[Paleontology • 2024] Inabtanin alarabia • New Pterosaur remains from the Late Cretaceous of Afro-Arabia provide insight into Flight Capacity of large Pterosaurs

  Arambourgiania philadelphiae (Arambourg, 1959)

Inabtanin alarabia

 Rosenbach, Goodvin, Albshysh, Azzam, Smadi, Mustafa, Zalmout & Mantilla, 2024

 

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2385068  

ABSTRACT

Pterosaurs were the earliest and largest vertebrates to evolve powered flight, but they are the only major volant group that has gone extinct. Attempts to understand pterosaur flight mechanics have relied on aerodynamic principles and analogy with extant birds and bats. Both lines of inquiry rely on the size, three-dimensional shape, and internal structure of flight bones, which in pterosaurs are surprisingly rare. Remarkably, two new large-bodied pterosaur individuals with three-dimensionally preserved wing elements were recently recovered from Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) horizons of Jordan. Both specimens represent azhdarchoid pterosaurs; one is referrable to the giant species Arambourgiania philadelphiae (ca. 10 m wingspan) and the second to a new, smaller species Inabtanin alarabia gen. et sp. nov. (ca. 5 m wingspan). In this study, we describe these new specimens and use high-resolution micro-computed tomography scans to reconstruct and compare the internal osteology of the humeri of these two differently sized species to that of extant birds, for which internal bone structure can be correlated with flight behavior. The humerus of Arambourgiania exhibits a series of helical ridges formed along the cortical bone, whereas Inabtanin exhibits a denser pattern of hollow struts. Variation in internal structure for these individuals likely reflects responses to mechanical forces applied on the wings of pterosaurs. Results indicate that Inabtanin has internal bone morphology similar to that of flapping birds, whereas the internal morphology of Arambourgiania is most similar to that of soaring birds.

PTEROSAURIA Kaup, Citation1834

PTERODACTYLOIDEA Plieninger, Citation1901

AZHDARCHOIDEA Nesov, Citation1984

INABTANIN ALARABIA, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology—Inabtanin is named for the geomorphological structure near the locality where the specimen was collected, which is called Tal Inab (“grape hill”) owing to its prominent coloration. The generic name combines the Arabic words inab, for grape, and tanin for dragon. Allusions to dragons are common in pterosaur etymology and so tanin was chosen to reflect the Arabic language of Jordan, and because of its similarity to the English word tannin, derived from the French tanin which relates to coloration. The generic name translates to both grape-dragon and grape-colored. The specific name alarabia was chosen in reference to the Arabian Peninsula.

 

Kierstin L. Rosenbach, Danielle M. Goodvin, Mohammed G. Albshysh, Hassan A. Azzam, Ahmad A. Smadi, Hakam A. Mustafa, Iyad S. A. Zalmout and Jeffrey A. Wilson Mantilla. 2024. New Pterosaur remains from the Late Cretaceous of Afro-Arabia provide insight into Flight Capacity of large Pterosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2385068 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2385068 

[Entomology • 2024] Holaptilon abdullahii, H. iranicum, ... • The Six Dwarfs of the Middle East: Revision of the enigmatic Praying Mantis Genus Holaptilon (Mantodea: Gonypetidae: Gonypetinae) with the Description of Four New Species under Integrative Taxonomy

[a] Holaptilon abdullahii sp. nov.  [d-e] H. iranicum sp. nov.
[f] H. khozestani sp. nov. [h-i] H. tadovaniensis sp. nov. 
[c] H. brevipugilis [j] H. pusillulum
 

in Mirzaee, Battiston,  Ballarin, Sadeghi, Simões, Wiemers et Schmitt, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e112834 

Abstract

The dwarf-mantid genus Holaptilon Beier, 1964 is composed of small-sized ground-runner species distributed in the Middle East. Due to their elusive lifestyle, little is known about their behaviour, distribution, and phylogeny. The genus Holaptilon was once established for a single species, H. pusillulum Beier, 1964, based on material collected in Jerusalem, Israel. Later, H. brevipugilis Kolnegari, 2018, and H. yagmur Yılmaz and Sevgili, 2023 were described from Iran and Turkey, respectively. In this study, integrated morphology, molecular analyses, and ecology were used to revise the genus Holaptilon and define the boundaries of its species. New data on this genus are presented, based on Holaptilon specimens collected from various provinces of Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. Extensive analyses, including examinations of male and female genitalia, morphometrical analysis, and morphological hypervolumes were conducted to distinguish its species morphologically. In addition, four molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear) were studied to gain a better understanding of species delimitation and phylogenetic relationships. As a result, impressive inter- and intraspecific variability was recovered. In addition to the three already known species, four new species with their distributions restricted to Iran (H. abdullahii sp. nov., H. khozestani sp. nov., H. iranicum sp. nov., and H. tadovaniensis sp. nov.) are here described, and H. yagmur Yılmaz and Sevgili, 2023 is synonymized with H. brevipugilis Kolnegari, 2018. The integrative approach was essential for an adequate classification in Holaptilon taxonomy and also helpful in the clarification of problematic and cryptic Mantodea species. Additional information concerning the life cycle, ecological aspects, spermatophore feeding, as well as geographic range and historical biogeography of Holaptilon species is also provided.

Keywords: Autecology, biogeography, morphology, species delimitation, species descriptions, systematics

Genus Holaptilon life habitus:
a Holaptilon abdullahii sp. nov., paratype male from Soroo, Busheher province (29.569N, 51.947E). b H. abdullahii sp. nov., paratype female from Kangan, Busheher province (27.843N, 52.064 E).
c H. brevipugilis male and female from Arak (34.128N, 50.07E) (photo credit: Mahmood Kolnegari).
d H. iranicum sp. nov., holotype male from Arjan, Fars province (29.569N, 51.947E). e H. iranicum sp. nov., paratype female from Arjan, Fars province (29.569N, 51.947E).
f H. khozestani sp. nov., holotype male from Malagha, Khozestan province (31.607N, 49.998E). g H. khozestani sp. nov., paratype female from Dehdez, Khozestan province (31.733N, 50.222E).
h H. tadovaniensis sp. nov., paratype female from Tadovan, Fars (28.853N, 53.326E). i H. tadovaniensis sp. nov., holotype male from Tadovan, Fars (28.853N, 53.326E).
j H. pusillulum male from Jerusalem, Israel (28.853N, 53.326E) (photo credit: More Yosef Avi). k H. pusillulum female from Jerusalem, Israel (31.737N, 35.077E) (photo credit: Chaym Turak).

 Holaptilon pusillulum Beier, 1964

Holaptilon brevipugilis Kolnegari, 2018

Holaptilon abdullahii Mirzaee and Battiston, sp. nov.

 Holaptilon iranicum Mirzaee and Sadeghi, sp. nov.

 Holaptilon khozestani Mirzaee and Battiston, sp. nov.

 Holaptilon tadovaniensis Mirzaee and Sadeghi, sp. nov.

 

 Zohreh Mirzaee, Roberto Battiston, Francesco Ballarin, Saber Sadeghi, Marianna Simões, Martin Wiemers and Thomas Schmitt. 2024. The Six Dwarfs of the Middle East: Revision of the enigmatic Praying Mantis Genus Holaptilon (Mantodea: Gonypetidae: Gonypetinae) with the Description of Four New Species under integrative taxonomy. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 82: 89-117. DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e112834

[Mammalogy • 2018] Systematics, Distribution and Ecological Analysis of Rodents in Jordan

Acomys russatus lewisi  Atallah, 1967

in Amr, Abu Baker, Qumsiyeh & Eid, 2018.

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4397.1.1 

Abstract

Distributional and ecological data were given to all rodents of Jordan. The rodent fauna of Jordan consists of 28 species with 20 genera in eight families (Cricetidae, Dipodidae, Gliridae, Hystricidae, Muridae, Myocastoridae, Sciuridae,and Spalacidae), including four introduced species.Keys for families and species were provided, along with diagnosis for each species and cranial illustrations for most species. Habitat preference and zoogeographic affinities of rodents in Jordan were analyzed, as well as their status and conservation.Threat categories and causes of threats on the rodents of Jordan were also analyzed.

        The distribution of rodents in Jordan represents a reflection of their global distribution ranges and habitat preferences. Species associated with the temperate forest of northern Jordan includes Sciurus anomalus and two wood mice, Apodemus mystacinus and A. flavicollis, while non-forested areas are represented by Nannospalax ehrenbergi and Microtus guentheri. Strict sand dwellers include Gerbillus cheesmani and G. gerbillus. Petrophiles associated with sandstone or black lava deserts are exemplified by Acomys russatus, A. r. lewsi, H. indica and S. calurus. Others including: Jaculus jaculus, G. nanus, G. henleyi, Meriones crassus, and M. libycus are all desert-adapted species with wider ranges of distribution where scarce vegetation, wadibeds, and marabs with clay, loess, or gravel surfaces provide foraging grounds and shelter. A single species, Gerbillus dasyurus, exhibits a wide range of distribution over diverse habitat types.

        The rodent fauna of Jordan consists of assemblages of different zoogeographical affinities. Nine, three, and seven were restricted or had most of its range within the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, and Saharo Arabian, respectively. Sciurus anomalus, Apodemus sp., Nannospalax ehrenbergi, and Microtus guentheri reached their most southern range of distribution in the Mediterranean regions of Jordan. The distribution of Gerbillus cheesmani extends from Asian deserts in India westwards into the Arabian Peninsula crossing Jordan as its most western range of distribution. Typical rodents of Saharo-Arabian affinities are represented by desert jerboas, gerbils, and jirds. North African species such as G. andersoni, G. gerbillus reached their most eastern distribution in southern Jordan. Both G. henleyi and G. nanus are widely-distributed species across North Africa reaching as far as India to the east, representing most northern outpost for these two species. Sekeetamys calurus is a nearly endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean region within southern Jordan and Sinai. Relicts are represented by Eliomys melanurus and Acomys russatus lewisi.

        Several threats affecting the rodent biodiversity in Jordan were identified including habitat loss and degradation, human disturbance and related activity, legislative and public awareness. The global conservation status of the rodents of Jordan according to the IUCN Red List include 22 species as least concern, one as near threatened (Allactaga euphratica), and one as data deficient (Nannospalax ehrenbergi). According to the regional assessment, one species is critically endangered, three species are considered endangered, one vulnerable.

Keywords: Mammalia, biodiversity, habitat preference, Jordan, rodents, zoogeography

Acomys russatus lewisi Atallah, 1967 

Zuhair S. Amr, Mohammad A. Abu Baker, Mazin Qumsiyeh and  Ehab Eid. 2018.  Systematics, Distribution and Ecological Analysis of Rodents in Jordan. Zootaxa. 4397(1);  1-94.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4397.1.1