Palaeontology: pterosaur embryo from the Early Cretaceous

Dinosaur embryos have been discovered all over the world, but so far no pterosaur embryos have been reported. Here we describe a Chinese fossil from the Early Cretaceous period containing an embryo that is unambiguously a pterosaur. The embryonic skeleton, which is exquisitely preserved in its egg, is associated with eggshell fragments, wing membranes and skin imprints. This discovery confirms that pterosaurs were egg-layers and sheds new light on our understanding of pterosaur development.     

Palaeontology: pterosaur egg with a leathery shell

The recent discovery of a pterosaur egg with embryonic skeleton and soft tissues from the Yixian Formation confirmed that the flying pterosaurs were oviparous. Here we describe another pterosaur egg whose exquisite preservation indicates that the shell structure was soft and leathery.     

Pterosaur diversity and faunal turnover in Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems in China

New specimens and an analysis of the Jehol pterosaur faunae of northeastern China show an unexpected diversity of flying reptile groups in terrestrial Cretaceous ecosystems. Here we report two new pterosaurs that are referred to European groups previously unknown in deposits of northeastern China. Feilongus youngi, from the Yixian Formation, is closely related to the Gallodactylidae and is distinguished by the presence of two independent sagittal crests and a protruding upper jaw. Nurhachius ignaciobritoi, from the Jiufotang Formation, has teeth formed by labiolingually compressed triangular crowns, only previously reported in Istiodactylus latidens from England. With these new discoveries, the Jehol pterosaurs show a wide range of groups including both primitive and derived forms that are not matched by any other deposit in the world. The discoveries also document the turnover of pterosaur faunae, with the primitive Anurognathidae and early archaeopterodactyloids being replaced by derived pterodactyloids. Furthermore, these deposits offer an opportunity to examine the interaction and competition between birds and pterosaurs--it indicates that the avian fauna during the Lower Cretaceous (and possibly most of the Mesozoic) dominated terrestrial, inland regions, whereas pterosaurs were more abundant in coastal areas.     

Discovery of a pterodactylid pterosaur from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

A well-preserved pterosaur with nearly complete skull is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Sihetun in western Liaoning. It is characterized by a low and long crestless skull, slender and pointed teeth, long metacarpal, nearly equal length of metatarsals I–III and short pedal digit V. It is referred to a new genus and species of the family Pterodactylidae:Haopterus gracilis gen. et sp. nov. This is the first pterosaur with a nearly complete skull from the Jehol Biota; it also represents the first non-controversial fossil record of Pterodactylidae in Asia.Haopterus is more derived thanPterodactylus from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen in Germany. This discovery extends the distribution of the family Pterodactylidae from Europe and Africa to Asia and its latest occurrence from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The discovery ofHaopterus gracilis provides further evidence for the study of the origin and radiation of the Jehol Biota; it also sheds new light on the evolution and distribution of pterosaurs in the late Mesozoic.     

Neuroanatomy of flying reptiles and implications for flight, posture and behaviour

Comparison of birds and pterosaurs, the two archosaurian flyers, sheds light on adaptation to an aerial lifestyle. The neurological basis of control holds particular interest in that flight demands on sensory integration, equilibrium, and muscular coordination are acute. Here we compare the brain and vestibular apparatus in two pterosaurs based on high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) scans from which we constructed digital endocasts. Although general neural organization resembles birds, pterosaurs had smaller brains relative to body mass than do birds. This difference probably has more to do with phylogeny than flight, in that birds evolved from nonavian theropods that had already established trends for greater encephalization. Orientation of the osseous labyrinth relative to the long axis of the skull was different in these two pterosaur species, suggesting very different head postures and reflecting differing behaviours. Their enlarged semicircular canals reflect a highly refined organ of equilibrium, which is concordant with pterosaurs being visually based, aerial predators. Their enormous cerebellar floccular lobes may suggest neural integration of extensive sensory information from the wing, further enhancing eye- and neck-based reflex mechanisms for stabilizing gaze.     

Pterosaurs as part of a spinosaur diet

A remarkable specimen has been discovered of an Early Cretaceous pterosaur that has a tooth embedded in one of its cervical vertebrae: the tooth has been identified as one from a spinosaurid theropod dinosaur. This fossil is direct evidence that spinosaurs included items other than fish in their diet.     

2017年古生物学热点回眸

 2017年国际古生物研究取得了一系列重要进展。本文介绍地球早期生命研究、最古老树木生长模式、生物宏演化、琥珀中的特异保存化石、三维翼龙胚胎、最早的智人等具体成果，希望由此反映国际古生物研究领域的前沿热点及中国古生物学界所做的突出贡献。     

A new pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea,Tapejaridae) from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning,China and its implications for biostratigraphy

In this article we describe a new and exceptionally weel-preserved pterodactyloid pterosaur,Sinopterus dong gen.et sp.nov.from the Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning Province of northeast China,The new species is referred to the family Tapejaridae,representing its first record outside Brazil.It also represents the earliest occurrence as well as the most complete sketeton of the famil.Some revisions are made about the family according to the mophological observations of the postcranial bones of Sinopterus.Two pterosaur assemblages appear to have existed in the Jehol Group,represented by the lower Yixian Formation and upper Jiufotang Formation,respectively,The lower pterosaur assemblage shows some resembalance to that of the Late Jurassic in Solnhofen (Tithonian)by sharing members of the Pterodactylidae and Anurognathidae.The upper one shows more resemblance to that to the Early Cretaceous Santana Formation (Aptian/Albian) by comprising only pterodactyloids such as the Tapejaridae,The age of the Yixian Formation is younger than that of the Solnhofen lihographic limestone ,and the age of the Jiufotang Formation (Aptian )is slightly older than the Santana Formation.     

A nearly completely articulated rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur with exceptionally well-preserved wing membranes and “hairs” from Inner Mongolia, northeast China

We report a new and nearly completely articulated rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur, Jeholopterus ningchengensis gen. et sp. nov., with excellently preserved fibres in the wing membrane and "hairs" in the neck, body and tail regions. Many of its characteristics such as a short neck, short metacarpals and distinctively long fifth pedal digit are characteristic of rhamphorhynchoids. The new species can be further referred to the 'strange' short-tailed rhamphorhynchoid family Anurognathidae. It is much more complete than the other known members of the family, namely, Anurognathus from Solnhofen, Germany, Batrachognathus from Karatau, Kazakhstan, and Dendrorhynchoides from Beipiao, Liaoning Province, China. The new pterosaur also shows that the wing membrane is attached to the ankle of the hind limb. The pedal digits are webbed. Furthermore, the "hair" of Jeholopterus bears some resemblance to the hair-like integumental structures of the feathered dinosaur Sinosauropteryx although there is yet no direct evidence to argue for or against their homology.     

海相化石群落识别的一种方法——以广西六寨泥盆系东岗岭组化石群落的识别为例

化石群落的识别是古代生物群落研究的基础．目前缺少普遍遵循的化石群落识别的原则，识别方法差异很大，这影响了古代群落研究的广度及深度．根据广西六寨泥盆系东岗岭组化石群落的研究实例，所提出的海相化石群落的一种识别方法，为解决识别方法上存在的分歧，提供了一条途径．该方法以注重群落与环境的整体性为原则，在沉积环境确定的基础上，依据化石群总体面貌（化石类型及其相对丰度）与沉积相带类型的对应性，来识别化石群落．     

A Chengjiang-type fossil assemblage from the Hongjingshao Formation （Cambrian Stage 3） at Chenggong,Kunming, Yunnan

A new Chengjiang-type fossil assemblage is reported herein from the lower part of the Hongjingshao Formation at Xiazhuang village of Chenggong,Kunming,Yunnan.The fossil assemblage,named as Xiazhuang fossil assemblage,yields predominantly soft-bodied fossils,including arthropods,brachiopods,priapulids,lobopods and some problematic taxa,with arthropods being the most dominant group.Preservation and composition of the fossil assemblage are very similar to the typical Chengjiang biota,which is preserved in the middle Yu’anshan Formation in the large area of eastern Yunnan.The associated trilobites demonstrate that the soft-bodied fossil assemblage belongs to the late Qiongzhusian in age(Stage 3,Cambrian),suggesting that the Hongjingshao Formation is probably a diachronous lithostratigraphic unit ranging from the upper Qiongzhusian to the lower Canglangpuan stages in eastern Yunnan.The fossil assemblage from the Xiazhuang area fills up the missing link between the typical older Chengjiang biota and the younger Malong and Guanshan biotas,making eastern Yunnan a unique area in the world to reveal the early evolutionary history of animals and palaeocommunity dynamics during the‘‘Cambrian explosion’’.     

A Cretaceous terrestrial snake with robust hindlimbs and a sacrum

It has commonly been thought that snakes underwent progressive loss of their limbs by gradual diminution of their use. However, recent developmental and palaeontological discoveries suggest a more complex scenario of limb reduction, still poorly documented in the fossil record. Here we report a fossil snake with a sacrum supporting a pelvic girdle and robust, functional legs outside the ribcage. The new fossil, from the Upper Cretaceous period of Patagonia, fills an important gap in the evolutionary progression towards limblessness because other known fossil snakes with developed hindlimbs, the marine Haasiophis, Pachyrhachis and Eupodophis, lack a sacral region. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the new fossil is the most primitive (basal) snake known and that all other limbed fossil snakes are closer to the more advanced macrostomatan snakes, a group including boas, pythons and colubroids. The new fossil retains several features associated with a subterranean or surface dwelling life that are also present in primitive extant snake lineages, supporting the hypothesis of a terrestrial rather than marine origin of snakes.     

Lower Cambrian small shelly faunas from Zhejiang (China)and their biostratigraphical implications

Despite a long history of research on the Early Cambrian in China most available data on small skeletal fossils concern fossil associations of the shallow carbonate platform. Information on skeletal fossils from marginal shelf environments of the Yangtze Platform is scanty, which may reflect the rarity of fossils in deeper sedimentary environments but is also due to limitation of carbonate distribution and outcrops, difficulties in fossil extraction, and a general research focus on the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary beds on the carbonate platform. Here we present a documentation of Meishucunian to Qiongzhusian small skeletal fossils from the lower Hetang Formation and the chert unit at its base from the Jiangshan region, Zhejiang Province, representing a relatively deep shelf environment compared to the inner shelf region. The earliest association (Meishucunian) from the chert unit underlying the Hetang Formation is mainly characterized by the occurrence of Protohertzina anabarica, P. unguliformis, Fengzuella zhejiangensis, and Kaiyangites novilis, which differs somewhat in composition from SSF-associations of typical inner shelf deposits. The enigmatic skeletal fossil Fengzuella zhejiangensis, which exhibits an unusual secretional growth mode previously unrecognized from the Early Cambrian, is described in detail. A younger (Qiongzhusian) fossil association contains numerous arthropod remains, such as disarticulated spines of arthropods (Jiangshanodus- and Kijacus-type), which have previously been considered as conodont-like fossils, and bradoriid valves.     

Using the fossil record to estimate the age of the last common ancestor of extant primates

Divergence times estimated from molecular data often considerably predate the earliest known fossil representatives of the groups studied. For the order Primates, molecular data calibrated with various external fossil dates uniformly suggest a mid-Cretaceous divergence from other placental mammals, some 90 million years (Myr) ago, whereas the oldest known fossil primates are from the basal Eocene epoch (54-55 Myr ago). The common ancestor of primates should be earlier than the oldest known fossils, but adequate quantification is needed to interpret possible discrepancies between molecular and palaeontological estimates. Here we present a new statistical method, based on an estimate of species preservation derived from a model of the diversification pattern, that suggests a Cretaceous last common ancestor of primates, approximately 81.5 Myr ago, close to the initial divergence time inferred from molecular data. It also suggests that no more than 7% of all primate species that have ever existed are known from fossils. The approach unites all the available palaeontological methods of timing evolutionary events: the fossil record, extant species and clade diversification models.     

TIMS U-series ages of speleothems from the Tangshan caves, Nanjing

U-series ages of a set of speleothem samples from the two caves near Tangshan Town, Nanjing, determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), range from older than 500 KaBP to around 20 kaBP. These dated speleothems with unequivocal stratigraphic layers in cave sediments provide basic data to establish a geochronologic sequence for the cave sediments. Together with the buried layers of two hominid craniums, it is argued that the two fossil craniums, probably transported into the cave, deposited in different geological periods. The ages of one flowstone sample and stalagmites mark an upper limit of 500 KaBP for geochronology of No. 1 fossil cranium, and suggest No. 2 fossil cranium deposited within the age range of 500–240 KaBP.     

A fossil owl monkey from La Venta, Colombia

Knowledge of the evolutionary history of living New World anthropoids is limited by a relatively poor fossil record. The discovery in 1986 of a new fossil monkey from the middle Miocene deposits of La Venta, Colombia, 12-15 million years ago (Myr BP), is the first example of a living New World monkey genus appearing in Tertiary rocks. Including anatomical evidence of the dentition and facial skull, it provides an unambiguous link between a Neogene fossil and the owl monkey, Aotus, the only modern crepuscular-nocturnal anthropoid primate. This new form brings to three the number of La Venta fossil monkeys which preserve excellent dentitions sharing extensive similarities with modern genera. All of these species are potentially ancestral to their extant relatives. The La Ventan Aotus is additional support for the idea that the modern platyrrhine radiation includes long-lived genera or generic lineages, some of which may be traceable to the early Miocene, 20 Myr BP.     

哈密翼龙及其3D胚胎化石研究

 翼龙是地球上第一类飞向天空也是唯一绝灭的飞行脊椎动物，人类对其产卵繁殖、生长发育和生活习性等方面的了解还十分有限。本文介绍了一件超过200枚哈密翼龙蛋、胚胎和骨骼化石三位一体保存的重要标本，包括16枚翼龙蛋含有三维立体的胚胎化石。针对这件全世界首次发现的3D翼龙胚胎，研究提出哈密翼龙具有相对早熟的胚胎发育模式，其后肢发育速度较前肢快，孵化之后只能走不能飞；胚胎发育期间牙齿尚未萌出，出生后还需要父母照料；从胚胎到亚成年都具有快速生长的骨骼结构；显示哈密翼龙具有群居的生活习性，白垩纪的湖泊风暴导致其集群死亡并快速埋藏。     

Periodicity of Retzius lines in fossil <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pongo</Emphasis> from South China

Periodicity of Retzius lines is a key factor in dental development. In this study, we examined the periodicity of Retzius lines in fossil Pongo from South China using polarized light microscope observation of dental ground sections. The periodicities all of the 15 teeth were 9 d. Comparisons of periodicity were made with extant primates, fossil apes and hominins. Periodicity of fossil Pongo from South China was relatively long but fell within the variation of extant Pongo, Gorilla and modern human, and longer than periodicity of Pan and other extant primates. Fossil Pongo from South China was similar to Lufengpithecus and Sivapithecus, shorter than Gigantopithecus and longer than European and African fossil apes and most early hominins in periodicity. Generally, the periodicities of Asian large-body fossil apes were longer than the periodicities of European and African large-body fossil apes in Miocene. Difference among species and trend of evolution in periodicity were analyzed and discussed. We found that periodicity might gradually increase from Proconsul in early Miocene to several fossil apes in Miocene and then Gigantopithecus in Pleistocene. In addition, this study made correlate analysis between periodicity and body mass respectively in males and females of six extant apes and five fossil apes, and found that periodicity positively correlated with body mass.     

北京丰台地区新发现的一件人枕骨化石的研究

本文旨在对1987年“北京丰台地区新发现的一具人枕骨化石”进行初步探讨。我们对枕骨、骨壁、枕外脊、枕脊三角小区,枕脊及枕外粗隆等形态特征进行分析对照和研究,从而推导出这样的结论:该枕骨化石的年代不会少于一万年,它可能处于化石智人向现代人过渡的位置上。     

我国能源开发利用的出路与前景

煤、石油、天然气被称为高污染能源。太阳能、水力、风力和地热等被称为清洁能源。由于社会经济的高速发展,能源需求和消耗数量越来越大。人类面临煤、石油和天然气等化石能源资源短缺,以及在不久的将来化石能源资源枯竭的困境。开发利用化石能源的替代能源,迫在眉睫。水力、风力和地热的开发利用,受到地理条件的限制。到达地球表面的太阳能能量密度很低,开发利用的技术成本居高不下。水电项目开发对江河自由通航的不利影响,对于鱼类洄游,以及对人文景观、文物古迹造成的永久性破坏,有目共睹。尽管由于日本福岛核电事故的影响,人们对核能开发利用颇多质疑和诟病,但是与其他许多能源开发利用项目相比,核能开发利用并非是危险性最高的项目。根据开发成本和对于环境的影响的评估,核能依然是最现实、最有可能替代化石能源的能源资源。积极、稳妥、适当地开发利用核能,是人类走出化石能源资源短缺困境,应对即将到来的化石能源资源枯竭,满足社会经济发展对于能源的巨大需求的一条十分重要的出路。