[Paleontology • 2019] Mystriosuchus steinbergeri • Description and Phylogenetic Placement of A New Marine Species of Phytosaur (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Late Triassic of Austria

Mystriosuchus steinbergeri 

Butler, Jones, Buffetaut, Mandl, Scheyer & Schultz, 2019

DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz014

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Abstract

Phytosaurs are a group of carnivorous, semi-aquatic archosaurian reptiles that attained an almost global distribution during the Late Triassic. We here describe a new species of the phytosaur genus Mystriosuchus from the Norian Dachstein Limestone of Austria, from a marine lagoonal depositional environment. The new Austrian material comprises remains of at least four individuals of similar size (c. 4 m in total length) found in association but disarticulated, and includes one complete and two partial skulls and postcrania. All of these specimens apparently represent a single taxon, which is distinguished by numerous anatomical features from the two previously named Mystriosuchus species. Maximum parsimony analysis of a comprehensive morphological dataset provides strong statistical support for the phylogenetic position of the new Austrian taxon in Mystriosuchus, as the sister taxon to a clade comprising M. planirostris and M. westphali. Histological analysis suggests that the Austrian phytosaur specimens represent individuals that were at least eight years old at time of death, but which had not yet reached skeletal maturity. Taphonomic and palaeoenvironmental data suggest that these phytosaurs were living in the marine lagoon in which they were preserved, providing the strongest evidence to date of marine adaptations in phytosaurs.

Keywords: bone histology, fossils, marine adaptations, morphology, phylogeny, reptiles

Figure 5. Holotype skull of Mystriosuchus steinbergeri sp. nov. (NHMW 1986/0024/0001)
 in right lateral (A), posterior (B), medial cross-sectional (C), dorsal (D) and ventral (E) views.

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Figure 1. Photographs taken in 1982 during the collection of the type and referred material of Mystriosuchus steinbergeri sp. nov. A, the type locality. The five figures in the centre of the photograph are clustered around the excavation site. B, the excavation team, including from left-to-right, Johann Segl, Sepp Steinberger, Georg Sverak and Walter Prenner. Georg Sverak is using the pneumatic hammer to drill a hole for a wedge used to split the blocks of limestone for removal. C, Georg Sverak and Walter Prenner in front of their tent. D, photograph of the block, as originally excavated, including the holotype skull (NHMW 1986/0024/0001; bottom right of photograph) and paratype mandible (NHMW 1986/0024/0002; top middle of photograph) in close association.

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Life reconstruction of Mystriosuchus steinbergeri sp. nov. in the Dachstein Limestone depositional environment.

Illustration: Mark Witton.

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SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY 

Archosauriformes Gauthier, 1986 

Phytosauria Jaeger, 1828

Parasuchidae Lydekker, 1885 sensu Kammerer et al., 2015 

Mystriosuchinae Huene, 1915 sensu Kammerer et al., 2015 

Leptosuchomorpha Stocker, 2010 sensu Jones & Butler, 2018 

Mystriosuchini Huene, 1915 sensu Jones & Butler, 2018 

Mystriosuchus Fraas, 1896

Mystriosuchus steinbergeri sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named for Sepp Steinberger, who discovered and helped collect the holotype and referred specimens.

Richard J. Butler, Andrew S. Jones, Eric Buffetaut, Gerhard W. Mandl, Torsten M. Scheyer and Ortwin Schultz. 2019. Description and Phylogenetic Placement of A New Marine Species of Phytosaur (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Late Triassic of Austria. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlz014. DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz014  

twitter.com/ButlerLabBham/status/1126169142447550465

 twitter.com/MarkWitton/status/1126197916539002881

[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 

'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_n._gen._and_n._sp._a_large_cryptodiran_turtle_from_the_Phu_Kradung_Formation_%28latest_Jurassic-earliest_Cretaceous%29_of_the_Khorat_Plateau_NE_Thailand

เต่าทรงพระเจริญ Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. and n. sp., a large cryptodiran turtle from the Phu Kradung Formation ซึ่งผู้ศึกษาตั้งใจให้ชื่อเพื่อ เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ในวโรกาสมหามงคล เฉลิมพระชนพรรษา 80 พรรษา

ต้นตระกูลเต่าน้ำจืดชนิดใหม่โลก อายุ150ล้านปี แถมพบกระดูกไดโนเสาร์"ซอโรพอด"สมบูรณ์สุดในโลก

http://www.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

[Paleontology • 2012] Gavialis from the Pleistocene of Thailand and Its Relevance for Drainage Connections from India to Java

Figure 4. Skull and mandible of Gavialis cf. bengawanicus from the Early Pleistocene of Khok Sung (Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand).
A, right lateral view (mirrored for comparison) of DMR-KS-03-25-23. B, line drawing from the left lateral view of the posterior portion of the skull of DMR-KS-201202-1. C, left lateral view of skull of DMR-KS-201202-1. D, E, G, mandible of DMR-KS-201202-1 left lateral (D), occlusal (E), and ventral (G) views. F, incomplete dentaries (DMR-KS-05-06-22-1) in occlusal view; H, detail of the dentition in lateral view as seen on the maxillary fragment DMR-KS-05-03-08-37.

Abbreviations: asan, anterior tip of surangular; asp, anterior tip of splenial; ec, ectopterygoid; exo, exoccipital; fr, frontal; j, jugal; l, lacrimal; ltf, lower temporal fenestra; mx, maxilla; on, otic notch; or, orbit; pfr, prefrontal; po, postorbital; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; sq, squamosal.  || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044541

Abstract 

Background

The genus Gavialis comprises a single living but endangered species, G. gangeticus, as well as fossil species recorded in the Miocene to Pleistocene deposits of the Indian subcontinent. The genus is also represented in the Pleistocene deposits of Java by the species G. bengawanicus, which was recently recognized to be valid. Surprisingly, no detailed report of the genus exists between these two provinces and the recent evolutionary history of Gavialis is not understood.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We report new material consisting of skull and mandibular remains of Gavialis from the Early Pleistocene of Khok Sung, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand. The Gavialis material described herein is attributed to Gavialis cf. bengawanicus and sheds new light on the occurrence of the genus in mainland SE Asia.

Conclusions/Significance

Comparison of this new material with other species referred to the genus Gavialis led us to preliminary restrict the content of the genus to three species, namely G. gangeticus Gmelin, G. bengawanicus Dubois and G. lewisi Lull. The occurrence of G. cf. bengawanicus in Thailand allows us to propose a scenario for the dispersal of Gavialis from Indo-Pakistan to Indonesia, thus bridging a geographical gap between these two provinces. Dispersal by sea appears a less likely possibility than dispersal through fluvial drainages.

Figure 12. Hypothetic dispersal route of Gavialis spp. from their ancestral habitat in Indo-Pakistan toward SE Asia through the East Himalayan syntaxis.
Definitive isolation of Gavialis population is represented by the mountain barriers separating the Salween and Chao Phraya basins and may have taken place during the latest Pliocene–earliest Pleistocene. 1, Ganges Delta; 2, Bhramapoutre Basin; 3, Irrawaddy Basin; 4, Salween Basin; 5, Chao Phraya Basin; 6, Chi and Mun rivers Basin; 7, Mekong Delta. Stars indicate the Early Pleistocene records of Gavialis in SE Asia (Khok Sung, Thailand and Java, Indonesia).

 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044541 

  

Jeremy E. Martin, Eric Buffetaut, Wilailuck Naksri, Komsorn Lauprasert and Julien Claude. 2012. Gavialis from the Pleistocene of Thailand and Its Relevance for Drainage Connections from India to Java. PLoS ONE. 7(9): e44541. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044541

[Paleontology • 2009] Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis | กินรีไมมัส ขอนแก่นเอนซิส • An Early 'Ostrich Dinosaur' (Theropoda: Ornithomimosauria) from the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation of NE Thailand

Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis

Buffetaut, Suteethorn & Tong, 2009

Illustration: N. Puttapipat himmapaan.wordpress.com

Abstract

Postcranial remains of a small theropod dinosaur, including vertebrae, incomplete pubes, tibiae, an incomplete fibula, metatarsals and phalanges, from the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation of Phu Wiang, Khon Kaen Province, NE Thailand, are described as a new taxon of ornithomimosaur, Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis, gen. et sp. nov. This early ‘ostrich dinosaur’ is characterized by a fairly advanced metatarsus, in which metatarsal III, although still visible proximally between metatarsals II and IV in cranial view, is markedly ‘pinched’ more distally and becomes triangular in cross-section. The condition of its metatarsus shows that Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis is more derived than the geologically younger primitive ornithomimosaurs Harpymimus and Garudimimus, but less derived than Archaeornithomimus. Its occurrence in the Early Cretaceous of Thailand suggests that advanced ornithomimosaurs may have originated in Asia.

Buffetaut, E., Suteethorn, V. and Tong, H. 2009. An Early 'Ostrich Dinosaur' (Theropoda: Ornithomimosauria) from the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation of NE Thailand. 229-243, IN E. Buffetaut, G. Cuny, J. Le Loeuff & V. Suteethorn (eds.), Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Ecosystems in SE Asia. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 315: 229-243. doi:  10.1144/SP315.16

researchgate.net/publication/249552003_An_early_'ostrich_dinosaur'_(Theropoda_Ornithomimosauria)_from_the_Early_Cretaceous_Sao_Khua_Formation_of_NE_Thailand

http://www.geothai.net/thai-dinos/

http://tatedutour.com/node/39?language=th

[Paleontology • 2016] Morphofunctional Analysis of the Quadrate of Spinosauridae (Dinosauria: Theropoda) and the Presence of Spinosaurus and a Second Spinosaurine Taxon in the Cenomanian of North Africa

two species of Spinosaurinae, and ascribed to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and ?Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis from the Cenomanian of North Africa

Illustration: S. Krasovskiy atrox1.deviantart.com DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0144695

Abstract

Six quadrate bones, of which two almost certainly come from the Kem Kem beds (Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous) of south-eastern Morocco, are determined to be from juvenile and adult individuals of Spinosaurinae based on phylogenetic, geometric morphometric, and phylogenetic morphometric analyses. Their morphology indicates two morphotypes evidencing the presence of two spinosaurine taxa ascribed to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and ?Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis in the Cenomanian of North Africa, casting doubt on the accuracy of some recent skeletal reconstructions which may be based on elements from several distinct species. Morphofunctional analysis of the mandibular articulation of the quadrate has shown that the jaw mechanics was peculiar in Spinosauridae. In mature spinosaurids, the posterior parts of the two mandibular rami displaced laterally when the jaw was depressed due to a lateromedially oriented intercondylar sulcus of the quadrate. Such lateral movement of the mandibular ramus was possible due to a movable mandibular symphysis in spinosaurids, allowing the pharynx to be widened. Similar jaw mechanics also occur in some pterosaurs and living pelecanids which are both adapted to capture and swallow large prey items. Spinosauridae, which were engaged, at least partially, in a piscivorous lifestyle, were able to consume large fish and may have occasionally fed on other prey such as pterosaurs and juvenile dinosaurs.

Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842 

Saurischia Seeley, 1887 

Theropoda Marsh, 1881 

Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986 

Megalosauroidea (Fitzinger, 1843) Walker 1964 

Spinosauridae Stromer, 1915 

Spinosaurinae (Stromer, 1915) Sereno et al., 1998 

Description: The six isolated quadrates from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco clearly belong to two morphotypes (Figs 2–4) based on the size and outline of the quadrate foramen, shape of the mandibular articulation, and outline, surface, and orientation of the quadratojugal contacts. Measurements taken on each quadrate (Fig 5A–5D) are provided in Table 1.

Spinosaurus Stromer, 1915 

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus Stromer, 1915 

?Sigilmassasaurus Russel, 1996 

?Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis Russel, 1996 

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and ?Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis

by S. Krasovskiy atrox1.deviantart.com

Conclusion

The description and identification of six isolated quadrates, among which two most probably come from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco, provide additional information on the Cenomanian dinosaur fauna of North Africa. Based on cladistic, geometric morphometric, and phylogenetic morphometric analyses, two morphotypes have been successfully identified as belonging to two species of Spinosaurinae, and ascribed to Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and ?Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis. This study provides the first convincing evidence of two spinosaurine taxa in the Cenomanian of North Africa based on cranial material, casting doubt on the recent reconstruction of a quadrupedal Spinosaurus which may be based on individuals belonging to two different species of Spinosaurinae.

Ontogenetic changes occurring in the spinosaurid quadrates include the suture of the quadrate and quadratojugal, delimitation of the mandibular condyles and squamosal capitulum, and development of a ventral projection of the dorsal quadratojugal contact and a second quadrate ridge ventral to the quadrate head. Based on the quadrate proportions and estimated skull length of Baryonyx and Spinosaurus, quadrates of mature individuals from Morocco belong to animals with a skull length of no more than 120 cm. This suggests that very large forms of Spinosaurus may have been rare in the Kem Kem assemblages.

Morphofunctional analysis of the spinosaurid quadrates has revealed peculiar jaw mechanics in these specialized theropods. An helicoidal and strongly lateromedially oriented joint of the jaw articulation allowed the lateral displacement of the mandibular ramus when the lower jaw was depressed. This lateral movement of the ramus was possible due to a movable mandibular symphysis as the dentaries were joined by connective tissues, and allowed the pharynx to be widened. A similar jaw articulation was convergently present in pterosaurs and particularly pelecanids which also have a mandibular symphysis restricted to the anterior extremity of the mandible. Spinosauridae, which are considered to be semi-aquatic and partially piscivorous animals, were able to swallow large prey such as fish in the same way as pelecanids.

  

Fig 15. Jaw mechanics in the spinosaurid Spinosaurus.
A–D, Mandibular articulation; and F, G, skull in A, C, F–G, lateral; and B, D, anterior views; when A–B, F, the mouth is closed; and C–D, G, fully open, illustrating the lateral movement (in red) of the mandibular ramus for a 45° rotation of the lower jaw (courtesy of Jaime A. Headden); E, skeletal reconstruction of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by Ibrahim et al. [22]) in swimming position in lateral view with a human (1.8 m) as a scale (modified from Ibrahim et al. [22]). This model is based on spinosaurid cranial and postcranial remains (colored in red) from the Albian-Cenomanian of Northern Africa which possibly belong to two spinosaurine taxa (see also Evers et al. [27]); H, reconstruction of a semi-aquatic Spinosaurus in fishing position (i.e., jaws wide open) in anterolateral view (courtesy of Jason Poole).

Abbreviations: an, angular; ar, articular; d, dentary; ecc, ectocondyle; enc, entocondyle; j, jugal; m, maxilla; n, nasal; p, parietal; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pt, pterygoid; ptf, pterygoid flange; q, quadrate; qf, quadrate foramen; qj, quadratojugal; retp, retroarticular process of the articular; sa, surangular; sq, squamosal.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144695

Christophe Hendrickx , Octávio Mateus and Eric Buffetaut. 2016. Morphofunctional Analysis of the Quadrate of Spinosauridae (Dinosauria: Theropoda) and the Presence of Spinosaurus and a Second Spinosaurine Taxon in the Cenomanian of North Africa.
 PLoS ONE. 11(1): e0144695.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144695

[Paleontology • 2014] 'เต่าภูน้อย' ภูน้อยเซลีส ธีรคุปติ | Phunoichelys thirakhupti • A New Primitive Eucryptodiran Turtle from the Upper Jurassic Phu Kradung Formation of the Khorat Plateau, Northeastern Thailand

Figure 1. Phunoichelys thirakhupti gen. et sp. nov. from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic) of Phu Noi Locality, NE Thailand.
(a–c) PRC 230 (holotype), shell in dorsal (a, b) views, and detail of ornamentation on carapace (c);
(g–m) PRC 232, (g–i) right costal 1 (PRC232-1) in dorsal (g, h) and ventral (i) views; (j, k) left costal 4 (PRC232-5), (l, m) left costal 6 (PRC232-6).

Scale bar = 5 cm for (a), (b), (d), (e) and (g–m), 1 cm for (c) and (f).
Figure 3. Reconstruction of the shell of Phunoichelys thirakhupti gen. et sp. nov. from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic) of Phu Noi Locality, NE Thailand. (a) Carapace in dorsal view; (b) plastron in ventral view.

Abstract

A new genus and new species of primitive eucryptodiran turtle, Phunoichelys thirakhupti gen. et sp. nov., is described on the basis of shell remains from the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation, at Phu Noi locality, Kalasin Province, NE Thailand. It is assigned to Xinjiangchelyidae on the basis of the marginals covering the lateral end of the costals and the anal scutes invading the hypoplastra. The new taxon is further characterized by a low and rounded carapace without a cervical notch; the whole carapace and plastron covered with a clear ornamentation consisting of tiny irregular vermiculated furrows; a complete neural series that reaches the suprapygal; a very wide and short cervical scute; relatively wide vertebral scutes; and a long first thoracic rib that extends along the full width of the first costal. The sutured plastron/carapace connection and the marginals covering the lateral end of the second to seventh costals suggest that the turtles from Phu Noi may be related to some primitive xinjiangchelyids from the Sichuan Basin. The discovery of a xinjiangchelyid turtle in the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation supports a Late Jurassic age for that part of the formation.

Keywords: Testudines; Eucryptodira; Xinjiangchelyidae; Phunoichelys thirakhupti; Late Jurassic; Phu Kradung Formation; NE Thailand

Figure 3. Reconstruction of the shell of Phunoichelys thirakhupti gen. et sp. nov. from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic) of Phu Noi Locality, NE Thailand. (a) Carapace in dorsal view; (b) plastron in ventral view.

 

Haiyan Tong, Wilailuck Naksri, Eric Buffetaut, Varavudh Suteethorn, Suravech Suteethorn, Uthumporn Deesri, Saitong Sila, Phornphen Chanthasit and Julien Claude. 2014. A New Primitive Eucryptodiran Turtle from the Upper Jurassic Phu Kradung Formation of the Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand. Geological Magazine. in press. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0016756814000223

A xinjiangchelyid eucryptodiran. The type species is Phunoichelys thirakhupti | box.com

http://www.dmr.go.th/ThailandGeopark/webgeopark/แหลงธรณวทยา/ภาคตะวนออกเฉยงเหนอ/กาฬสนธ/ภนอย-2.html

[Paleontology • 2013] Normanniasaurus genceyi • A new sauropod from the Albian of Le Havre (Normandy, northwestern France)

A sauropod from the Albian of Normandy (northwestern France) is described as a new genus and species of basal Titanosauria, Normanniasaurus genceyi. N. genceyi shares several primitive characters with slightly younger basal Titanosauria such as Epachthosaurus and Andesaurus. It can be distinguished from other Albian sauropods of Western Europe. The late Early Cretaceous radiation of basal Titanosauria in South America, Europe and Africa is discussed.

Keywords: Sauropoda, Titanosauria, Albian, Cretaceous, France, Normanniasaurus

Caudal vertebrae Normanniasaurus genceyi

via dinosauria.org

                    via dinosauria.org

Jean Le Loeuff, Suravech Suteethorn & Eric Buffetaut, 2013. A new sauropod from the Albian of Le Havre (Normandy, France). Oryctos. 10, 23-30.

http://www.dinosauria.org/blog/2013/10/09/de-la-pelle-du-18-juin-au-debarquement-de-normanniasaurus/

http://www.academia.edu/4717714/A_new_sauropod_dinosaur_from_the_Albian_of_Le_Havre_Normandy_France_

http://www.dinochecker.com/dinosaurs/NORMANNIASAURUS

[PaleoIchthyology • 2007] สยามเอเมีย นาคา | Siamamia naga • The first sinamiid fish (Holostei, Halecomorpha) from Southeast Asia (Early Cretaceous of Thailand)

 

สยามเอเมีย นาคา | Siamamia naga 

Cavin, Suteethorn, Buffetaut, Claude, Cuny, Le Loeuff & Tong 2007

 Siamamia naga, gen. et sp. nov, is described on the basis of three partly articulated skulls and a collection of isolated ossifications from a continental Early Cretaceous Formation of northeastern Thailand. The new taxon is a sinamiid halecomorph as demonstrated by the median parietal and other cranial characters. Sinamiidae is hitherto known by two genera occurring in Early Cretaceous freshwater deposits in China. Although a complete revision of all species within the family is necessary, the Thai material shows characters justifying a new genus. It is the first sinamiid found outside eastern Asia (South and North Chinese blocks, plus small Central Asian terranes), thus validating the close paleogeographical affinities between mainland Asia and SE Asia in the Early Cretaceous. A preliminary phylogenetic assessment of the new taxon with the data matrix of Grande and Bemis (1998) with the addition of data for Siamamia and Tomognathus provides a strict consensus tree similar to the phylogenetic hypothesis of Halecomorphi proposed by these authors, except the basal-most amiids which show a lower resolution in our hypothesis. The Sinamiidae appear as a monophyletic clade, but the four taxa included in the analysis form a polytomy

Etymology — Siam, geographic (former name of Thailand), referring to locality, + Amia (Greek); Naga, mythological creature living in the Kong River (Maekong).

Lionel Cavin, Varavudh Suteethorn, Eric Buffetaut, Julien Claude, Gilles Cuny, Jean Le Loeuff & Haiyan Tong. 2007. The first sinamiid fish (Holostei, Halecomorpha) from Southeast Asia (Early Cretaceous of Thailand). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27(4) 

 http://dx.doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[827:TFSFHH]2.0.CO;2

[Paleontology • 1998] Variraptor mechinorum • A new dromaeosaurid theropod from the Upper Cretaceous of Southern France

Variraptor mechinorum The generic name is derived from Latin Varus, referring to the Var River in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence region of southern France, and raptor meaning "thief". The specific name honours the Méchin couple.

Variraptor and Rhabdodon

art: ~dustdevil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variraptor

Le Loeuff, J. and Buffetaut, E. 1999. A new dromaeosaurid theropod from the Upper Cretaceous of Southern France. Oryctos. 1, 105-112.

Allain, R. and Taquet, P., 2000, A new genus of Dromaeosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of France. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 20(2), 404-407.

doi: 10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0404:ANGODD]2.0.CO;2

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4524106

[Paleontology • 2002] Hatzegopteryx thambema • A new Giant azhdarchid pterosaur with a robust skull from the terminal Cretaceous of Transylvania (western Romania)

Art: Fall down mountains, just don't fall on me

 | http://flic.kr/p/4KQ28g

Abstract

A new giant pterosaur, Hatzegopteryx thambema, nov.gen., nov.sp., from the Maastrichtian Densuy-Ciula Formation of Romania is remarkable for its very large size (estimated wing span S12 m) and for the robustness of its large skull, which may have been nearly 3 m long. The stout skull bones contrast with the usually thin and slender skull elements of other pterosaurs, and raise the question of how the weight of the skull was reduced in order to make flight possible. The answer probably lies in the very peculiar internal structure of the bones, which consists of a dense network of very thin trabeculae enclosing small alveoli. This structure is reminiscent of expanded polystyrene and, like it, probably combined strength with lightness.

Derivatio nominis: Generic name from the Hatzeg (or Hat¸eg) basin of Transylvania, where the type specimen was collected, and pteryx, Greek for wing. Specific name from thambema, Greek for monster, alluding to the monstrous size of this pterosaur

Buffetaut, E., Grigorescu, D., and Csiki, Z. 2002. A new giant pterosaur with a robust skull from the latest Cretaceous of Romania. Naturwissenschaften. 89(4): 180-184. 

DOI: 10.1007/s00114-002-0307-1

http://www.geo.edu.ro/sgr/mod/downloads/PDF/Buffetaut-Natwiss-2002.pdf

Buffetaut, E., Grigorescu, D. and Csiki, Z. 2003. Giant azhdarchid pterosaurs from the terminal Cretaceous of Transylvania (western Romania), Geological Society, London, Special Publications 217: 91-104. DOI: 10.1144/​GSL.SP.2003.217.01.09

[Paleontology • 2010] Oxygen isotope evidence for semi-aquatic habits among spinosaurid theropods

Two Suchomimus swim to the bottom of an estuary to catch fish. 

© Paleoguy60 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30744627@N05/)

http://spinosauridae.fr.gd/Actualit-e2--du-site-Web.htm

Abstract

Spinosaurs were large theropod dinosaurs showing peculiar specializations, including somewhat crocodile-like elongate jaws and conical teeth. Their biology has been much discussed, and a piscivorous diet has been suggested on the basis of jaw as well as tooth morphology and stomach contents. Although fish eating has been considered plausible, an aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyle has seldom been suggested because of the apparent lack of corresponding adaptations in the postcranial skeleton of spinosaurs, which on the whole is reminiscent of that of other large terrestrial theropods. On the basis of the oxygen isotopic composition of their phosphatic remains compared with those of coexisting terrestrial theropod dinosaurs and semiaquatic crocodilians and turtles, we conclude that spinosaurs had semiaquatic lifestyles, i.e., they spent a large part of their daily time in water, like extant crocodilians or hippopotamuses. This result sheds light on niche partitioning between large predatory dinosaurs, since spinosaurs coexisted with other large theropods such as carcharodontosaurids or tyrannosaurids. The likely ichthyophagy and aquatic habits of spinosaurids may have allowed them to coexist with other large theropods by reducing competition for food and territory.

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus – Kem Kem Assemblage 

Brian Engh http://dontmesswithdinosaurs.com/?p=402

Amiot, R.; Buffetaut, E.; Lécuyer, C.; Wang, X.; Boudad, L.; Ding, Z.; Fourel, F.; Hutt, S.; Martineau, F.; Medeiros, A.; Mo, J.; Simon, L.; Suteethorn, V.; Sweetman, S.; Tong, H.; Zhang, F.; and Zhou, Z. (2010). "Oxygen isotope evidence for semi-aquatic habits among spinosaurid theropods". Geology 38 (2): 139–142. doi:10.1130/G30402.1.