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    A small-sized dinocephalosaurid archosauromorph from the Middle Triassic of Yunnan, southwestern China
    WANG Wei, LEI Hong, LI Chun
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (1): 13-32.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231013
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    Among numerous marine reptiles discovered in the Triassic eastern Tethys, today’s Southern China, Dinocephalosaurus is a bizarre animal comparable to European Tanystropheus in developing a prominently long neck. These two taxa are respectively assigned to Dinocephalosauridae and Tanystropheidae, and the two families and other basal members collectively form an early-diverging clade of Archosauromorpha. Here we report a new archosauromorph specimen, IVPP V18579, excavated from the lower Middle Triassic (Anisian), from Luoping, Yunnan in southwestern China. Compared with all the hitherto known dinocephalosaurids and tanystropheids, this skeletally mature individual is exclusively similar to Dinocephalosaurus in a number of characteristics, particularly with the long posterodorsal process of the premaxilla extending posteriorly beyond the level of the external nares, the concave posterior margin of the anteroposteriorly broad quadrate, and the strongly expanded distal end of the chevron in most of the caudal vertebrae. However, this reptile is much smaller than Dinocephalosaurus and different from Dinocephalosaurus and the other dinocephalosaurid, Pectodens, in many aspects, such as an anteriorly tapering long rostrum, the dentition composed of short conical teeth with less heterodonty, relatively but obviously tall neural spines of the axis and the anterior cervical vertebrae. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that the new archosauromorph is a dinocephalosaurid, and then we erect Austronaga minuta gen. et sp. nov. based on this specimen. Detailed comparisons in osteological anatomy and the discussion about its potential aquatic adaptation of this new taxon are also provided.

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    High-resolution CT-scan data reveals the tooth replacement pattern of the Late Jurassic tyrannosauroid Guanlong wucaii (Dinosauria, Theropoda)
    KE Yi-Hui, PEI Rui, XU Xing
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (3): 225-244.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240715
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    The Tyrannosauridae, which is characterized by specialized pachydont dentition and putative bone-cracking predatory strategies, is one of the most extensively studied theropod lineages. Although tooth replacement patterns, crucial for understanding feeding behaviors, have been thoroughly studied in this group, studies on non-tyrannosaurid tyrannosauroids are relatively scarce. This study utilizes high-resolution CT data to investigate the tooth replacement pattern in two specimens of Guanlong wucaii , a Late Jurassic tyrannosauroid, and provides insights into the evolution of tooth replacement across Tyrannosauroidea. Second-generation replacement teeth, a rarity observed mainly in giant predatory theropods (e.g. some tyrannosaurids), were detected in the dentary dentition of the juvenile Guanlong . Zahnreihen reconstructions display a consistent cephalad alternating tooth replacement pattern in the maxilla and the dentary of both of the examined individuals, with Z-spacing values exceeding 2.0. As Guanlong grows, the Z-spacing value in the maxillary dentition increases, resembling the ontogenetic changes documented in the Tyrannosauridae. Additionally, like Tarbosaurus , Guanlong also displays a discontinuity between the tooth replacement waves at the premaxilla-maxilla boundary. This study thus demonstrates that some tyrannosaurid-like tooth replacement patterns were acquired before the origin of the Tyrannosauridae.

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    Morphometric analysis of the cervical vertebral series in extant birds with implications for Mesozoic avialan feeding ecology
    LIU Bi-Ying, Thomas A. STIDHAM, WANG Xiao-Ping, LI Zhi-Heng, ZHOU Zhong-He
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (2): 99-119.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240305
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    The inference of Mesozoic avialan bird diets previously relied on traditional methods such as morphological comparisons among taxa and direct evidence such as identifiable stomach contents. However, the application of these approaches has been limited because of uncommon preservation of relevant fossil evidence. We searched for additional informative characteristics to help develop new methods to assess the diet of fossil birds. In particular, the morphology of the avialan neck is highly modularized and plays roles in multiple functions including food acquisition. The structure of and variation among the cervical vertebrae likely reflects the demands of feeding ecology in fossil and extant birds because the avialan neck evolved to, at least in part, replace the forelimbs by assisting with activities such as cranioinertial feeding and other ecological functions. Here, we utilize morphometric and statistical analyses to establish an initial quantitative relationship between cervical morphology and dietary modes in both extant and extinct birds. This morphometric framework derived from the cervical morphology of living birds is used as a basis to estimate the diet categories of five taxa of Mesozoic birds. The results indicate that there is a quantitative correlation between cervical morphology differentiation and their interrelated feeding modes. The enantiornithine taxa examined exhibit cervical morphologies similar to extant insectivorous or carnivorous birds. The ornithurine species show cervical morphologies that are more aligned with generalist or herbivorous birds, and exhibit preliminary morphological features tied to aquatic adaptions. These findings are consistent in part with other direct fossil evidence, as well as hypotheses developed from other skeletal comparisons. Therefore, the cervical vertebral series, as a skeletal system closely linked to food acquisition, can serve as one of the valuable metrics to provide information for inferring the diet of long extinct Mesozoic birds.

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    A new genus of galeaspids (jawless stem-Gnathostomata) from the early Silurian Chongqing Lagerstätte, China
    CHEN Yang, LI Qiang, ZHOU Zheng-Da, SHAN Xian-Ren, ZHU You-An, WANG Qian, WEI Guang-Biao, ZHU Min
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (4): 245-261.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240820
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    The early Silurian Chongqing Lagerstätte (middle Telychian) yields exceptionally preserved articulated jawless and jawed fishes. Here, we describe a new eugaleaspiform (Galeaspida, jawless stem-Gnathostomata), Miaojiaaspis dichotomus gen. et sp. nov., from the Chongqing Lagerstätte in Xiushan, Chongqing, China. The new form resembles Tujiaaspis vividus in the short medial dorsal canal, and the presence of the branching ends of the lateral transverse canal. They differ in that T. vividus has highly developed subordinate branches of the sensory canals that form a reticulate sensory canal system, and the median dorsal opening is more elongated. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers M. dichotomus and T. vividus as a monophyletic clade (Tujiaaspidae fam. nov.), which is supported by two synapomorphies: the short medial dorsal canal, and the branching ends of the lateral transverse canal. Tujiaaspidae forms a trichotomy with Shuyuidae and a clade comprising Anjiaspis, Sinogaleaspidae, Yongdongaspidae, and the ‘eugaleaspid cluster’. The sensory canal patterns in galeaspids are compared to show the transformation sequence of the sensory canal system in Eugaleaspiformes.

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    A skull of Early Pleistocene Paracamelus gigas (Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from Luotuo Hill in Dalian, Northeast China
    DONG Wei, LIU Wen-Hui, BAI Wei-Peng, LIU Si-Zhao, WANG Yuan, LIU Jin-Yuan, JIN Chang-Zhu
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (1): 47-68.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.230616
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    Originated in North America in the Middle Eocene, camelids were a successful group with very large diversity. But the camels emigrated to the Old World from North America, probably during the middle stage of the Middle Miocene, and did not radiate much as those in North America, represented by only two genera Paracamelus and Camelus. The former was considered as giving rise to the latter, but the detailed relationship of the Old World camelines was controversial. The new camel material unearthed from Layer 4 in the Jinyuan Cave at Luotuo Hill in Dalian, Liaodong peninsula in Northeast China, was described and referred to as Paracamelus gigas. Its dentition length is slightly longer than that of Camelus knoblochi but evidently larger than that of C. ferus and C. dromedarius. Based on the fossil records and morphometric evidences, P. gigas originated from a form similar to P. alexejevi in the Late Pliocene in the Old World, instead of from Megatylopus gigas of North America and then migrated into Asia as previously thought. The morphometric similarities between the Early Pleistocene Dalian specimens and those of the Middle and Late Pleistocene C. knoblochi indicate that P. gigas probably gave rise to C. knoblochi as formerly postulated and likely in the late Early Pleistocene by reduction or simplifying of P3 and P4, disappearance of p3 and shortening of dentition length. P. gigas inhabited in the forest steppe environment of Liaodong peninsula from 1.1 to 1.52 Ma based on paleomagnetic dating and pollen evidence.

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    A possible new amphicyonid from the Miocene of the Linxia Basin
    JIANGZUO Qi-Gao, GAO Yuan, Alberto VALENCIANO, LU Dan, WANG Shi-Qi
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (2): 156-164.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240320
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    Here we report a new form of amphicyonid from an uncertain locality in the Linxia Basin. The derived dental traits imply an affinity to Magericyon, previously known from Europe and possibly southern Asia. The specimen suggests a higher diversity of amphicyonids in eastern Asia than previously thought, and more discovery with stratigraphic information will be needed to elucidate the evolution of Amphicyonidae in eastern Asia.

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    Decline in phylogenetic diversity of Arthrodira (stem-group Gnathostomata) correlates with major Devonian bioevents
    XUE Qin-Yuan, YU Yi-Lun, PAN Zhao-Hui, ZHU You-An, ZHU Min
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (1): 1-12.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231124
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    Arthrodira, the most diverse subgroup of placoderms, or jawed stem gnathostomes, is noted for their occupation of high trophic levels, especially in the later stage of their evolutionary history. Despite the relatively complete fossil record of arthrodires, the results of previous studies on the arthrodire diversity, based on counting the numbers of taxa in each time interval (raw or taxic diversity), correlate poorly with major Devonian bioevents. Here, we assemble a new, exhaustive dataset of arthrodires, comprising 450 species of 219 genera. Most taxa are integrated into a supertree integrating the results from various phylogenetic investigations. Our analysis of the phylogenetic diversity, accounting for the presence of ghost lineages, reveals a very different pattern compared to the raw diversity. The phylogenetic diversity of arthrodires exhibited a typical early burst pattern, peaking in the Early Devonian (Lochkovian-Pragian Boundary), and followed by declines that aligned well with several major bioevents. Near each of the first four events, the arthrodire diversity experienced only minor drops and generally persisted at high levels. The later three events, particularly the Frasnian-Famennian Boundary and Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Events, led to steep declines in arthrodire diversity, from which they never recovered before their complete extinction in the end-Devonian. All these declines were not evident in the raw or taxic diversity pattern, except that related to the Frasnian-Famennian Boundary Event.

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    A taxonomical revision of ‘Dongfangaspis qujingensis’ from the Lower Devonian of Qujing, Yunnan Province
    SHAN Xian-Ren, ZHU Min, LI Qiang, GAI Zhi-Kun
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (2): 85-98.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240321
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    The affinity of ‘Dongfangaspis qujingensis’, initially assigned to Dongfangaspis but later to Laxaspis, has long been controversial. However, the taxonomical revision raises a new problem of junior homonym since the type species of Laxaspis is L. qujingensis. Here, we describe some new materials of ‘Dongfangaspis qujingensis’ and Damaspis vartus from the Xishancun Formation (early Lochkovian, Early Devonian) in Qujing, Yunnan Province. ‘Dongfangaspis qujingensis’ strikingly resembles Damaspis vartus in the slightly longer headshield, bifurcated ends of the lateral transverse canals, unconnected V-shaped posterior supraorbital canals, and at least seven pairs of lateral transverse canals issuing from the lateral dorsal canal. These similarities indicate that ‘D. qujingensis’ is more suggestive of Damaspis than Dongfangaspis and Laxaspis. Therefore, we propose to remove ‘Dongfangaspis qujingensis’ from Laxaspis to Damaspis. The new specimens of Damaspis vartus reveal five long lateral transverse canals on the right side, corroborating that the asymmetric sensory canal system in the holotype is the intraspecific variation.

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    Teffichthys wui sp. nov., a new perleidid fish from the Early Triassic of Jiangsu and Anhui, China
    XU Guang-Hui, YUAN Zhi-Wei, REN Yi, LIAO Jun-Ling, ZHAO Li-Jun, SONG Hai-Jun
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (3): 165-185.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240528
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    Perleididae is a group of stem neopterygian fishes known only from the Triassic. Here, we report the discovery of a new perleidid, Teffichthys wui sp. nov., based on six well-preserved specimens from the late Smithian (Olenekian, Early Triassic) marine deposits of Jurong, Jiangsu and Chaohu, Anhui, China. This new discovery documents the third and youngest species of Teffichthys , which is slightly younger than the Dienerian (Induan) T. elegans from Guizhou and the early Smithian T. madagascariensis from Madagascar. The new species shows diagnostic features of Teffichthys (presence of a spiracular, 38-41 lateral line scales, and no more than three epaxial rays in the caudal fin) but differs from T. madagascariensis and T. elegans in some autapomorphies (e.g., a horizontal opercle/subopercle contact and smooth scales with a nearly straight posterior margin). The diagnostic features for the genus Teffichthys and the family Perleididae are emended based on detailed comparisons of the new taxon with other perleidids. The phylogenetic relationships of perleidids with other stem neopterygians are discussed using a cladistic approach, and the results provide new insights into the phylogeny and classification of main stem neopterygian clades.

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    First Asian Paleocene pantolambdid pantodont (Mammalia) and its implications to intercontinental faunal exchange
    QUAN Shuo-Shuo, WANG Yuan-Qing
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (4): 291-312.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240829
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    Pantodonta was one of the first groups of eutherians to evolve at the beginning of Cenozoic era, including the largest herbivores at that time. Pantodonta shows considerable diversity during the Paleocene and Eocene, with most of the species having been discovered in Asia and North America. Here, we report on a new pantodont, represented by lower jaws with well-preserved dentition, discovered from the Middle Paleocene Nongshan Formation of the Nanxiong Basin, Guangdong Province, China. Its unique dental and mandibular characteristics distinguish it well from any known Asian pantodont, but are quite consistent with North American taxa, especially Pantolambda and Titanoides. The new specimen is identified as Nanxiongilambda yei gen. et sp. nov., characterized by the combination of the following morphological features: thick and robust mandible with a conspicuous anteroexternal flange, high positioned condyloid process, posteriorly protruding angular process, robust but not elongated lower canines, double-rooted p1, small but distinct talonids on posterior lower premolars, talonids nearly as wide as trigonids on lower molars, and m3 with a well-developed hypoconulid and a distinct entoconid. The new discovery marks the first record of a pantolambdid pantodont outside of North America, suggesting a broader geographical distribution and intercontinental dispersal of this clade during the Paleocene. Considering the more primitive Pantolambda only found from Torrejonian to early Tiffanian NALMA (equivalent to middle-late Shanghuan to early Nongshanian ALMA), which is slightly earlier than Nanxiongilambda (early Nongshanian ALMA), pantolambdids have likely undergone a particular wave of migration from North America to Asia during the Early-Middle Paleocene. Previous researches have suggested that pantodonts had dispersed only from Asia to North America during the Early Paleocene, but our new specimen indicates the biotic dispersal may have occurred in the opposite direction. The new specimen also contributes to the renewal of the evolutionary history of pantodonts and provides further insights into the migration and dispersal of Paleocene mammals.

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    First report of Hispanodorcas from the Late Miocene of China
    WU Yong, WANG Shi-Qi, LIANG Zhi-Yong, GUO Ding-Ge, SUN Bo-Yang, LIU Long, DUAN Kai, CHEN Guo-Zhong
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (2): 135-155.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240123
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    As a small to middle-sized bovid, Hispanodorcas had previously only been found in the pan-Mediterranean region and South Asia. Its taxonomic classification at the tribe level has been a subject of debate, with possible associations to Antilopini, Reduncini, or Oiocerini. Here, we report on the first discovery of Hispanodorcas in East Asia, H. longdongica sp. nov. from the Daidian Locality in China, dating to the early Baodean age (~8-7 Ma). The new material consists of five skulls with varying states of preservation and provides the most complete osteological information on Hispanodorcas to date. It features a long, slender, and posteriorly curved horncore with a weak homonymous twist and both laterodorsal and medioventral grooves, which is characteristic of Hispanodorcas. This new species is characterized by having the smallest size amongst all known Hispanodorcas species, a weakly curved brain case in the facial region, and poorly developed posterior and anterior basilar tuberosities. These primitive characteristics suggest that H. longdongica may represent an early evolutionary stage of this genus. Furthermore, they indicate that Hispanodorcas might have directly evolved from the Gazella stock. The homonymous twist in the horncore, which aligns with Oiocerini, may be a case of homoplasy.

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    Drishti Paint 3.2: a new open-source tool for both 2D and 3D segmentation
    WANG Meng-Jun, Ajay LIMAYE, LU Jing
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (4): 313-320.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240619
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    X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been an important technology in paleontology for several decades. It helps researchers to acquire detailed anatomical structures of fossils non-destructively. Despite its widespread application, developing an efficient and user-friendly method for segmenting CT data continues to be a formidable challenge in the field. Most CT data segmentation software operates on 2D interfaces, which limits flexibility for real-time adjustments in 3D segmentation. Here, we introduce Curves Mode in Drishti Paint 3.2, an open-source tool for CT data segmentation. Drishti Paint 3.2 allows users to manually or semi-automatically segment the CT data in both 2D and 3D environments, providing a novel solution for revisualizing CT data in paleontological studies.

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    A new small baurioid therocephalian from the Lower Triassic Jiucaiyuan Formation, Xinjiang, China
    LIU Jun, Fernando ABDALA
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (3): 201-224.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240726
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    Several therocephalian species, mainly represented by cranial material from the late Permian, have been reported from China in recent years. Here we describe a tiny new baurioid therocephalian, Jiucaiyuangnathus confusus gen. et sp. nov., from the Jiucaiyuan Formation, Xinjiang, China. The new taxon is represented by a partial snout with occluded partial lower jaw and two postcranial skeletons. Although juvenile in stage, the new species is diagnosed by the following features: round pit in middle of lateral surface of maxilla; lacrimal contact nasal; fossa for dentary tooth on the posterior end of the premaxilla, lateral to the anterior choana; two small vertical triangular ridges extending dorsally and ventrally on the vomerine anterior portion, and bordering a thin vomerine foramen laterally; anterior projection of the lateral part of the frontal on the nasal; symphyseal region of the dentary projected anteriorly; 5 upper premaxillary teeth, upper and lower canines absent, diastema between the last premaxillary upper incisor and first maxillary tooth present, no diastema separating anterior from posterior dentition in the mandible, 10 maxillary teeth and 12 dentary teeth, posterior postcanine expands mesiodistally, having a main large cusps and tiny anterior and posterior accessory cusps in line; neural arches of the atlas fused by the neural spine, neural spine of the axis projected posteriorly, procoracoid foramen lies between procoracoid and scapula. Features of the dentition resembles those of the small baurioid Ericiolacerta parva from South Africa and Silphedosuchus orenburgensis from Russia. The specimens provide the rare opportunity to know in detail the postcranial skeleton of baurioids.

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    The Late Miocene ‘ovibovin’ bovids in Eurasia
    Muhammad ILYAS, LI Qiang, SHI Qin-Qin, NI Xi-Jun
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (4): 262-290.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240902
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    During the Late Miocene, numerous medium to large-sized herbivores, that resemble the living Ovibos in skeletal morphology, dispersed throughout the Holarctic realm and comprised eleven genera: Lantiantragus, Shaanxispira, Tsaidamotherium, Criotherium, Mesembriacerus, Hezhengia, Urmiatherium, Parurmiatherium, Plesiaddax, Sinotragus, and Prosinotragus. These genera are primarily found in eastern Asia, in which nine genera are found in northern China, as well as in countries in eastern Europe and western Asia. They are distinguished by unique characteristics, including a perpendicular braincase, specialized horn cores, and a robust basioccipital. Previous studies have often classified these ‘ovibovin’ bovids as part of the conventional subfamily/tribe Ovibovinae/Ovibovini, along with extant Ovibos. Nevertheless, an increasing number of studies do not support the monophyly of the subfamily/tribe Ovibovinae/Ovibovini, nor is a close relationship likely between these Late Miocene ‘ovibovin’ bovids and extant Ovibos. Among the eleven genera of ‘ovibovin’ bovids, Plesiaddax, Hezhengia, and Urmiatherium are often considered to have a very close relationship and conventionally form the tribe Urmiatheriini. However, previous phylogenetic analyses do not support the monophyly of Urmiatheriini. This paper presents a summary of the transmutation of the terms Ovibovidae/Ovibovinae/Ovibovini/Ovibovina, the temporal and spatial distribution of the Late Miocene ‘ovibovin’ bovids in Eurasia, the principal characteristics of these taxa, and the previous phylogenetic analyses.

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    Osteology of Turfanodon bogdaensis (Dicynodontia)
    SHI Yu-Tai, LIU Jun
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (3): 186-200.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240529
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    Within the dicynodont genus Turfanodon , there are two recognized species, T. bogdaensis and T. jiufengensis . Both species are known by relatively complete cranial materials, but the mandibles and most postcranial bones have been described only for T. jiufengensis . This paper reports new dicynodont specimens from Turpan, Xinjiang, referring them to T. bogdaensis . They can clearly be differentiated from T. jiufengensis by the flatter lateral surface of the snout region, a prominent swelling on the lateral dentary shelf, and the rounded femoral head. The diagnosis of Turfanodon is revised. The combination of a flat circumorbital rim, posterior portion of anterior pterygoid rami with converging ventral ridges, and a possible autapomorphy, a deep notch on scapula forming procoracoid foramen, are confirmed. It also differentiated from all dicynodonts other than Myosaurus , Kembawacela and Lystrosaurus by having accessory ridges lateral to the median palatal ridge.

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    Reassessment of Trilophodon connexus Hopwood, 1935 and attributing it to the Choerolophodontidae
    LI Chun-Xiao, CHEN Jin, WANG Shi-Qi
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (1): 33-46.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.230917
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    Trilophodon connexus Hopwood, 1935 has long been considered a typical species of Gomphotherium in China. However, due to the unknown state of the mandibular symphysis and tusks, there is no definite evidence to assign “T. connexus” to Gomphotherium. Here we describe and reevaluate a hemimandible from the Halamagai Formation, Ulungur region, northern Junggar Basin, which was previously identified as Gomphotherium cf. G. shensiensis. The mandibular symphysis is deeply troughed and lacks mandibular tusks; therefore, it undoubtedly belongs to the Choerolophodontidae. Further comparison revealed that the cheek tooth morphology is identical to that of the type specimen of Trilophodon connexus. The characteristic features include high bunodonty, elongation of the m3 with four lophids, an only weakly chevroned lophid 2, enlargement of the posterior pretrite central conule 2, unfused state of the pretrite mesoconelet 2 (if present) and anterior pretrite central conule 2, as well as the absence of ptychodonty, choerodonty, and cementodonty. Therefore, T. connexus Hopwood, 1935 is a choerolophodontid rather than a species of Gomphotherium. Based on the above features, we provisionally refer to it as “Choerolophodonconnexus. “Choerolophodonconnexus is characterized by the following features: weak or absent ptychodonty, choerodonty, and loph chevron (which were all strong in the typical species of Choerolophodon), as well as multiplication of the lophids in the m3, which were similar to that of the North American Gnathabelodon. Therefore, Gnathabelodon might represent a distinct lineage within the Choerolophodontidae, and may be derived from the East Asian “Choerolophodonconnexus.

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    First histochemical examination of a Miocene ostrich eggshell with the oldest mineral-bound peptides
    WU Qian, PAN Yan-Hong, LI Zhi-Heng, ZHOU Zhong-He, Alida M. BAILLEUL
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (2): 120-134.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240329
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    Because ancient proteins have a higher preservation potential than ancient DNA, proteomic studies can help shed light on the biology of some extinct biological groups that are beyond the reach of the field of ancient DNA. The oldest peptide discovered so far is part of the protein struthiocalcin (SCA-1) involved in eggshell mineralization and found within an ostrich egg from the Late Miocene Linxia Basin of Northwest China. It was originally hypothesized that SCA-1 was evenly distributed within the eggshell and was able to enter the fossil record for so long, because it was bound to calcite crystals. We conducted histological, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopic analyses on this same fossil egg to test if any protein or organic matter could be observed within specific regions of the eggshell and indeed bound to calcite crystals. Our results show that the eggshell is made entirely of calcite except at the base layer, which is made of mammillary knobs at least partially made of apatite. These knobs were secondarily phosphatized during diagenesis. After decalcification of this material, the fossilized mammillary knobs showed fibrous residues consistent in location and morphology with remnants of original organic material forming a network. This network was similar to the organic matrix observed in an extant ostrich eggshell with this same method. The results here suggest that SCA-1 may have been concentrated at the mammillary knobs, rather than evenly throughout the eggshell. Phosphatization may be another taphonomic process that favors organic preservation in deep-time. The paleoclimate and taphonomic environment of the Linxia Basin may have provided favorable conditions for the molecular preservation of this egg. More in-depth histochemical and mineralogical analyses will certainly increase our understanding of organic and ancient protein preservation in this basin.

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    New suoid remains (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) from the Late Miocene of Haritalyangar, India
    Anek R. SANKHYAN, Olivier CHAVASSEAU
    Vertebrata Palasiatica    2024, 62 (1): 69-84.   DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231120
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    We report here a number of mandibular, maxillary and dental fossil remains of Indian Suoidea from the Middle Siwalik of Haritalyangar area in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh, North India. Haritalyangar is well known for the diversity of the Late Miocene fauna and the hominoids and other primates. The suoid remains were collected by one of the authors (ARS) during different field seasons and their localities were plotted on the map, along with those of the proboscidean reported recently, including the hominoid localities. The fossil localities are spread over the ‘Lower Alternations’ and the ‘Upper Alternations’ from Makkan Khad to Sir Khad. We have assigned the fossils into three genera, Propotamochoerus (P. hysudricus), Hippopotamodon (H. sivalense) and Yunnanochoerus (Y. dangari). Propotamochoerus hysudricus represents the most common suid in the Middle Siwaliks. The new remains of the suoid Yunnanochoerus dangari further documents this rare palaeochoerid only known in the Haritalyangar area by a few fossils. The new suoid remains show clear affinities with the Nagri fauna of the Pakistan Siwaliks. Biochronological correlations with the Potwar Plateau based on suoids indicate an age bracket of ~10-9 Ma for the ‘Lower Alternations’ of Haritalyangar, close to the bracket mostly recently proposed on the basis of magnetic polarity stratigraphy.

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