogenesis of the Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus (family Cryptobranchidae), for the first time. To conduct interspecific comparisons, we also describe the cranial skeletogenesis of Hynobius nebulosus (Hynobiidae), Pleurodeles waltl (Salamandridae) and Ambystoma mexicanum (Ambystomatidae). Our comparative analyses reveal interspecific differences in cranial skeletogenesis, particularly in the timing of the onset of ossification, the direction of ossification (e.g. from anterior to posterior) and the ossification pattern of the hyobranchial skeleton. The early onset of jaw ossification, posterior extension of the maxilla and posterolateral inclination of the squamosal in An. japonicus might be adaptations that allow An. japonicus to gulp feed, primarily using the suction force generated by opening the mouth wide, while also supplementing that force by depressing the hyobranchial skeleton. Multivariate regression of skull shape on log10-transformed centroid size revealed that the unique skull shape of adult and subadult An. japonicus forms through hypermorphosis.

Imaging through an imperfect skull with non-Hermitian complementary acoustic metamaterials

Biomedical ultrasound is a proficient tool for diagnostic imaging and a wide variety of non-invasive medical procedures due to its high spatial resolution and biocompatibility. While high frequency ultrasound is highly sought after for use in the brain, the skull acts as a highly mismatched and lossy impedance barrier that scatters and damps the energy delivered to a targeted region. This limits the usefulness of ultrasound for brain imaging and brain therapies. Non-Hermitian complementary metamaterials (NHCMM) use transformation acoustics to overcome the impedance mismatch and intrinsic loss of the skull to enable bidirectional acoustic transmission into the brain. Here, we apply the NHCMM to skulls with curved geometries, varying thicknesses, and irregularities to evaluate the performance of NHCMMs in near realistic circumstances. We customize the metamaterial shape for each unique skull geometry to maximize the bidirectional transmission through the skull to better identify internal acoustic scatters. The NHCMM manages to preserve the imaging information of an acoustic tumor embedded in the brain with multiple imperfections present. The evaluation of NHCMMs for skulls with imperfections is vital to gauge its effectiveness for real-world applications as the proposed NHCMM establishes a noninvasive technique for ultrasonic brain imaging through skull and ultrasound diagnostics for neurological disorders.

Hominin lower limb bones from Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa (1998–2003 excavations)

We describe late Pliocene and early Pleistocene hominin fossils from Sterkfontein Caves (South Africa), including two femoral specimens, as well as a partial tibia and a partial fibula. The fossils are likely assignable to Australopithecus africanus and/or Australopithecus prometheus and the morphology of each corroborates previous interpretations of Sterkfontein hominins as at least facultative bipeds.
 Significance:
 
 A recent series of papers by our research team describes the morphology of a hominin skeleton from Sterkfontein Caves (South Africa), nicknamed ‘Little Foot’. Based on its unique skull morphology, R.J. Clarke, the skeleton’s discoverer, places it in the species Australopithecus prometheus, as distinct from the better-known and co-occurring Australopithecus africanus. Here we describe additional hominin thigh and leg fossils from Sterkfontein that, when considered in a comparative context, support the hypothesis that there was significant (probably interspecific) variation in South African hominin postcranial morphology during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene.

The Anatomy of Asilisaurus kongwe, a Dinosauriform from the Lifua Member of the Manda Beds (~Middle Triassic) of Africa.

The diagnosis of Dinosauria and interrelationships of the earliest dinosaurs relies on careful documentation of the anatomy of their closest relatives. These close relatives, or dinosaur "precursors," are typically only documented by a handful of fossils from across Pangea and nearly all specimens are typically missing important regions (e.g., forelimbs, pelves, skulls) that appear to be important to help resolving the relationships of dinosaurs. Here, we fully describe the known skeletal elements of Asilisaurus kongwe, a dinosauriform from the Middle Triassic Manda Beds of the Ruhuhu Basin of Tanzania. The taxon is known from many disarticulated and partially articulated remains and, most importantly, from a spectacularly preserved associated skeleton of an individual containing much of the skull, pectoral and pelvic girdles, forelimb and hindlimb, and parts of the vertebral column including much of the tail. The unprecedented detail of the anatomy indicates that Asilisaurus kongwe had a unique skull that was short and had both a premaxillary and dentary edentulous margin, but retained a number of character states plesiomorphic for Archosauria, including a crocodylian-like ankle configuration and a rather short foot with well-developed metatarsals I and V. Additionally, character states present across the skeleton of Asilisaurus kongwe suggest it is more closely related to Silesaurus opolensis than to dinosaurs; thus suggesting high homoplasy and parallel trends within Silesauridae and within lineages of early dinosaurs. The anatomy of Asilisaurus kongwe and detailed description of early members of clades found outside Dinosauria are clearly needed to untangle the seemingly complex character evolution of the skeleton within avemetatarsalians. Anat Rec, 303:813-873, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Sphenoorbital meningioma: a unique skull base tumor. Surgical technique and results.

Sphenoorbital meningioma (SOM) is a unique skull base tumor, characterized by infiltrative involvement and hyperostosis primarily of the lesser wing of sphenoid bone, with frequent involvement of the orbital compartment. SOM often manifests with proptosis and visual impairment. Surgical technique and outcome are highly variable among studies reported in the literature. The authors present a single-surgeon experience with SOM. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database was performed. A blinded imaging review by 2 study team members was completed to confirm SOM, after which chart review was carried out to capture demographics and outcomes. All statistical testing was completed using JMP Pro version 14.1.0, with significance defined as p < 0.05. Forty-seven patients who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2017 were included. The median age at surgery was 47 years (range 36-70 years), 81% of patients were female, and the median follow-up was 43 months (range 0-175 months). All operations were performed via a frontotemporal craniotomy, orbitooptic osteotomy, and anterior clinoidectomy, with extensive resection of all involved bone and soft tissue. Preoperatively, proptosis was noted in 44 patients, 98% of whom improved. Twenty-eight patients (60%) had visual deficits before surgery, 21 (75%) of whom improved during follow-up. Visual field defect other than a central scotoma was the only prognostic factor for improvement in vision on multivariate analysis (p = 0.0062). Nine patients (19%) had recurrence or progression during follow-up. SOM is a unique skull base tumor that needs careful planning to optimize outcome. Aggressive removal of involved bone and periorbita is crucial, and proptosis and visual field defect other than a central scotoma can improve after surgery.

The oldest known tetrapod (Temnospondyli) from Germany (Early Carboniferous, Viséan)

A unique skull roof fragment of a relatively large-sized tetrapod of Visean age from Chemnitz-Glosa, Saxony, is described. The specimen consists of three bones, an elongated supratemporal with a radially arranged dermal sculpture and the sulcus of the otical part of the infraorbital line, the medial portion of the squamosal which is sutured with the anterolateral supratemporal, and a small, strip-like tabular bone. A deep “otic notch” is indicated. This new tetrapod was predominantly aquatic, as indicated by the deep and relatively broad lateral line sulcus. The type of dermal sculpture and the configuration of the bones indicate that the specimen is probably an adult temnospondyl, with the course of the lateral lines resembling those of dvinosaurians. Together with Balanerpeton from Scotland, this is the geologically oldest temnospondyl and the oldest known tetrapod record in Germany up to now.

Unique skull network complexity of Tyrannosaurus rex among land vertebrates

Like other diapsids, Tyrannosaurus rex has two openings in the temporal skull region. In addition, like in other dinosaurs, its snout and lower jaw show large cranial fenestrae. In T. rex, they are thought to decrease skull weight, because, unlike most other amniotes, the skull proportion is immense compared to the body. Understanding morphofunctional complexity of this impressive skull architecture requires a broad scale phylogenetic comparison with skull types different to that of dinosaurs with fundamentally diverging cranial regionalization. Extant fully terrestrial vertebrates (amniotes) provide the best opportunities in that regard, as their skull performance is known from life. We apply for the first time anatomical network analysis to study skull bone integration and modular constructions in tyrannosaur and compare it with five representatives of the major amniote groups in order to get an understanding of the general patterns of amniote skull modularity. Our results reveal that the tyrannosaur has the most modular skull organization among the amniotes included in our study, with an unexpected separation of the snout in upper and lower sub-modules and the presence of a lower adductor chamber module. Independent pathways of bone reduction in opossum and chicken resulted in different degrees of cranial complexity with chicken having a typical sauropsidian pattern. The akinetic skull of opossum, alligator, and leatherback turtle evolved in independent ways mirrored in different patterns of skull modularity. Kinetic forms also show great diversity in modularity. The complex tyrannosaur skull modularity likely represents a refined mosaic of phylogenetic and ecological factors with food processing being probably most important for shaping its skull architecture. Mode of food processing primarily shaped skull integration among amniotes, however, phylogenetic patterns of skull integration are low in our sampling. Our general conclusions on amniote skull integrity are obviously preliminary and should be tested in subsequent studies. As such, this study provides a framework for future research focusing on the evolution of modularity on lower taxonomic levels.

Complex Overlapping Joints between Facial Bones Allowing Limited Anterior Sliding Movements of the Snout in Diplodocid Sauropods

Diplodocid sauropods had a unique skull morphology, with posteriorly retracted nares, an elongated snout, and anteriorly restricted, peglike teeth. Because of the lack of extant analogs in skull structure and tooth morphology, understanding their feeding strategy and diet has been difficult. Furthermore, the general rarity of sauropod skulls and the fragility of their facial elements resulted in a restricted knowledge of cranial anatomy, in particular regarding the internal surface of the facial skull. Here, we describe in detail a well-preserved diplodocid skull visible in medial view. Diagnostic features recognized in other skulls observable in lateral view, such as the extended contribution of the jugal to the antorbital fenestra, are obliterated in medial view due to extensive overlapping joints between the maxilla, jugal, quadratojugal, and the lacrimal. These overlapping joints permitted limited anterior sliding movement of the snout, which likely served as a kind of “shock-absorbing” mechanism during feeding. Diplodocid skulls therefore seem to have evolved to alleviate stresses inflicted on the snout during backward movements of the head, as would be expected during branch-stripping or raking.

Skull morphology of the Brazilian shrew mouse Blarinomys breviceps (Akodontini; Sigmodontinae), with comparative notes on Akodontini rodents

Blarinomys breviceps is a shrew-like mouse, morphologically divergent from the remaining Akodontini (Cricetidae), and best known in the literature for its apparent fossorial adaptations. However, no detailed morphological description concerning its morphology and burrowing habits is available. Through a detailed osteological description and geometric morphometrics approach, we show the distinctiveness of the skull of Blarinomys when compared with other Akodontini. Its unique skull morphology shows some features that can be associated with its underground lifestyle. Many aspects of the peculiar morphology of Blarinomys may be attributed to selective pressures of the underground environment, and are convergent with the morphology of other fossorial rodents. However, in the Neotropics, Blarinomys represents one of the few instances of specialized fossorial habits among members of the Sigmodontinae.

A new endothiodont dicynodont (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from the Permian Ruhuhu Formation (Songea Group) of Tanzania and its feeding system

ABSTRACTCranial material of the dicynodont Endothiodon from the middle fossiliferous horizon of the Permian Ruhuhu Formation (Ruhuhu Basin, Tanzania) is described as a new species, E. tolani. Endothiodon tolani is distinguished from other Endothiodon species by the absence of a pineal boss and the presence of tusks in most specimens. Although some parts of the Ruhuhu Formation probably correlate with the Eodicynodon or Tapinocephalus assemblage zones of the South African Karoo Basin, it is uncertain whether E. tolani is older than E. bathystoma or E. mahalanobisi. There is less evidence for extensive anteroposterior translation of the mandible in E. tolani than in other dicynodonts. The jaw joint is specialized for allowing some medial-lateral motion. Mastication involved unilateral chewing. Flexure of the postdentary bones relative to the fused dentaries permitted the posterolaterally directed rows of teeth on one side of the skull and mandible to move past one another. The long tooth rows and prominent horn-covered ridges and grooves on the palate and mandible of Endothiodon are unique among dicynodonts. Comparisons with other taxa suggest that its feeding system may have been specialized for cutting three-dimensional objects such as stems or rhizomes. The dicynodont feeding system is very stereotyped throughout the clade's history, but Endothiodon escaped the constraints that affected other dicynodonts, allowing it to evolve a unique skull morphology. This evolutionary flexibility did not translate into high taxonomic richness (we recognize only three species of Endothiodon), but Endothiodon was able to achieve high levels of relative abundance in some basins.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9686F708-2E6E-40EB-956F-05659889684FSUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVP

Some Aspects on an Asymmetry of Nasal Bones in Toothed Whales

The arrangement of cranial bones in cetaceans in both Odontoceti and Mysticeti has evolved to enable better adaptation to aquatic habitats, and as a result, cetacean skulls differ from those of terrestrial mammals. Their unique skull morphology has been studied to the extent that it is now known Odontoceti have unusual asymmet­ ric cranial bone structures, whereas Mysticeti have sym­ metric structures similar to other mammals (Miller 1923). Ness (1967) measured the asymmetry of odontocete skulls of 314 specimens across seven families, 26 genera, and 41 species. He revealed the presence of a leftward deviation of midline structures and reported that the point most deviant from the midline axis usually lies on the tangent between both nasal bones. Cranial asymmetry includes both the deviation of the midline suture to the left and enlargement or distortion of the bony elements (Heyning 1989). This phenomenon is known as direc­ tional asymmetry, which is unique to Odontoceti among mammals. Cranial asymmetry has been pointed out to play a role in the sophisticated acoustic system characteristic of Odontoceti. The source of their biosonar signals is thought to be a structure associated with the upper nasal passage (Yurick and Gaskin 1988; Cranford et al. 1996; Cranford 1999), and the cranial bones related to that airway around the nasal bones are likely to have the most apparent asym­ metry, leading to an expectation of a correlation between cranial asymmetry and biosonar generation. Aroyan et al. (1992) suggested that these skull bones act as an acousti­ cal mirror to reflect and amplify the sounds the whales generate. However, no evidence exists to explain why an asymmetric structure is needed for nasal phonation or the way in which each cranial bone serves as an acoustic component. Why do different odontocete species have different cranial asymmetry? The skull bones in some species, such as the porpoise, secondarily became more symmetrical to shift the produced sound outside of their predators’ hear­ ing range after ancient Odontoceti had obtained an asym­ metric skull, which was originally explained by Morisaka and Connor (2007) and further endorsed by Murakami et al. (2014). Past studies of odontocete skulls dealing with specified delphinid species, such as phocoenids, have been performed (Perrin 1975; Yurick and Gaskin 1988). Despite such studies trying to account for the phenome­ non, there is no reasonable explanation for asymmetric variation in the nasal bones because only a few studies have measured and compared the shapes of the skull bones, especially the nasal bones, in various odontocete species. Ness (1967) concluded that the magnitude of asymmetry decreased as follows: Kogia > monodontids > delphinoids (except Orcinus) > ziphiids > Orcinus. How­ ever he did not adequately describe how the asymmet­ ric region varied between species. As Heyning (1989) pointed out, in order to analyze the nasal bone asymme­ try, the size and/or shape asymmetry should be quantified in some ways which are independent from the rostral length. In addition, when we consider Cetacea as a whole, mysticete skulls are assumed to be symmetrical but have not been investigated fully or in detail, partly because of the difficulty in gathering a sufficient number of speci­ mens. In this study, we emphasize the importance of nasal bones in cranial asymmetry by examining nasal bone asymmetry in seven Odontoceti families through mea­ suring the position and shape of the nasal bones. We calculated the ratio of asymmetry by using bilateral structures to eliminate the influence of the proportional differences by rostral length among odontocete families. The same regions were then compared with those in the common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata to confirm that the cranial bones of the mysticetes are sym­ metrical. We also compare the asymmetric anatomy of odontocete nasal bones not only among odontocetes but also to mysticetes.

A skull of the immigrant Eurasian beardog Cynelos (Carnivora, Amphicyonidae) from the early Miocene of southern California

ABSTRACT—At ∼23 Ma, large amphicyonid carnivorans participated in the initial Neogene mammal migration passing though the Bering filter en route to North America. Among the migrants were the amphicyonines Cynelos and Ysengrinia, first appearing in early Miocene sediments of the upper Arikaree Group in Nebraska and Wyoming, having entered the New World with chalicotheres, small cervoids, and the cursorial rhinoceros Menoceras. Early representatives of these immigrant carnivores had not, until recently, been recovered from localities along the Pacific coastal corridor of western North America. Here we report the discovery of a unique skull that establishes the presence of an early Neogene species of Cynelos (C. malasi, sp. nov.) in coastal southern California. The skull shares craniodental features with early Miocene species of the genus in Europe. Dentition (P4-M1-M2) and cranial morphology of Cynelos malasi compare with C. helbingi (southern Germany) and C. lemanensis (France, Germany) but uniquely combine size and occlusal detail to preclude assignment to these species. Cynelos malasi is assigned a latest Arikareean (Ar4) age in the North American Land Mammal Age (NALMA) chronology. By the early Miocene, species of Cynelos had dispersed from western Europe to northern Africa and into western North America. Whether the taxon arrived in North America by following a coastal southern Asian route or by Palaearctic dispersal is unconfirmed. Given the similarity between North American and European species of Cynelos, we suspect that the genus spanned Asia during the early Miocene.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6F78C042-8C98-47B3-BFD0-E6943A615197

&lt;p class="HeadingRunIn"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A molecular phylogeny recovers &lt;em&gt;Strabomantis aramunha&lt;/em&gt; Cassimiro, Verdade and Rodrigues, 2008 and &lt;em&gt;Haddadus binotatus&lt;/em&gt; (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Terrarana) as sister taxa&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The taxonomic and biogeographic affinities of Strabomantis aramunha from the Campos Rupestres of Brazil are intriguing. A unique skull morphology of females suggest affinities with the broad-headed eleutherodactylines of Northwestern South America in the genus Strabomantis. Male and juvenile morphology nonetheless suggest S. aramunha could be related to members of the recently described genus Haddadus from eastern Brazil. We assess the affinities of S. aramunha using molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (12S, tRNAval, 16S, cyt b) and nuclear sequences (RAG-1and rhodopsin). Bayesian inference, likelihood, and parsimony analysis recover a highly supported clade with S. aramunha and H. binotatus as sister taxa. Accordingly, we transfer S. aramunha to Haddadus, and provide a new generic definition of the later. The distribution of species in Haddadus (highlands of the Espinhaço mountain Range and coastal eastern Brazil) is now concordant with the general pattern observed for other species in the area.

A molecular phylogeny recovers Strabomantis aramunha Cassimiro, Verdade and Rodrigues, 2008 and Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Terrarana) as sister taxa.

The taxonomic and biogeographic affinities of Strabomantis aramunha from the Campos Rupestres of Brazil are intriguing. A unique skull morphology of females suggest affinities with the broad-headed eleutherodactylines of Northwestern South America in the genus Strabomantis. Male and juvenile morphology nonetheless suggest S. aramunha could be related to members of the recently described genus Haddadus from eastern Brazil. We assess the affinities of S. aramunha using molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (12S, tRNAval, 16S, cyt b) and nuclear sequences (RAG-1and rhodopsin). Bayesian inference, likelihood, and parsimony analysis recover a highly supported clade with S. aramunha and H. binotatus as sister taxa. Accordingly, we transfer S. aramunha to Haddadus, and provide a new generic definition of the later. The distribution of species in Haddadus (highlands of the Espinhaço mountain Range and coastal eastern Brazil) is now concordant with the general pattern observed for other species in the area.

A new dissorophid temnospondyl from the Lower Permian of north-central Texas

Dissorophidae form a clade of terrestrially adapted temnospondyls, which were widely distributed in Euramerica and Asia during the Permian. After a long phase of neglect, study of exquisitely preserved new material of the Early Permian Cacops from Oklahoma has prompted reconsideration of other dissorophids, such as the Early Permian Conjunctio from New Mexico. Here we report on a specimen previously referred to Conjunctio from the Nocona Formation of north-central Texas. It actually represents a distinct new taxon, for which the binomen Scapanops neglecta is proposed. It represents a small dissorophid with derived characters combining to give a unique skull configuration: extremely short skull table, jaw joint situated well anterior to occiput, large orbits with wide interorbital distance, and a preorbital region more than twice as long as the postorbital region. The external nares are elongate, and the outline of the skull is ovoid, widest at mid-level of the orbits. S. neglecta shares with eucacopines the presence of a rounded internarial fenestra and an anteroposteriorly short supratemporal. Phylogenetic analysis places Scapanops at the base of the clade Eucacopinae, more crownward than Conjunctio and as the sister-taxon to a grouping comprising Cacops, Kamacops, and Zygosaurus.