[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Paludocyon moyasolai • A New Species of Paludocyon (Carnivora: Amphicyonidae) from the early Middle Miocene of els Casots (Vallès-Penedès Basin, Barcelona, Spain)

 

Paludocyon moyasolai 

Morales, Abella, Valenciano, Gamarra, Robles, Gregori, Alba & Casanovas-Vilar, 2026  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10914-026-09814-6 

illustration by Jesús Gamarra    x.com/Gamarraptor

Abstract

The early Middle Miocene (15.9 Ma) site of els Casots (Vallès-Penedès Basin, Catalonia, Spain) has yielded a rich vertebrate assemblage, including abundant carnivoran remains that mostly remain unpublished. Here we describe a new species of the amphicyonid genus Paludocyon based on a compressed cranium with well-preserved teeth and an isolated lower molar (m2) from els Casots. Paludocyon moyasolai sp. nov., included in the subfamily Amphicyoninae, is characterized by a notably enlarged M2, which is buccolingually broader than the M1, and by a the relatively large size of the M3, both traits being absent in other species of Paludocyon. A phylogenetic analysis, conducted on European and North American species assigned to Cynelos and Paludocyon, indicates that Cynelos is paraphyletic but supports the monophyly of Paludocyon, with the new species being recovered as its basal-most member.

 

Keywords: Amphicyoninae, Europe, Iberian Peninsula, Paleobiogeography, Phylogeny

Systematic Paleontology

Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821

Family Amphicyonidae Trouessart, 1885

Subfamily Amphicyoninae Trouessart, 1885

Tribe Amphicyonini Trouessart, 1885

Paludocyon moyasolai sp. nov. from els Casots.
 a–f. Cranium, IPS10156, holotype: a. lateral left view; b. ventral part; c. left P4–M3 (stereo pair) in occlusal view; d. right P2 in lingual view and the left P3–M2 in buccal view; e. isolated right M1 in occlusal view; f. isolated right M2 in occlusal view.
g–i. Left m2, IPS11438, paratype, stereo pairs in occlusal (g), buccal (h), and lingual (i) views.

All specimens are depicted to the same scale except scale bars in a equal 10 cm, scale bar in b-i equal 5 cm

Paludocyon moyasolai sp. nov.

Type locality: els Casots, Catalonia, Spain.

Age and distribution: Aragonian subzone Cb (MN5), earliest Middle Miocene (~ 15.9 Ma), only known from the type locality.

Diagnosis: Medium-sized species of Paludocyon; P4 with reduced protocone; robust M1 with lingual platform reduced; M2 buccolingually broader than M1, with metacone smaller than paracone; M3 large and with well-defined trigone cuspids; m2 with a robust trigonid, protoconid and metaconid almost of the same height, protoconid with a weak basal buccal widening, short talonid of similar width as the trigonid, and large hypoconid occupying the buccal area of the talonid basin.

Etymology: Species epithet dedicated to Salvador Moyà-Solà, in recognition of his wonderful contribution to the development of European paleomastology (see review in Alba 2025).

Paludocyon moyasolai sp. nov. from els Casots, Spain. Reconstructed life appearance of the head and neck (illustration by Jesús Gamarra)

 

Jorge Morales, Juan Abella, Alberto Valenciano, Jesús Gamarra, Josep M. Robles, Maria Gregori, David M. Alba and Isaac Casanovas-Vilar. 2026. A New Species of Paludocyon (Carnivora: Amphicyonidae) from the early Middle Miocene of els Casots (Vallès-Penedès Basin, Barcelona, Spain).  Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 33, 29. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10914-026-09814-6   [06 June 2026]

  x.com/Gamarraptor/status/2064277680023888311

[Paleontology • 2026] Foskeia pelendonum • A New rhabdodontomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of Salas de los Infantes (Burgos Province, Spain), and a new phylogeny of ornithischian dinosaurs

Foskeia pelendonum

Dieudonné, Becerra, Zanesco, Tortosa, Cruzado-Caballero, Stein & Fernández-Baldor, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70057 

 facebook.com/novataxa

reconstruction by Martina Charnell

 

Abstract

The Vegagete ornithopod is a diminutive bipedal iguanodont from the upper Barremian to lower Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) Castrillo de la Reina Formation of the Burgos Province (Spain). This dinosaur is principally known from disarticulated and fragmentary postcranial remains and was established as the earliest rhabdodontomorph. However, the nature of this material did not allow formal diagnosis of what still appeared to be a new taxon due to its particularly small body size. Recently, new cranial elements have been identified. These elements underwent micro-computed tomography scanning, segmentation and three-dimensional assembly. We herein name the Vegagete ornithopod Foskeia pelendonum gen. et sp. nov. It is diagnosed by a high number of unique features such as the possession of fused premaxillae, procumbent premaxillary teeth, one filiform first dentary tooth, and an elevated craniomandibular joint. Simultaneously, we observe a unique ventrolateral extension of the insertion of the muscle adductor mandibulae externus superficialis on the coronoid process of the dentary. Answering a number of phylogenetic controversies, we provide an updated, taxonomically augmented ornithischian phylogeny toward poorly sampled regions of the ornithischian tree. Rhabdodontia nov. is defined as a restricted clade of European rhabdodontomorphs, including F. pelendonum and rhabdodontids. Rhabdodontomorpha is nested to the base of Ankylopollexia. Thescelosauridae includes Tenontosaurus, and Dryosauridae includes Elasmaria. Agilisaurus louderbacki and Minimocursor phunoiensis are basal ornithopods. Heterodontosauridae remains at the base of Pachycephalosauria. Silesauridae and Sauropodomorpha are resolved in a position closer to Ornithischia than to Theropoda. This provisional result is pending the inclusion of more saurischian characters and taxa.

Keywords: Rhabdodontia, Rhabdodontomorpha, Ornithopoda, Ornithischia, phylogeny

Reconstruction of the skull of Foskeia pelendonum based on different elements.

Foskeia pelendonum.

PaleoArt reconstruction by Martina Charnell

Growth trajectory of Foskeia pelendonum, compared to an adult chicken.
This trajectory is based on differently sized bony elements and their histology.
Note the proportionally smaller forelimbs in the more mature individuals.  

 

Paul-Emile Dieudonné, Marcos Gabriel Becerra, Tábata Zanesco, Thierry Tortosa, Penélope Cruzado-Caballero, Koen Stein, Fidel Torcida Fernández-Baldor. 2026. Foskeia pelendonum, A New rhabdodontomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of Salas de los Infantes (Burgos Province, Spain), and a new phylogeny of ornithischian dinosaurs. Papers in Palaeontology. 12(1); e70057. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70057 [01 February 2026]

 facebook.com/novataxa/posts/1354565633369027

[Botany • 2025] Sideritis carpetana (Lamiaceae) • A New high-mountain Mediterranean Species from the marble outcrops of the Sierra de Guadarrama (Central System, Madrid, Segovia, Spain)

Sideritis carpetana  Izquierdo & Gavilán,

in Izquierdo, Ugarte, Gutiérrez-Girón, Castro, Núñez et Gavilán, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.129982 

Abstract

A new species of Sideritis (Sideritis carpetana) is described from the calcareous, high-mountain Spanish flora in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula. It is found in a Mediterranean climate at high-elevation, perennial, calcareous grasslands, as well as in marble screes of anthropogenic origin in the Sierra de Guadarrama, Central System (Spain), in a reserve area within the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, at 1996 m asl. Taxonomic morphological measurements were performed on collected specimens from Sierra de Guadarrama as well as on geographically-adjacent Sideritis (i.e., S. glacialis, S. pungens, S. hyssopifolia). The relationships among them were then explored with multivariate analysis. Sideritis carpetana is a dwarf shrub with an erect or decumbent habit, growing up to 15 cm; non-woody twigs with long hairs of 3–4 cells, leaves are entire, linear-oblanceolate, sparsely covered with trichomes; inflorescence is spiciform or slightly verticillated, flowers are yellow and nutlets ovoid. A key is supplied to help distinguish it from other high-mountain Iberian species included in section Sideritis. The species is unique in its combination of morphological and autoecological characters. S. carpetana shares similarities with S. glacialis, a species from Sierra Nevada, and its northern Mediterranean variant, S. glacialis subsp. fontqueriana from Sierra de Gúdar. They share morphological characters that are absent in other high-mountain Sideritis, reinforcing their Mediterranean character, as opposed to a more temperate or submediterranean character, such as those of the hyssopifolia group.

Key words: Calcareous high-mountain grasslands, Carpetan Mountains, high mountain species, marble outcrops, Mediterranean area, Sideritis sect. Sideritis, Sideritis subsect. Fruticulosa

Sideritis carpetana natural habit in the marble anthropogenic outcrops of La Flecha Pass (Sierra de Guadarrama National Park).

Sideritis carpetana, Sierra de Guadarrama, La Flecha Pass (1996 m asl)
a habit b Lower branches c inflorescence detail showing lower verticillaster bract and calyx d inflorescence detail showing upper verticillaster bract.

 Sideritis carpetana Izquierdo & Gavilán, sp. nov.

Jose Luis Izquierdo, Rosina Magaña Ugarte, Alba Gutiérrez-Girón, Concepción Obón de Castro, Diego Rivera Núñez and Rosario G. Gavilán. 2025. Sideritis carpetana (Labiatae), A New high-mountain Mediterranean Species from the marble outcrops of the Sierra de Guadarrama (Central System, Madrid, Segovia, Spain). PhytoKeys. 251: 143-159. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.129982 

[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 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Vulcanoscaptor ninoti • An unexpected Scalopini mole (Mammalia: Talpidae) from the Pliocene of Europe sheds light on the phylogeny of talpids

 

Vulcanoscaptor ninoti Linares-Martín, 2025,

in Linares-Martín, Furió, Gómez de Soler, Agustí, Oms, Grandi, Blain, Moreno-Ribas, Piñero et Campeny, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10396-1  

 Researchgate.net/publication/393578316

Artwork by Jesús Gamarra / IPHES-CERCA

Abstract

The Pliocene Konservat-Lagerstätten maar lake site of Camp dels Ninots (NE Iberian Peninsula) has recently delivered a partial skeleton of a mole (family Talpidae) with many elements in anatomical connection. At a first glance, molar and humerus size, geological time interval, and geographical location suggested that this specimen could correspond to Talpa minor. However, after some mechanical preparation of the clay block (matrix removal, consolidation, and cleaning) and a micro-CT scan, this excellently preserved specimen turned out to be an unknown species to science. The resulting 3D models of this new form, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti gen. et sp. nov., revealed some peculiar morphological traits in teeth, mandible, and postcranial elements, which according to the phylogenetic analysis carried out, would allocate this new species within the tribe Scalopini. This is surprising, because the closest relatives of the new species within this tribe live nowadays in North America, and only some related taxa had been previously reported in the Oligocene and Miocene fossil record from Europe. The postcranial construction of this specimen reveals a highly fossorial lifestyle supported by a complex forelimb structure. How such a specialized digging animal reached the maar lake sediments where it was finally preserved is still to be solved. Some hypotheses consider swimming abilities for this extinct species. Alternatively, this specimen could be the remaining portions of a floated or scavenged carcass whose remains fell into the lake and reached the anoxic bottom.

 

Keywords: Camp dels Ninots, Maar, Konservat-Lagerstätten, Spain, Fossorial

 

Partial skeleton of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti gen. et sp. nov. (CN10-O17-NIV11-12)

Vulcanoscaptor ninoti gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis (genus and species). [No trait alone is diagnostic, but the combination of characters is unique within the Talpidae] Small sized mole with dental formula ???3/2143. Doubled mesostyle in M1 and M2. Double rooted P4. Presence of a parastyle in P4. Lower premolar row without gaps. Enlarged i2. Absence of metastylid in m2. Robust and small postcranial remains. Pit for M. flexor digitorum profundus ligament present. Straight medial edge of humeral trochlea. Fusiform shape of the humeral capitulum. Well-developed and transverse olecranon crest. Anconal and coronoid processes present in the ulna. Presence of capitular process in the radius. Scaphoid and lunar not co-ossified.

Etymology. Name of the genus derived from the Latin word of ‘Vulcan’, the Roman god of fire, in reference to the volcanic nature of the source area, and ‘-scaptor’, from the ancient Greek word ‘scaptein’, to dig. Name of the species invoking ‘ninot’, the local word to refer the opaline nodules ‘doll-shaped’ typically found in the type-locality of the species, Camp dels Ninots.

Realistic reconstruction of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti.

Artwork by Jesús Gamarra / IPHES-CERCA

Adriana Linares-Martín, Marc Furió, Bruno Gómez de Soler, Jordi Agustí, Oriol Oms, Federica Grandi, Hugues-Alexandre Blain, Elena Moreno-Ribas, Pedro Piñero and Gerard Campeny. 2025. An unexpected Scalopini mole (Talpidae, Mammalia) from the Pliocene of Europe sheds light on the phylogeny of talpids. Scientific Reports. 15, 24928. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10396-1 [10 July 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/393578316_An_unexpected_Scalopini_mole_from_the_Pliocene_of_Europe

 

[Mollusca • 2025] Pararosa vigarae • The Accordion Worm: A New Genus and Species of heteronemertean (Nemertea: Pilidiophora) from Galicia (Spain)

  

Pararosa vigarae  Junoy & Verdes, 

in Verdes, Gracia-Sancha, Pérez-Dieste, Conejero, Campos, Leiva, Taboada, Riesgo et Junoy, 2025.

Accordion worm | gusano acordeón  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250313

Abstract

Ribbon worms (Nemertea) are a less-known group of invertebrates, specially challenging for taxonomic studies due to the scarcity of external morphological features. As a consequence, the number of known nemertean species might represent just a small fraction of the true diversity of the phylum. The present study increases the number of known ribbon worm species with the description of the accordion worm Pararosa vigarae sp. nov., a new genus and species of Heternonemertea from the northwest coast of Spain. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and histone H3 gene markers that indicated the newly identified specimens represent a new genus and species of heteronemertean in the family Lineidae. We also provide morphological data and images illustrating its unique behaviour, contracting its body into a series of rings similar to an accordion. Our results increase our knowledge on the diversity of an important but often overlooked invertebrate phylum and emphasize the need to combine morphological and molecular data to discover new ribbon worm species and better evaluate the true diversity of the phylum.

Keywords: accordion worm, Heteronemertea, Lineidae, Nemertea, Pararosa vigarae, ribbon worm

 

 Live images of Pararosa vigarae sp. nov.
 (A) Dorso-lateral view of head, showing cephalic slits; (B) anterior end, dorso-lateral view, showing detail of head tip; (C) ventral view of head, the mouth appears as a whitish middle line just behind the cephalic slits; (D) complete specimen with contracted body, showing epidermal rings; (E) dorsal view of complete specimen in a relaxed state, showing epidermal rings.

PILIDIOPHORA Thollesson and Norenburg, 2003

Class HETERONEMERTEA Coe (1901)

Family LINEIDAE McIntosh, 1874

Genus Pararosa gen. nov.

Diagnosis. Heteronemertean with a single pair of horizontal lateral cephalic slits which posteriorly form deep intramuscular canals; proboscis simple, unbranched; nervous system without neurochord or neurochord cells; dermis thick, glandular region separated from body wall muscles by well-developed connective tissue layer; blood system with cephalic lacunae; frontal sensory organs consisting of three simple ciliated pits located at the tip of the head; eyes absent.

Etymology. The name refers to the type locality of the type species, the ría de Arosa, preceded by the Spanish word par (pair), referring to the two localities where the specimens were collected. The name of the type locality in Spanish is feminine, and thus the new genus name is also feminine.

Type species. Pararosa vigarae sp. nov.

Pararosa vigarae sp. nov. Junoy & Verdes

Diagnosis. Heteronemertean with brown to dark green body, head shape retuse; ocelli absent; contracts into regular rings that persist as annular constrictions when stretched.

Etymology. Named after Rosa Vigara, wife of the senior author, as a gift for their golden wedding anniversary. Specific epithet is a noun, in reference to the last name Vigara.

Common name. Accordion worm. 

Spanish common name: gusano acordeón.

 

Aida Verdes, Carlota Gracia-Sancha, Jacinto Pérez-Dieste, María Conejero, Patricia Alvarez Campos, Carlos Leiva, Sergi Taboada, Ana Riesgo and Juan Junoy. 2025. The Accordion Worm: A New Genus and Species of heteronemertean (Nemertea, Pilidiophora) from Galicia (Spain). R. Soc. Open Sci. 12; 250313. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250313 [07 May 2025]

 

[Botany • 2025] Orobanche andryalae (Orobanchaceae) • A New Species from the Canary Islands

 

Orobanche andryalae C.J.Thorogood, M. Hernández González, Rumsey & Reyes-Bet.,

in Thorogood, Hernández González, Rumsey et Reyes-Betancort, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.141300

Abstract

A new species of Orobanche is described from the Canary Islands. The plant belongs to the complicated Subsection Minores and has a distinct combination of morphological features, ecology, and host specificity. The markedly cernuous corolla, high filament insertion and colouration distinguishes Orobanche andryalae from closely related species with which it has been previously confused, and which do not occur in the Canary Islands, including O. amethystea subsp. castellana and O. calendulae; these features remain stable in cultivation. Orobanche andryalae appears to be parasitic almost exclusively on Andryala spp., and occurs on thermophilus volcanic substrates in northern Lanzarote, northwest Tenerife and Jandía in Fuerteventura. An updated key to the Orobanche of the Canary Islands is presented, including the new taxon we describe here.

Key words: Andryala, broomrape, endemism, Macaronesia, parasitic plant

Orobanche andryalae 
A habit B lower stem C corolla D corolla cross section E carpel F stamen G calyx lobe H bract.

A Orobanche andryalae in cultivation at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden B O. amethystea in the Algarve, Portugal C O. calendulae in the Algarve, Portugal
D the habitat of O. andryalae in Lanzarote: volcanic cliffs (Famara area, northern Lanzarote) E O. andryalae in Lanzarote, with its host plant Andryala perezii F O. andryalae collected from Fuerteventura (putatively parasitising Asteriscus sericeus) G, H O. andryalae in northwest Tenerife growing on Andryala pinnatifida (the corolla dorsal line of the specimen in H is atypical in being less conspicuously cernuous).

 Orobanche andryalae C.J.Thorogood, M. Hernández González, Rumsey & Reyes-Bet., sp. nov.

Description: Stems 6–16(25) cm, glandular-hairy, pale orange to light reddish-brown. Stem scarcely swollen below; subterranean bracts broadly triangular, yellow; those above (reduced leaves) rather sparse, brown, 8–15 mm. Flowers 5–15(20), arranged on the upper quarter or third of the stem, lax. Bracts 10–12 mm, rather shorter than the corolla, broadly triangular, brown, glandular-hairy. Calyx 5–7 mm with segments fused, strongly unequal (rarely entire), not exceeding the corolla tube. Corolla 10–15 mm, pale yellow with faint reddish veins and scattered glandular hairs, strongly cernuous when mature, remaining so in fruit, sometimes abruptly geniculate; upper lip bilobed; lower lip 3-lobed, the lateral lobes slightly exceeding the central; all lobes minutely-toothed. Filaments sparsely hairy below, glabrous above; inserted conspicuously (c.5 mm) above the corolla base; anthers ± glabrous. Stigma lobes touching, mid to dark red-orange.

Etymology. Orobanche andryalae is named in accordance with its main host species, Andryala perezii.

 Chris J. Thorogood, Matías Hernández González, Fred J. Rumsey and Jorge Alfredo Reyes-Betancort. 2025. Orobanche andryalae (Orobanchaceae): A New Species from the Canary Islands. PhytoKeys. 252: 275-285. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.141300

[Entomology • 2024] Phylogeographic Analyses of western Palearctic Scaurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) reveal undetected taxonomic substructure along the pre-Saharian Atlantic Coast of western Africa

[a–c] Scaurus gigas Waltl, 1835  and  [d–f] S. ferreri  Español, 1943.
Specimens photographed are from (a) Meia Praia, Lagos (Portugal), (b) Chipiona, Cádiz (Spain), (d) Aglou Plage (Morocco) and (e) Deghaimis (Morocco).
Landscape images represent (c) the northernmost range of S. gigas (near Sines, Portugal)
and (f) one of the northern locations of S. ferreri at Aglou Plage (Morocco).

in Duque-Amado, García-París et Sánchez-Vialas, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.82.e132546

Abstract

Phylogeography stands as a key tool to explore evolutionary patterns and processes, playing a crucial role in delimiting evolutionary units. Identifying these units is essential for providing robust taxonomic decisions. In this study, we present a comprehensive phylogeographical framework of Scaurus uncinus (Forster, 1771) and Scaurus gigas Waltl, 1835 across the Iberian Peninsula and North-western Africa, where they are widely co-distributed, coexisting in several localities on both sides of Strait of Gibraltar. Our results show that the Strait of Gibraltar did not act as a geographical barrier for these species, revealing shared mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclear alleles between populations on both sides. However, the Souss Valley in Morocco appears to have historically served as a significant geographical barrier within the S. gigas lineage, leading to the divergence of two morphologically distinct sublineages, one to the north (S. gigas) and the other to the south (S. ferreri stat. nov.). In addition, we point out a case of cytonuclear discordance between S. uncinus and S. gigas in the southwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting the occurrence of an ancient event of genetic introgression between the two species.

Keywords: Allele networks, cyto-nuclear discordances gene flow, genetic isolation, haplotype networks, introgression, mitochondrial DNA

Live specimens and typical habitat of Scaurus gigas (a–c) and S. ferreri (d–f).
Specimens photographed are from (a) Meia Praia, Lagos (Portugal), (b) Chipiona, Cádiz (Spain), (d) Aglou Plage (Morocco) and (e) Deghaimis (Morocco).
Landscape images represent (c) the northernmost range of S. gigas (near Sines, Portugal) and (f) one of the northern locations of S. ferreri at Aglou Plage (Morocco).  

Carmen Duque-Amado, Mario García-París, Alberto Sánchez-Vialas. 2024. Phylogeographic Analyses of western Palearctic Scaurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) reveal undetected taxonomic substructure along the pre-Saharian Atlantic Coast of western Africa. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 82: 707-717. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.82.e132546

[Paleontology • 2024] Early–middle Permian Mediterranean gorgonopsian suggests an equatorial origin of therapsids

a gorgonopsian from the island of Mallorca, western Mediterranean

in Matamales-Andreu, Kammerer, Angielczyk, Simões, Mujal, Galobart et Fortuny, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54425-5  

Reconstruction by Henry Sutherland Sharpe

Abstract

Therapsids were a dominant component of middle–late Permian terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, eventually giving rise to mammals during the early Mesozoic. However, little is currently known about the time and place of origin of Therapsida. Here we describe a definitive therapsid from the lower–?middle Permian palaeotropics, a partial skeleton of a gorgonopsian from the island of Mallorca, western Mediterranean. This specimen represents, to our knowledge, the oldest gorgonopsian record worldwide, and possibly the oldest known therapsid. Using emerging relaxed clock models, we provide a quantitative timeline for the origin and early diversification of therapsids, indicating a long ghost lineage leading to the evolutionary radiation of all major therapsid clades within less than 10 Myr, in the aftermath of Olson’s Extinction. Our findings place this unambiguous early therapsid in an ancient summer wet biome of equatorial Pangaea, thus suggesting that the group originated in tropical rather than temperate regions.

Systematic palaeontology

Synapsida Osborn, 190313

Therapsida Broom, 190514

Gorgonopsia Seeley, 189415

Gorgonopsia indet.

Most relevant elements of DA21/17-01-01 and silhouette showing their positions

 Life reconstruction of the gorgonopsian from Mallorca in a floodplain setting.

Reconstruction by Henry Sutherland Sharpe

 Rafel Matamales-Andreu, Christian F. Kammerer, Kenneth D. Angielczyk, Tiago R. Simões, Eudald Mujal, Àngel Galobart and Josep Fortuny. 2024. Early–middle Permian Mediterranean gorgonopsian suggests an equatorial origin of therapsids. Nature Communications. 15: 10346. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54425-5  

[Paleontology • 2024] Decapod Crustacean Diversity through time and space in a middle-upper Eocene carbonate-siliciclastic platform (southern Jaca Basin, Pyrenees, Spain)

Simplified reconstruction of the study area with the distribution of different facies and the different assemblages of crabs found in different environments. A-F: different decapod assemblages of the studied area (only Brachyura).
A: Belsué Platform beds (Proximal-shallow); B: Arguis platform beds (proximal); C: Coral buldups; D: Pectinid platform beds; E: Bryozoan beds; F: Arguis platform beds (distal) and Belsué platform beds (deep). The geographical subdivisions produced by the different anticlines have been omitted to simplify the scheme. Individually framed taxa have larger distribution areas, marked with a dashed line of the same colour as each box where their record is less fragmentary preservation and scattered remains, and a solid line of the same colour where their record is less fragmentary and continuous.
Taxa: 1: Carpiliidae indet. 1; 2: Calappilia sp.; 3: Lophoranina sp.; 4: Notopus sp.; 5: Galenopsis crassifrons; 6: Liopsalis anodon; 7: Carpiliidae indet. 2; 8: Gemmellarocarcinus riglosensis; 9: Daira corallina; 10: Pyreneplax cf. basaensis; 11: Portunus catalaunicus; 12: Montezumella cf. amenosi; 13: Retrocypoda almelai; 14: Retropluma eocenica; 15: Magyarcarcinus yebraensis; 16: Harpactocarcinus punctulatus; 17: Micromaia priabonensis?; 18: Leucosidae indet.; 19: Quasilaeviranina sp.; 20: Hepatiscus sp.; 21: Periacanthus horridus Bittner, 1875 . (A11–13, B20–21, D17, E1–2, F14 and 16 reused from Ferratges, 2017 ; C5 and 9 reused from Ferratges et al., 2020a ).

in Ferratges, Zamora, Klompmaker et Aurell, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112373

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Highlights: 

• Diverse Eocene invertebrate fauna assemblage found in the Spanish Pyrenees.

• One of first regional studies on decapod distribution in various environments.

• We quantify diversity and abundance of decapod crustaceans in different facies.

• Faunal changes across stratigraphic sequences controlled by tectonics and sediment input.

Abstract

The south-central margin of the Jaca Basin (South-central Pyrenees, Spain) offers well-exposed outcrops ideal for studying the distribution of decapod crustaceans across a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic depositional system during the middle-late Eocene (Bartonian-Priabonian). This study encompasses an area of 1000 km2, featuring environments from siliciclastic coastal plains and deltaic complexes to shallow carbonate and mixed platforms, including coral reefs, extending to prodelta/outer platform deeper conditions. Detailed sampling in four depositional sequences yielded 372 fossil decapod specimens from various lithofacies across 20 localities.

Our analysis identifies 39 decapod species within 22 families and demonstrates ecological zonation of decapods in shallow to relatively deep environments. Diversity peaks in siliciclastic shallow proximal prodelta areas and carbonate bryozoan meadows. Species distribution between carbonate and siliciclastic facies is similar, though taxonomically distinct. Articulated specimens predominantly occur in shallow proximal and relatively deep distal siliciclastic areas, linked to sudden sediment input and high sedimentation rates. These findings elucidate the spatial and temporal distribution factors of decapod crustaceans during the middle-late Eocene, contributing to the broader understanding of palaeoecological patterns in mixed depositional systems.

 Keywords: Crustacea, Taxonomy, Bartonian, Priabonian, Palaeoenvironments, Palaeoecology

 

Fernando A. Ferratges, Samuel Zamora, Adiël A. Klompmaker and Marcos Aurell. 2024. Decapod Crustacean Diversity through time and space in a middle-upper Eocene carbonate-siliciclastic platform (southern Jaca Basin, Pyrenees, Spain). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 650; 112373. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112373

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[Crustacea • 2024] Armadillidium boalense • A New Species (Isopoda: Oniscidea: Armadillidiidae) from northern Spain, with Remarks and A Key of the Genus in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands

  

Armadillidium boalense

 Cifuentes, Robla & Garcia, 2024 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5497.1.4 

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Abstract

A new woodlice species of the genus Armadillidium Brandt, 1831 is described and illustrated from Asturias (northern Iberian Peninsula). Armadillidium boalense sp. nov. is ascribed to the ‘pictum group’ and is characterized by its eusphaeric conglobation, duplocarinate-type cephalon and strong sexual differentiation of the seventh pair of male pereopods. Furthermore, its diagnostic characteristics and its affinities with the rest of species of this group are discussed. The main diagnostic characteristics of a sometimes-questioned species Armadillidium galiciense Schmölzer, 1955 are also commented and illustrated. To facilitate the separation of the current known Iberian species of Armadillidium, an updated identification key is provided, and some new distributional and ecological data of other Armadillidium species of the Asturian region are also included.

Crustacea, Asturias, Armadillidium album, Armadillidium galiciense, ecological data, identification key, Spanish woodlouse, terrestrial isopods

Julio Cifuentes, Jairo Robla and Lluc Garcia. 2024. Description of Armadillidium boalense sp. nov. from northern Spain, with Remarks and A Key of the Genus in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands (Isopoda: Oniscidea: Armadillidiidae). Zootaxa. 5497(1);  83-99. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5497.1.4 

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[Paleontology • 2024] Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra • A Spanish saltasauroid Titanosaur reveals Europe as a Melting Pot of Endemic and Immigrant Sauropods in the Late Cretaceous

Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra

Mocho, Escaso, Marcos-Fernández, Páramo, Sanz, Vidal & Ortega, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06653-0

Abstract

A new lithostrotian titanosaur, Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a single partial skeleton from the late Campanian-early Maastrichtian fossil-site of Lo Hueco (Cuenca, Spain). This new taxon is supported by an exclusive combination of characters that highlights strong convergences with members of the South American Aeolosaurini. Qunkasaura allows to reorganise the complex phylogenetic relationships of the increasingly diverse finicretaceous sauropods of Europe. Phylogenetic analyses places Qunkasaura within Saltasauridae and possibly Opisthocoelicaudiinae, together with Abditosaurus. A new clade is established, Lohuecosauria, including Saltasaurus, Lohuecotitan, their most recent common ancestor and all its descendants. Two distinct Ibero-Armorican Campanian-Maastrichtian saltasauroid lineages are recognised: (i) Lirainosaurinae that is exclusive from Europe, and (ii) a saltasaurid lineage with possible opisthocoelicaudiine affinities, with a Laurasian distribution. Lirainosaurinae was a relict lineage including possible dwarf forms that evolved in isolation after reaching Europe before the Late Cretaceous through the Apulian route. The occurrence of opisthocoelicaudiines in Europe may be the result of a Late Cretaceous interchange between Europe and Asia. No evidence of insular dwarfism is found in the Ibero-Armorican opisthocoelicaudiines suggesting that they may have been newcomers to the area that arrived before the ‘Maastrichtian Dinosaur Turnover’ in southwestern Europe.

Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra

Pedro Mocho, Fernando Escaso, Fátima Marcos-Fernández, Adrián Páramo, José Luis Sanz, Daniel Vidal and Francisco Ortega. 2024. A Spanish saltasauroid Titanosaur reveals Europe as a Melting Pot of Endemic and Immigrant Sauropods in the Late Cretaceous. Communications Biology. 7: 1016. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06653-0