[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] Parastylephorus anatoides • A New fossil from the Eocene of Iran provides new insights regarding the evolution of the morphologically bizarre tube-eye fish

 

Parastylephorus anatoides 

Ridolfi, Schrøder, Bahrami, Yazdi, Roa-Varón, Marramà & Carnevale, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70114

Artwork by Lucrezia Bonardo

Abstract

Stylephoriformes are a morphologically bizarre lineage of deep-sea fishes, currently represented by a single extant species, Stylephorus chordatus, the so-called tube-eye fish. The phylogenetic relationships of the Stylephoriformes were extensively debated until recent genomic studies proposed a sister-group relationship with the Gadiformes. The tube-eye fish exhibits a suite of highly derived features, including extreme cranial kinesis, a pipette-like oral apparatus specialized for suction feeding, and an elongate, naked ribbon-like body lacking scales. The evolutionary origin of these unique traits is largely unknown, in part due to the complete absence of a fossil record. Here, we describe the first-known fossil of the order Stylephoriformes, from Bartonian (c. 40 Ma) sediments of the Pabdeh Formation, Iran. On the basis of several unique morphological features (edentulous premaxillae and dentary, moderately enlarged pterygoid elements, reduced opercle, elongate ribbon-like body comprising more than 63 vertebrae, eight pectoral-fin rays, absence of basipterygia, and the presence of a complete series of well-developed lateral-line scales) the specimen is assigned to a new genus and species: Parastylephorus anatoides. The fossil exhibits a body physiognomy, oral apparatus and cranial architecture remarkably similar to those of the extant tube-eye, with the most derived features already present and closely comparable in morphology. This suggests that the new fossil represents a good example of long-term morphological stasis among marine teleosts, documenting the persistence of a highly specialized body plan for more than 40 myr.

Keywords: Parastylephorus anatoides, Bartonian, Iran, Pabdeh Formation, Paracanthopterygii

Parastylephorus anatoides gen. et sp. nov., holotype, IUGM 100897, from the Eocene of Babaheydar (Iran). Scale bar represents 10 mm.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Order STYLEPHORIFORMES sensu Miya et al. 2007

Family STYLEPHORIDAE Swainson 1839

Genus Parastylephorus nov.

 

Derivation of name: The genus name is derived from the Greek prefix para- (παρά), meaning ‘near’, combined with Stylephorus, the name of the only currently recognized stylephoriform genus. The name reflects the shared morphological characteristics with Stylephorus.

 

Remarks: As discussed above, the Stylephoriformes are a lineage currently represented by a single extant species, Stylephorus chordatus, which possesses a number of highly derived anatomical features, including a strongly modified buccal apparatus, extremely reduced first two vertebral centra, and a continuous dorsal fin along the entire dorsal margin of the body. The body plan of Parastylephorus gen. nov. closely resembles that of Stylephorus, although it has a set of distinctive traits. These include the maxilla with a well-developed posterior process, the expanded metapterygoid and ectopterygoid, and the reduced size of the opercular bones. In addition, Parastylephorus gen. nov. possesses body squamation, consisting of thin and delicate lateral-line scales, which are completely absent in Stylephorus.

Parastylephorus anatoides sp. nov.

 

Derivation of name: The name is derived from the Latin word Anas, meaning ‘duck’, and the Greek suffix -oides (-οειδής) meaning ‘resembling’ or ‘having the form of’.

Holotype: IUGM 100897 a partially preserved specimen on a single plate 

 

Artistic reconstruction of Parastylephorus anatoides gen. et sp. nov. 

Note that the tubular eyes are based on the condition characteristic of the extant Stylephorus chordatus. 

Artwork by Lucrezia Bonardo.

Lorenzo Ridolfi, Ane Elise Schrøder, Ali Bahrami, Mehdi Yazdi, Adela Roa-Varón, Giuseppe Marramà and Giorgio Carnevale. 2026. A New fossil from the Eocene of Iran provides new insights regarding the evolution of the morphologically bizarre tube-eye fish. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70114 [11 August 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Balticolasma wunderlichi • 3D analyses of the First ortholasmatine Harvestmen (Opiliones: Nemastomatidae) from European Eocene Ambers

 

Balticolasma wunderlichi 

Bartel, Mitov, Dunlop & Hammel, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.4202/app.01283.2025/sta

Artistic reconstruction by Joshua Knüppe  x.com/JoschuaKnuppe

The first fossil representatives of the harvestman subfamily Ortholasmatinae (Opiliones, Dyspnoi, Nemastomatidae) are described as Balticolasma wunderlichi gen. et sp. nov. One male is preserved in Eocene Baltic amber and a presumably conspecific female in Eocene Rovno amber (northwest Ukraine). Ortholasmatines are typically highly ornate arachnids, and for the first time with an amber harvestman we applied computed tomography using synchrotron radiation to investigate its three-dimensional morphology and surface structure in considerable detail. Some of its morphological characters, appear to be closer to extant Asian genera. In a wider biogeographic context, our amber record is a significant find for the Paleogene of Europe given that (i) it is another species apparently found in both Baltic and Rovno amber and (ii) all modern ortholasmatines are restricted to East Asia and North and Central America.

Key words: Nemastomatidae, Ortholasmatinae, Baltic amber, Rovno amber, micro-CT, Priabonian, Eocene

Ortholasmatine harvestman Balticolasma wunderlichi gen. et sp. nov. paratype (female) MB.A.4455 from Rovno amber, 33.90–37.71 Ma, Priabonian.
A1, dorsal view of the body A2, close-up of the ocular process in dorsal view, eye lenses arrowed.

Abbreviations: cp, carapace process; ey, eye lens; oc, ocular process; legs numbered I–IV. Scale bars 1 mm (A1) and 0.5 mm (A2).

Artistic reconstruction of the Eocene ortholasmatine harvestman Balticolasma wunderlichi gen. et sp. nov. (male) by Joshua Knüppe (Ibbenbüren, Germany).

Systematic palaeontology 

Order Opiliones Sundevall, 1833 

Suborder Dyspnoi Hansen & Sørensen, 1904 

Family Nemastomatidae Simon, 1872 

Subfamily Ortholasmatinae Shear & Gruber, 1983 

Genus Balticolasma nov.

Balticolasma wunderlichi gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: From the Baltic region where the amber hosting one of the specimens originates from and the suffix lasma applied to a few possibly closely related modern ortholasmatine genera.

Christian Bartel, Plamen G. Mitov, Jason A. Dunlop, and Jörg U. Hammel. 2026. 3D analyses of the First ortholasmatine Harvestmen from European Eocene Ambers. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 71(1): 95-107. DOI: doi.org/10.4202/app.01283.2025

 x.com/JoschuaKnuppe/status/2034328564938453473

[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] Aenigmatorhynchus rarus • A remarkable Beak Morphology in a Bird Skull from the Eocene of Messel (Germany) signifies unusual feeding specializations

 Aenigmatorhynchus rarus 

 Mayr & Smith, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250620  

 Researchgate.net/publication/392979376  

 

Abstract

We report the skull of a new avian species from the latest early or earliest middle Eocene fossil site Messel in Germany. Aenigmatorhynchus rarus, gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by a long, straight, and pointed beak, as well as a mandible with prominent processus coronoidei, a very long symphysis, closely adjacent cristae tomiales, and a narrow dorsal sulcus along the tip. This unusual character mosaic impedes a straightforward phylogenetic assignment. In its proportions, the mandible is superficially similar to that of extant stilts (Himantopus, Recurvirostridae) and oystercatchers (Haematopus, Haematopodidae), but some features preclude an assignment of Ae. rarus to these and other charadriiform taxa. The ventral ossification of the rostrum suggests comparisons with long-beaked taxa of the Aequornithes and Telluraves, but again several features conflict with a position of Ae. rarus within either of these clades. Even though an unambiguous phylogenetic placement is not possible, the new fossil expands the avifauna of the Messel site and exhibits a distinctive beak morphology, which is not found in extant birds and indicates a specialized foraging behaviour as yet unknown in birds.

Keywords: Aenigmatorhynchus rarus, gen. et sp. nov., Aves, beak morphology, fossil birds, evolution

Skulls of Aenigmatorhynchus rarus from the latest early or earliest middle Eocene of Messel in Germany. (a) The holotype specimen (SMF-ME 11857A) coated with ammonium chloride. (b), (c) µCT scans of the holotype. (d) The holotype before it was transferred to artificial resin (photograph by Bruno Behr). (e), (f) a referred skull of Ae. rarus in the Pohl collection (PBP-MES−590A+B); coated with ammonium chloride.

 Abbreviations: car, cartilago arytenoidea; cdo, condylus occipitalis; hyo, hyoid apparatus; ios, ventral margin of interorbital septum; jug, jugal bar; lmd, articular (caudal) end of left mandibular ramus; lqd, left quadrate; pal, palatine (os palatinum); ppo, processus postorbitalis; rmd, articular (caudal) end of right mandibular ramus; rps, rostrum parasphenoidale; rpt, right pterygoid; rqd, right quadrate; sym, symphysis mandibulae; tra, tracheal rings. The scale bars equal 10 mm.

Skull and cervical vertebrae of the new avian species Aenigmatorhynchus rarus from the Messel fossil site in Germany. This fossil consists of slab and counter slab and is a referred specimen in a private collection. It was coated with ammonium chloride to enhance the contrast; the scale bar equals 10 mm. 

 

 Aves Linnaeus, 1758

  Order and family incertae sedis

Aenigmatorhynchus, gen. nov. 

 Diagnosis: The new taxon is characterized by a long, straight, mediolaterally narrow and pointed beak, which reaches about 75% of the entire skull length; the mandibular symphysis is very long and measures about half the length of the mandible; the rami mandibularum run in parallel in the rostral half of the mandible; the mandible exhibits prominent processus coronoidei and its tip forms a trough-like dorsal sulcus. The latter two features probably represent autapomorphies of the new taxon.

Etymology: The genus name is derived from aenigma (Lat.), riddle—which in turn is derived from αἴνιγμα (Gr.), speaking in riddles—and ῥύγχος (Gr.), beak; the taxon name refers to the unusual character distribution shown by the mandible of the new species.

  Aenigmatorhynchus rarus, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from rarus (Lat.), rare, in reference to the fact that the holotype skull currently is the only record of the species in a public collection.

 

Gerald Mayr and Krister Smith . 2026. A remarkable Beak Morphology in a Bird Skull from the Eocene of Messel (Germany) signifies unusual feeding specializations. R Soc Open Sci. 12(6): 250620. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250620 [25 Jun 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/392979376_A_remarkable_beak_morphology_in_a_bird_skull_from_the_Eocene_of_Messel_Germany

[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]

[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] Consoravis turdirostris • A New Species of Morsoravidae sheds light on Beak and Limb Morphology in stem Passerines

Consoravis turdirostris

Ksepka, Bertelli, Balanoff & Grande, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2514121 

 x.com/KsepkaLab

ABSTRACT

Morsoravidae is a small clade of probable stem passerines known from the Eocene of Europe and North America. Here, we report an articulated skeleton of a new species of Morsoravidae from the Green River Formation of Wyoming. In contrast to Morsoravis sedilis and Pumiliornis tessellatus, in which the nares appear to have been schizorhinal, the nares of the Consoravis turdirostris gen. et sp. nov. are ovoid and do not extend caudally beyond the nasofrontal hinge. In addition, the processus retroarticularis is much shorter in Consoravis than in Morsoravis. The humerus is similar to that of extant passerines, with a short shaft, short crista deltopectoralis, well-developed tuberculum supracondylare dorsale, and strongly projected processus flexorius. However, the more distal wing elements differ from those of crown passerines in that the olecranon is blunt and the carpometacarpus has a weakly developed processus extensorius. Although fully zygodactyl stem passerines are now well-documented, Consoravis and Sororavis exhibit a semi-zygodactyl foot, in which the trochlea of the fourth metatarsal bears a wing-like flange but lacks a fully developed trochlea accessoria. The unspecialized beak, modest wing length, and relatively short leg together suggest arboreal habits and a generalized diet of invertebrates and fruit for Consoravis, in contrast to more specialized diets of the nectivorous Pumiliornis and the rhynchokinetic, possibly probe-feeding Morsoravis. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Morsoravidae and weakly support the placement of this clade as sister to all other passerines. These analyses also support the identification of the Oligocene Jamna szybiaki as a stem passerine and the paraphyly of Zygodactylidae.

Consoravis turdirostris gen. et sp. nov. 

Daniel T. Ksepka, Sara Bertelli, Amy M. Balanoff and Lance Grande. 2025. A New Species of Morsoravidae sheds light on Beak and Limb Morphology in stem Passerines. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 45(1);  e2514121. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2514121  [03 Jul 2025]

 x.com/KsepkaLab/status/1941183737976455248

[Paleontology • 2025] Paradoxophidion richardoweni • A New peculiar early diverging caenophidian Snake (Serpentes) from the late Eocene of Hordle Cliff, England

 

 Paradoxophidion richardoweni 

 Georgalis & Jones, 2025

  sciencepress.mnhn.fr 

  x.com/DrGeorgalis

 Artwork by Jaime Chirinos.

We here describe a new genus and species of snake, based on several trunk and caudal vertebrae, originating from the late Eocene (MP 17a) of Hordle Cliff, England. We investigated the fossil ­material via both visual microscopy and micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning, focused on its intracolumnar variation, and extensively compared it with other Paleogene snake taxa from England and continental Europe. The new small taxon is characterized by an array of bizarre and distinctive vertebral features that can differentiate it from all other snakes. Its morphology is similar to that of russellophiids; however, some anatomical features differ drastically from those observed in the latter group and therefore, defy such family-level placement. In addition, the new English taxon bears some striking resemblance with extant acrochordids, particularly with the species Acrochordus granulatus (Schneider, 1799). Accordingly, we consider that the new taxon most likely represents an early diverging caenophidian, potentially being even a member of Acrochordidae Bonaparte, 1831, far outside the so far known stratigraphic and geographic distribution of the latter group. It further adds to the astonishing diversity of vertebral morphologies of European Paleogene snakes.

Keywords: Squamata, Caenophidia, Russellophiidae, Acrochordidae, vertebral morphology, new genus, new species

Holotype trunk vertebra NHMUK PV R 10795 of Paradoxophidion richardoweni n. gen., n. sp. in anterior (A), posterior (B), left lateral (C), dorsal (D), and ventral (E) views. Scale bar: 1 mm.

 Paradoxophidion richardoweni n. gen., n. sp.

Hypothetical life reconstruction of  Paradoxophidion richardoweni n. gen., n. sp. 

 Artwork by Jaime Chirinos.

 

Georgios L. GEORGALIS and Marc E. H. JONES. A New peculiar early diverging caenophidian Snake (Serpentes) from the late Eocene of Hordle Cliff, England. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 24 (25); 505-530. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/comptes-rendus-palevol/24/25  [07 November 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/397396177_A_new_peculiar_early_diverging_caenophidian_snake_Serpentes_from_the_late_Eocene_of_Hordle_Cliff_England

 x.com/DrGeorgalis/status/1986823858922336696

[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]

https://x.com/RadioGondwana/status/1924493718809108579

[Paleontology • 2024] Eoactinotocarcinus n. gen. & Tumulosternum ortegai n. sp. • New Spider Crabs (Brachyura: Majoidea) from the early Eocene of Spain with A Reassignment of the Species “Periacanthus” tetracornis

Tumulosternum ortegai Ferratges, 2024

Eoactinotocarcinus n. gen.

 Eoactinotocarcinus tetracornis

(Ferratges, Ortega, Fernández, Moreno & Maza, 2014)

in Ferratges, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1344/GeologicaActa2024.22.12 

Abstract

Spider crabs (superfamily Majoidea Samouelle, 1819) represent a highly diverse group within Eubrachyura de Saint Laurent, 1980. This study re-examines the species “Periacanthus” tetracornis Ferratges, Ortega Fernández, Moreno and Maza, 2014 (Roda Formation, lower Eocene of Spain) which was previously consider as a member of Epialtidae MacLeay, 1838 and it is included as a new genus of majoid crabs, Eoactinotocarcinu n. gen. Additionally, Tumulosternum ortegai n. sp. is described from the same geological unit expanding the distribution of this genus to the southern Pyrenees. These taxa were found in siliciclastic facies co-occurring with a diverse assemblage of decapod crustaceans and other invertebrates. These facies are interpreted as deposited in a prodelta environment supporting the idea of such environments as highly diversified areas of decapods during the Eocene. These new taxa represent the earliest known record of the Subfamily Actinotocarcininae Jenkins, 1974 and the genus Tumulosternum respectively.

Keywords: Malacostraca, Decapoda, benthonic, taxonomy, Ypresian

Tumulosternum ortegai 

 Eoactinotocarcinus tetracornis 

Fernando Ari Ferratges. 2024. New Spider Crabs (Brachyura, Majoidea) from the early Eocene of Spain with A Reassignment of the Species “Periacanthus” tetracornis. Geologica Acta. 22.12, 1-13, I-II.

DOI: doi.org/10.1344/GeologicaActa2024.22.12 

Un nuevo género y una nueva especie de cangrejos araña en el Pirineo Aragonés

https://www.aragosaurus.com/un-nuevo-genero-y-una-nueva-especie-de-cangrejos-arana-en-el-pirineo-aragones 

[Paleontology • 2025] Cheilophis periplanetes • Another Wanderer from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum? A New Species of the North American Snake Genus Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938 (Serpentes: Constrictores) from the early Eocene of France

Cheilophis periplanetes

Georgalis & Mennecart, 2025

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr 

We here document new snake vertebral material from the early Eocene (MP 10) of Cuis, France, that we describe as a new species of Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938, a genus that was so far exclusively known from the Paleocene and Eocene of North America. The new taxon bears several anatomical features with the type, and so far, only known species of Cheilophis from North America. However, there are also important differences that allow us to recognize it as a new congeneric species. If our identification is correct, this first observed occurrence of Cheilophis from France adds another shared terrestrial vertebrate genus between Europe and North America, reinforcing biogeographic hypotheses about dispersals between the two landmasses around the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Keywords: Serpentes, vertebral morphology, dispersals, Paleogene, new species

SERPENTES Linnaeus, 1758

ALETHINOPHIDIA Nopcsa, 1923

CONSTRICTORES Oppel, 1811 (sensu Georgalis &Smith, 2020)

Cheilophis periplanetes n. sp.

Etymology. The new species epithet is from the greek word 'periplanetes', which means “wanderer”, reflecting the potential wandering that occurred during the dispersals among North America and Europe.

 

Georgios L. GEORGALIS and Bastien MENNECART. 2025. Another Wanderer from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum? A New Species of the North American Snake Genus Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938 from the early Eocene of France. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 24 (16) 317-331. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2025v24a16 [25 June 2025]

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/comptes-rendus-palevol/24/16

This article is a part of the thematic issue: Snakes from the Cenozoic of Europe – towards a macroevolutionary and palaeobiogeographic synthesis.

https://x.com/DrGeorgalis/status/1937876893199478842

[PaleoEntomology • 2025] Eoplatypleura messelensis • Sounds from the Eocene: The First Singing Cicada from the Messel Pit, Germany

 

 Eoplatypleura messelensis

 Jiang, Moulds, Blank, Rust & Wedmann, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94099-7

Abstract

Cicadidae is one of the most species-rich insect families today. However, compared to the number of extant species, fossil records of Cicadidae are extremely limited. Among singing cicadas, the tribe Platypleurini within the Cicadinae subfamily is notable for its broad geographic distribution, high species diversity, and distinctive features, but no reliable fossil records have been discovered to date. In this study, we report the first fossil record of the Platypleurini from the Eocene Messel Pit: a new genus and species, Eoplatypleura messelensis. This species not only represents one of the earliest known fossil crown-group Cicadidae from the Eurasian continent but also the oldest confirmed record of the subfamily Cicadinae worldwide to date. As the first described fossil singing cicada from the Eocene Messel Pit, this discovery enriches the species diversity of the Messel biota and fills a significant gap in the Eocene cicada fossil record. The discovery of E. messelensis gen. et sp. nov. will serve as a fossil calibration point for future molecular phylogenetic studies and provides new insights into the origins and dispersal patterns of Platypleurini. Based on the analysis of existing records, Cicadidae was once widely distributed in Germany and across Europe during the Cenozoic.

Eoplatypleura messelensis  gen. et sp. nov.

 

Hui Jiang, Maxwell S. Moulds, Stephan M. Blank, Jes Rust and Sonja Wedmann. 2025. Sounds from the Eocene: The First Singing Cicada from the Messel Pit, Germany. Scientific Reports. 15: 12826. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94099-7 [29 April 2025]

[PaleoIchthyology • 2023] Iridopristis parrisi • An earliest Paleocene squirrelfish (Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) and its bearing on the timescale of holocentroid evolution

Iridopristis parrisi

Andrews, Schein & Friedman, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2023.2168571 

 x.com/kryptophanaron

Abstract

The record of articulated marine fish fossils during the latest Cretaceous and earliest Cenozoic is sparse. The oldest-known definitive squirrelfishes and soldierfishes, like the first examples of many extant reef-dwelling clades, are known from early Eocene deposits of Europe. Here, we describe a new genus and species of holocentroid (Teleostei: Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) based on material from three individuals from early Paleocene (Danian) deposits of New Jersey, USA using micro-computed tomography. The specimens comprise a three-dimensionally preserved skull and partial postcranium, plus two isolated neurocrania. The new taxon, †Iridopristis parrisi, possesses a unique combination of characters, including a heterosulcoid otolith morphology and an edentulous premaxillary tooth-gap, while lacking a newly proposed character for the remainder of Cenozoic holocentroids: a lamina on the lateral surface of the anguloarticular, anterior to the jaw joint. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of morphological, stratigraphical and molecular data under the fossilized birth-death process finds that the new taxon branches from the holocentrid stem, where it is joined by two of the three squirrelfish genera from the early Eocene (Ypresian) of Bolca, Italy. We estimate a Danian divergence between Myripristinae and Holocentrinae, the two reciprocally monophyletic subfamilies of Holocentridae. Our analysis suggests that several holocentroid lineages crossed the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary.

 

Keywords: Acanthomorpha, Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary, squirrelfishes, computed tomography, Bayesian phylogenetics, parsimony

Skull and abdomen of †Iridopristis parrisi in left lateral view.
Holotype (NJSM GP12145), Hornerstown Formation, early Paleocene (Danian), New Jersey, USA.
A, specimen photograph and B, rendered µCT model.

Skeletal regions highlighted as follows: neurocranium (pink), suspensorium (purple), circumorbitals (coral), jaws (light blue), opercles (light orange), ventral hyoid (light green), gill skeleton (dark green), pectoral girdle (yellow), abdominal scales (dark orange), vertebral column (red). Arrow indicates anatomical anterior. Scale bar represents 5 cm.

 Squamation of †Iridopristis parrisi. Holotype (NJSM GP12145), Hornerstown Formation, early Paleocene (Danian), New Jersey, USA.
Photographs of the A, cheek and B, abdominal squamation. Arrows indicate anatomical anterior. Scale bars represent 1 cm.

Infraclass Teleostei Müller, 1845

Subsection Acanthomorphata Rosen, 1973

Order Beryciformes Regan, 1911 sensu Dornburg & Near, 2021

Superfamily Holocentroidea Richardson, 1846 sensu Gayet, 1980b

Genus † Iridopristis gen. nov.

† Iridopristis parrisi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Holocentroid with the unique combination of the following characters: orbital branch of the supraorbital sensory canal with a separate opening from the main channel of the canal; large supraoccipital crest which is triangular in lateral aspect and borders the foramen magnum; parasphenoid with ventrolateral wings; lack of a berycimorph foramen in the anterior ceratohyal; deeply notched ventral surface of the anterior ceratohyal to accommodate branchiostegals; elongate postmaxillary process of the premaxilla; maxillary shaft approximately cylindrical in cross-section and elongate; presence of an alveolar platform expanded outwardly at the symphyseal area of the dentary; distinct edentulous concavity along the mesial margin of the premaxilla; unornamented triangular facet present on the posterolateral surface of the maxilla; edentulous ectopterygoid; head of quadrate posterior to orbital margin; an unexpanded otic bulla; an otolith morphology more similar to that found in holocentrine squirrelfishes (heterosulcoid) than the specialized phenotype of myripristine soldierfishes; lack of a dorsally projecting lamina directly anterior to the anguloarticular-quadrate joint on the lateral surface of the anguloarticular; eleven abdominal centra; cycloid scales with spinoid posterior edge.

Derivation of name: 

The prefix of the generic name (Irido-) from the Greek genitive declension of iridis, meaning ‘rainbow’, and serving as the etymological root for the element iridium. This refers dually to the mosaic nature of characters present in the specimen, and for its occurrence close to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary, known for its famous iridium anomaly (Alvarez et al., 1980). The suffix -pristis from the Greek for ‘saw’ (entering zoological usage in this context via Cuvier, 1829), used in the extant holocentrid genera Myripristis and Pristilepis, and referring to the holocentrid affinity for bearing coarse squamation.

The specific name is in honour of David Parris, Curator Emeritus of Natural History at the New Jersey State Museum, for his discovery of the specimens described here, and in appreciation of his life-long devotion to the study of the North American fossil fauna.

Conclusions: 

†Iridopristis parrisi presents as an articulated skull and abdomen from the early Danian Hornerstown Formation of New Jersey, USA. Inclusion of the specimen in a phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is a stem-member of Holocentridae, along with the Ypresian-age †Berybolcensis and †Tenuicentrum. The new species possesses multiple characters that align it more closely to Cenozoic holocentroids than to Cretaceous holocentroids, including: a separate opening of the orbital branch of the supraorbital sensory canal, ventrolateral wings of the parasphenoid, an anterior ceratohyal with no foramen, and deep notches along the ventral margin of the anterior ceratohyal to accommodate branchiostegals. Character state optimization supports character state acquisitions prior to the origin of †Iridopristis parrisi that have previously been interpreted as derived states for the subclade Myripristinae: an alveolar platform expanded near the symphysis to overhang the lateral margin of the dentary, and a concave tooth gap at the mesial margin of the premaxilla. This finding necessitates a deeper examination of phenotypic synapomorphies to support the subfamily Myripristinae. Three-dimensionally preserved fossil fishes of Danian age are rare, and further excavation of the greensand formations along the mid-Atlantic of the USA may offer greater insight into the faunal composition and evolutionary dynamics during the critical early Palaeogene history of marine spiny-rayed fishes. 

James V. Andrews, Jason P. Schein and Matt Friedman. 2023. An earliest Paleocene squirrelfish (Teleostei: Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) and its bearing on the timescale of holocentroid evolution. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 2(1);  2168571. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2023.2168571 

 x.com/kryptophanaron/status/1631727844991672331 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2024] Paakniwatavis grandei • A new Paleogene fossil and a new dataset for Waterfowl (Aves: Anseriformes) clarify phylogeny, ecological evolution, and Avian Evolution at the K-Pg Boundary

Paakniwatavis grandei 

Musser & Clarke, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278737

Abstract

Despite making up one of the most ecologically diverse groups of living birds, comprising soaring, diving and giant flightless taxa, the evolutionary relationships and ecological evolution of Anseriformes (waterfowl) remain unresolved. Although Anseriformes have a comparatively rich, global Cretaceous and Paleogene fossil record, morphological datasets for this group that include extinct taxa report conflicting relationships for all known extinct taxa. Correct placement of extinct taxa is necessary to understand whether ancestral anseriform feeding ecology was more terrestrial or one of a set of diverse aquatic ecologies and to better understand avian evolution around the K-T boundary. Here, we present a new morphological dataset for Anseriformes that includes more extant and extinct taxa than any previous anseriform-focused dataset and describe a new anseriform species from the early Eocene Green River Formation of North America. The new taxon has a mediolaterally narrow bill which is rarely found in previously described anseriform fossils. The matrix created to assess the placement of this taxon comprises 41 taxa and 719 discrete morphological characters describing skeletal morphology, musculature, syringeal morphology, ecology, and behavior. We additionally combine the morphological dataset with published sequences using Bayesian methods and perform ancestral state reconstruction for select morphological, ecological and behavioral characters. We recover the new Eocene taxon as the sister taxon to (Anseranatidae+Anatidae) across all analyses, and find that the new taxon represents a novel ecology within known Anseriformes and the Green River taxa. Results provide insight into avian evolution during and following the K-Pg mass extinction and indicate that Anseriformes were likely ancestrally aquatic herbivores with rhamphothecal lamellae..

Photograph (A) and line drawing (B) of the holotype specimen of Paakniwatavis grandei (FMNH PA725). Bone is unfilled. Extremely crushed bone and bone margin is delimited with dashed margins.

Anatomical abbreviations: prx, premaxilla; max, maxilla; jug, jugal; orb, orbital margin; rmf, rostral mandibular fenestra; scl, scleral ossicles; mnd, mandible; rde, radiale; cmc, carpometacarpus.

Photograph (A) and line drawing (B) of the holotype specimen of Paakniwatavis grandei (FMNH PA725). Extremely crushed bone and bone margin is delimited with dashed margins.

Anatomical abbreviations: prx, premaxilla; orb, orbital margin; mnd, mandible; cvt, cervical vertebrae; tvt, thoracic vertebrae; syn, synsacrum; pyg, pygostyle; cor, coracoid; scp, scapula; fur, furcula; str, sternum; rbs, ribs; hum, humerus; uln, ulna; rad, radius; rde, radiale; cmc, carpometacarpus; mII:1, phalanx 1 of manual digit II; mtII:2, phalanx 2 of manual digit II; ili, ilium; fem, femur; tbt, tibiotarsus; tmt, tarsometatarsus; mtI, metatarsal I; I:1, phalanx 1 of pedal digit I; II:1, phalanx 1 of pedal digit II; III:1, phalanx 1 of pedal digit III; IV:1, phalanx 1 of pedal digit IV.

Systematic paleontology

AVES Linnaeus, 1758 

NEOGNATHAE Pycraft, 1900 

ANSERIFORMES Wagler, 1831 

Paakniwatavis grandei, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Paakniwatavis references Paakniwat, used by the Shoshoni tribe indigenous to the region of the recovery site and means “Water Spirit”. The Water Spirits are dangerous supernatural beings that lure people to their death with child-like cries. The name references the aquatic ecology of this taxon. The species honors Dr. Lance Grande, who collected the holotype specimen, in recognition of his leading research on the faunas of the Green River Formation.

 Grace Musser and Julia A. Clarke. 2024. A new Paleogene fossil and a new dataset for waterfowl (Aves: Anseriformes) clarify phylogeny, ecological evolution, and avian evolution at the K-Pg Boundary. PLoS ONE. 19(7): e0278737. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278737

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.11.23.517648v1.full