[Paleontology • 2019] Bromalites from A Turtle-dominated Fossil Assemblage from the Triassic of Poland

  Paleoenvironment of the Poręba site

in Bajdek, Szczygielski, Kapuścińska & Sulej, 2019

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.02.002

Illustration by A. Kapuścińska.

Highlights

• Studied coprolites provide information on a turtle-dominated Late Triassic ecosystem.

• Coprolites were produced by sharks, turtles, theropods, and a sizable herbivore.

• Carnivores fed predominantly on fish in this fluvial environment.

• The turtle Proterochersis porebensis was likely omnivorous and semiaquatic.

• Life habits of early turtles were similar to those typical of extant taxa.

Abstract

Bromalites (coprolites and possibly some cololites) from a turtle-dominated fossil assemblage from the Upper Triassic of Poland were studied. Bromalites collected at the Poręba site are grouped within four morphotypes (A, B, C, and D) attributable to sharks, medium-sized omnivorous or carnivorous tetrapods (likely turtles), sizable carnivorous archosaurs (likely theropods) and an indeterminate big herbivorous tetrapod (possibly dicynodonts or aetosaurs), respectively. Food residues, abundant eggs (possibly of parasites), and microorganisms were found within the materials. Several lines of evidence suggest that at least part of the type B specimens might have been produced by turtles, since (a) turtles are the prevailing tetrapods in the assemblage (over 4/5 of tetrapod bone remains), (b) coprolites are of adequate size, and (c) they appear to have been produced by a carnivore of a low metabolic rate, as seen in extant turtles. The content of the type B specimens would imply that the Late Triassic turtle Proterochersis porebensis was partly piscivorous, but possibly complemented its diet with a more diversified foodstuff, including plants. Semiaquatic habit of Proterochersis porebensis might also provide a taphonomic explanation of the relative abundance of turtle remains at the Poręba site, Poland. Shark bromalites and coprolite specimens attributable likely to theropod dinosaurs also contain abundant fish remains. Origin and classification of spiral and scroll bromalites left by fish are discussed in addition.

Keywords: Coprolites, Early turtle ecology, Feeding habits, Late Triassic, Testudinata

  Paleoenvironment of the Poręba site

Illustration by A. Kapuścińska.

 Piotr Bajdek, Tomasz Szczygielski, Agnieszka Kapuścińska and Tomasz Sulej. 2019. Bromalites from A Turtle-dominated Fossil Assemblage from the Triassic of Poland. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 520; 214-228.  DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.02.002

 researchgate.net/publication/330987704_Bromalites_from_a_turtle-dominated_fossil_assemblage_from_the_Triassic_of_Poland

[Paleontology • 2019] Cyamodus orientalis • A New Species of Cyamodus (Placodontia, Sauropterygia) from the early Late Triassic of south-west China

Cyamodus orientalis

Wang, Li, Scheyer & Zhao, 2019

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1535455  

   twitter.com/JournalSystPal

Abstract

The Triassic eastern Tethyan faunas have continued to yield numerous specimens of marine reptile taxa in recent years. Nevertheless, compared with other sauropterygian clades, the diversity of placodonts in these faunas is low, and remains of this group are relatively rare in the fossil assemblages. Here, we report a new cyamodontoid specimen (ZMNH M8820) from the early Late Triassic of Guizhou, south-west China. This specimen is a nearly complete skeleton lacking only the forelimbs. It is distinct from other known Chinese placodonts as it features a large skull with remarkably enlarged supratemporal fenestrae and a small and less regularly arranged carapace. Interestingly, this new specimen resembles the European Cyamodus more than any Chinese cyamodontoid genera, particularly when considering the dentition and other cranial morphology. However, it differs from known Cyamodus species in some cranial features (e.g. epipterygoid fully ossified, posttemporal fenestra large, dentition derived) and the absence of a separate pelvic shield. Furthermore, based on an updated data matrix of placodonts, our phylogenetic results support the affinity of this new Chinese specimen with European Cyamodus species, and a new species, Cyamodus orientalis sp. nov., is erected here. This new material represents the first reported Cyamodus specimen in the world that preserves a three-dimensional skull with an associated postcranial skeleton and it extends the distribution of this genus into the early Carnian of the eastern Tethys. The existence of Cyamodus, a nearshore taxon, in south-west China at this time reveals greater similarity and more rapid intercommunication than previously known between western and eastern Tethyan vertebrate faunas, although the palaeobiogeographical origin and migration history of Cyamodontidae – and of other clades of placodont reptiles – are still obscure due to the scarcity of material from the northern and southern margins of the Palaeotethys.

Keywords: Placodontia, Guanling Biota, dentition, carapace, biogeography

Figure 2. Photographs and line drawings of the skull of Cyamodus orientalis sp. nov. (ZMNH M8820) in A, dorsal view; B, ventral view; C, left lateral view; D, occipital view.

Figure 1. Skeleton of Cyamodus orientalis sp. nov. (ZMNH M8820) with skull in original position.

Superorder Sauropterygia Owen, 1860 

Order Placodontia Cope, 1871 

Family Cyamodontidae Nopcsa, 1923 

Genus Cyamodus Meyer, 1863 

Type species. Cyamodus rostratus M€unster, 1839.

Cyamodus orientalis sp. nov.

Derivation of name. The species name is derived from the Latin word ‘oriens’ (East), referring to the Triassic marine reptile fauna in south China being located in the eastern Tethys, while all other known species of Cyamodus are from the western Tethys. 

Wei Wang, Chun Li, Torsten M. Scheyer and Lijun Zhao. 2019. A New Species of Cyamodus (Placodontia, Sauropterygia) from the early Late Triassic of south-west China. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.  DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1535455    

 twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1091299793563987973  

twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1089891157826568192

[Paleontology • 2019] Nhandumirim waldsangae • A New Dinosaur with Theropod Affinities from the Late Triassic Santa Maria Formation, South Brazil

Nhandumirim waldsangae 

Marsola, Bittencourt, Butler, Da Rosa, Sayão & Langer, 2019

  DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1531878 

 jornal.usp.br/ciencias

ABSTRACT

The Late Triassic (Carnian) upper Santa Maria Formation of south Brazil has yielded some of the oldest unequivocal records of dinosaurs. Here, we describe a new saurischian dinosaur from this formation, Nhandumirim waldsangae, gen. et sp. nov., based on a semiarticulated skeleton, including trunk, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, one chevron, right ilium, femur, partial tibia, fibula, and metatarsals II and IV, as well as ungual and non-ungual phalanges. The new taxon differs from all other Carnian dinosauromorphs through a unique combination of characters, some of which are autapomorphic: caudal centra with sharp longitudinal ventral keels; brevis fossa extending for less than three-quarters of the ventral surface of the postacetabular ala of the ilium; dorsolateral trochanter ending well distal to the level of the femoral head; distal part of the tibia with a mediolaterally extending tuberosity on its cranial surface and a tabular caudolateral flange; conspicuous, craniomedially oriented semicircular articular facet on the distal fibula; and a straight metatarsal IV. This clearly distinguishes Nhandumirim waldsangae from both Saturnalia tupiniquim and Staurikosaurus pricei, which were collected nearby and at a similar stratigraphic level. Despite not being fully grown, the differences between Nhandumirim waldsangae and those saurischians cannot be attributed to ontogeny. The phylogenetic position of Nhandumirim waldsangae suggests that it represents one of the earliest members of Theropoda. Nhandumirim waldsangae shows that some typical theropod characters were already present early in dinosaur evolution, and it represents possibly the oldest record of the group known in Brazil.

  Silhouette depicting the preserved bones of Nhandumirim waldsangae, gen. et sp. nov. (LPRP/USP 0651).

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY 

DINOSAURIFORMES Novas, 1992, sensu Nesbitt, 2011 

DINOSAURIA Owen, 1842, sensu Padian and May, 1993 

SAURISCHIA Seeley, 1887, sensu Gauthier, 1986 

cf. THEROPODA Marsh, 1881, sensu Gauthier, 1986 

NHANDUMIRIM WALDSANGAE, gen. et sp. nov

Etymology— The generic name combines the Portuguese derivatives of the indigenous Tupi-Guarani words ‘Nhandu’ (running bird, common rhea) and ‘Mirim’ (small), in reference to the size and inferred cursorial habits of the new dinosaur. The specific epithet name refers to the Waldsanga site, the historic outcrop (Langer, 2005a) that yielded this new species.

Júlio C. A. Marsola, Jonathas S. Bittencourt, Richard J. Butler, Átila A. S. Da Rosa, Juliana M. Sayão and Max C. Langer. 2019. A New Dinosaur with Theropod Affinities from the Late Triassic Santa Maria Formation, South Brazil. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1531878 DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1531878   

Parente do tiranossauro viveu no Brasil há 233 milhões de anos jornal.usp.br/ciencias/ciencias-biologicas/parente-do-tiranossauro-viveu-no-brasil-ha-233-milhoes-de-anos via @usponline 

[Paleontology • 2018] Phatthalungoceras srisuki • A New Genus and Species of Triassic Nautiloid Cephalopod (Cephalopoda: Orthoceratoidea, Orthoceratidae) from Eastern Peninsular Thailand

 Phatthalungoceras srisuki  

Tongtherm & Nabhitabhata, 2018

Abstract  

Phatthalungoceras srisuki gen. et sp. nov. (Orthoceratidae) has been collected from Khao Ok-Thalu, Chaiburi Formation, Triassic Strata in Phatthalung province, in eastern peninsular Thailand and is described as a new genus and species based on the characteristics of the internal mold of the phragmocone. The new genus is distinguished from other family members by its elliptical cross section of the conch as well as suborthochoanitic septal neck and free endosiphuncular deposit. Ornamentation is absent.

Keywords: new genus, new species, Triassic, nautiloid, Thailand

Figure 2. Phatthalungoceras srisuki of the phragmocone with suture on the posterior;

 2a. and 2b. cross section of anterior view of the phragmo5b. ventral view of the phragmocone with suture on the anterior; 5c. posterior view of the phragmocone with central siphuncle; 5d. cross section in posterior; 5e. and 5f. segmented siphuncle and suborthochoanitic septal neck at the posterior. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Kittichai Tongtherm and Jaruwat Nabhitabhata. 2018. Phatthalungoceras srisuki, A New Genus and Species of Triassic Nautiloid Cephalopod (Cephalopoda: Orthoceratoidea, Orthoceratidae) from Eastern Peninsular Thailand. Phuket Marine Biological Center Research Bulletin. 75:13-18. 

ResearchGate.net/publication/330440492_Phatthalungoceras_srisuki_A_NEW_GENUS_AND_SPECIES_OF_TRIASSIC_NAUTILOID_FROM_EASTERN_PENINSULAR_THAILAND

[Paleontology • 2019] Lisowicia bojani • An Elephant-sized Late Triassic Synapsid with Erect Limbs

Lisowicia bojani 

Sulej & Niedźwiedzki, 2018

 DOI:  10.1126/science.aal4853 

Abstract

Here, we describe the dicynodont Lisowicia bojani, from the Late Triassic of Poland, a gigantic synapsid with seemingly upright subcursorial limbs that reached an estimated length of more than 4.5 meters, height of 2.6 meters, and body mass of 9 tons. Lisowicia is the youngest undisputed dicynodont and the largest nondinosaurian terrestrial tetrapod from the Triassic. The lack of lines of arrested growth and the highly remodeled cortex of its limb bones suggest permanently rapid growth and recalls that of dinosaurs and mammals. The discovery of Lisowicia overturns the established picture of the Triassic megaherbivore radiation as a phenomenon restricted to dinosaurs and shows that stem-group mammals were capable of reaching body sizes that were not attained again in mammalian evolution until the latest Eocene.

Illustration: Julius Csotonyi 

Lisowicia bojani gen. et sp. nov., hind limb elements (femur, fibula, tibia) preserved in situ, upper bone-bearing interval, Lipie Śląskie clay-pit at Lisowice.

Artistic reconstruction of Lisowicia bojani, front view.

Illustration: Karolina Suchan-Okulska

Systematic paleontology

 Synapsida Osborn, 1903 

Therapsida Broom, 1905 

Anomodontia Owen, 1860 

Dicynodontia Owen, 1860 

Placeriinae King, 1988 

Lisowicia gen. nov. 

Type species. Lisowicia bojani sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The dicynodont differs from all other dicynodonts as it possesses the following unique combination of character states, visible in the holotype (ZPAL V.33/96, left humerus): 1) the humerus has a narrower entepicondyle in comparison with other dicynodonts (autapomorphy); 2) the entepicondylar foramen of the humerus is absent (autapomorphy); 3) the supinator process is longer (it is 31% of the total humerus length) than in other dicynodonts. 

Lisowicia bojani sp. nov. 

Etymology. Lisowicia, from the name of the village Lisowice where the bones were found; bojani, in honor of Ludwig Heinrich Bojanus (1776–1827), comparative anatomist and paleontologist.

Age. Late Norian-earliest Rhaetian, Late Triassic.

....

Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki. 2018. An Elephant-sized Late Triassic Synapsid with Erect Limbs. Science. 363(6422); 78-80.  DOI:  10.1126/science.aal4853

Scientists find remains of huge ancient herbivore phys.org/news/2018-11-scientists-huge-ancient-herbivore.html via @physorg_com

[Paleontology • 2018] Laosuchus naga • A New Chroniosuchian from South-East Asia (Laos) with Internal Structures Revealed by micro-CT Scan and Discussion of its Palaeobiology

Laosuchus naga

Arbez, Sidor & Steyer, 2018

   DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1504827 

sciencesetavenir.fr

Abstract

Chroniosuchians were a clade of non-amniotic tetrapods known from the Guadalupian (middle Permian) to Late Triassic, mainly from Russia and China. The rarity of complete or articulated remains means that relatively little is known about this group in terms of its anatomy, palaeobiology or evolutionary history. Based on a nearly complete skull with a left hemimandible, we describe the first chroniosuchian from Laos from rocks preserving the Permian–Triassic boundary in the Luang Prabang Basin, which is located on the tectonic Indochina Block. This specimen is referred to a new genus and species, Laosuchus naga, based on numerous diagnostic features, including an extremely reduced pineal foramen; absence of palatal dentition; well-developed transverse flange of the pterygoid that contacts the maxilla; internal crest on and above the dorsal side the palate; otic notch closed by the tabular horn and the posterior part of the squamosal, forming a continuous wall; thin and high ventromedial ridge on parasphenoid. A phylogenetic analysis of 51 characters and 25 taxa reveals a basal position for Laosuchus naga among Chroniosuchia. In addition, CT scan data reveal internal structures and provide new insights about the anatomy and palaeobiology of chroniosuchians. Laosuchus naga was likely amphibious and spent most of its time in water, rather than in terrestrial environments. As chroniosuchians are non-marine tetrapods previously known on the North China Block, South China Block and Laurussia, the occurrence of Laosuchus naga on the Indochina Block supports the hypothesis of physical connections between all these tectonic plates by the time of the Permo–Triassic boundary.

Keywords: braincase, Reptiliomorpha, sensory system, palaeobiogeography, phylogeny, tomography

Systematic palaeontology

Superclass Tetrapoda Goodrich, 1930

Order Reptiliomorpha Säve-Söderbergh, 1934 (sensu Benton, 2004)

Suborder Chroniosuchia Tatarinov, 1972 (sensu Witzmann & Schoch, 2017)

Family incertae sedis

Genus Laosuchus gen. nov

Etymology. From the country of origin (Laos) and the ancient Greek soukhos, ‘crocodile’, for its crocodilian-like appearance. 

 Laosuchus naga sp. nov.

Etymology. From the mythological monster ‘Naga’ (or Phaya Naga) believed to live in the Mekong River, which is close to the type locality.

Thomas Arbez, Christian A. Sidor and J.-Sébastien Steyer. 2018. Laosuchus naga gen. et sp. nov., A New Chroniosuchian from South-East Asia (Laos) with Internal Structures Revealed by micro-CT Scan and Discussion of its Palaeobiology. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.  DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1504827

La forme de la Pangée mieux comprise grâce à un fossile de proto-reptile  sciencesetavenir.fr/archeo-paleo/paleontologie/tectonique-un-fossile-eclaire-la-forme-de-la-pangee_128713 via @Sciences_Avenir

[Paleontology • 2018] Eorhynchochelys sinensis • A Triassic Stem Turtle with An Edentulous Beak

Eorhynchochelys sinensis 

Li, Fraser, Rieppel & Wu, 2018

  DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0419-1 

Abstract

The early evolution of turtles continues to be a contentious issue in vertebrate palaeontology. Recent reports have suggested that they are diapsids but the position of turtles within Diapsida is controversial and the sequence of acquisition of turtle synapomorphies remains unclear. Here we describe a Triassic turtle from China that has a mixture of derived characters and plesiomorphic features. To our knowledge, it represents the earliest known stem turtle with an edentulous beak and a rigid puboischiadic plate. The discovery of this new form reveals a complex early history of turtles.

Fig. 1: The holotype of Eorhynchochelys sinensis (SMMP 000016).
 Complete articulated skeleton, as preserved.

Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Pantestudines Joyce, Parham and Gauthier, 200414

Eorhynchochelys sinensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Eo- (dawn), rhyncho- (beak), chelys (turtle): the earliest turtle with a beak; sinensis, from China. ("Ay-oh-rink-oh-keel-is")

Holotype. Sanya Museum of Marine Paleontology (SMMP) 000016 in Hainan Province, China, an articulated specimen displaying the postcranium in dorsal view, and the skull in ventral view (the skull and pelvis were prepared from both sides).

Locality. Heshangjing of Baiyuncun, Xinpuxiang, Guanling District, Guizhou Province, southwestern China.

Horizon. The upper unit of the lower part of the Wayao Member of the Falang Formation, approximately 8.5 m above the top of the Zhuganpo Member; Late Triassic (Carnian age).

Diagnosis. A stem pantestudine of large size; proportionately small skull broadly triangular in outline; supratemporal fenestra closed; infratemporal fenestra partially open; edentulous beak; pleurodont tooth implantation; teeth on parabasisphenoid; 12 dorsal vertebrae; neural spines with disc-like dorsal tables in cervical vertebra 8 to caudal 5; dorsal ribs 1 through 10 horizontally (anteroposteriorly) broadened, T-shaped in cross-section; rigid puboischiadic plate with median ventral keel; and ischium with posterior elongation.

....

 

Chun Li, Nicholas C. Fraser, Olivier Rieppel and Xiao-Chun Wu. 2018. A Triassic Stem Turtle with An Edentulous Beak. Nature. 560; 476–479. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0419-1

230-million-year-old turtle fossil deepens mystery of reptile's origins  nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06012-0

Fossil turtle didn't have a shell yet, but had the first toothless turtle beak  phys.org/news/2018-08-fossil-turtle-didnt-shell-toothless.html via @physorg_com

   

[Paleontology • 2017] Vaderlimulus tricki • First Fossil Horseshoe Crab (Xiphosurida) from the Triassic of North America

 Vaderlimulus tricki 

Lerner, Lucas & Lockley, 2017

  holotype (UCM 140.25) lit from the upper right. Note that the right genal spine extends approximately in-line with the rounded telson boss.  

DOI: 10.1127/njgpa/2017/0702 

Abstract

The fossil record of horseshoe crabs (Xiphosurida) from the Mesozoic of North America consists of only three name-bearing specimens from the Cretaceous. We add to this depauperate record the first report of a horseshoe crab body fossil from the Triassic of North America. It comes from a locality in the Olenekian (Spathian) Thaynes Group, near Paris, Idaho, USA. This mostly complete and moderately well preserved specimen is assigned to the family Austrolimulidae Riek, 1955 as Vaderlimulus tricki, n. gen., n. sp.Vaderlimulus is the second austrolimulid taxon to be reported from the Mesozoic of North America. Its discovery adds a fourth austrolimulid genus to the global Triassic fossil record. Vaderlimulus had large genal spines that are most comparable to the Early to late Middle Triassic austrolimulid genera Psammolimulus (Spathian) and Austrolimulus (Ladinian). Heightened enlargement and proportional reduction of body elements, sometimes resulting in bizarre forms, is seen throughout the biostratigraphic range (Serpukhovian-Maastrichtian) of the Austrolimulidae. The discovery of Vaderlimulus provides additional fossil evidence of this evolutionary process. Vaderlimulus likely inhabited a shallow, possibly transitional freshwater coastal setting in the Moenkopi depositional basin along the western Pangean coastal margin.

Keywords: Thaynes group, Horseshoe crab, Vaderlimulus, Idaho, Olenekian, Triassic, xiphosurida, Austrolimulus, spathian, Austrolimulidae, Psammolimulus

 Reconstruction of Vaderlimulus tricki.  

Subphylum Chelicerata Heymons, 1901
Order Xiphosurida Latreille, 1802
Suborder Limulina Richter & Richter , 1929
Family Austrolimulidae Riek, 1955

Genus Vaderlimulus nov. 

Etymology: The generic name Vaderlimulus is suggested by a resemblance of the holotype prosoma to the helmet worn by Darth Vader, a well-known fictional character from the Star Wars film series.

Vaderlimulus tricki sp. nov.
 Etymology: The trivial name tricki was chosen in recognition of Trick Runions of the Dinosaur Trackers Research Group, University of Colorado at Denver, who collected the holotype specimen and made it available for study.

 Allan J. Lerner, Spencer G. Lucas and Martin Lockley. 2017. First Fossil Horseshoe Crab (Xiphosurida) from the Triassic of North America. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen. 286(3); 289 - 302. DOI: 10.1127/njgpa/2017/0702

[Paleontology • 2018] Caelestiventus hanseni • extends the Desert-dwelling Pterosaur Record Back 65 Million Years

Caelestiventus hanseni 

Britt, Dalla Vecchia, Chure, Engelmann, Whiting & Scheetz, 2018

 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y 

Illustration: Michael Skrepnick 

Abstract

Pterosaurs are the oldest known powered flying vertebrates. Originating in the Late Triassic, they thrived to the end of the Cretaceous. Triassic pterosaurs are extraordinarily rare and all but one specimen come from marine deposits in the Alps. A new comparatively large (wing span >150 cm) pterosaur, Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov., from Upper Triassic desert deposits of western North America preserves delicate structural and pneumatic details not previously known in early pterosaurs, and allows a reinterpretation of crushed Triassic specimens. It shows that the earliest pterosaurs were geographically widely distributed and ecologically diverse, even living in harsh desert environments. It is the only record of desert-dwelling non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs and predates all known desert pterosaurs by more than 65 Myr. A phylogenetic analysis shows it is closely allied with Dimorphodon macronyx from the Early Jurassic of Britain.

Fig. 4: Reconstructions of Caelestiventus hanseni  and Dimorphodon macronyx.
a, Schematic silhouette of a dimorphodontid pterosaur in dorsal view. b, Preserved skull and mandible elements of C. hanseni. The left maxillojugal is completed with the premaxillary process from the right maxilla. The right mandibular ramus is mirrored and is completed with the rostral end from the left ramus. Missing teeth have been reconstructed. The right nasal and frontoparietal are mirrored. c, Skull and mandible of the largest D. macronyx reconstructed (from Sangster, 2003) and modified incorporating our observations.

 Scale bars: 0.5 m in a and 10 mm in b and c. 

a, angular; aof, antorbital fenestra; d, dentary; fr, frontal; j, jugal; l, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; mdf, medially deflected flange; n, nasal; nvf, neurovascular foramen; pa, parital; pmx, premaxilla; sa, surangular; utf, upper temporal fenestra; vf, ventral flange.

DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y

blogs.discovermagazine.com

Systematic palaeontology. 

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834 

Dimorphodontidae Seeley, 1870 

Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology. Caelestiventus hanseni comes from the Latin language: caelestis, ‘heavenly or divine’, and ventus, ‘wind’, referring to the volant nature of pterosaurs, and ‘hanseni’, honouring Robin L. Hansen, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) geologist, who facilitated work at the Saints & Sinners Quarry

....

Illustration: Michael Skrepnick 

Conclusion:

Caelestiventus hanseni is the first record of a desert-dwelling, non-pterodactyloid pterosaur, predating by >65Ma all known desert occurrences of pterosaurs. It shows that in the Late Triassic—early in their evolution and diversification—pterosaurs were widely distributed and lived in a broad range of habitats, including inland deserts far (>800 km) from the sea. Despite their morphological similarity, C. hanseni and D. macronyx lived in very different environments. Dimorphodon was an island dweller45 in a humid climate46 and was preserved in the marine Blue Lias (Hettangian–Sinemurian) of southern England (Sangster, 2003). C. hanseni indicates that dimorphodontids originated by the Late Triassic and survived the end-Triassic extinction event

Brooks B. Britt, Fabio M. Dalla Vecchia, Daniel J. Chure, George F. Engelmann, Michael F. Whiting and Rodney D. Scheetz. 2018.  Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov. Extends the Desert-dwelling Pterosaur Record Back 65 Million Years. Nature Ecology & Evolution.  DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y

Rare triassic pterosaur discovered by BYU paleontologists  news.byu.edu/node/11801 via @@BYU

twitter.com/BYU/status/1029135835910696960

Utah Pterosaur Was Desert-Dwelling Badass...Pelican? - Dead Things  blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2018/08/13/utah-pterosaur/

[Paleontology • 2018] Paludidraco multidentatus • New Highly Pachyostotic Nothosauroid Interpreted As A Filter-feeding Triassic Marine Reptile

Paludidraco multidentatus 

Miguel Chaves, Ortega & Pérez-García, 2018

  DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0130 

Abstract
Two well-preserved specimens of a new eosauropterygian from the Upper Triassic of Central Spain are attributed to a new taxon, Paludidraco multidentatus gen. et sp. nov. It is a member of Simosauridae that presents several exclusive characters suggesting a highly specialized trophic adaptation. This discovery increases the already high ecological disparity of the Triassic marine reptiles.

KEYWORDS: Sauropterygia, Simosauridae, Keuper, Spain

Systematic palaeontology

 Sauropterygia Owen, 1860
 Eosauropterygia Rieppel, 1994
Nothosauroidea Baur, 1889
Simosauridae Huene, 1948

Paludidraco multidentatus gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. The generic name is composed of the Latin words paludos, meaning marshy (in reference to the El Atance reservoir) and draco, from the Latin word for dragon. The specific name refers to the Latin words multi, meaning numerous, and dentatus, for toothed.

MUPA-ATZ0101, holotype of the new eosauropterygian Paludidraco multidentatus.
 The relative position of the two blocks and the skull corresponds to their original position in the field.

Conclusion:

 Remains belonging to two individuals of the new eosauropterygian Paludidraco multidentatus gen. et sp. nov. have been recovered from the Upper Triassic El Atance site (Central Spain). Paludidraco multidentatus is primarily characterized by a very slender mandible and numerous small and sicklelike teeth with pleurodont implantation, as well as an extremely pachyostotic axial skeleton. An ecological role analogous to that of extant manatees is interpreted for this bizarre sauropterygian. Therefore, this discovery increases the already high disparity of the sauropterygians from the Triassic.




Carlos de Miguel Chaves, Francisco Ortega and Adán Pérez-García. 2018. New Highly Pachyostotic Nothosauroid Interpreted As A Filter-feeding Triassic Marine Reptile. Biology Letters.  DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0130

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 twitter.com/frco_ortega/status/1024559993863974912

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[Paleontology • 2018] Ingentia prima • An Early Trend Towards Gigantism in Triassic Sauropodomorph Dinosaurs

Ingentia prima

 Apaldetti, Martínez, Cerda, Pol & Alcober, 2018

   DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0599-y 

Illustration: Jorge A. Gonzalez   twitter.com/PolDiego

Abstract 

Dinosaurs dominated the terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 Myr during the Mesozoic era, and among them were sauropodomorphs, the largest land animals recorded in the history of life. Early sauropodomorphs were small bipeds, and it was long believed that acquisition of giant body size in this clade (over 10 tonnes) occurred during the Jurassic and was linked to numerous skeletal modifications present in Eusauropoda. Although the origin of gigantism in sauropodomorphs was a pivotal stage in the history of dinosaurs, an incomplete fossil record obscures details of this crucial evolutionary change. Here, we describe a new sauropodomorph from the Late Triassic of Argentina nested within a clade of other non-eusauropods from southwest Pangaea. Members of this clade attained large body size while maintaining a plesiomorphic cyclical growth pattern, displaying many features of the body plan of basal sauropodomorphs and lacking most anatomical traits previously regarded as adaptations to gigantism. This novel strategy highlights a highly accelerated growth rate, an improved avian-style respiratory system, and modifications of the vertebral epaxial musculature and hindlimbs as critical to the evolution of gigantism. This reveals that the first pulse towards gigantism in dinosaurs occurred over 30 Myr before the appearance of the first eusauropods.

Fig. 1: Skeletal anatomy of Ingentia prima gen. et sp. nov. from the Quebrada del Barro Formation, northwestern Argentina.
a–k, Holotype (PVSJ 1086). l–s, Referred material (PVSJ 1087). a–d, Mid-posterior cervical vertebrae, C5–C10 articulated series (a), close up of the pneumatic fossa with internal subfossae on the centrodiapophyseal fossa (cdf)26 of C8 (b) and C9 (c), and a complex of subfossae on the prcdf26 of C10 (d). e, Right partial scapula. f–i, Right forelimb: humerus (f), and the radius and ulna in proximal (g) and anterior (h) view, and distal articulation (i). j, Right manus in plantar view. k,l, Metacarpal I in proximal (k) and dorsal (l) view. m,n, Radius and ulnae with respective proximal ulna: right radius-ulna (m) and left radius-ulna (n) in posterior view. o, Left proximal end of fibula. p–r, Right partial pes: distal tarsal III–IV in proximal view (p), metatarsal I and II in dorsal view (q) and isolated phalanges (r). s, Four anterior caudal vertebrae and a distal one (bottom left).

 cen, centrum; dp, diapophysis; dt, distal tubercles of radius-ulna; f-sf, fossa-subfossae complex; ft, fibular tubercle; nc, neural canal; ol, olecranum; pm, posteromedial margin of the ulna; prz, prezygapophysis; rf, radial fossa; rib, rib. Scale bars: 10 cm in a and i–s; 2 cm in b–d; 20 cm in e–h; 120 cm for the skeleton. Red, holotype; yellow, referred specimen; orange, holotype and referred specimen.

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842 

Saurischia Seeley, 1888 

Sauropodomorpha von Huene, 1932 

Lessemsauridae clade nov. 

Etymology. Related to Lessemsaurus sauropoides Bonaparte, 1999. 

Definition. The clade Lessemsauridae is defined here as L. sauropoides Bonaparte, 1999 and Antetonitrus ingenipes Yates and Kitching, 2003, and all the descendants from their most common ancestor. 

Ingentia prima gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology. ‘Ingentia’, huge (fem., Latin); ‘prima’, first (fem. Latin), referring to the large body size acquired during the early evolution of Dinosauria.

....

Cecilia Apaldetti, Ricardo N. Martínez, Ignacio A. Cerda, Diego Pol and Oscar Alcober. 2018. An Early Trend Towards Gigantism in Triassic Sauropodomorph Dinosaurs. Nature Ecology & Evolution.  DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0599-y  
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Huge new gentle giant dinosaur the size of a double decker bus discovered  metro.co.uk/2018/07/09/huge-gentle-giant-dinosaur-size-double-decker-bus-discovered-argentina-7695748 via @MetroUK