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The Phylogenetic Position of Ambiortus: Comparison with Other Mesozoic Birds from Asia1 J
ISSN 00310301, Paleontological Journal, 2013, Vol. 47, No. 11, pp. 1270–1281. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2013. The Phylogenetic Position of Ambiortus: Comparison with Other Mesozoic Birds from Asia1 J. K. O’Connora and N. V. Zelenkovb aKey Laboratory of Evolution and Systematics, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, 142 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Beijing China 10044 bBorissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya ul. 123, Moscow, 117997 Russia email: [email protected], [email protected] Received August 6, 2012 Abstract—Since the last description of the ornithurine bird Ambiortus dementjevi from Mongolia, a wealth of Early Cretaceous birds have been discovered in China. Here we provide a detailed comparison of the anatomy of Ambiortus relative to other known Early Cretaceous ornithuromorphs from the Chinese Jehol Group and Xiagou Formation. We include new information on Ambiortus from a previously undescribed slab preserving part of the sternum. Ambiortus is superficially similar to Gansus yumenensis from the Aptian Xiagou Forma tion but shares more morphological features with Yixianornis grabaui (Ornithuromorpha: Songlingorni thidae) from the Jiufotang Formation of the Jehol Group. In general, the mosaic pattern of character distri bution among early ornithuromorph taxa does not reveal obvious relationships between taxa. Ambiortus was placed in a large phylogenetic analysis of Mesozoic birds, which confirms morphological observations and places Ambiortus in a polytomy with Yixianornis and Gansus. Keywords: Ornithuromorpha, Ambiortus, osteology, phylogeny, Early Cretaceous, Mongolia DOI: 10.1134/S0031030113110063 1 INTRODUCTION and articulated partial skeleton, preserving several cervi cal and thoracic vertebrae, and parts of the left thoracic Ambiortus dementjevi Kurochkin, 1982 was one of girdle and wing (specimen PIN, nos. -
Beyond Endocasts: Using Predicted Brain-Structure Volumes of Extinct Birds to Assess Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Inferences
diversity Article Beyond Endocasts: Using Predicted Brain-Structure Volumes of Extinct Birds to Assess Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Inferences 1, , 2 2 Catherine M. Early * y , Ryan C. Ridgely and Lawrence M. Witmer 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; [email protected] (R.C.R.); [email protected] (L.M.W.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Current Address: Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. y Received: 1 November 2019; Accepted: 30 December 2019; Published: 17 January 2020 Abstract: The shape of the brain influences skull morphology in birds, and both traits are driven by phylogenetic and functional constraints. Studies on avian cranial and neuroanatomical evolution are strengthened by data on extinct birds, but complete, 3D-preserved vertebrate brains are not known from the fossil record, so brain endocasts often serve as proxies. Recent work on extant birds shows that the Wulst and optic lobe faithfully represent the size of their underlying brain structures, both of which are involved in avian visual pathways. The endocasts of seven extinct birds were generated from microCT scans of their skulls to add to an existing sample of endocasts of extant birds, and the surface areas of their Wulsts and optic lobes were measured. A phylogenetic prediction method based on Bayesian inference was used to calculate the volumes of the brain structures of these extinct birds based on the surface areas of their overlying endocast structures. This analysis resulted in hyperpallium volumes of five of these extinct birds and optic tectum volumes of all seven extinct birds. -
From the Middle Eocene of Belgium
[Palaeontology, Vol. 53, Part 2, 2010, pp. 365–376] BONY-TOOTHED BIRDS (AVES: PELAGORNITHIDAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF BELGIUM by GERALD MAYR* and THIERRY SMITH *Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Sektion Ornithologie, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; e-mail [email protected] Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Paleontology, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; e-mail [email protected] Typescript received 7 April 2009; accepted in revised form 19 July 2009 Abstract: We describe well-preserved remains of the Pelag- deidae (albatrosses) in overall morphology, but because ornithidae (bony-toothed birds) from the middle Eocene of bony-toothed birds lack apomorphies of the Procellariifor- Belgium, including a sternum, pectoral girdle bones and mes, the similarities are almost certainly owing to conver- humeri of a single individual. The specimens are tentatively gence. Bony-toothed birds were often compared with the assigned to Macrodontopteryx oweni Harrison and Walker, ‘Pelecaniformes’ by previous authors, who especially made 1976, which has so far only been known from the holotype comparisons with the Sulidae (gannets and boobies). How- skull and a referred proximal ulna. Another species, about ever, the coracoid distinctly differs from that of extant ‘pelec- two times larger, is represented by an incomplete humerus aniform’ birds, and the plesiomorphic presence of a foramen and tentatively identified as Dasornis emuinus (Bowerbank, nervi supracoracoidei as well as the absence of a well- 1854). The fossils provide critical new data on the osteology delimited articulation facet for the furcula supports a of the pectoral girdle of bony-toothed birds. For the first position outside the Suloidea, the clade to which the Sulidae time, the sternum of one of the smaller species is preserved, belong. -
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A new marine vertebrate assemblage from the Late Neogene Purisima Formation in Central California, part II: Pinnipeds and Cetaceans Robert W. BOESSENECKER Department of Geology, University of Otago, 360 Leith Walk, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054 (New Zealand) and Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University 200 Traphagen Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59715 (USA) and University of California Museum of Paleontology 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA, 94720 (USA) [email protected] Boessenecker R. W. 2013. — A new marine vertebrate assemblage from the Late Neogene Purisima Formation in Central California, part II: Pinnipeds and Cetaceans. Geodiversitas 35 (4): 815-940. http://dx.doi.org/g2013n4a5 ABSTRACT e newly discovered Upper Miocene to Upper Pliocene San Gregorio assem- blage of the Purisima Formation in Central California has yielded a diverse collection of 34 marine vertebrate taxa, including eight sharks, two bony fish, three marine birds (described in a previous study), and 21 marine mammals. Pinnipeds include the walrus Dusignathus sp., cf. D. seftoni, the fur seal Cal- lorhinus sp., cf. C. gilmorei, and indeterminate otariid bones. Baleen whales include dwarf mysticetes (Herpetocetus bramblei Whitmore & Barnes, 2008, Herpetocetus sp.), two right whales (cf. Eubalaena sp. 1, cf. Eubalaena sp. 2), at least three balaenopterids (“Balaenoptera” cortesi “var.” portisi Sacco, 1890, cf. Balaenoptera, Balaenopteridae gen. et sp. indet.) and a new species of rorqual (Balaenoptera bertae n. sp.) that exhibits a number of derived features that place it within the genus Balaenoptera. is new species of Balaenoptera is relatively small (estimated 61 cm bizygomatic width) and exhibits a comparatively nar- row vertex, an obliquely (but precipitously) sloping frontal adjacent to vertex, anteriorly directed and short zygomatic processes, and squamosal creases. -
Reef-Coral Fauna of Carrizo Creek, Imperial County, California, and Its Significance
THE REEF-CORAL FAUNA OF CARRIZO CREEK, IMPERIAL COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE . .By THOMAS WAYLAND VAUGHAN . INTRODUCTION. occur has been determined by Drs . Arnold and Dall to be lower Miocene . The following conclusions seem warranted : Knowledge of the existence of the unusually (1) There was water connection between the Atlantic and interesting coral fauna here discussed dates Pacific across Central America not much previous to the from the exploration of Coyote Mountain (also upper Oligocene or lower Miocene-that is, during the known as Carrizo Mountain) by H . W. Fair- upper Eocene or lower Oligocene . This conclusion is the same as that reached by Messrs. Hill and Dall, theirs, how- banks in the early nineties.' Dr. Fairbanks ever, being based upon a study of the fossil mollusks . (2) sent the specimens of corals he collected to During lower Miocene time the West Indian type of coral Prof. John C. Merriam, at the University of fauna extended westward into the Pacific, and it was sub- California, who in turn sent them to me . sequent to that time that the Pacific and Atlantic faunas There were in the collection representatives of have become so markedly differentiated . two species and one variety, which I described As it will be made evident on subsequent under the names Favia merriami, 2 Stephano- pages that this fauna is much younger than ctenia fairbanksi,3 and Stephanoccenia fair- lower Miocene, the inference as to the date of banksi var. columnaris .4 As the geologic hori- the interoceanic connection given in the fore- zon was not even approximately known at that going quotation must be modified . -
Taxonomy, Identification, and Phylogeny of the African and Madagascan Species of the Tiger Beetle Genus Chaetodera Jeannel 1946 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Insecta Mundi Florida 9-2-2011 Taxonomy, identification, and phylogeny of the African and Madagascan species of the tiger beetle genus Chaetodera Jeannel 1946 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) Jonathan R. Mawdsley Smithsonian Institution, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi Part of the Entomology Commons Mawdsley, Jonathan R., "Taxonomy, identification, and phylogeny of the African and Madagascan species of the tiger beetle genus Chaetodera Jeannel 1946 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)" (2011). Insecta Mundi. 703. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/703 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. INSECTA MUNDI A Journal of World Insect Systematics 0191 Taxonomy, identification, and phylogeny of the African and Madagascan species of the tiger beetle genus Chaetodera Jeannel 1946 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) Jonathan R. Mawdsley Department of Entomology, MRC 187 National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P. O. Box 37012, Washington, DC, 20013-7012, USA Date of Issue: September 2, 2011 CENTER FOR SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY, INC., Gainesville, FL Jonathan R. Mawdsley Taxonomy, identification, and phylogeny of the African and Madagascan species of the tiger beetle genus Chaetodera Jeannel 1946 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) Insecta Mundi 0191: 1-13 Published in 2011 by Center for Systematic Entomology, Inc. P. O. Box 141874 Gainesville, FL 32614-1874 U. S. A. http://www.centerforsystematicentomology.org/ Insecta Mundi is a journal primarily devoted to insect systematics, but articles can be published on any non-marine arthropod. -
Giardiasis Importance Giardiasis, a Gastrointestinal Disease Characterized by Acute Or Chronic Diarrhea, Is Caused by Protozoan Parasites in the Genus Giardia
Giardiasis Importance Giardiasis, a gastrointestinal disease characterized by acute or chronic diarrhea, is caused by protozoan parasites in the genus Giardia. Giardia duodenalis is the major Giardia Enteritis, species found in mammals, and the only species known to cause illness in humans. This Lambliasis, organism is carried in the intestinal tract of many animals and people, with clinical signs Beaver Fever developing in some individuals, but many others remaining asymptomatic. In addition to diarrhea, the presence of G. duodenalis can result in malabsorption; some studies have implicated this organism in decreased growth in some infected children and Last Updated: December 2012 possibly decreased productivity in young livestock. Outbreaks are occasionally reported in people, as the result of mass exposure to contaminated water or food, or direct contact with infected individuals (e.g., in child care centers). People are considered to be the most important reservoir hosts for human giardiasis. The predominant genetic types of G. duodenalis usually differ in humans and domesticated animals (livestock and pets), and zoonotic transmission is currently thought to be of minor significance in causing human illness. Nevertheless, there is evidence that certain isolates may sometimes be shared, and some genetic types of G. duodenalis (assemblages A and B) should be considered potentially zoonotic. Etiology The protozoan genus Giardia (Family Giardiidae, order Giardiida) contains at least six species that infect animals and/or humans. In most mammals, giardiasis is caused by Giardia duodenalis, which is also called G. intestinalis. Both names are in current use, although the validity of the name G. intestinalis depends on the interpretation of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. -
Endangered Species (Protection, Conser Va Tion and Regulation of Trade)
ENDANGERED SPECIES (PROTECTION, CONSER VA TION AND REGULATION OF TRADE) THE ENDANGERED SPECIES (PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND REGULATION OF TRADE) ACT ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Preliminary Short title. Interpretation. Objects of Act. Saving of other laws. Exemptions, etc., relating to trade. Amendment of Schedules. Approved management programmes. Approval of scientific institution. Inter-scientific institution transfer. Breeding in captivity. Artificial propagation. Export of personal or household effects. PART I. Administration Designahem of Mana~mentand establishment of Scientific Authority. Policy directions. Functions of Management Authority. Functions of Scientific Authority. Scientific reports. PART II. Restriction on wade in endangered species 18. Restriction on trade in endangered species. 2 ENDANGERED SPECIES (PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND REGULA TION OF TRADE) Regulation of trade in species spec fled in the First, Second, Third and Fourth Schedules Application to trade in endangered specimen of species specified in First, Second, Third and Fourth Schedule. Export of specimens of species specified in First Schedule. Importation of specimens of species specified in First Schedule. Re-export of specimens of species specified in First Schedule. Introduction from the sea certificate for specimens of species specified in First Schedule. Export of specimens of species specified in Second Schedule. Import of specimens of species specified in Second Schedule. Re-export of specimens of species specified in Second Schedule. Introduction from the sea of specimens of species specified in Second Schedule. Export of specimens of species specified in Third Schedule. Import of specimens of species specified in Third Schedule. Re-export of specimens of species specified in Third Schedule. Export of specimens specified in Fourth Schedule. PART 111. -
First Record of an Extinct Marabou Stork in the Neogene of South America
First record of an extinct marabou stork in the Neogene of South America JORGE IGNACIO NORIEGA and GERARDO CLADERA Noriega, J.I. and Cladera, G. 2008. First record of an extinct marabou stork in the Neogene of South America. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 53 (4): 593–600. We describe a new large species of marabou stork, Leptoptilus patagonicus (Ciconiiformes, Ciconiidae, Leptoptilini), from the late Miocene Puerto Madryn Formation, Chubut Province, Argentina. The specimen consists mainly of wing and leg bones, pelvis, sternum, cervical vertebrae, and a few fragments of the skull. We provisionally adopt the traditional system− atic scheme of ciconiid tribes. The specimen is referred to the Leptoptilini on the basis of similarities in morphology and intramembral proportions with the extant genera Ephippiorhynchus, Jabiru,andLeptoptilos. The fossil specimen resembles in overall morphology and size the species of Leptoptilos, but also exhibits several exclusive characters of the sternum, hu− merus, carpometacarpus, tibiotarsus, and pelvis. Additionally, its wing proportions differ from those of any living taxon, providing support to erect a new species. This is the first record of the tribe Leptoptilini in the Tertiary of South America. Key words: Ciconiidae, Leptoptilos, Miocene, Argentina, South America. Jorge I. Noriega [[email protected]], Laboratorio de Paleontología de Vertebrados, CICYTTP−CONICET, Matteri y España, 3105 Diamante, Argentina; Gerardo Cladera [[email protected]], Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, Avenida Fontana 140, 9100 Trelew, Argentina. Introduction Institutional abbreviations.—BMNH, Natural History Mu− seum, London, UK; CICYTTP, Centro de Investigaciones The stork family (Ciconiidae) is a well−defined group of Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción, waterbirds, traditionally divided into three tribes: the Myc− Diamante, Argentina; CNAR−KB3, collections of locality 3 of teriini, the Ciconiini, and the Leptoptilini (Kahl 1971, 1972, the Kossom Bougoudi area, Centre National d’Appui à la 1979). -
Ancient Bird Bones Redate Human Activity in Madagascar by 6,000 Years 12 September 2018
Ancient bird bones redate human activity in Madagascar by 6,000 years 12 September 2018 first arrived in Madagascar 2,400-4,000 years ago. However, the new study provides evidence of human presence on Madagascar as far back as 10,500 years ago—making these modified elephant bird bones the earliest known evidence of humans on the island. Lead author Dr. James Hansford from ZSL's Institute of Zoology said: "We already know that Madagascar's megafauna—elephant birds, hippos, giant tortoises and giant lemurs—became extinct less than 1,000 years ago. There are a number of theories about why this occurred, but the extent of human involvement hasn't been clear. Disarticulation marks on the base of the tarsometatarsus. These cut marks were made when removing the toes from the foot. Credit: ZSL Analysis of bones, from what was once the world's largest bird, has revealed that humans arrived on the tropical island of Madagascar more than 6,000 years earlier than previously thought—according to a study published today, 12 September 2018, in the journal Science Advances. A team of scientists led by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) discovered that ancient bones from the This chop mark would have been made with a large extinct Madagascan elephant birds (Aepyornis and sharp tool. The clear straight line of the cut with no Mullerornis) show cut marks and depression continued cracks indicate the mark was made on fresh fractures consistent with hunting and butchery by bone and chopped into different cuts of meat. Credit: ZSL prehistoric humans. -
Review Article Nematodes of Birds of Armenia
Annals of Parasitology 2020, 66(4), 447–455 Copyright© 2020 Polish Parasitological Society doi: 10.17420/ap6604.285 Review article Nematodes of birds of Armenia Sergey O. MOVSESYAN1,2, Egor A. VLASOV3, Manya A. NIKOGHOSIAN2, Rosa A. PETROSIAN2, Mamikon G. GHASABYAN2,4, Dmitry N. KUZNETSOV1,5 1Centre of Parasitology, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Leninsky pr., 33, Moscow 119071, Russia 2Institute of Zoology, Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology NAS RA, P. Sevak 7, Yerevan 0014, Armenia 3V.V. Alekhin Central-Chernozem State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Zapovednyi, Kursk district, Kursk region, 305528, Russia 4Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB), G. Njdeh, 27/2, apt.10, Yerevan 0026, Armenia 5All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Fundamental and Applied Parasitology of Animals and Plants - a branch of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Centre VIEV”, Bolshaya Cheremushkinskaya str., 28, Moscow 117218, Russia Corresponding Author: Dmitry N. KUZNETSOV; e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT. The review provides data on species composition of nematodes in 50 species of birds from Armenia (South of Lesser Caucasus). Most of the studied birds belong to Passeriformes and Charadriiformes orders. One of the studied species of birds (Larus armenicus) is an endemic. The taxonomy and host-specificity of nematodes reported in original papers are discussed with a regard to current knowledge about this point. In total, 52 nematode species parasitizing birds in Armenia are reported. Most of the reported species of nematodes are quite common in birds outside of Armenia. One species (Desmidocercella incognita from great cormorant) was first identified in Armenia. -
Tinamiformes – Falconiformes
LIST OF THE 2,008 BIRD SPECIES (WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ENGLISH NAMES) KNOWN FROM THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST AREA. Notes: "(A)" = accidental/casualin A.O.U. area; "(H)" -- recordedin A.O.U. area only from Hawaii; "(I)" = introducedinto A.O.U. area; "(N)" = has not bred in A.O.U. area but occursregularly as nonbreedingvisitor; "?" precedingname = extinct. TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Tinamus major Great Tinamou. Nothocercusbonapartei Highland Tinamou. Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou. Crypturelluscinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou. Crypturellusboucardi Slaty-breastedTinamou. Crypturellus kerriae Choco Tinamou. GAVIIFORMES GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Red-throated Loon. Gavia arctica Arctic Loon. Gavia pacifica Pacific Loon. Gavia immer Common Loon. Gavia adamsii Yellow-billed Loon. PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptusdominicus Least Grebe. Podilymbuspodiceps Pied-billed Grebe. ?Podilymbusgigas Atitlan Grebe. Podicepsauritus Horned Grebe. Podicepsgrisegena Red-neckedGrebe. Podicepsnigricollis Eared Grebe. Aechmophorusoccidentalis Western Grebe. Aechmophorusclarkii Clark's Grebe. PROCELLARIIFORMES DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarchechlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross. (A) Thalassarchecauta Shy Albatross.(A) Thalassarchemelanophris Black-browed Albatross. (A) Phoebetriapalpebrata Light-mantled Albatross. (A) Diomedea exulans WanderingAlbatross. (A) Phoebastriaimmutabilis Laysan Albatross. Phoebastrianigripes Black-lootedAlbatross. Phoebastriaalbatrus Short-tailedAlbatross. (N) PROCELLARIIDAE Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar. Pterodroma neglecta KermadecPetrel. (A) Pterodroma