[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus

Phoebodus saidselachus Frey, Coates, Ginter, Hairapetian, Rücklin, Jerjen & Klug, 2019

in Klug, Greif, Pohle, Ginter, Coates, Haouz, Lagnaoui, Pople et Frey, 2026. 

www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html 

Phoebodus was recognized as the earliest elasmobranch known from articulated remains, a group which constitutes most modern cartilaginous fish comprising sharks, skates and rays. Its elongate body, the presence of two dorsal fins with fin spines, and the elongate head had already been described. Based on spectacularly well-preserved fossils, we add new anatomical information on its exact body proportions, the paired and caudal fins, the dermal denticles, the skull morphology, the endocast, and the gill skeleton. These new skeletons from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Morocco (c. 367 Ma) permit a much-improved reconstruction of the anatomy of Phoebodus. The new materials comprise the oldest elasmobranch specimens preserving the complete head in three dimensions. Additionally, the new materials yield information about growth and diet and thus position in the trophic network. Despite the newly coded characters, the phylogenetic position of the genus Phoebodus with the oldest teeth dating to the early Givetian remains that of the oldest stem-elasmobranch in the Bayesian analyses.

Key words: Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Famennian, ontogeny, exceptional preservation, Fossillagerstätten

Phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5751, prep. T. Imhof, largest individual, nearly complete. B. PIMUZ A/I 5752, prep. T. Imhof, second largest individual, only caudal region missing; for details of the skull see Fig. 2. C. PIMUZ A/I 5753, prep. M. Greif, anterior half, excellent integument, fins and brachial region. D. PIMUZ A/I 5754, prep. R. Roth, two superimposed chondrichthyans; the skull in the middle is Maghriboselache mohamezanei with further remains; the straight, complete skeleton belongs to Phoebodus; the latter preserves the caudal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 4712, holotype, smallest skeleton, nearly complete, modified after Frey et al. (2019a).

Skeletal reconstruction of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5754, caudalis. B, C. PIMUZ A/I 4712, posterior and anterior dorsal fins. D. PIMUZ A/I 5752, anterior dorsal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 5751, caudalis. F, G. PIMUZ A/I 5753, pectoral fin and branchial basket. H. PIMUZ A/I 5752, head. The photos are not to scale. The scale refers only to the drawing.

Systematic palaeontology 

Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880 

Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 

Phoebodontiformes Ginter et al., 2010 

Genus Phoebodus St. John & Worthen, 1875

Reconstructions of an adult female and juvenile male of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. We incorporated the new anatomical details particularly in the proportions and the fin shapes. The juvenile is reconstructed after the holotype.

  

Christian Klug, Merle Greif, Alexander Pohle, Michał Ginter, Michael I. Coates, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Jonathan Pople, and Linda Frey. 2026. The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 71 (2), 2026: 399-430 DOI:10.4202/app.01290.2025  https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html

Linda Frey, Michael Coates, Michał Ginter, Vachik Hairapetian, Martin Rücklin, Iwan Jerjen, Christian Klug. 2019. The early elasmobranch Phoebodus: phylogenetic relationships, ecomorphology and a new time-scale for shark evolution. Proc Biol Sci. 286 (1912): 20191336. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1336

[Botany • 2026] Nymphoides crucioides, N. miniata, N. thailandica, ... • Integration of Cytogenetics and Morphology for the Taxonomic Revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand including Five New Species

 

Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph.,

in Suwanphakdee, Nopporncharoenkul et Hodkinson, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2026.104044 

facebook.com: Flora of Thailand

Highlights: 

• A full revision of Thai Nymphoides based on morphology and cytogenetic evidence is provided.

• Cytogenetic and morphological evidence supports Nymphoides species boundaries.

• Ten Nymphoides species are described in Thailand, including five new endemic species

Abstract 

A taxonomic revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand was undertaken using cytogenetics and morphology. Specimens were collected throughout Thailand. Cytogenetic analyses were conducted on living collections. The morphological characters used in the descriptions of all taxa were measured from living specimens, which were subsequently maintained for ex-situ conservation. We provide a new generic description, a key to species, and descriptions of all species. Line drawings are provided for the five new species and color photographic illustrations are provided for all taxa. Herbarium voucher specimens were prepared and deposited in Thai herbaria. Ten species are recognized in Thailand, including five new species described in the present study for the first time, namely Nymphoides chumphonense, N. crucioides, N. miniata, N. thailandica and N. thungyaiense. Cytogenetic evidence supports the proposed species boundaries of Thai Nymphoides.

 

Keywords: Aquatic plants, Terrarium plants, Tropical plants, Wetland

Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph. 

Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk. 

Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph. 

Nymphoides thungyaiense Suwanph & Noppornch. 

 Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph. 

 

Chalermpol Suwanphakdee, Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul and Trevor R. Hodkinson. 2026. Integration of Cytogenetics and Morphology for the Taxonomic Revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand including Five New Species. Aquatic Botany. 207, 104044. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2026.104044 

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🌸 มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ พบบัวบาชนิดใหม่ของโลก 5 ชนิด จากแหล่งน้ำของประเทศไทย บ่งชี้ถึงความร่ำรวยทรัพยากรพืชของไทย และความสำคัญของงานวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์พื้นฐาน ของสถาบันการศึกษา💚

นักวิจัย มก นำโดย รศ.ดร. เฉลิมพล สุวรรณภักดี จากภาควิชาพฤกษศาสตร์ คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ ค้นพบบัวบาชนิดใหม่ของโลกจำนวน 5 ชนิด โดยตีพิมพ์เผยแพร่การค้นพบนี้ในวารสาร Aquatic Botany ฉบับปี 2026 การค้นพบครั้งนี้เป็นการบูรณาการวิจัยร่วมระหว่างหน่วยงานซึ่งประกอบด้วย ดร. ณัฐพล นพพรเจริญกุล นักวิจัย จากองค์การพิพิธภัณฑ์วิทยาศาสตร์แห่งชาติ (อพวช) และ Prof. Dr. Trevor R. Hodkinson จากทรินิตี้คอลเลจ มหาวิทยาลัยแห่งกรุงดับลิน ประเทศไอร์แลนด์ โดยเป็นการบูรณาการวิจัยร่วมทางด้านอนุกรมวิธานพืช สัณฐานวิทยาและเซลล์วิทยา 

.

รศ.ดร. เฉลิมพล สุวรรณภักดี  กล่าวว่า พืชสกุลบัวบา (Nymphoides) วงศ์ Menyanthaceae เป็นพืชน้ำที่มีการใช้ประโยชน์ทางด้านการใช้เป็นพืชประดับ และผักพื้นบ้าน ในประเทศไทยเคยมีรายงาน 5 ชนิด จากการศึกษาวิจัยพบว่า บัวบาของประเทศไทยมีทั้งหมด 10 ชนิด และเป็นพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลก 5 ชนิด แต่ละชนิดมีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้ประโยชน์ทางด้านการใช้เป็นพืชประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ อีกทั้งยังเน้นให้ตระหนักถึงการอนุรักษ์แหล่งน้ำจืด ซึ่งเป็นที่อยู่ของพืชชนิดเหล่านี้ บ่งชี้ถึงความร่ำรวยทรัพยากรพืชของประเทศไทย และความสำคัญของงานวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์พื้นฐาน 

บัวบา 5 ชนิดนี้ประกอบด้วย 

.

1. สายติ้ง หรือ สายติ่ง Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph. 

 พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ บริเวณ จ. ชุมพร และสุราษฎร์ธานี  โดยตั้งชื่อตาม จ. ชุมพร สถานที่พบตัวอย่างเป็นที่แรก พืชชนิดนี้มีการใช้ประโยชน์เป็นผักพื้นบ้าน โดยกินสดกับน้ำพริก และมีขายในตลาด ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์ (Endangered: EN) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการรุกรานของน้ำเค็ม อีกทั้งติดผลและเมล็ดได้น้อย

.

2. บัวบาหัวลูกศร Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk. 

 พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี และยะลา โดยตั้งชื่อตามลักษณะดอกที่คล้ายกากบาท  พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

3. บาจิ๋ว Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph. 

 เป็นบัวบาที่มีขนาดเล็กที่สุดของโลก พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี โดยตั้งชื่อตามลักษณะดอกที่มีขนาดเล็กที่สุดของโลก พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

4. บาสยาม Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph. 

บัวบาที่มีขนาดเล็ก พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี กระบี่ และยะลา โดยตั้งชื่อตามประเทศไทย พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

5. ดาวรดา Nymphoides thungyaiense Suwanph & Noppornch. 

เป็นบัวบาที่มีขนาดค่อนข้างใหญ่ พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ บริเวณ จ. ตาก โดยตั้งชื่อตามแหล่งที่พบ ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากพบประชากรเพียงแหล่งเดียว  

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Archaeomeles neglecta • A New Genus of Badger from Pikermi (Greece) and A Review of the Systematics and Evolution of Miocene Melinae (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

Archaeomeles neglecta 

Kargopoulos, Valenciano, Jiangzuo, Liakopoulou, Gerakakis, Kampouridis, Paparizos, Svorligkou, Filis, Sklavounou & Roussiakis, 2026

  DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2647483  

 x.com/paleo_alberto

 

Abstract

The evolution of Mustelidae has been a topic of debate, obscured by a complex system of convergences between phylogenetically distant groups. In this work, we present a new genus and species of mustelid, Archaeomeles neglecta gen. et sp. nov., from the classical Turolian locality of Pikermi (Greece, Late Miocene, MN12). The material consists of a skull with the associated mandible and shows distinct features that clearly differentiate it from all other known mustelid genera. These characteristics include a long and narrow rostrum, the absence of developed sagittal and supraorbital crest, relatively slender mandibular corpus, enamel folds on the lower canines, the wide P3 and p4, and the moderately enlarged M1 talon and m1 talonid. Morphometrical comparisons and phylogenetic analysis suggest that Archaeomeles is a stem member of the Melinae along with the other Turolian mustelids Promeles, Polgardia and Melodon from Eurasia. Ecomorphological comparisons indicate intermediate dietary habits between the plesiomorphic gulonines and the derived extant badgers, suggesting a diet that is based on small vertebrates and invertebrates as well as plant material. 

Keywords: Carnivora, Ecomorphology, Mustelidae, Phylogeny, Turolian

Systematic palaeontology

Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821

Suborder Caniformia Kretzoi, 1943

Family Mustelidae Batsch, 1788

Subfamily Melinae Bonaparte, 1838

Genus Archaeomeles gen. nov.

Type and only species. Archaeomeles neglecta sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Mustelid of the size of the extant European otter (Lutra lutra); rostrum long and slender; P1/p1 present; P2/p2 two-rooted; P3 significantly wide; P4 moderately shortened; P4 with hypocone region moderately developed; M1 moderately expanded distolingually, with metaconule and a high protocone; mandibular corpus slender; lower canine with enamel folds; p4 slender without marked accessory cuspids, m1 with low trigonid cuspids, talonid moderately enlarged and basin-like, without entoconid and entoconulid, but with distinct hypoconid and a minute, buccally situated hypoconulid.

Derivation of name: Archaeo-, from the Greek word Ἀρχαῖος meaning ancient, and -meles meaning badger. The name Archaeomeles, ‘ancient badger’, is chosen to highlight its key position in the radiation of the Melinae in the Turolian.

Archaeomeles neglecta sp. nov.

Holotype. AMPG-P.A. 4879/91 – skull with an associated mandible.

 

Derivation of name. The specific name neglecta comes from the feminine of the Latin word neglectus meaning neglected. It refers to the holotype being overlooked in the collections of AMPG for over a century.

Type Locality. Pikermi (classical layers), Attica, Greece.

Age. 7.33–7.29Ma, Turolian, Late Miocene (MN 12).

 

Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Alberto Valenciano, Qigao Jiangzuo, Dionysia Liakopoulou, Nikolaos Gerakakis, Panagiotis Kampouridis, Nikolaos Paparizos, Georgia Svorligkou, Panagiotis Filis, Stamatina Sklavounou and Socrates Roussiakis. 2026. A New Genus of Badger from Pikermi (Greece) and A Review of the Systematics and Evolution of Miocene Melinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(1); 2647483.  DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2647483 [24 Apr 2026]

  x.com/paleo_alberto/status/2047713035066736997

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Taotienimravus songi • A New ecomorph of Nimravidae, and the early Macrocarnivorous Niche Exploration in Carnivora

 

 Taotienimravus songi

 Jiangzuo, Lyras, Grohe, Werdelin, Niu, Huang, Li, Jiang, Fu, Wan, Liu, Wang & Deng, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.1686 

 Artwork by Yuefeng Song.

 

Abstract

Here, we describe a new ecomorph of Nimravidae, Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov., from the middle Oligocene of eastern Asia. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is closely related to Nimravus and Dinaelurus, and it represents a non-sabertooth ecomorph form with initial bone-cracking adaptation—a unique form among Nimravidae. An increase in body size among Nimravidae appears to have coincided with the demise of Oxyaenidae, another carnivorous clade in the Palaeogene. The initial emergence of macrocarnivorous adaptation of Carnivora by a felid-like ecomorph probably reflects competition dynamics. Nimravidae successfully occupied several ecological niches that were not exploited by Felidae, probably owing to the lack of competition within Carnivora during much of their evolutionary history. Our study underscores the role of both abiotic and biotic factors in shaping niche availability for these animals, emphasizing the need for discussions on niche change and evolution to be grounded in these considerations.

Keywords: eastern Asia, Oligocene, Taotienimravus, niche, sabertooth

  Life reconstruction of Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov. in Chinese painting style.

 Artwork by Yuefeng Song.

 Mammalia Linnaeus 1758 

Carnivora Bowdich 1821 

Nimravidae Cope 1880 

Nimravinae Cope 1880 

Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov. 

 

 Etymology: the generic name prefix Taotie is a fierce beast in ancient Chinese legend, referring to the large and robust dentition of the animal; the species name is in honour of the collector of the fossil specimen, Yuefeng Song, who donated the specimen to Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum and made it available for scientific research.

 Distribution and age: so far only known from the Qingshuiying Formation, Ningxia, northern China, late Early or early Late Oligocene, representing one of the youngest members of the subfamily Nimravinae. 

Qigao Jiangzuo; Georgios Lyras; Camille Grohe; Lars Werdelin ; Kecheng Niu; Dongting Huang; Shijie Li; Hao Jiang; Jiao Fu; Yang Wan; Jinyi Liu; Shi-Qi Wang and Tao Deng. 2025. A New ecomorph of Nimravidae, and the early Macrocarnivorous Niche Exploration in Carnivora. Proc Biol Sci. 292 (2059): 20251686. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.1686 [26 Nov 2025]

[Paleontology • 2025] Breagnathair elgolensis • Mosaic Anatomy in an early Fossil Squamate

Breagnathair elgolensis

Benson, Walsh, Griffiths, Kulik, Botha, Fernandez, Head & Evans, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09566-y 

Life reconstruction: Mick Ellison (AMNH)

Abstract

Squamates (lizards and snakes) comprise almost 12,000 living species, with wide ecological diversity and a crown group that originated around 190 million years ago. Conflict between morphology and molecular phylogenies indicates a complex pattern of anatomical transformations during early squamate evolution, which remains poorly understood owing to the scarcity of early fossil taxa. Here we present Breugnathair elgolensis gen. et sp. nov., based on a new skeleton from the Middle Jurassic epoch (167 million years ago) of Scotland, which is among the oldest relatively complete fossil squamates. Breugnathair is placed in a new family, Parviraptoridae, an enigmatic group with potential importance for snake origins, that was previously known from very incomplete remains. It displays a mosaic of anatomical traits that is not present in living groups, with head and body proportions similar to varanids (monitor lizards) and snake-like features of the teeth and jaws, alongside primitive traits shared with early-diverging groups such as gekkotans. Phylogenetic analyses of multiple datasets return conflicting results, with parviraptorids either as early toxicoferans (and potentially stem snakes) or as stem squamates that convergently evolved snake-like dental and mandibular traits related to feeding. These findings indicate high levels of homoplasy and experimentation during the initial radiation of squamates and highlight the potential importance of convergent morphological transformations during deep evolutionary divergences.

Reconstruction of Breagnathair elgolensis from NMS G.2023.7.1. 
a, Life reconstruction of Breagnathair elgolensis based on measured proportions of NMS G.2023.7.1. b, Digital render of the bones as originally preserved in NMS G.2023.7.1, using information from the pilot scan (Supplementary Data 1 and 2). c–f, Digital renders of cervical vertebra (CEb in Extended Data Fig. 5) in left lateral (c), ventral (d), anterior (e) and posterior (f) views. g–i, Caudal vertebra (CAa in Extended Data Fig. 5) in left lateral (g), ventral (h) and anterior (i) views. Scale bars: 50 mm (b), 2 mm (c–i). Life reconstruction reproduced with permission from Mick Ellison (American Museum of Natural History).

Breagnathair elgolensis

Life reconstruction: Mick Ellison 

(American Museum of Natural History).

Pan-Squamata Gauthier & de Queiroz, 2020 

Parviraptoridae new family

Included taxa. Parviraptor estesi (type genus), Diablophis gilmorei, Portugalophis lignites and Breugnathair elgolensis gen. et sp. nov., as well as the holotype and at least some specimens referred to the nomen dubium Eophis underwoodi, from the Middle Jurassic of Kirtlington. ...

Breugnathair elgolensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. breug-nathair (brjiag Nahɪrj; adapted from Scottish Gaelic): false snake; specific name comes from the locality of discovery, north of the village of Elgol on the Strathaird Peninsula of the Isle of Skye.

Holotype. NMS (National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK) G.2023.7.1, a disarticulated partial skeleton from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian, 166 Ma) Kilmaluag Formation of the Elgol Coast SSSI14, collected in 2015 under permit from NatureScot, with permission from the landowner John Muir Trust.

Diagnosis. Parviraptorid that differs from Early Cretaceous Parviraptor estesi in having proportionally narrower parietals that bear a nuchal shelf and lack a deep ventral concavity between the base of the postparietal process and the base of the supratemporal process; differs from Late Jurassic Portugalophis lignites by having shorter interdental ridges and more sharply recurved tooth crowns; and differs from Late Jurassic Diablophis gilmorei in the less bulbous morphology of tooth bases, and substantially more recurved crowns. ...

Roger B. J. Benson, Stig A. Walsh, Elizabeth F. Griffiths, Zoe T. Kulik, Jennifer Botha, Vincent Fernandez, Jason J. Head and Susan E. Evans. 2025. Mosaic Anatomy in an early Fossil Squamate. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09566-y [01 October 2025]

   

[Paleontology • 2025] Sphenodraco scandentis • An arboreal rhynchocephalian from the Late Jurassic of Germany, and the importance of the appendicular skeleton for ecomorphology in lepidosaurs

 Sphenodraco scandentis

Beccari, Guillaume, Jones, Villa, Cooper  Regnault & Rauhut, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073  

artwork by Gabriel Ugueto  facebook.com/serpenillus 

 

Abstract

Here, we describe a new species of Jurassic rhynchocephalian from the Solnhofen Archipelago, Sphenodraco scandentis gen. et sp. nov., and highlight the importance of the postcranial anatomy for ecomorphological studies in the rhynchocephalian clade. The holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis is divided into a main slab, which has been mentioned in the literature and previously assigned to Homoeosaurus maximiliani, and a counterslab containing most of its skeletal remains. This new taxon shows an exclusive combination of osteological features that differs from previously described rhynchocephalians. Sphenodraco was recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as a component of a clade including Homoeosaurus and Kallimodon. To evaluate the ecomorphology of the new taxon, we compare fossil rhynchocephalians with the extant tuatara and squamates. We quantify the diversity of body proportions in lepidosaurs systematically, inferring lifestyle for extinct rhynchocephalians. Our analysis suggests that fossil rhynchocephalians had a diverse array of substrate uses, with some categorized as good climbers, and with Sphenodraco showing the extreme condition of limb elongation found in strictly arboreal lizards. This new taxon is here regarded as the first predominantly or even strictly arboreal rhynchocephalian. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the diversity of fossil rhynchocephalians might still be underestimated.

ecomorphology, Germany, Jurassic, Rhynchocephalia, sphenodontian, taxonomy, tuatara

Photograph of the holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis.
A, SMF R414, the main slab, containing some bone remains and the imprint of the skeleton.
B, NHMUK PV R 2741, the counterslab, containing most of the skeletal remains

Lepidosauria Haeckel, 1866,

Rhynchocephalia Günther, 1867,sensuDeMar et al. (2022),

Neosphenodontia Herrera-Flores et al., 2018

Sphenodraco gen. nov.

Derivation of name: The genus name combines the prefix spheno- (which composes the name Sphenodontia) and draco (Latin for ‘dragon’, but also in reference to the arboreal gliding lizards, whose limb proportions are similar to that of the new taxon) and translates to ‘the sphenodontian dragon’. The genus name is masculine.

Type species: Sphenodraco scandentis gen. et sp. nov., by monotypy.

 

Sphenodraco scandentis sp. nov.

Derivation of name: The species name comes from the Latin word scandens, meaning ‘climber’.

Diagnosis: Small rhynchocephalian with the following unique combination of traits: (i) maxillary dentition with posterior flanges decreasing in size posteriorly among the last three teeth; (ii) bases of the maxillary teeth are oblique to the tooth row (in labial view)*; (iii) short posterior process of the pleurapophysis of sacral vertebra 2; (iv) tall, funnel-shaped proximal epiphysis of the humerus; (v) tall acetabular region of the ilium, with posteriorly oriented iliac blade; (vi) short pubic process of the ilium*; (vii) slender stylopodia and zeugopodia, with the diameter being <.06 of the length between metaphyses; and (viii) metacarpal and metatarsal IV longer than III. An asterisk (*) represents autapomorphic features.

Living reconstruction of Sphenodraco scandentis in the Solnhofen Archipelago in Germany during the late Jurassic period. 

artwork by Gabriel Ugueto

 

Victor Beccari, Alexandre R. D. Guillaume, Marc E. H. Jones, Andrea Villa, Natalie Cooper, Sophie Regnault and Oliver W. M. Rauhut. 2025. An arboreal rhynchocephalian from the Late Jurassic of Germany, and the importance of the appendicular skeleton for ecomorphology in lepidosaurs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 204(3); zlaf073.  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073  [02 July 2025] 

   facebook.com/serpenillus/posts/1300855222041942

[Paleontology • 2024] Hand and Foot Morphology Maps Invasion of Terrestrial Environments by Pterosaurs in the mid-Mesozoic

 Scaphognathus crassirostris (Goldfuss, 1831) 

in Smyth, Breithaupt, Butler, Falkingham et Unwin, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.09.014

Paleoart by Rudolf Hima.

Highlights

• The hands and feet of pterosaurs were adapted to a broad range of locomotor ecologies

• Early pterosaurs had a scansorial mode of life, which restricted maximum body size

• Anatomical changes in later pterosaurs led to more effective terrestrial ability

• Invasion of terrestrial habitats facilitated diverse feeding ecologies and gigantism

Summary

Pterosaurs, the first true flying vertebrates, played a crucial role in Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems. However, our understanding of their ability to move around on the ground and, more broadly, their terrestrial paleoecology remains limited. Here, we demonstrate an unexpectedly high degree of variation in the hands and feet of pterosaurs, comparable with that observed in extant birds. This suggests that pterosaurs were adapted to a remarkably broad range of non-aerial locomotor ecologies. Small, early, long-tailed pterosaurs (non-pterodactyliforms) exhibit extreme modifications in their hand and foot proportions indicative of climbing lifestyles. By contrast, the hands and feet of later, short-tailed pterosaurs (pterodactyliforms) typically exhibit morphologies consistent with more ground-based locomotor ecologies. These changes in proportions correlate with other modifications to pterosaur anatomy, critically, the separation along the midline of the flight membrane (cruropatagium) that linked the hindlimbs, enabling a much more effective locomotory ability on the ground. Together, these changes map a significant event in tetrapod evolution: a mid-Mesozoic colonization of terrestrial environments by short-tailed pterosaurs. This transition to predominantly ground-based locomotor ecologies did not occur as a single event coinciding with the origin of short-tailed forms but evolved independently within each of the four principal radiations: euctenochasmatians, ornithocheiroids, dsungaripteroids, and azhdarchoids. Invasion of terrestrial environments by pterosaurs facilitated the evolution of a wide range of novel feeding ecologies, while the freedom from limitations imposed by climbing permitted an increase in body size, ultimately enabling the evolution of gigantism in multiple lineages.

Keywords: Mesozoic, Pterosauria, adaptive radiation, manus, pes, ecomorphology, locomotor ecology, arboreal, scansorial, terrestrial

Paleoart reconstruction of the non-pterodactyliform Scaphognathus crassirostris (Upper Jurassic) in scansorial mode

Paleoart by Rudolf Hima.

Paleoart reconstruction of the pterodactyliform Balaenognathus maeuseri (Upper Jurassic) in terrestrial mode

Paleoart by Rudolf Hima.

Comparison of autopodial and other anatomical differences between non-pterodactyliform (scaphognathine) and pterodactyliform pterosaurs (derived ctenochasmatoid)
(A) Paleoart reconstruction of the non-pterodactyliform Scaphognathus crassirostris (Upper Jurassic) in scansorial mode, with autopodia characterized by short proximal elements and elongated distal elements.
(B) Paleoart reconstruction of the pterodactyliform Balaenognathus maeuseri (Upper Jurassic) in terrestrial mode, with autopodia characterized by elongated proximal elements and shortened distal elements.
(C) Reconstructions of Scaphognathus (left) and Balaenognathus (right) in dorsal view indicating the principal flight surfaces.
(D) Simplified pterosaur phylogeny indicating the principal taxonomic groups used in this study.

Abbreviations: bp, brachiopatagium; cp, cruropatagium; pp, propatagium. 

Paleoart by Rudolf Hima.

Robert S.H. Smyth, Brent H. Breithaupt, Richard J. Butler, Peter L. Falkingham and David M. Unwin. 2024. Hand and Foot Morphology Maps Invasion of Terrestrial Environments by Pterosaurs in the mid-Mesozoic. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.09.014

[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Exceptionally preserved Shark Fossils from Mexico elucidate the Long-standing Enigma of the Cretaceous Elasmobranch Ptychodus (Lamniformes: Ptychodontidae)

 Ptychodus Agassiz, 1834

in Vullo, Villalobos-Segura, Amadori, Kriwet, Frey, González, Gutiérrez, Ifrim, Stinnesbeck et Stinnesbeck, 2024.

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0262

 

Abstract

The fossil fish Ptychodus Agassiz, 1834, characterized by a highly distinctive grinding dentition and an estimated gigantic body size (up to around 10 m), has remained one of the most enigmatic extinct elasmobranchs (i.e. sharks, skates and rays) for nearly two centuries. This widespread Cretaceous taxon is common in Albian to Campanian deposits from almost all continents. However, specimens mostly consist of isolated teeth or more or less complete dentitions, whereas cranial and post-cranial skeletal elements are very rare. Here we describe newly discovered material from the early Late Cretaceous of Mexico, including complete articulated specimens with preserved body outline, which reveals crucial information on the anatomy and systematic position of Ptychodus. Our phylogenetic and ecomorphological analyses indicate that ptychodontids were high-speed (tachypelagic) durophagous lamniforms (mackerel sharks), which occupied a specialized predatory niche previously unknown in fossil and extant elasmobranchs. Our results support the view that lamniforms were ecomorphologically highly diverse and represented the dominant group of sharks in Cretaceous marine ecosystems. Ptychodus may have fed predominantly on nektonic hard-shelled prey items such as ammonites and sea turtles rather than on benthic invertebrates, and its extinction during the Campanian, well before the end-Cretaceous crisis, might have been related to competition with emerging blunt-toothed globidensine and prognathodontine mosasaurs.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes, Lamniformes, Ptychodontidae, ecomorphology, Late Cretaceous, Vallecillo fossil Lagerstätte

Romain Vullo, Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Manuel Amadori, Jürgen Kriwet, Eberhard Frey, Margarito A. González González, José M. Padilla Gutiérrez, Christina Ifrim, Eva S. Stinnesbeck and Wolfgang Stinnesbeck. 2024. Exceptionally preserved Shark Fossils from Mexico elucidate the Long-standing Enigma of the Cretaceous Elasmobranch Ptychodus.  Proc. R. Soc. B. 291: 20240262. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0262

 

 

[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Rostral and Body Shape Analyses reveal Cryptic Diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) from Europe

 

Aellopobatis bavarica

Türtscher, Jambura, Villalobos-Segura, López-Romero, Underwood, Thies, Lauer, Lauer & Kriwet, 2024

DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1552

Abstract

The fossil record of chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, rays and skates) consists largely of isolated teeth, with holomorphic specimens being extraordinary exceptions. However, numerous of these more or less completely preserved specimens are known from several Upper Jurassic deposits of Europe, enabling detailed analysis of their morphology. Batomorphs (rays and skates) resembling modern guitarfishes and wedgefishes (Rhinopristiformes) are among the most common Jurassic chondrichthyans found, but they have been only sporadically studied up to now, resulting in large knowledge gaps concerning their taxonomy and phylogeny. Here, we present the most detailed revision of Late Jurassic holomorphic batomorphs to date, quantitatively analysing body proportions of specimens from Germany (Solnhofen Archipelago), France (Cerin) and the UK (Kimmeridge), using both geometric and traditional morphometrics. Furthermore, we identify qualitative morphological characters for species discrimination, to clarify the taxonomic identity and diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs based on holomorphic specimens. Our results support the validity of Belemnobatis sismondae, Kimmerobatis etchesi and Spathobatis bugesiacus, as well as that of the previously doubtful Asterodermus platypterus. Moreover, we describe Aellopobatis bavarica, a new taxon, which has hitherto been considered to be a large-sized morphotype of Spathobatis bugesiacus. Our results highlight that the diversity of holomorphic batomorphs during the Late Jurassic was greater than previously thought, and suggest that this group was already well-established and diverse by this time. This study thus provides vital information about the evolutionary history of Late Jurassic batomorphs and has direct implications for batomorph species that are based on isolated teeth only.

Keywords: geometric morphometrics, Batomorphii, Spathobatidae, body shape, cryptic species, Aellopobatis bavarica

Class CHONDRICHTHYES Huxley, 1880

Subclass ELASMOBRANCHII Bonaparte, 1838

Cohort EUSELACHII Hay, 1902

Subcohort NEOSELACHII Compagno, 1977

Superorder BATOMORPHII Cappetta, 1980

Order Uncertain

Family SPATHOBATIDAE Dames, 1888

 

Aellopobatis bavarica gen. et sp. nov.
A, CM 5396. B, NHMUK PV P 6010. C, LF 2323. Scale bars represent 10 cm.

Genus Aellopobatis nov.

Derivation of name: Münster (1836) described a fossil consisting of a dorsal and a caudal fin, which may well be the first mention of this genus, albeit it is impossible to confirm due to the lack of diagnostic characters; he named it Aellopos after the harpy Aello, a hybrid in Greek mythology with the body of a bird and the head of a woman. To honour this original but preoccupied name, we complement it to Aellopobatis. The Greek Ἀελλώ (Aëllṓ) means ‘storm wind’, and βατίς (batís) means ‘ray’ or ‘skate’; feminine.

 

Stratigraphic & geographic distribution: Upper Jurassic of Europe. Lower Tithonian of the Solnhofen Archipelago (Solnhofen, Eichstätt, Zandt, Kelheim, Langenaltheim, Blumenberg), Bavaria, Germany.

Aellopobatis bavarica sp. nov.

 

Derivation of name: The species name bavarica is Latin and means ‘Bavarian’; feminine.

Diagnosis: Guitarfish-like batomorph that is unique in the combination of the following characters: exceptionally long rostrum with paddle-shaped rostral appendix; antorbital cartilages present but not extending halfway between the nasal capsules and the propterygium; 38–46 pectoral radials (9–11 propterygial, 9–12 mesopterygial and 20–23 metapterygial); no pectoral radials articulating directly with the scapulocoracoid between the meso- and metapterygium; pectoral radials segmented in up to five segments; at least 14 pairs of ribs; c. 21 basipterygial radials (including one compound radial); puboischiadic bar curved anteriorly; claspers long and slender; no fin spines present.

Type locality: Lower Tithonian; Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany.

Julia Türtscher, Patrick L. Jambura, Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Faviel A. López-Romero, Charlie J. Underwood, Detlev Thies, Bruce Lauer, René Lauer and Jürgen Kriwet. 2024. Rostral and Body Shape Analyses reveal Cryptic Diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Europe. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1552

  twitter.com/stem_univie/status/1770732869247234402

[PaleoIchthyology • 2023] Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes) • The Evolutionary Origin of the durophagous Pelagic Stingray Ecomorph

Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei  

 Marramà, Villalobos-Segura, Zorzin, Kriwet & Carnevale, 2023

 DOI: 10.1111/pala.12669

 Artworks by Fabrizio Lavezzi.

 

Abstract

Studies of the origin of evolutionary novelties (novel traits, feeding modes, behaviours, ecological niches, etc.) have considered a number of taxa experimenting with new body plans, allowing them to occupy new habitats and exploit new trophic resources. In the marine realm, colonization of pelagic environments by marine fishes occurred recurrently through time. Stingrays (Myliobatiformes) are a diverse clade of batoid fishes commonly known to possess venomous tail stings. Current hypotheses suggest that stingrays experimented with a transition from a benthic to a pelagic/benthopelagic habitat coupled with a transition from a non-durophagous diet to extreme durophagy. However, there is no study detailing macroevolutionary patterns to understand how and when habitat shift and feeding specialization arose along their evolutionary history. A new exquisitely preserved fossil stingray from the Eocene Konservat-Lagerstätte of Bolca (Italy) exhibits a unique mosaic of plesiomorphic features of the rajobenthic ecomorph, and derived traits of aquilopelagic taxa, that helps to clarify the evolutionary origin of durophagy and pelagic lifestyle in stingrays. A scenario of early evolution of the aquilopelagic ecomorph is proposed based on new data, and the possible adaptive meaning of the observed evolutionary changes is discussed. The body plan of †Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei gen. et sp. nov. is intermediate between the rajobenthic and more derived aquilopelagic stingrays, supporting its stem phylogenetic position and the hypothesis that the aquilopelagic body plan arose in association with the evolution of durophagy and pelagic lifestyle from a benthic, soft-prey feeder ancestor.

Keywords: durophagy, ecomorph, evolution, Myliobatiformes, pelagic lifestyle, stingray

†Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei gen. et sp. nov. from the Eocene of Monte Bolca (Italy).
 MCSNV VR.21.107, holotype, dorsoventral view natural normal light.

†Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei gen. et sp. nov.  (MCSNV VR.21.107, holotype) showing its peculiar combination of rajobenthic (A–D) and aquilopelagic (E–H) traits:
A, small holaulacorhizous lateral teeth arranged in alternating rows; B, pectoral-fin radials with catenated calcification and no cross-bracing; C, free tail vertebrae without cartilaginous rod and caudal fin reduced to a ventral fold; D, soft, flexible pectoral disc with convex anterior and posterior margins; E, head protruding from pectoral disc; F, cephalic lobes; G, wing-like pectoral disc with positive FRD; H, enlarged hexagonal symphyseal/parasymphyseal polyaulacorhizous teeth in pavement-like arrangement. Scale bar represents 100 mm.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Class CHONDRICHTHYES Huxley, 1880

Superorder BATOIDEA Compagno, 1973

Order MYLIOBATIFORMES Compagno, 1973

Family †DASYOMYLIOBATIDAE nov.

 

Genus †DASYOMYLIOBATIS nov.

 

Type species: †Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei sp. nov.

Derivation of names: Genus and family names refer to the peculiar mosaic of dasyatoid and myliobatoid traits.

 

†Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei sp. nov.

 

Derivation of name: After the British composer and musician Thom Yorke.

Holotype: MCSNV VR.21.107/8 well preserved, complete, and articulated skeleton in part and counterpart, 99.9 cm disc width.

Type locality & horizon: Pesciara site, Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte, Italy; early Eocene, late Ypresian, middle Cuisian, SBZ-11, †Alveolina dainelli Zone, c. 50 Ma (Papazzoni et al. 2014).

Diagnosis: Stingray unique in having a peculiar combination of dasyatoid and myliobatoid traits. Like dasyatoids, †Dasyomyliobatis has a soft and flexible pectoral disc with convex anterior and posterior fin margins supported by catenated radials with no cross-bracing; numerous (c. 40) labiolingually directed files of holaulacorhizous lateral teeth arranged in alternating rows; tail formed by free vertebrae not stiffened by a cartilaginous rod; caudal fin reduced to a ventral fold. Like myliobatoids, †Dasyomyliobatis shows a head protruding anterior to a wing-like pectoral disc; cephalic lobes contacting along their mesial edge forming a single, shovel-like structure; cephalic-lobe radials discontinuous with pectoral-fin radials; moderately enlarged hexagonal symphyseal/parasymphyseal polyaulacorhizous teeth in pavement-like arrangement, with bulbous/irregular interlocking mechanism, 3–4 wide-block and irregularly spaced root lobes. In addition, †Dasyomyliobatis has a pectoral-fin AR between 2.0 and 3.0, and positive FRD.

Hypothetical reconstruction of †Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei gen. et sp. nov. in different views.

Artwork by Fabrizio Lavezzi.

Life reconstruction of †Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei gen. et sp. nov. swimming in the marine tropical shallow waters of the western Tethys about 50 million years ago.

 Artwork by Fabrizio Lavezzi.

CONCLUSIONS: 

The unique body plan of †Dasyomyliobatis suggests that:

• †Dasyomyliobatis is a representative of a new stingray family with unique hybrid dentition and pectoral-fin morphology that allowed the shift from undulatory to oscillatory swimming, and to exploit a variety of prey (from soft-bodied to hard-shelled organisms).

• The evolutionary origin of durophagy and pelagic lifestyle was achieved through gradual transformation of morphological traits at least since the early Late Cretaceous.

• Cephalic lobes were already present in a stingray without crustal calcification, cross-bracing, or compagibus laminam corroborating the hypothesis that they originated before the shift toward exclusive oscillatory locomotion and occupation of pelagic environments.

• The phylogenetic analyses highlight that evolutionary modifications of the dentition related to a shift toward extreme durophagy seem to covariate with the evolution of traits of pectoral skeleton related to a shift toward a pelagic lifestyle, possibly reflecting high level of integration. One can speculate that although invasion of new habitats allowed initially stingrays to exploit wider ranges of food items, competition with other benthic batoids like skates, known to occupy today the same niche as benthic stingrays in deeper and cooler waters (Ebert & Compagno 2007) but also warm and shallow waters during the Late Cretaceous (Cappetta 1980), pushed pelagic/benthopelagic stingrays to specialize for a less exploited food resource, like hard-shelled invertebrates, although this hypothesis needs to be tested.

Giuseppe Marramà, Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Roberto Zorzin, Jürgen Kriwet and Giorgio Carnevale. 2023. The Evolutionary Origin of the durophagous Pelagic Stingray Ecomorph. Palaeontology. DOI: 10.1111/pala.12669