[PaleoBotany • 2027] Araucaria benignae • New Seed Cones of Araucaria Juss. 1789 (Araucariaceae) in the Aptian Crato Fossil Lagerstätte, NE Brazil and considerations for whole-plant reconstruction

 

Araucaria benignae  

 L.Kunzmann, D.M.Conceição, Gobo, Nascimento, W.F.Silva Filho, M.E.P.Batista, Westerkamp, I.S.Carvalho & Iannuzzi, 

in Kunzmann, Conceição, Gobo, Nascimento, Silva Filho, Batista, Westerkamp, Carvalho et Iannuzzi, 2027. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2026.105716 

Highlights: 

• Araucaria benignae sp. nov. from the Cretaceous Crato Fossil Lagerstätte is proposed.

• Fossils come from two distinct ethnostrata of the Crato Formation limestone.

• Ovuliferous cones are preserved as compressions and iron oxide replacements.

• Cuticle micromorphology of ovuliferous complexes and parastichy numbers are studied.

• Wood anatomical characters of the cone peduncle is described.

Abstract

The Crato Fossil Lagerstätte in the Mesozoic Araripe Basin in northeastern Brazil comprises one of the most important fossil floras in the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of equatorial Gondwana, distinguished by its preservation, taxonomic diversity and evolutionary significance. Although the taxonomic diversity among gnetophytes and early angiosperms is remarkable, the most frequent macrofossil remains are foliage and reproductive organs of Araucariaceae. Similar to other late Mesozoic ecosystems, it has been assumed that fossil-species of this family were major constituents and canopy-forming trees of the past vegetation. Here, we formally describe ovuliferous cones from this unit and establish Araucaria benignae sp. nov. In order to overcome the uncontrolled fossil sampling in the outcrops of the Crato Formation, Santana Group, we tentatively reallocated the ovuliferous cone specimens to ethnostrata within the C6 carbonate unit of the lacustrine limestone section using the ethnostratigraphic approach. Specimens are probably derived from the “lajão dos sete cortes” and the “lajão branco” ethnostrata, which would mean a minimum time interval of the presence of the new fossil-species of about 79–310 ka. In addition, the previously known fossil-species of Araucariaceae from the Crato Formation flora are supplemented for first considerations about putative whole-plant reconstructions in this assemblage. Although a confident whole-plant association between Araucaria benignae sp. nov. and any of the three known araucariaceous foliage species cannot yet be established, shared epidermal characters suggest a possible affiliation with Brachyphyllum obesum and/or B. sattlerae, highlighting the potential of the Crato Fossil Lagerstätte for future whole-plant reconstructions of Cretaceous Araucariaceae.

Keywords: Araripe Basin; Cuticle micromorphology; Equatorial Gondwana; Ethnostratum approach; Ovuliferous cones; Parastichy numbers

 External morphology of Araucaria benignae sp. nov., specimen MPSC PL 5937 (holotype).
A: Pedunculate spherical ovuliferous cone in lateral view, densely and helically arranged ovuliferous complexes (OC); numbers indicate positions of samples for cuticle micromorphology studies. B: Close-up of A showing rounded apical part. C: Close-up of A showing dented base with short peduncle. D: Detail of B, densely arranged OC, apophyses with mostly partly broken processes, processes exclusively point towards cone apex, arrows indicate almost complete processes. E: Close-up of B with detail of abaxial surfaces of OC's apophyses, arrow points to longitudinally oriented rows of stomata (parallel lines of protruding dots). F: Detail of C showing peduncle (arrow), dotted lines trace to margins of two scale leaves. Scale bars: A, B, C, F: 10 mm; D, E: 5 mm.

Systematic description

Subclass: Pinidae Cronquist, Takht. et W.Zimmerm. 1966 (Cronquist et al., 1966) [conifers]

Order: Araucariales Gorozh. 1904 (Gorozhankin, 1904)

Family: Araucariaceae Henkel et W.Hochst. 1865 (Henkel and Hochstetter, 1865)

Genus: Araucaria Juss. 1789 (Jussieu, 1789)

Araucaria benignae L.Kunzmann, D.M.Conceição, Gobo, NascimentoJr., W.F.Silva Filho, M.E.P.Batista, Westerkamp, I.S.Carvalho, et Iannuzzi sp. nov.

Etymology: After the Brazilian girl Benigna Cardoso da Silva called Menina Benigna (1928–1941), who was murdered in Santana do Cariri while defending herself against rape. Pope Franciscus beatified her in 2022.

Locality: Commercial limestone quarries between the cities Nova Olinda and Santana do Cariri, Nova Olinda County, Ceará State, Brazil.

Holotype: MPSC PL 5937; includes specimen, SEM stubs 01–03 from sample 2 (Fig. 5A) and LM slides 01–03 from samples 1–3, respectively.

Diagnosis: Spherical to ovoid pedunculate ovuliferous cones; apically obtuse to rounded; base often with central flat conical indentation. Peduncle foliated with Brachyphyllum-type leaves. Ovuliferous complexes arranged in 13 parastichies clockwise, 7 parastichies counterclockwise, 22 pseudo-parastichies. Ovuliferous complexes with narrow wing-like lateral parts and bulge-shaped distal apophysis with a spreading process directed towards the cone's apex. Free ligulate extension at the chalazal end of the seed short compared to seed length. Margin of ligulate extension composed of free finger-like cells. Abaxial epidermis of apophysis and apophysis‘process with numerous longitudinal rows of mostly monocyclic stomatal complexes with random pit orientation towards the process‘axis; complete epidermides non-papillate.

 External morphology of Araucaria benignae sp. nov., and its fossils preserved as replacements,
 A–C: specimen MPSC PL 5930; D–H: specimen MPSC PL 5947p/cp (part/counterpart).
A: Ovoid cone with acute apex and rounded base, outer surface abraded. B: Close-up of A, showing tangential sections of OC and yellowish circular parts of OC; cross-sections through chalazal end of seeds, demonstrating one-seeded OC; arrows indicate OC of which the outlines are demonstrated in C. C: Outlines of three OC are marked by densely dotted lines; wide-dotted lines within OC indicate the adaxial seeds. D, G: part and counterpart of ovoid cone specimen with acute apex and rounded-oblique base. E, H: Close-ups of D and G, respectively, showing mid to apical cone part with seeds (white arrows), seeds are partly filled with crystalline carbonate; dotted-line indicates outline of a single seed (same seed shown in both part and counterpart); black arrow indicates almost complete process of apophysis, which is adpressed and pointed towards cone apex. F: Cross-sectional view of peduncle scar at the part. Scale bars: A, E, F, G, H: 10 mm; B, C: 5 mm.

Lutz Kunzmann, Domingas Maria da Conceição, William Vieira Gobo, Daniel Rodrigues do Nascimento Jr., Wellington Ferreira da Silva Filho, Maria Edenilce Peixoto Batista, Ana Paula de Assis Oliveira Westerkamp, Ismar de Souza Carvalho and Roberto Iannuzzi. 2027. New Seed Cones of Araucaria Juss. 1789 (Araucariaceae) in the Aptian Crato Fossil Lagerstätte, NE Brazil and considerations for whole-plant reconstruction. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 356: 105716. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2026.105716

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] Nazaria limnica • A New deep bodied ray-finned fish (Osteichthyes: Actinopterygii) from the Permian Pedra do Fogo Formation (Northeastern Brazil) and its phylogenetic and paleogeographic affinities

Nazaria limnica

Richter, Cisneros, Kammerer, Pardo, Marsicano, Fröbisch, Smith & Angielczyk, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2697805  

Artwork by Juan C. Cisneros & Martha Richter

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ABSTRACT

A deep bodied ray-finned fish is reported from Cisuralian lacustrine deposits of the Parnaíba Basin. Its ecological niche and systematic affinities are discussed, considering the paleogeographic distribution of selected Permo-Carboniferous deep bodied fishes from several separate sedimentary successions of western Gondwana. The occurrence of deep bodied fishes in the Parnaíba Basin mirrors the presence of a similarly shaped but less derived and distantly related taxon, Paranaichthys longianalis from the late Permian of the Paraná Basin of southern Brazil. The new taxon’s unique combination of characters includes an elongated pectoral fin; posteriorly inclined suspensorium; deep flank scales ornamented with fine vertical striae, tiny mandibular teeth and palatal crushing dental plates. It shares with Guildayichthys and Discoserra two preopercular bones, a supraorbital, and marginal teeth on the lower jaw. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on two datasets. Dataset 1 included 53 characters coded for 26 deep bodied and fusiform fish fossils from Brazil, North America, China, South Africa, and Australia, with results indicating that is most closely related to the North American order Guildayichthyformes, known from marine rocks of Pennsylvanian age. Dataset 2 included 119 taxa coded for 293 characters. The two analyses place the new taxon as the sister group of a clade comprised of Blourugia and Paranaichthys. However, the results of the study of both datasets show a high degree of uncertainty about the interrelationships between the new taxon and other deep bodied Paleozoic fish species.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

OSTEICHTHYES Huxley, 1880

ACTINOPTERYGII Cope, 1887

NAZARIA, gen. nov.

 

Etymology—Named after the municipality of Nazária in the State of Piauí, where the fossils were collected.

NAZARIA LIMNICA, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology—Derives from the Greek epithet limne (‘lake’) a reference to the lacustrine paleoenvironment where the fishes lived.

Nazaria limnica, MAP PV1029 (holotype).
A, part; B, counterpart (reversed). The caudal and anal fins are not preserved in the holotype.

Abbreviations: vrs, ventral ridge scales.

Nazaria limnica, MAP PV1029 (holotype).
A, skull and anterior part of the trunk (dorsal crest not figured here); B, identification of skull bones as preserved in A and, augmented drawing of one of the anteriormost trunk scales, showing its vertical ornamental ridges and dorsal of the peg-and-socket articulation system. The hatched lines indicate uncertain bone boundaries.

Abbreviations: An, angular; a.In, anterior infraorbital; br, branchiostegal rays; Cl, cleithrum; Cla, clavicle; De, dentary; Dro, dorsal rostral; Dsp, dermosphenotic; Ent?, impression of an entopterygoid?; Ex, extrascapulars; Fr, frontal; Ju, jugal; mt, mandibular teeth; Mx, maxilla; Na, nasal; Op, operculum; Pa, parietal; Pmx-ant, premaxilla-antorbital; Pop1, preoperculum 1; Pop2, preoperculum 2; Psp, post-spiracular; Sco, scapulocoracoid; So, suborbitals; Sop, suboperculum; St, supratemporal; Su, supraorbital; Vo, vomer; VRo, ventral rostral.

 Nazaria limnica, MAP PV1029 (holotype).
A, detail of the mouth and surrounding region; B, details of the dentition.

 Abbreviations: maxt?, possible maxillary crushing teeth; mt, mandibular marginal teeth; Mx, maxilla; Vo, vomer (vomerine tooth plate).

Tentative reconstruction of the skull pattern and anteriormost flank scales of Nazaria limnica, based on MAP PV1029 (holotype), after rearrangement of some taphonomically dislocated bones (jugal, lachrymal and ventral preopercular). Short, dotted lines represent inferred bone limits (preoperculum, suboperculum, and ventral limit of the suprachleithrum). The inset features the skull sensorial line pattern.

Abbreviations: An, angular; a.In, anterior infraorbital; app, anterior process of parasphenoid; asp, posterior ascending process of parasphenoid; br, branchiostegal rays; Cl, cleithrum; Cla, clavicle; Dro, dorsal rostral; Dsp, dermosphenotic; Ent?, impression of an entopterygoid?; Ex, extrascapulars; Fr, frontal; Ju, jugal; Mx, maxilla; Na, nasal; Op, operculum; P1, pectoral fin; Pa, parietal; Par, parasphenoid; Pmx-ant, premaxilla-antorbital; Pop1, preoperculum 1; Pop2, preoperculum 2; Psp, post-spiracular; Sco, scapulocoracoid; So, suborbitals; Sop, suboperculum; sr, sclerotic ring; St, supratemporal; Su, supraorbital; Vo, vomer; Vro, ventral rostral.

Life reconstruction of Nazaria limnica, based on a composite rendering of characters observed on either the holotype, the paratype or both.

Art by Juan C. Cisneros based on Martha Richter reconstruction.

 

Martha Richter, Juan C. Cisneros, Christian F. Kammerer, Jason D. Pardo, Claudia A. Marsicano, Jörg Fröbisch, Roger M. H. Smith and Kenneth D. Angielczyk. 2026. A New deep bodied ray-finned fish (Osteichthyes/Actinopterygii) from the Permian Pedra do Fogo Formation (Northeastern Brazil) and its phylogenetic and paleogeographic affinities. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2697805. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2697805 [26 Aug 2026]

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[Paleontology • 2026] Cicero spectabilis • Aptian archaeoniscid isopod from the Araripe Basin supports Tethyan-linked dispersal into Gondwanan lacustrine systems

Cicero spectabilis 

Lima, Anker, Heads, Pinheiro & Santana, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59890-0

Life reconstruction of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in the Aptian lacustrine environment of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil, showing several individuals scavenging on a dead fish (Dastilbe) on the lake floor, surrounded by aquatic vegetation (Notocyamus hydrophobus), fishes and arthropods.  

 Illustration by Maurílio Oliveira (paleoartist, MN/UFRJ).

Abstract

A new genus and species of fossil isopod, Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, Araripe Sedimentary Basin, Ceará, northeastern Brazil. The holotype, preserved in laminated limestones, represents the first confirmed record of the family Archaeoniscidae within this stratigraphic unit and extends the previously known paleogeographic distribution of archaeoniscid-like isopods into Gondwana lacustrine settings. The new genus is distinguished from other taxa currently referred to Archaeoniscidae—Archaeoniscus, Ferreniscus and Codoisopus, by its broad, ovate body, distinctive antennular subdivision, and a fan-like caudal structure formed by birramous uropods with well-differentiated exopod and endopod, combined with a rounded subrectangular pleotelson bearing a row of posterior setae. The exceptional preservation of C. spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. enables a detailed assessment of functionally relevant characters and supports interpretation of a benthic lifestyle on soft, low-energy substrates. A conservative concept of the family and a combination of body, pleon-pleotelson and antennular features justifies the placement of Cicero n. gen. within this extinct sphaeromatidean lineage. Within this framework, the occurrence C. spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in a stratified lacustrine system of the Araripe Basin, together with other Mesozoic archaeoniscid-like records, suggest that some lineages currently assigned to Archaeoniscidae were able to colonize a range of non-marine environments during the Early Cretaceous, while also underscoring the need for a comprehensive phylogenetic reassessment of the group.

Keywords: Malacostraca, Sphaeromatidea, Fossil isopod, Crustacean, Santana group, Archaeoniscidae, Crato formation

Holotype of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. from the Aptian Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil (MPSC 9701). A, Ventral view of the specimen preserved in laminated limestone. B, Interpretative line drawing highlighting cephalic appendages, pereopods, pleon, pleotelson, and uropods. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp.

Life reconstruction of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in the Aptian lacustrine environment of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil, showing several individuals scavenging on a dead fish (Dastilbe) on the lake floor, surrounded by aquatic vegetation (Notocyamus hydrophobus), fishes and arthropods. Coloration and most dorsal features are conjectural and based on extant sphaeromatidean isopods. Illustration by Maurílio Oliveira (paleoartist, MN/UFRJ).

Daniel Lima, Arthur Anker, Sam W. Heads, Allysson P. Pinheiro and William Santana. 2026. Aptian archaeoniscid isopod from the Araripe Basin supports Tethyan-linked dispersal into Gondwanan lacustrine systems. Scientific Reports. 16: 23631. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59890-0 [19 July 2026]

 

[Paleontology • 2026] New Fossil unveils the Dentary Anatomy of the rare lepidosauromorph Cargninia enigmatica from the Upper Triassic of Southern Brazil

 Cargninia enigmatica Bonaparte, Schultz, Soares & Martinelli, 2010, 

in Damke, Dalle-Laste,  Kerber, Roberto-da-Silva et Müller, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70268

Artwork by Márcio L. Castro.

Abstract

Nowadays, Lepidosauria is a diverse group represented by squamates and the rhynchocephalian tuatara. However, their origins date back to the end of the Permian Period, when the stem lineages Lepidosauromorpha and Archosauromorpha diverged. Within the lepidosauromorph stem lineage, a few species have been described with unstable phylogenetic placements. In Brazilian strata, the only representative of this lineage is the rare species Cargninia enigmatica. The taxon was found in Norian beds (upper portion of the Candelária Sequence) and is known from the posterior end of a dentary and a tentatively referred partial maxilla. Here, we describe a new specimen (CAPPA/UFSM 0519) referred to Cargninia enigmatica, consisting of a partial dentary recovered from the type locality. The specimen provides new anatomical information on the anterior portion of the dentary. In addition, for the first time, the phylogenetic placement of Cargninia enigmatica was investigated in a computational framework, and the results are congruent with previous suggestions that it represents a non-lepidosaur lepidosauromorph. Finally, the new specimen reveals details of the anatomy of the mandibular ramus of the trigeminal nerve, demonstrating that it shares a similar condition with its extant relatives.

Keywords: Caturrita Formation, Gondwana, Lepidosauromorpha, Norian, Pangea

Left dentary of CAPPA/UFSM 0519 in lateral view. (a) Photograph. (b) Interpretative drawing. (c) Detail of the rostralmost preserved teeth. (d) Additional details of the second and third preserved teeth. fo, foramina.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

DIAPSIDA Osborn, 1903

SAURIA Macartney, 1802

LEPIDOSAUROMORPHA Gauthier, 1984 (sensu Gauthier et al., 1988)

Cargninia enigmatica Bonaparte et al., 2010

 Holotype: UFRGS-PV-1027-T, posterior end of a left dentary with five preserved teeth.

 Type locality, age, and horizon: Linha São Luiz site (29°33′45″S, 53°26′48″W), municipality of Faxinal do Soturno, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Candelária Sequence of the Santa Maria Supersequence (Horn et al., 2014; Zerfass et al., 2003). These layers are early Norian in age (225.42 ± 0.37) (Langer et al., 2018).

New referred material: CAPPA/UFSM 0519, partial left dentary with several teeth. The specimen was collected from the type locality.

  Amended diagnosis: In addition to the unique traits of Cargninia enigmatica listed by Bonaparte et al. (2010) and Romo de Vivar et al. (2020), we recognize the following additional features based on the study of CAPPA/UFSM 0519 that distinguish the species from closely related taxa: the symphyseal region is medially recurved and formed by the Meckelian groove, and the presence of foramina restricted to the anterior region of the dentary.

A landscape from the Late Triassic of southern Brazil showing Cargninia enigmatica being observed by the sauropodomorph dinosaur Macrocollum itaquii. Artwork by Márcio L. Castro.

Lísie Vitória Soares Damke, Vitória Zanchett Dalle-Laste, Leonardo Kerber, Lúcio Roberto-da-Silva and Rodrigo Temp Müller. 2026. New Fossil unveils the Dentary Anatomy of the rare lepidosauromorph Cargninia enigmatica from the Upper Triassic of Southern Brazil. The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70268  [04 July 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Gondwananectes osvaldoi • A new Middle Jurassic marine reptile from Gondwana clarifies the origin of Cryptoclidia, the most successful group of plesiosaurs

Gondwananectes osvaldoi

Otero, Acuña, Vargas, Rojas, Ortiz & Aguirrezabala, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70068 

 x.com/ThePalAss

Abstract 

Cryptoclidia (Plesiosauria, Plesiosauroidea) was a major clade of marine reptiles that originated during the Jurassic. The early evolution of Cryptoclidia is documented by records of Cryptoclididae from the Middle Jurassic (174.7–165.1 Ma) and onwards in Europe, the Caribbean and South America. However, the origin of Cryptoclidia itself has remained obscure. Only some traits shared with Cryptoclidia are found in the Toarcian (184.2–174.7 Ma) taxa Plesiopterys wildi and Franconiasaurus brevispinus, from southern Europe. Here we describe a small-bodied sub-adult skeleton belonging to a new plesiosaurian taxon from the Middle Jurassic (c. 170 Ma) of the Atacama Desert (former southwestern Gondwana). The new taxon has single-headed ribs in its axial skeleton, and its combination of novel and ancestral features place it as the sister taxon of Cryptoclidia. The lower Bajocian stage, the phylogenetic position of the new taxon, as well as its palaeogeographic occurrence, point to an older origin and dispersal of Cryptoclidia ancestors, reinforcing the notion that an early Caribbean corridor between the Pacific and Tethyan realms was already functional during the Middle Jurassic.

Keywords: marine reptile, plesiosaurian, phylogeny, Middle Jurassic, Gondwana, palaeogeography

Gondwananectes osvaldoi

 

Rodrigo A. Otero, Sergio Soto Acuña, Alexander O. Vargas, Jennyfer Rojas, Héctor Ortiz, Guillermo Aguirrezabala. 2026. A new Middle Jurassic marine reptile from Gondwana clarifies the origin of Cryptoclidia, the most successful group of plesiosaurs. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70068 [08 March 2026] 

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[Paleontology • 2026] Silescelida acristata • A New eucrocopodan Archosauriform from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil and the Phylogeny of Euparkeriidae

Silescelida acristata 

Garcia, Cerqueira, Battista,  Andrade & Müller, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-53740-9 

life reconstruction by Matheus Fernandes Gadelha. 

Abstract

Archosauriformes comprise a diverse range of reptiles, including the crown-group Archosauria, which flourished during the Triassic Period. Early-diverging archosauriforms, such as proterosuchids and erythrosuchids, are becoming progressively well-known due to recent studies and consistently resolve at the base of the clade. More crownward, Eucrocopoda includes archosauriform taxa that increasingly approximate the ancestral archosaur body plan. Early-diverging eucrocopodan archosauriforms have a widespread paleogeographic record but remain poorly understood in terms of ingroup relationships. Within this radiation, Euparkeriidae is particularly challenging, because its ingroup composition and monophyly is debated, with some authors supporting a non-monospecific Euparkeriidae, whereas others fail to recover this hypothesis. The eponymous Euparkeria capensis is known from the Early to Middle Triassic of South Africa, whereas other putative euparkeriids are primarily known from the Early to Middle Triassic of China, Germany, Poland, and Russia. Here, we describe a new early-diverging eucrocopodan (Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov.) from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses incorporating this taxon suggest a possible placement within Euparkeriidae, though its position shows instability depending on the operational taxonomic units considered, especially among other putative euparkeriids. This discovery not only informs on the temporal and paleogeographic distribution of euparkeriids but also sheds light on the origin and early evolution of eucrocopodans, representing the first record of this archosauriform grade in the Triassic of Brazil. More broadly, the new taxon underscores the significance of South American Triassic deposits within the evolutionary history of archosauriforms.

Archosauromorpha von Huene, 1946 sensu Gauthier, 2020

Archosauriformes Gauthier et al., 1988 sensu Gauthier, 2020 

Eucrocopoda Ezcurra, 2016

cf. Euparkeriidae von Huene, 1920 sensu Sookias and Butler, 2013

Provenance and material of Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov.
 (A) Map of the Posto site and the surface distribution of the geologic units in the area. (B) General view of the Posto site. (C) Studied specimen MCP 4186-PV (holotype of Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov.) showing association between its elements prior to mechanical preparation.
(D) Silhouette and preserved skeletal elements (not to scale) of Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov. (ilium reversed).

Abbreviations: fe, femur; il, ilium; sc, scapula. Silhouette and life reconstruction of Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov. by Matheus Fernandes Gadelha. Map was generated with GIMP 3.0 (gimp.org) based on the geological map of Rio Grande do Sul (https://rigeo.sgb.gov.br/bitstream/doc/10301/2/Geologico_MDT.pdf).

Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov.  

Holotype. MCP 4186-PV, a left scapula, a right ilium, and a left femur (Fig. 1C, D). The elements were found in association (attached to each other) and are size-compatible; therefore, they are considered to belong to the same individual.

Type locality, age, and horizon. Posto (or Posto de Gasolina; Fogliarini) site (29°37’38.9”S 53°22’06.5”W), municipality of Dona Francisca, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Fig. 1A, B). Dinodontosaurus AZ of the Pinheiros-Chiniquá Sequence of the Santa Maria Supersequence, Paraná Basin51,52. It is considered Ladinian in age30,35,53,54,55,56,57,58.

Diagnosis. The holotype of Silescelida acristata differs from all other known non-archosaurian archosauriforms in the following combination of traits: scapular blade without an anteroposterior constriction at its base; asymmetrical expansion of the scapular blade at its dorsal portion; straight posterior margin of the scapular blade, forming a right angle with the dorsal margin of the glenoid; elliptical tuber for the m. triceps dorsal to the glenoid; dorsal margin of the dorsal iliac blade straight in dorsal and lateral views; dorsal iliac blade as deep as the acetabulum; notch between the ischiadic peduncle and the ventral apex of the medial acetabular wall; medially expanded femoral head; absence of a longitudinal groove on the proximal surface of the femoral head; posteromedial tuber as the only well-developed tuber on the femoral head; absence of an elevated mound or crest-like structure as the attachment site for the m. caudofemoralis (local autapomorphy); extensor fossa on the anterior surface of the femoral distal end; distal femoral condyles with the same degree of ventral development (not uneven).

Etymology. The generic name combines the Latin siles (“silence”) and the Greek skelēs (“hind leg”), referencing the loss of the proximal femur bearing the specimen’s collection code, which obscured its provenance until its recent rediscovery. The specific epithet derives from the Latin prefix a- (“without”) and cristāta (“crested”), referring to the absence of a crest or flange attachment site for the m. caudofemoralis (= fourth trochanter), a diagnostic feature of the taxon.

Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov. life reconstruction.

 Artwork by Matheus Fernandes Gadelha. 

Biogeography of early-diverging eucrocopodans and paleoart depicting Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov. in life.
 (A) Triassic world map depicting the paleogeographic distribution of early-diverging eucrocopods. Classification is based on the phylogenetic analyses in this contribution. Silhouettes (not to scale) based on the skeletal reconstruction of Euparkeria capensis by Demuth et al.83. Dorosuchus neoetus is based on the type-series and Osmolskina czatkowicensis is based on the holotype.
(B) Silescelida acristata gen. et sp. nov. life reconstruction. Artwork by Matheus Fernandes Gadelha. Map was generated with GIMP 3.0 (gimp.org) based on The Paleobiology Database (paleobiodb.org).

 

Maurício S. Garcia, Gabriela M. Cerqueira, Francesco Battista, Marco B. de Andrade and Rodrigo T. Müller. 2026. A New eucrocopodan Archosauriform from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil and the Phylogeny of Euparkeriidae. Scientific Reports. 16: 16585. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-53740-9  [10 June 2026]

 

[Paleontology • 2026] Tanyka amnicola • An aberrant Stem Tetrapod from the early Permian of Brazil

 

Tanyka amnicola

 Pardo, Marsicano, Smith, Cisneros, Angielczyk, Fröbisch, Kammerer & Richter, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.2106

Illustration by Vitor Silva

Abstract

Early evolutionary history of tetrapods is typically divided into two major phases: an initial diversification of archaic stem tetrapod groups, and a sudden replacement by temnospondyl amphibians and amniotes following a late Carboniferous dry interval termed the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse (CRC). However, the degree to which this scenario applies to the early tetrapods of Gondwana is uncertain. Here, we report Tanyka amnicola, gen. et sp. nov., an archaic stem tetrapod from the early Permian of Brazil characterized by strong torsion of the mandibular ramus and a remarkable battery of enlarged denticles on a strongly arched coronoid. The new taxon is assigned to the tetrapod stem based on the presence of a denticulate adsymphyseal and elevated hook-like glenoid surface without a postglenoid area. Phylogenetic analysis shows affinities between this species and stem tetrapods more proximal to the tetrapod crown group, particularly Eucritta and the Laurussian baphetids. This is the second stem tetrapod group known to have survived until the end of the early Permian in Gondwana despite local extirpation in Laurussia, implying that current hypotheses of Carboniferous tetrapod turnover are oversimplified. The unique jaw morphology suggests adaptations to either specialized processing of small invertebrates or consumption of some plant material, demonstrating that stem tetrapods continued to explore new niche space into the Permian of Gondwana.

Keywords: Permian, Tetrapoda, palaeobiogeography

Holotype jaw of Tanyka amnicola, MAP-PV 662.
(a) MAP-PV 662 in dorsal view; (b) interpretive drawing of MAP-PV 662 in dorsal view;
(c) MAP-PV 662 in ventral view; (d) interpretive drawing of MAP-PV 662 in ventral view.

adsym, adsymphyseal; an, angular; ar, articular; c1, first coronoid; c2, second coronoid; c3, third coronoid; ct, foramen for chorda tympani; d, dentary; laf, lateral angular flange; Mf, Meckelian fenestra; par, prearticular; pMf, pre-Meckelian foramina; pspl, postsplenial, sa, surangular; sfp, symphyseal fang pair of dentary; spl, splenial.

Tetrapodamorpha Ahlberg, 1991

Tanyka amnicola gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype. MAP-PV 662, nearly complete left mandible. Accessioned at Museu de Arqueologia e Paleontologia (MAP) at Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.

Type locality and horizon. Pedra de Fogo riverbank, MAP locality PB 156, south of Pastos Bons, Maranhão, lower Pedra de Fogo Formation, early Permian.

 

Etymology. Guarani: tañykã, meaning ‘jaw’ or ‘chin’, and Latin: amnicola, meaning ‘living in or next to the river’ the latter being a reference both to the river bed in Pastos Bons where the holotype was found and also to the presumed aquatic habits of the stem tetrapod.

Diagnosis. Stem tetrapod of moderate size. Adsymphyseal and all coronoids covered in a thickly ankylosed and arched denticle pad much wider than the tooth row. Occlusal surface of jaw, including coronoid denticle plate, faces more labially than dorsally when jaw is in neutral position. Ventral margin of jaw ramus wider than dentary-coronoid area. Angular with prominent sculptured flange. Prearticular braces articular medially with a large triangular process. Meckelian foramen small (less than one-third the depth of the prearticular).

Jaw rotation during mandibular adduction in Tanyka.
(a) Jaw in closed position, lateral view; (b) jaw in closed position, anterior view;
(c) jaw in open position, lateral view; (d) jaw in open position, anterior view.

General skull shape speculative, based on Baphetes

Illustration showing Tanyka amnicola in life, eating underwater plants.

 Artwork: Vitor Silva

 

Jason D. Pardo; Claudia A. Marsicano; Roger Smith; Juan Carlos Cisneros; Kenneth D. Angielczyk; Jörg Fröbisch; Christian F. Kammerer; Martha Richter. 2026. An aberrant Stem Tetrapod from the early Permian of Brazil. Proc Biol Sci. 293 (2066): 20252106. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.2106 [04 Mar 2026]

  

[Paleontology • 2025] The coelurosaur theropods of the Romualdo Formation, early Cretaceous (Aptian) of Brazil: Santanaraptor placidus meets Mirischia asymmetrica

Hypothetical reconstruction of Mirischia asymmetrica (left) and Santanaraptor placidus (right) disputing a lizard in what is now northeastern Brazil ~112 million years ago (Early Cretaceous, Aptian).

Santanaraptor placidus Kellner, 1999 
Mirischia asymmetrica Naish, Martill & Frey, 2004

in Delcourt, Grillo, Hendrickx, Kellermann et Langer, 2025.

 Santanaraptor   Mirischia 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70085 

Illustration by Guilherme Gehr. 

 

Abstract

The upper carbonate concretion levels of the Romualdo Formation (Aptian, Brazil) have yielded several theropod dinosaur remains, including spinosaurids and the coelurosaurs Santanaraptor placidus and Mirischia asymmetrica, the phylogenetic affinities of which are controversial. Here, we present a comprehensive anatomical reassessment of the holotypes of both species (MN 4802-V and SMNK 2349 PAL, respectively), integrating newly observed osteological features and a detailed comparison of the pelvic and hind limb elements. Our preferred phylogenetic hypothesis places S. placidus and M. asymmetrica in the earliest-branching maniraptoromorph clade, along with Juratyrant langhami and Tanycolagreus topwilsoni from the Late Jurassic of Laurasia, suggesting an early diversification of coelurosaurs in that area, followed by Early Cretaceous dispersal events towards Gondwana. The comparative analysis of the two Romualdo taxa refutes their synonymy, given consistent differences in ischial (position and shape of the obturator plate and foramen) and tibial (condylar configuration) morphology. The observed morphological variation in the ischial obturator plate across early coelurosaurs further highlights a significant degree of homoplasy in this structure during the early radiation of the group. This revision underscores the need for additional research to further resolve the early evolutionary history of coelurosaur theropods.

Keywords: Araripe, Coelurosauria, Dinosauria, Gondwana, Theropoda

Hypothetical reconstruction of Mirischia asymmetrica (left) and Santanaraptor placidus (right) disputing a lizard in what is now northeastern Brazil ~112 million years ago (Early Cretaceous, Aptian).

Illustration by Guilherme Gehr. 

Santanaraptor placidus Kellner, 1999

Mirischia asymmetrica Naish, Martill & Frey, 2004

CONCLUSIONS: 

The comprehensive reassessment of Santanaraptor placidus (MN 4802-V) and Mirischia asymmetrica (SMNK 2349) presented here offers new insights into the anatomy, taxonomy, and phylogenetic affinities of these two coelurosaur theropods from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Romualdo Formation of Brazil. Despite the minor overlapping of skeletal elements, both specimens exhibit consistent anatomical differences that support their recognition as distinct species. These differences are particularly evident in the configuration of the ischial obturator plate and the structure of the proximal tibial condyles.

Some of our phylogenetic results place S. placidus and M. asymmetrica together with Juratyrant langhami and Tanycolagreus topwilsoni, from the Late Jurassic of Laurasia, in a clade of early branching maniraptoromorphs. This is the first time that these Brazilian taxa are found closely related within a lesser-inclusive clade, corroborating previous assumptions of close biogeographic relations between Laurasian and Gondwanan landmasses by the Early Cretaceous. Further biogeographic patterns are, however, harder to define, especially having in mind the still patchy record of Jurassic theropods in areas such as Africa, Australia, India, Antarctica, and South America.

 

Rafael Delcourt, Orlando Nelson Grillo, Christophe Hendrickx, Maximilian Kellermann, Max Cardoso Langer. 2025. The coelurosaur theropods of the Romualdo Formation, early Cretaceous (Aptian) of Brazil: Santanaraptor placidus meets Mirischia asymmetrica. The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70085 [18 November 2025]

[PaleoEntomology • 2025] Telmatomyia talbragarica • The Oldest Gondwanan non-biting Midge (Diptera: Chironomidae: Podonominae) sheds light on the Historical Biogeography of the Clade

 

Telmatomyia talbragarica

Baranov, McCurry, Amaral, Beattie & Trewick, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2025.09.001

Artwork by Valentyna Inshyna

 

Highlights: 

• This discovery is the oldest Southern Hemisphere record of Chironomidae.

• Podonominae rapidly dispersed from Siberia in Jurassic, or of Gondwana origin.

• Fossil has a unique suction disc—for survival in turbulent environments’.

Abstract

Podonominae, a group of non-biting midges within the Chironomidae family, serves as an important biogeographical model. For a long time, it was believed that Podonominae originated in Northern Gondwana and later spread to Laurasia. However, because the oldest known fossils of this group come from the Jurassic period in Eurasia more recent interpretations have suggested a Laurasian origin.

We present the oldest record of Podonominae from Gondwana, specifically from the Tithonian age (Jurassic) in Australia. This discovery is also the oldest Chironomidae fossil found in the Southern Hemisphere and suggests that Podonominae likely originated in Gondwana. The new fossil represents a highly specialized form of Podonominae, adapted to living in the littoral zones of large lakes. It has adaptations to this environment that are unique amongst Podonominae, and similar to those found in some modern marine Chironomidae species such as Telmatogetoninae.

 

Keywords: Biogeography, Diptera, Podonominae, Jurassic, Gondwana

Systematic palaeontology

Chironomidae (Newman, 1834).

Podonominae Thienemann and Edwards in Thienemann, 1937.

Telmatomyia talbragarica (AM F141771), female pupa.
A) Habitus B) Terminal disk; C) Terminal disk, with enhanced contrast.

Telmatomyia gen. nov.  

Differential diagnosis.

Diagnosis. Pupa: can be distinguished from any other representative of Chironomidae by its very large size (> 9 mm), almost round thoracic horns with plastron occupying about 70 %–80 % of it, and uniquely modified abdominal segments 8 and 9, which form an oval terminal disc with a suture like articulation between the segments, wider than long, apparently without fringe of terminal setae (although there are setae looking marks around the terminal disk.

Etymology: Telmatomyia, is from the Greek “Telmato-” adjective, “of stagnant water” reflecting the lacustrine nature of the habitat at Talbragar, and “myia” – Greek for “fly”.

Telmatomyia talbragarica sp.nov.

Etymology: from Talbragar formation.

 Reconstruction of the lake shore of Talbragar Fossil Fish Bed, depicting several Telmatomyia talbragarica pupae attached to a rock underwater. Pair of Orthogonikleithridae fishes are patrolling the waters of the lake, while Rhoetosaurus brownei is approaching the lakeshore, by the grove of “Agathis” jurassica.

Artwork by Valentyna Inshyna, used with permission.

 

      

Viktor Baranov, Matthew R. McCurry, André P. Amaral, Robert Beattie and Steven A. Trewick. 2025. The Oldest Gondwanan non-biting midge (Diptera, Chironomidae, Podonominae) sheds light on the Historical Biogeography of the Clade. Gondwana Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2025.09.001 [8 October 2025]

[PaleoBotany • 2025] Caffapanax canessae & Davidsaralia christophae • Osmoxylon-like Fossils from early Eocene South America: West Gondwana–Malesia Connections in Araliaceae

Caffapanax canessae 

Wilf, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.70045

 

Abstract

Premise: Araliaceae comprise a moderately diverse, predominantly tropical angiosperm family with a limited fossil record. Gondwanan history of Araliaceae is hypothesized in the literature, but no fossils have previously been reported from the former supercontinent.

Methods: I describe large (to macrophyll size), palmately compound-lobed leaf fossils and an isolated umbellate infructescence from the early Eocene (52 Ma), late-Gondwanan paleorainforest flora at Laguna del Hunco in Argentine Patagonia.

Results: The leaf fossils are assigned to Caffapanax canessae gen. et sp. nov. (Araliaceae). Comparable living species belong to five genera that are primarily distributed from Malesia to South China. The most similar genus is Osmoxylon, which is centered in east Malesia and includes numerous threatened species. The infructescence is assigned to Davidsaralia christophae gen. et sp. nov. (Araliaceae) and is also comparable to Osmoxylon.

Conclusions: The Caffapanax leaves and Davidsaralia infructescence, potentially representing the same source taxon, are the oldest araliaceous macrofossils and provide direct evidence of Gondwanan history in the family. The new fossils and their large leaves enrich the well-established biogeographic and climatic affinities of the fossil assemblage with imperiled Indo-Pacific, everwet tropical rainforests. The fossils most likely represent shrubs or small trees, adding to the rich record of understory vegetation recovered from Laguna del Hunco.

Keywords: Araliaceae, biogeography, fossil rainforests, Laguna del Hunco, leaf architecture, Malesia, Osmoxylon, paleoconservation, Patagonia

Caffapanax canessae gen. et sp. nov., holotype, MPEF-Pb 10171a (see Figure 2A for counterpart). Specimen has five primary lobes, including a pair of reflexed basal lobes, a pair of lateral lobes each with one sublobe, and an expanded medial lobe with paired sublobes. Scale bar: 10 cm.

Caffapanax canessae gen. et sp. nov., holotype. (A) MPEF-Pb 10171b (counterpart, see Figure 1 for part). Scale bar: 10 cm. (B) Discovery photo with part and counterpart, Laguna del Hunco quarry LH04, 21 November 2006.

Family—Araliaceae Juss.

Genus— Caffapanax Wilf gen. nov.

 Caffapanax canessae Wilf sp. nov.  

Diagnosis—Petiole insertion marginal; base cordate. Blade size microphyll to macrophyll; length:width (L:W) ratio near or below 1:1. Primary veins basally actinodromous, regular, robust. Blade palmately lobed with three or five wide, convex primary lobes; lobe size increases markedly distally. When blade is five-lobed, the basal lobes reflexed, the next lateral lobe pair undivided or with one sublobe per lobe, and the medial lobe much larger than the laterals, with a prominent pair of pinnate sublobes. Margin serrate; teeth short, narrow, non-glandular. Major and minor secondary veins craspedodromous, terminating as tooth principal veins; fimbrial vein present. Higher-order venation well organized; areolation impressed in tiny quadrangular to pentagonal fields; freely ending veinlets absent.

Etymology—The new generic and specific epithets honor Técnicos Mariano Caffa and Leandro Canessa, respectively, of the MEF for their admirable record over more than two decades of fieldwork and fossil discovery in Patagonia. They continue to make significant contributions to paleontology, including the holotype of the new species (Figures 1, 2) unearthed by Téc. Caffa.

Genus—Davidsaralia Wilf gen. nov.

 Davidsaralia christophae Wilf sp. nov. 

 

Peter Wilf. 2025. Osmoxylon-like Fossils from early Eocene South America: West Gondwana–Malesia Connections in Araliaceae. American Journal of Botany. 112(6); e70045. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.70045 [19 May 2025]

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