A newly discovered frog species found in Australia

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Biologists discovered a new species of the tree frog genus and redescribed another Litrea Living on the Australian continent.

Swirling wooden frog (Litrea Reverata). Image credit: Stephen Mahony.

Litrea The large genus of tree frogs native to Australia, including the Bismarck Islands, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands and the Moluccan Islands.

This genus contains approximately 100 species and belongs to the monomorphic subfamily liriinae within the family Perodridae family.

A newly discovered species named Eungella Whirring Frog (Litoria eungellensis) and lives only 20km² The cool Montertaine temperature forests in Queensland's Enguera Mountains are above 900 m above sea level.

This frog is separated by several hundred km from its nearest relative.Litrea Kolbeni).

These two species survive only in isolated, cool, humid, high altitude environments, with few opportunities to shift their habitat as temperatures rise.

“The 'adapt or corruption' mantra does not apply equally to a species,” said Professor Michael Mahony of Newcastle University.

“The frogs are literally running out of space. They are nowhere to be left because the climate model is isolated on the summit to predict warm, dry conditions.”

Dr. Luke Price, a researcher at the Museum of South Australia, said:

“Wet tree frogs only occur in wet forest habitats, and therefore occupy the wet forest habitats interconnected along a large divisional range from northeastern New South Wales to Tablelands in Atherton. I'm sure he was. Current experience.”

“We're not talking about climate warming related to human influences or greenhouse effects, we're talking about much older changes related to continental movements and global meteorological distribution.”

Researchers have also revealed this Litoria eungellensis and Litrea KolbeniDespite its similar appearance, the bright mustard yellowish body with red spots hidden behind the legs – has evolved separately for at least 1.5 million years.

The subtle differences in mating calls and genetic analysis confirmed their distinct evolutionary pathways.

“Litoria eungellensis Currently, it holds the enviable title of one of Australia's top 10 frogs.

“Species that are limited to such small areas face immeasurable risks, from wildfires to pollution events. One catastrophic event has managed to wipe them out completely.”

“The observation that species are confined to isolated patches of high-altitude cool rainforest habitat suggests that they are already living at biological limits, and due to climate warming, species are in the form of a sinus. There's no place to enlarge or move around.”

“A similar situation occurs Litrea Kolbenibut it is slightly larger. ”

Both species meet the United Nations for conservation standards for listed as Critical at riskmainly due to their limited distribution and the increased threat of climate change.

“These frogs already live at biological limits,” Professor Mahoney said.

“Their survival depends on active conservation efforts, as there is no place to move.”

On the other hand, it's more broad Litrea Reverata It appears to be less threatened when seen in New South Wales and southeast Queensland.

But the obvious stability of Litrea Reverata His assessment of no formal surveillance of this kind and not threatened may be more so because it is based solely on observations from interested biologists and community scientists,” said Dr. Price. I did.

The findings highlight the urgent need to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change on vulnerable species.

“We need to realize that not all species can adapt quickly enough,” Professor Mahoney said.

“Target conservation and habitat protection are essential to prevent these unique frogs from disappearing forever.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Zootaxa.

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Luke C. Price et al. 2025. Systematic evaluation of molecular genetic, morphological and acoustic variation reveals three species Litrea Reverata Complexes (Anal: Perodridae). Zootaxa 5584(3):301-338; doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5584.3.1

Source: www.sci.news

Identification of a newly discovered species of long-necked marine reptiles from the Triassic era in China.

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of small dinophalosaurid archosauromorph from a fossilized skeleton found in China’s Yunnan province.

Holotype of Austronaga Minuta Most of the caudal vertebrae, which were found in looping in Yunnan Province, China, were found, and preserved in the skull, anterior cervical spine, and blocks. Image credit: Wang et al. , doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231013.

Austronaga Minuta lived in the Thetis Sea during the Middle Triassic period around 244 million years ago.

This new species is an Archosauromorph, a member of a group that contains all forms more closely related to it (such as Crocodilians and dinosaurs, etc.) than Lepidosaurs.

Ancient reptiles are sister species Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, another amazing marine reptile from the Triassic period in central China.

“The Medium Triassic in southern China has produced a prominent marine vertebrate assembly that dramatically alters the understanding of the Tethys Sea and its coastline biota,” says Vertebrate paleontology and paleontology. A colleague and colleague at the institute said. National Geopark.

“The Triassic non-quadrilateral alxaulmorph group holds an important position in these findings.”

“They were traditionally called prototrosauria or prototrosaurs, but are now considered paraphrasing groups.”

“One species belonging to this group of reptiles, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis one of the most interesting reptiles discovered in recent years from the Triassic period in southern China,” they added.

“Its very elongated neck reminds me of a similar condition as seen in the ausauromorph, another aquatic creature. Tanistrophius. ”

“Both species have more than twice the necks as the trunk.”

“Yunnan’s new non-crocodile Archosauromorph shares many features Dinocephalosaurus And along with the latter, it can be distinguished from other long-necked Archosauromorphs. ”

“However, this new species also exhibits many different anatomical features. Dinocephalosaurus therefore, new genus and species have been proposed. ”

A small but mature skeletal specimen of Austronaga Minuta was recovered from the Guanling Formation in Waina village in Yunnan Province, southwestern China.

“The specimen is very compacted, but contains almost completely completely complete, with the anterior part of the skull joint with the skull, and most of the caudal tail of about 60.” The paleontologist said.

Their phylogenetic analysis shows that Austronaga Minuta With Dinocephalosaurus and Pektden It forms a clade representing the Dinocephalosauridae of the Archosauromorph family.

New marine reptiles probably had an aquatic or semi-aquatic lifestyle.

“The dentition Austronaga It's less specialized than that Tanistrophius and Dinocephalosaurus yet they have enlarged teeth like these species. This corresponds to the food possibilities of small aquatic animals, such as fish and cephalopods,” the researchers said.

“Other potential indicators for aquatic movement are Austronaga. ”

“The elaborate structure of the caudal neural spines and chevrons is only observed in Austronaga and Dinocephalosaurus Among these non-crocopodan alxaulmorphs. ”

“These structures of the tail are not essential for aquatic propulsion, taking into account the absence of other aquatic reptiles and even some aquatic lines.”

“Nevertheless, similar morphology converges in many aquatic reptiles: caudal neural spines like plates have been developed in basal fishy disease. Sclerocormus and Chaohusaurus. ”

“The T-shaped chevron is found in the mysterious Zauroptari horn Atopodentatus and with primitive placedonts Paraplacodos and Placodus. ”

“Therefore, we consider the morphology of the caudal vertebrae. Austronaga Suitable for aquatic or at least semi-aquatic animals. ”

Findings are reported in a paper In the journal Palasiatica spine.

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W. Wang et al. 2024. A small dinophalosaurid archosauromorph from the Triassic period in central Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Palasiatica spine 62(1):13-32; doi:10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.231013

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered species of ankylosaurus verified in China

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of an ankylosaurid dinosaur has been discovered in China’s Kangdaliang Mountain (1,262 meters above sea level).

There are two Ankylosaurs. Image credit: Stuart Pond.

Tianzenosaurus Chengi roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous Period, between 84 and 72 million years ago.

This ancient species belonged to the ankylosaurus group of armored dinosaurs that inhabited the planet from the mid-Jurassic period to the late Cretaceous period.

These intriguing creatures were recognized for their robust armor made of bony plates known as osteoderms.

These plates covered their backs and sides, providing defense against predators.

One distinctive feature of many ankylosaurid species, including Tianzenosaurus Chengi, was a large bony club at the end of its tail, which could be used as a potent weapon against predators.

The fossilized remains of this new species were unearthed in the second layer of the Late Cretaceous Huiquanpu Formation in Shanxi Province, China.

“The skull of the new species is flat and low, adorned with irregular bony plates on the roof, a rounded occipital bone slightly surpassing the skull’s roof, and a short, small, and flat bony projection at the back. These skull features differentiate it from Tianchisaurus from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, during the Middle Jurassic period, Shamosaurus from Mongolia in the early Cretaceous period, Ankylosaurus from the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, and Euoplocephalus not only from North America but also from Pinacosaurus from the Late Cretaceous of China and Mongolia,” as stated by Dr. Qiqing Pang and colleagues from Hebei Geographical University.

Tianzenosaurus Chengi shares its discovery location with another known species of this genus, Tianzenosaurus Yongi.

“The identification of this new species not only offers rare ankylosaurian fossil findings from China but also provides valuable insights for the study of ankylosaurian taxonomy, migration, evolution, and the paleobiogeography of Cretaceous dinosaur fauna. This discovery holds significance,” remarked the paleontologists.

Their published paper can be found in the Hebei Geography University Journal.

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Pan Chi Ching et al. 2024. New species of an ankylosaurid dinosaur — Tianzenosaurus Chengi sp. nov., Late Cretaceous, Tianzhen County, Shanxi Province, China. Hebei Geography University Journal 6; doi: 10.13937/j.cnki.hbdzdxxb.2024.06.006

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered Silurian fossils provide insight into the intricate early development of molluscs

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered two new three-dimensionally preserved aculiferous mollusks from the Silurian period, showing that the earliest molluscs were more complex and adaptable than previously known. It was revealed that there was.

3D model of punk ferox (above) and emo swirl (Bottom) Reconstructed as a digital virtual fossil. Image credit: Mark Sutton, Imperial College London.

The two new Aculifera species are punk ferox and emo swirllived about 430 million years ago.

The specimen was discovered in a Silurian deposit in the county of Herefordshire, England.

These had distinctive spikes and other features that set them apart from the earlier molluscs mentioned above.

Dr Mark Sutton, a paleontologist at Imperial College London, said: “Molluscans are one of the largest and most diverse groups of animals on Earth.

“However, early acripheran molluscs are less well known than their relatives.”

“Information about this group was limited, and for a very long time we thought they were fairly basic, simple, and primitive.”

“It's extremely rare to find fossils that are so well-preserved and have such detailed soft tissues.”

“We were able to create 'virtual fossils', or 3D digital models. This provided us with a treasure trove of information and revealed that the evolutionary branches of molluscs include: It helps you understand that punk ferox and emo swirl It was much more evolutionarily rich and diverse than we expected. similar to other mollusk groups. ”

Sutton and his colleagues used two different methods to obtain clear images of both the interior and exterior of the fossil.

First, an X-ray scan was used to closely observe the internal structure without damaging the exterior.

The fossil is then carefully crushed into very thin layers and photographed at each stage to create 3D images of its external features.

The researchers found that both fossils had smooth undersides, suggesting they lived on the ocean floor, and both had some unique features and unconventional locomotion strategies.

of emo swirl The fossil is preserved in a folded position, suggesting it moved like an inchworm to grasp the vertebrae and push forward.

Meanwhile, how punk ferox Scientists weren't sure if it was still mobile, but it turned out that it had ridge-like legs, unlike any mollusk that exists today.

“The name is punk ferox and emo swirl In fact, our first nicknames for these ancient mollusks were inspired by some of their unique features and personalities,” Dr. Sutton said.

“punk ferox In particular, its spiky appearance clearly resembles a rebellious punk rocker. emo swirl It complemented it nicely. ”

“meanwhile punk ferox They resemble insect-like molluscs with long spines, but also have wide legs and chiton-like gills. ”

“emo swirlIt resembles an earthworm with a similarly long body and spines, but also features a chiton-like shell and compressed body. ”

“Such a combination of features helps us better understand the evolutionary tree of molluscs. This points to a story involving more complexity and diversity than previously thought.”

of study Published in a magazine nature.

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MD Sutton others. New Silurian aculiferan fossils reveal the mollusk's complex early history. naturepublished online on January 8, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08312-0

Source: www.sci.news

Argentina is home to the oldest newly discovered species of pterosaur

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of Monophenestratan pterosaur has been identified from partial and postcranial fossils discovered in the Chubut province of Patagonia, Argentina. named Mercamtel Pateco an ancient flying reptile that predates the currently oldest members of the Monophenestrata clade by at least 8 million and perhaps 10 million years.

rebuilding the life of Mercamtel Pateco. Image credit: Pedro Andrade.

Mercamtel Pateco They lived in what is now Argentina during the most recent Early Jurassic period, 184 to 174 million years ago.

The ancient species is a member of Monophenestrata a large clade of pterosaurs consisting of Darwinoptera, Anurognatidae, and Pterodactylidae.

“Pterosaurs were the first clade of actively flying tetrapods that achieved great success during the Mesozoic Era, achieving a worldwide distribution from the Triassic to the Cretaceous.” Dr. Alexandra Fernandes researchers from the Bavarian National Institute of Paleontology and Geology and colleagues in Germany and Argentina.

“Meanwhile, the pterosaur Bauplan transitioned from the basal non-monophenestratan ‘non-pterodactyloid’ body shape to a more derived pterodactyloid body shape. ”

“This evolutionary event has become better understood in recent years with the recognition of the Darwinoptera clade. Darwinoptera primarily exhibit a variety of morphological attributes during this transition and are considered to be “non-pterodactyl”. It has been considered to be an “intermediate” monofenid, combining the plesiomorphic features of “.” It has wing-like characteristics. ”

“Records of Mesozoic pterosaurs are abundant in the Northern Hemisphere, but records from the Southern Hemisphere are relatively sparse.”

“Although it is possible that Argentinians may be excluded, all carpNon-pterodactyl monophenestratan pterosaurs have so far been found only in the Northern Hemisphere, namely Britain, Germany, and China, and first appeared during the Batonian period (168 to 165 million years ago). ). ”

“The apparent success of these monofenid forms and their pterodactyl descendants replaced the Rhamphorhynchus body form (which disappeared in the early Cretaceous) and survived until extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.”

“However, there is still a lack of knowledge about monofenestral stratus in nonpterodonts, especially in terrestrial depositional environments.”

discovered by paleontologists Mercamtel PatecoThe fossilized remains of – a portion of the skull, two associated teeth, and some postcranial elements – are located at the Queso Lajad site in the Canadon Asphalt Formation.

They also found an isolated tooth of a ctenochasmatid pterosaur pterosaur at the same location.

“The Canadon Asphalt Formation is widespread in the north-central Chubut province of Argentina,” they said.

“This is part of the deposits of the Canadon Asphalt Basin, a large half-graben structure in central Patagonia that opened with the onset of the South Atlantic during the Early Jurassic.”

“The production area of Queso Laryado is located approximately 5.5 km northwest of the village of Cerro Condor in the middle reaches of the Rio Chubut River.''

“The Fossil Formation is a 0.8 meter thick carbonate, partially silicified mudstone underlying the Canadon Asphalt Formation.”

According to the researchers, Mercamtel Pateco This marks the world's earliest appearance of a monophenestratan pterosaur, predating the current oldest member of this clade by at least 8 million and perhaps 10 million years.

This species is also the first and only non-pterodactyl monophenestratan to inhabit the supercontinent of Gondwana.

“Mercamtel Pateco “This is the most conclusive evidence to date for the existence of Monophenestrata in the Late Late Jurassic, and the novel traits expressed in this new species also contribute to morphological diversity.” The scientists concluded.

“Furthermore, if confirmed by future discoveries, the possible existence of Ctenochasmatidae, currently indicated by a single tooth, would not only place the origin of pterodactyls in the Early Jurassic, but also their early diversification. It may even indicate that it already happened in that era.”

“While our understanding of long-term pterosaur diversity and dispersal has traditionally been dominated by Northern Hemisphere Lagerstätten, high phylogenetic diversity of Early Jurassic pterosaurs also existed in Gondwana. It is now clear that the Canadon Asphalt Formation is the only one that now shows evidence for at least three different species. ”

“This further highlights that we still lack knowledge about the Jurassic pterosaur fauna of Gondwana, and while we await further field sampling and recovery of pterosaur fossils, the southern hemisphere probably someday It is clear that there is an inherent potential to match the abundance of the hemisphere. “

discovery of Mercamtel Pateco is reported in paper in a diary Royal Society Open Science.

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Alexandra E. Fernandez others. 2024. The oldest monophenestratan pterosaur from the Queso Rayado region (Toarcian, Canadon Asphalt Formation), Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. R. Soc. Open Science 11(12):241238;doi: 10.1098/rsos.241238

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Hairy Pitcher Plant Resembling an Orangutan Found in Borneo

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The orange fur on the underside is Nepenthes The leaves are why this plant is named after an orangutan

Alviana Damit

A newly described species of Nepenthes, one of the largest and furriest species ever discovered, has been identified in the wild mountains of Malaysian Borneo.

The back of the leaf is Nepenthes The team that discovered the plant in May 2023 decided to name it after the native Borneo orangutan because of its thick, rust-colored fur.Pongo Pygmaas) People who share the Meriow Mountains in central Sabah.

“It's certainly not as hairy as an orangutan. It's more like a really hairy-chested human,” he says. alastair robinson At the Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. “But the color is almost the same as orangutan fur.”

He suggests that the plant may have a common name: orangutan pitcher plant. Robinson and his colleagues discovered just 39 plants during their two expeditions, which they say are at high risk of extinction if not protected from poaching by collectors.

Mr Robinson said there was evidence that poachers had entered the area and stolen the specimens even before arriving at the scene, as the plants had been sold online.

Nepenthes A genus of carnivorous plants found throughout the tropics of Southeast Asia and parts of the Pacific Ocean and consisting of more than 160 species. It is very popular in the black market horticulture industry because its leaves form spectacular water containers. In the wild, animals fall into these pitchers and drown before being consumed by the digestive enzymes produced by plants.

Mr Robinson said that because the mountain is “essentially a rock mountain”, there is no running water above 300 meters, so the pickasaw is often the only water source for local wildlife. states.

Their jugs reach 45 centimeters in length and can hold much more than 2 liters of water. They're “like their own little ecosystem,” Robinson says.

This new species was first photographed in 2004, but was mistaken for a known variety. “I've been studying Nepenthes “I have lived in Borneo for many years and this species is the furriest species I have ever come across,” says a team member. Alviana Damit At the Forest Research Center in Sandakan, Malaysia. “Naming it after an orangutan is the perfect tribute.”

topic:

plant/
endangered species

Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly Discovered ‘Vampire’ Hedgehog Found Among 234 New Species in Asia

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Vampire-like Hedgehog Hylomys Macaron

Alexei V. Abramov

In 2023, scientists in Southeast Asia’s Greater Mekong River region described an astonishing 234 new species. The discovery was announced in 2023. Report from the nature conservation organization WWF173 species of plants, 26 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians, 15 species of fish, and 3 species of mammals.

Since 1997, more than 3,500 new plant and vertebrate species have been identified in the region covered by this report, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with an average of 130 new species per year. I’m going up.

Here, we introduce six new species, including a hairy hedgehog named after a vampire, an almost invisible dragon lizard, and an endangered leafless orchid.

Hiromiz macaron

The furry hedgehog family pictured above is endemic to Vietnam. Hiromiz macaron It may seem innocuous, but its name is Macaron Means vampire in Vietnamese. It gets its name thanks to its long, pointed fangs, which remain hidden in this photo.

Hyposideros Kingston

This small leaf-nosed bat lives from Thailand to Borneo. confirmed by DNA analysis Hyposideros Kingston It was born as a new species in 2023.

It’s not known where these tiny bats, which weigh just 4.9 to 7 grams, roost. It has been seen near large limestone caves, suggesting that it may be hiding there, but it is also possible that it lives far from known caves, hiding in the hollows of trees. It is also possible that they are building a roost.

Laodracon calusticola

You need keen eyesight to spot this small lizard (Laodracon calusticola), which lives high on the tops of rugged karsts in Laos, which may explain why this species has been ignored by scientists until now. One of the earliest known sightings of this lizard was by a zipline tour guide.

Zhangixalus melanoleucus

This lime green tree frog (Zhangixalus melanoleucus) was discovered at an altitude of 2000 meters in the evergreen forest of Mount Phu Samsoon in northern Laos. Although the region is home to many other endemic species, it is one of the least studied regions in Asia.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly Uncovered Massive Energy Reserve Found Beneath Earth’s Crust

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The issue of energy consumption and its sources has always been a significant concern in the context of the climate crisis. In response, efforts are being made to utilize cleaner and newer fuels. Recently, a groundbreaking discovery of vast reservoirs of hydrogen energy hiding beneath the Earth’s surface has emerged, prompting questions about its potential impact.

Naturally occurring geological hydrogen is formed through Earth’s geochemical processes and has been identified in limited locations such as Albania and Mali. Research published in the journal Scientific Progress suggests that these reserves are widespread globally.

The study posits that if just 2 percent of the underground hydrogen could be extracted, it could yield 1.4 × 10^16 Joules of energy, equivalent to the world population’s energy consumption in 35 minutes. This amount of energy exceeds that of all natural gas reserves on Earth and could aid in achieving net-zero carbon goals.

While current methods for obtaining hydrogen involve fossil fuels or water-intensive electrolysis processes with a carbon footprint, extracting geological hydrogen is a comparatively low-carbon process, albeit currently practiced only in Mali.

Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey have developed a model combining knowledge of hydrogen occurrence and geological data to explore these reservoirs on a global scale, estimating a substantial amount of hidden hydrogen beneath the Earth’s surface.

However, experts are hesitant about committing resources to extraction due to the scale and infrastructure required, as highlighted by geoscientist Professor Bill McGuire from University College London (UCL). He emphasizes the abundance of renewable energy sources like wind and solar and questions the necessity of tapping into another finite resource.

About our experts

Professor Bill McGuire is a volcanologist, climatologist, and author currently serving as Professor of Geophysics and Climate Hazards at UCL. His works include books on natural disasters, environmental change, and climate solutions.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Newly found predatory crustacean within the depths of the Atacama Trench

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

of atacama trench It stretches along the eastern South Pacific, dropping to depths of more than 8,000 meters off the coast of northern Chile.

dursibela kamanchakaholotype female. Image credit: Weston others., doi: 10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430.

The deepest 45% of the ocean (6,000-11,000 m), the Hadar Zone, contains high levels of undiscovered biodiversity.

Most geological formations are characterized by grooves formed in subduction zones between tectonic plates, which are formed by a series of unique external and internal factors.

The Atacama Trench, or Peru-Chile Trench, is one of the most geographically isolated landforms, located beneath eutrophic surface waters and characterized by high sediment loads.

This trench is known to host highly distinctive faunal assemblages driven by a combination of these isolating factors.

“The deep sea is a vast trove of new species for science, and each discovery deepens our ecological understanding of these remote ecosystems,” said researcher Johanna Weston of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and colleagues.

“One such island-like ecosystem is the Atacama Trench, where unique endemic communities exist at hadal depths (more than 6,000 meters).”

“Unlike other Hadal subduction ditch communities, it is a predatory (non-predatory) amphipod It has not been documented or collected from the Atacama Trench. ”

The newly discovered species dursibela kamanchakathe first large active predatory amphipod discovered at these extreme depths.

This crustacean, about 4 cm long, uses specialized raptor appendages to capture and prey on small amphipods in food-limited areas of the Atacama Trench.

“Most interestingly, the DNA and morphological data indicate that this species is also a new genus, highlighting the Atacama Trench as a unique hotspot,” Dr. Weston said. .

The discovery was made during the 2023 Integrated Deep Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) expedition. R/V Abate Molina.

4 dursibela kamanchaka Individuals were collected using a lander at a depth of 7,902 m. Landers are untethered platforms used to shuttle scientific equipment, such as baited traps, to the ocean floor and back.

“The collaborative and integrative approach of this research is confirmed.” dursibela kamanchaka This is a new species discovered and highlights the ongoing discovery of biodiversity in the Atacama Trench,” said Dr. Carolina González, a researcher at the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía.

“This discovery highlights the importance of continued deep-sea exploration, especially in the Chilean forecourt.”

“We expect more discoveries as we continue to study the Atacama Trench.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper in a diary Systematics and biodiversity.

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Joanna New Jersey Weston others. 2024. A new large predator (family Lycoptidae, Eucilidae) hiding in the depths of the Atacama Trench. Systematics and biodiversity 22 (1): 2416430;doi: 10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered species of ancient hominid: Homo juruensis

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Homo juruensis Emerging human species, including the mysterious Denisovans and several hominid fossils from Tibet, Taiwan and Laos, lived in East Asia from about 300,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Portrait of a young Denisovan woman based on a skeletal profile reconstructed from ancient DNA methylation maps. Image credit: Maayan Harel.

“Our research uncovered a hominin fossil record that tended to include things that were not easily attributable. homo erectus, homo neanderthalensis or homo sapiens'' said the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Professor Christopher Bay and Dr. Wu Xiujie from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“We started this project several years ago, but we never expected that we would be able to propose a new hominin species, and even classify Asian hominid fossils into different groups. In general, this should be useful for scientific communication.”

“This research is important because it will help scientists better understand the complex story of human evolution in Asia and fill gaps in our understanding of our ancient relatives.”

reconstruction of homo floresiensis. Image credit: Elizabeth Danes.

The authors suggest that there are at least four human species. homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, Homolonghiand the newly established Homo juruensis — Existed in East Asia during the late Quaternary period.

Homo juruensis They lived in East Asia about 300,000 years ago, hunted wild horses in small groups, made stone tools and probably processed animal skins to survive, and disappeared about 50,000 years ago. Ta.

“The field of late Quaternary East Asian paleoanthropology is in the midst of significant and important changes, largely due to the growth of the hominin fossil record, as we look to change these evolutionary models. “This is a major contribution to how we understand and refine this approach,” the researchers said.

“This field in particular was shocked 20 years ago with the publication of this little book. homo floresiensis Fossils discovered on Flores Island, Indonesia in 2004. ”

“Just recently, another small species… Homo luzonensisAn individual living on the island of Luzon in the Philippines has been added as a new hominin. ”

“In China, Homo longhi It was published after the analysis of Harbin fossils. ”

“Fossils like Dali and Jinyushan may be tentatively included.” Homolonghi Similarly, we await further comparative analysis. ”

“More recently, after detailed studies of the Xujiayao and Xuchang fossils, we have added: Homo juruensis to these discussions. ”

Reconstruction of Homolonghi In his habitat. Image credit: Chuang Zhao.

Importantly, along with the Xiahe people, scientists have also assigned the mysterious Denisovans. Penghu CountyTam Ngu Hao 2 fossil, Homo juruensis.

Although further research is clearly needed to verify this relationship, it is primarily based on similarities between jaw and tooth fossils from these different locations.

“The East Asian hominin fossil record is a good example of how unilinear evolutionary models, such as traditional multiregionalism, cannot adequately account for the complexity of the paleoanthropological record, especially in the late Quaternary.” the authors concluded.

“Rather, the East Asian record prompts us to recognize how complex human evolution is more generally, and to revise the interpretations of various evolutionary models to better match the growing fossil record.” , it’s really forcing us to reconsider.”

Their paper Published in a magazine nature communications.

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CJ Bae & X. Wu. 2024. Understanding late Quaternary hominin diversity in East Asia. Nat Commune 15, 9479;doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53918-7

Source: www.sci.news

Study finds newly discovered chemicals in drinking water could be harmful

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

overview

A recent study has identified a new chemical byproduct that may be present in the tap water of approximately one-third of U.S. households. The potential dangers of this byproduct are still unknown.
Researchers are currently investigating the toxicity of this newly discovered chemical due to its similarities to other concerning chemicals.

A study revealed that around one-third of U.S. residents are consuming tap water containing a previously unidentified chemical byproduct. Concerns about the potential toxicity of this chemical have led scientists to closely examine it.

The newly identified substance, known as ‘chloronitramid anion’, is created during the water treatment process involving chloramine, which is produced by combining chlorine and ammonia. Chloramines are commonly used in municipal water treatment to eliminate viruses and bacteria.

Although the existence of this byproduct was discovered four decades ago, recent advancements in analytical techniques have now enabled scientists to determine its structure. It has only recently been identified.

While it may take several years to ascertain the potential dangers of the chlornitramide anion, researchers from the study published their findings in the journal Science to prompt further research on its safety.

Researchers noted that there is currently no conclusive evidence indicating that the compound is harmful, but its widespread detection and structural similarities to other concerning chemicals warrant thorough investigation.

Research showed that the chlornitramide anion is a byproduct formed as chloramine deteriorates over time, indicating that it is likely present in all water treated using this method.

The discovery of potentially hazardous byproducts in tap water underscores the importance of understanding the health implications of water treatment chemicals. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of these substances.

Regulations requiring the monitoring and control of disinfectant byproducts are prompting water utilities to shift towards using chloramines over chlorine, as some chlorine byproducts have been linked to health risks.

While conclusive findings on the toxicity of the newly identified chemical may take years, ongoing research aims to minimize public exposure to potential health risks associated with water treatment chemicals.

Many water utilities in the U.S. disclose information on their treatment processes and potential byproducts, suggesting the use of activated carbon filters in household purifiers to remove disinfectant byproducts.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Newly discovered marine reptile species from the Triassic period.

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have described a new species of pachypleurosaur that lived during the mid-Triassic period in southwestern China.

holotype of Dianmeisaurus mutaensis From the Guanling Formation, China: (A) Skeleton seen from the back. (B) Equivalent to (A). Scale bar – 1 cm. Image credit: Hu others., doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4.

Dianmeisaurus mutaensis They lived in what is now China during the Anisian period of the mid-Triassic period, about 245 million years ago.

What is an ancient species? Pachyprourosaurus a group of primitive sauropterygian reptiles of the Triassic period.

These animals resembled aquatic lizards and had small heads, long necks, paddle-like limbs, and long, deep tails.

“Sauropterygia was the most flourishing clade of Mesozoic marine reptiles in terms of species diversity, with the iconic plesiosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, and the stem-group placodonts and eophytes of the Triassic. sauropterygia,” said Dr. Jun Liu and colleagues at the institute. Hefei University of Technology.

“Eosauropteri were traditionally divided into three groups: pachyprourosaurids, nososaurids, and pistosaurids.”

“In this traditional view, the monophyletic Pachypleurosauria is thought to constitute a sister group to the clade Eusauropterygia, which consists of Nososaurinae and Pistosaurinae.”

complete and articulated skeleton of an immature animal Dianmeisaurus mutaensis It was discovered in an abandoned quarry about 1 km northwest of Muta Village, Luxi County, Yunnan Province, China.

The skeleton was divided into two parts during collection and prepared using pneumatic tools and needles in the paleontology laboratory.

“The skeleton is embedded in dark gray micritic limestone and consists of one segment and its counterpart,” the paleontologists said.

“The specimen is well preserved and has a total length of 99.2 mm (4 inches).”

“Adjacent to the specimen are scattered limb and rib bones from other individuals, but the limited information available makes further identification difficult.”

Artist's impression of Pachypleurosaurus Umengosaurus. Image credit: Nobu Tamura / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The research team's analysis identified this new species as a sister group. Dianmeisaurus gracilis a small pachypleurosaur from the Luoping biota of the Middle Triassic.

“Dianmeisaurus mutaensis Displays several eutoroid features, including a postfrontal region that extends posteriorly to the middle of the parietal table and is excluded from the upper temporal fenestra, a stout last dorsal rib that is shorter than the first sacral rib, and two sacral vertebrae. “There is,” the researchers said.

“Additionally, a new data matrix has been compiled to reassess the interrelationships of neosauropterygians.”

“Phylogenetic analysis indicates monophyletic collapse of Eusauropterygia,” they added.

“Pistosaurinae, Magiasinosaurus and Hanosaurus These constitute a continuous sister group to the monophyletic clade that includes Pachyprosaurinae and Nososaurinae.”

“Furthermore, the monophyly of Pachyprourosauria is supported by six synapomorphies.”

“Our phylogenetic results provide further evidence for the East Tethys origin of pachypleurosaurs,” the researchers said.

“However, to test the biogeographical hypothesis, we need early Anisian pachypleurosaurs from the eastern region of Tethys.”

of findings Published in Swiss Journal of Paleontology.

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YW Hu others. 2024. A new species of Pachypleurosaurid (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) that lived in the Middle Triassic of southwestern China and its phylogenetic and biogeographical significance. Switzerland J Palaeontre 143, 1; doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered species reveals secrets of tardigrade radiation resistance

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Newly discovered tardigrade species using genome, transcriptome and proteome analysis Hypsibius henanensis scientists investigated the molecular basis that contributes to radioresistance in these small invertebrates.

Schematic diagram of the mechanism conferring radiation resistance Hypsibius henanensis. Image credit: Li others., doi: 10.1126/science.adl0799.

Tardigrades, also known as tardigrades or moss piglets, are a diverse group of microscopic invertebrates famous for their ability to withstand extreme conditions.

First discovered in 1773, these organisms can live for up to 60 years, grow up to 0.5 mm in size, and are best seen under a microscope.

They can survive in temperatures as low as -272 degrees Celsius (-457 degrees Fahrenheit) or as hot as 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit), and temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius for several minutes, and for up to 30 years without food or water. Masu. Minus 4 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) continues for decades.

It can withstand pressures from virtually 0 atmospheres in outer space to 1,200 atmospheres at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

They also exhibit excellent resistance to ionizing radiation, withstanding doses of gamma rays as high as 3,000 to 5,000 grays (Gy), approximately 1,000 times the lethal dose for humans.

The mechanism of radioresistance in tardigrades remains largely unknown.

Previous studies investigating how they do this have shown that tardigrades have powerful DNA repair abilities.

They also express tardigrade-specific proteins called damage suppressors (Dsup), when expressed in human cells, protects DNA from radiation damage.

In a new study, Lei Li and colleagues at Qingdao University describe a new species of tardigrade. Hypsibius henanensis.

Through detailed morphological and molecular analyses, they also investigated the basis of radioresistance in this species.

The researchers evaluated how exposure to heavy ion beams changes the molecular profiles of animals. They found that 285 stress-related genes were upregulated.

They further uncovered three molecular mechanisms that contribute to radioresistance in organisms.

First, the horizontally transferred bacterial gene DOPA dioxygenase 1 (Doda 1) enhanced radiation resistance by producing betalains (pigments with powerful free radical scavenging properties commonly found in plants, fungi, and bacteria).

Second, proteins unique to tardigrades, TDP1promotes DNA double-strand break repair.

Finally, mitochondrial chaperone genes BCS1Proliferated during the evolution of tardigrades, it is uniquely upregulated in response to radiation and protects cells from radiation-induced mitochondrial damage.

“The extreme environmental tolerance of extremophiles such as tardigrades provides a treasure trove of unexplored molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance,” the authors write.

“Functional studies of these radioresistance mechanisms may further expand our understanding of cell survival under extreme conditions and provide inspiration for promoting human health and fighting disease.”

of result Published in the Journal on October 25, 2024 science.

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Ray Lee others. 2024. The multi-omic landscape of tardigrades and the molecular basis of radioresistance. science 386 (6720);doi: 10.1126/science.adl0799

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered species of hammerhead shark

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A team of marine biologists led by researchers at Florida International University has described a new species of shark. Sphyrna Native to the Caribbean and Southwest Atlantic.

Svirna Arenia male collected in Riversdale, Belize. Image credit: Cindy Gonzalez.

It got its name from the unusual and unique shape of its head. hammerhead shark Belongs to the family Sphinidae.

They live all over the world and prefer to live in warm waters along coastlines and continental shelves.

“The hammerhead shark is a monophyletic lineage of hammerhead sharks that first appeared in the Miocene,” said Florida International University researchers. Cindy Gonzalez her colleagues from the United States and Canada;

“They are characterized by a laterally expanded and dorsoventrally compressed head or 'cephalic lobe' and currently include nine named species. ”

“Hammerhead sharks are one of the most endangered shark families, with all but one species present, primarily due to overfishing.Svirna Gilberti) listed worldwide as vulnerable, endangered speciesor endangered species by IUCN,” they added.

“There are four species of small hammerhead sharks (less than 1.5 meters in length at first maturity) that are endemic to the Americas. Sphyrna Tiblo, Sphyrnatitude, Sphyrna Coronaand Sphyrnamedia”

“Sphyrna Corona Occurs only in the eastern Pacific, Sphyrnatitude It occurs only in the western Atlantic Ocean and is associated with the bull shark (Sphyrnamedia) and bonito shark (Sphyrna Tiblo). ”

The newly described Sphyrna This is a small hammerhead shark, less than 1.5 meters long.

with scientific name Svirna Areni (common name is shovel shark), has a flat, shovel-shaped head with no indentation at the front end.

“Svirna Areni different from Sphyrna Tiblo “This is because in this species the leading edge of the head is more rounded and the trailing lobule is absent,” the researchers said.

“The importance of the precaudal vertebrae is as follows.” Svirna Areni Between 80 and 83 – about 10 more vertebrae than others Sphyrna Tiblo”

“Given that there is some similarity in the shape of cephalofoils, Svirna Areni and Sphyrna Vespertina They may be sister lineages; Sphyrna Tiblo It diverged from and later separated from them as it expanded into the subtropics and temperate Atlantic Ocean. Sphyrna Vespertina and early Svirna Areni By isthmus closure. ”

Svirna Areni It is found in coastal waters, estuaries, coral reefs, seaweed beds, and sandy bottoms from Belize to Brazil.

The presence of this species has been confirmed in the Caribbean in Belize, Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean of Brazil.

“Bonnet Head is currently rated as globally endangered However, the IUCN rates it as an amphibious American species,” the scientists said.

“This assessment highlights that while this species is well managed in high latitudes of the northern hemisphere Atlantic range (USA, Bahamas), it is heavily fished and poorly managed elsewhere. There is evidence of population decline in Brazil and much of the tropical eastern Pacific.

“We will re-evaluate this assessment taking into account geographic distribution.” Sphyrna Tiblo and Svirna Areni Now that is guaranteed,” they said.

“Given how fisheries and management are distributed, the IUCN status is probably Sphyrna Tiblo it will be improved, Svirna Areni Of course, it would be a very dangerous situation. ”

“Additional attention from management is needed to rebuild the population.” Svirna AreniThis could take the form of restrictions on gillnet and trawl fishing, as these types of gear account for most of the catch of this coastal species. ”

discovery of Svirna Areni is reported in paper in a diary zoo animals.

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Cindy Gonzalez others. 2024. Svirna Areni sp. In November, new hammerhead sharks (Hammellidae, Hammerheadidae) from the Caribbean Sea and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. zoo animals 5512 (4): 491-511;doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5512.4.2

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered dinosaur relative found in Brazil

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New genus and species of Silesauridae named Gondwanax paracensis It was identified from fossilized remains found in southern Brazil.

Gondwanax paracensis. Image credit: Rodrigo Temp Müller, doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.09.007.

Silesauridae An extinct group of Triassic reptiles related to dinosaurs.

These creatures had fairly long necks and legs and probably had a quadrupedal habit.

Most commonly, they are a group of non-dinosaur dinosaurs and are considered to be the sister group of dinosaurs.

Early silesaurids were carnivorous, and later species occupied a variety of ecological niches, with specialized herbivorous adaptations.

“Most authors agree that silesaurids are a sister group to dinosaurs, forming the clade silesauridae.” Dr. Rodrigo Temp Mullera paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria.

“On the other hand, some authors suggest that silesaurids form a clade within ornithischians, nesting as a sister group to typical ornithischians.”

“A more recent hypothesis is that members of the Silesauridae were recovered as ornithischians in a paraphyletic sequence leading to typical ornithischians.”

“Irrespective of their phylogenetic status, sirsaurids inhabited Triassic landscapes for more than 30 million years,” the researchers added.

“Therefore, to investigate the succession of Triassic faunas, it is important to understand their anatomy, biology, and evolution.”

“There are several aspects of sirosaurid anatomy that are unclear or poorly studied.”

“Part of this problem is a result of the lack of more complete fossils, which are usually limited to hindlimb elements.”

The newly discovered species of Cirsaurid lived in what is now Brazil during the middle to upper Triassic period, about 237 million years ago.

named Gondwanax paracensisit represents one of the oldest dinosaurs of South America and one of the oldest silesaurids in the world.

Animal skeletons were recovered from the ruins. santa maria formation Located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

“Gondwanax paracensis “It is the oldest silesaurid with three sacral vertebrae, a feature commonly observed in more derived forms,” the paleontologist said.

“Furthermore, unlike other Triassic panbirds, this new species has an early fourth trochanter of the femur.”

“This unique combination of features indicates a high diversity of locomotor strategies in early panbirds.”

“Also, what co-occurs is Gondwanax paracensis and Gamatavus antiquus These animals, located in the same aggregation zone, represent the earliest evidence of South American silesaurid sibling. ”

“Indeed, the unique combination of sacral and hindlimb characteristics suggests different behaviors for these species, which may lead to niche differentiation within the same ecosystem.”

of study Published in the Journal on September 30, 2024 Gondwana research.

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Rodrigo Temp Muller. A new silesaurid found in South America's oldest dinomorph habitat provides insight into the early evolution of avian archosaurs. Gondwana researchpublished online on September 30, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.09.007

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Found Planet Orbiting Barnard’s Star Only 6 Light Years from Earth

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s impression of Barnard’s b, a planet orbiting around Barnard’s star

ESO/M.Kornmesser

Barnard’s star, one of the Sun’s closest neighbors, appears to have at least one planet orbiting around it, and possibly three more that require further confirmation.

Astronomers have been searching for planets around Barnard’s star, 5.96 light-years away, since the 1960s. Barnard’s star is the next closest star to us after the three stars in the Alpha Centauri star system.

In 2018, researchers claimed to have discovered a planet at least three times the size of Earth called Barnard Star B, but subsequent analysis revealed that the apparent planet’s signal was actually a larger-than-expected star. Turns out it was caused by activity. .

now, Jonay González Hernández Researchers at the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics have announced the discovery of a new Barnard star b, which has about 40 percent the mass of Earth.

The planet is much closer to its star than any other planet in our solar system, completing an orbit in just over three Earth days. This also means that its surface temperature is around 125°C (257°F), too hot for liquid water or life to exist.

Using an instrument called Espresso on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, González Hernández and his team observed tiny wobbles in Barnard’s star’s position caused by the orbiting planet’s gravity. I discovered this star.

They also found evidence of three more planets orbiting the star. However, the signal wasn’t strong enough to be certain, so more observations will be needed to confirm that.

“These detections are very tricky and always difficult because there is stellar activity, the magnetic field of the star that rotates with the star,” he says. Rodrigo Fernando Diaz at the National University of San Martin, Argentina. González Hernández and his team have thoroughly checked whether the observations are from a planet, but there could always be “unknown unknowns,” Fernando Díaz said. says. To really confirm this, he says, data from other telescopes is needed, which could take years of observations.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly discovered fossils show that trilobites possessed five pairs of head appendages

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Based on multiple analytical techniques applied to two well-preserved soft-bodied specimens of trilobites, the Late Ordovician species Triarturus Eatonii and Middle Cambrian species Polygonum gracilis, paleontologists claim that there was an additional pair of cephalopods just behind the antennae, indicating that the trilobite had five pairs of cephalopods and six segments.

Triarturus Eatonii Image credit: Jin-bo Hou and Melanie J. Hopkins, doi: 10.1111/pala.12723.

Trilobites are extinct arthropods that dominated the marine fauna of the Paleozoic Era.

During their lifetime on Earth, which lasted much longer than the dinosaurs, they survived two major extinctions and dominated undersea ecosystems.

They appeared in the ancient oceans of the Early Cambrian period about 540 million years ago, long before life appeared on land, and disappeared during the mass extinction at the end of the Permian period about 252 million years ago.

They are incredibly diverse, with around 20,000 species, and fossils of their exoskeletons have been found all over the world.

Like other arthropods, trilobites have a body made up of many segments and a head made up of several fused segments.

Like the rest of the trilobite’s body (the thorax and tail), these segments are associated with appendages whose functions range from sensing to feeding to locomotion.

“The number of these segments and how it relates to other important features, such as eyes and legs, is important for understanding how arthropods relate to each other and how they evolved,” said Dr. Melanie Hopkins, curator and head of the Department of Palaeontology at the American Museum of Natural History.

The segments on a trilobite’s head can be counted in two different ways: by looking at the grooves (called sulci) on the top of the trilobite fossil’s hard exoskeleton, and by counting the pairs of antennae and legs preserved on the underside of the fossil.

However, trilobites’ soft appendages are rarely preserved, and when looking at trilobite head segments, researchers frequently find a mismatch between these two methods.

In the new study, Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Hou Jinbo of Nanjing University studied Triarturus Eatonii.

These fossils are known for their golden glow from well-preserved pyrite replacements, and show that there are additional, previously undescribed legs beneath the head.

“This incredible preservation method allows us to view the 3D appendages of hundreds of specimens directly from the ventral side of the animals, just like grabbing an appendage from a horseshoe crab on the beach and turning it upside down to view it,” Dr. Hou said.

Exceptionally well preserved compared to other trilobite species, Polygonum gracilis based on the fossil, which was discovered in the Burgess Shale of British Columbia, the authors propose a model for how the appendages may have been attached to the head in relation to grooves in the exoskeleton.

“This model resolves apparent inconsistencies and shows that the trilobite head contained six segments: the anterior segment associated with the origin of eye development, and five additional segments each associated with a pair of antennae and four pairs of walking legs,” the researchers explained.

Their paper published in the journal Paleontology.

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Jin-bo Hou & Melanie J. Hopkins. 2024. New evidence for five cephalopods in trilobites and its implications for trilobite head segmentation. Paleontology 67(5):e12723; doi:10.1111/pala.12723

Source: www.sci.news

Mexico reveals newly discovered duck-billed dinosaur

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Palaeontologists from the University of Bath and elsewhere have described a new genus and species of kritosaurine hadrosaur dinosaur from a partial skull discovered in the Late Cretaceous Cerro del Pueblo Formation.

Reconstructing your life Coahuilasaurus lipani. Image credit: C. Diaz Frias.

The newly described species is Coahuilasaurus lipani. It has an estimated overall length of 8 metres (26.2 ft).

It dates back about 72.5 million years ago, towards the end of the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period.

Coahuilasaurus lipani belongs to Kritosaurs, a unique family of duck-billed dinosaurs (Hadrosauridae), Kritosaurus navajovius and their relatives.

“Kritosaurus is one of the most diverse lineages of North American hadrosaurs, represented by numerous species that lived during the Late Cretaceous of the Western Interior,” they said. Dr Nicholas Longrich Researchers from the University of Bath and their colleagues.

“The striking changes in jaw morphology suggest different ecological niches and dietary specialization.”

“The diversity of cranial vault morphology among kritosaurs suggests that sexual selection may have driven the evolution of kritosaurs, similar to the crested lambeosaurs and ceratopsids.”

“Although klitosaurins’ bone protuberances are not very sophisticated, klitosaurins may have had sophisticated soft-tissue structures.”

“The function of the Kritosaurus crest is unclear,” the paleontologist said.

“Because it is conspicuous, it probably functioned as a display. In modern birds, skull ornaments are sometimes used in intraspecific combat, for example in hornbills, and the relatively robust crest feathers may have served a similar function.”

“As in lambeosaurids, the elaborate nasal cavity may have also been involved in vocalization.”

Part of a skull Coahuilasaurus lipani comes from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation in Coahuila, Mexico.

“The Cerro del Pueblo Formation harbors a diverse assemblage of dinosaurs, including theropods and ornithischians,” the researchers said.

“Theropods include tyrannosaurs and deinocheirs. Paraxenisaurus normalensis, Ornithomimidae, Caenagnatidae, Dromaeosauridae, and Troodontidae.”

“The ornithischian family includes ankylosaurs, ceratopsids, thescelosaurs, and hadrosaurs.”

According to the team’s analysis, Coahuilasaurus lipani is distinct from the kritosaurs found further north on Laramidia.

It may be related to the kritosaurid hadrosaurids, Gryposaurus monumentensis. This suggests that it is part of a distinct southern kritosaur lineage.

“With specimens from the Naashoibito Formation of the Kirtland Formation in New Mexico, Coahuilasaurus lipani ,”This study shows that kritosaurs survived in the south of Laramidia after local extinction in the north, a pattern also seen in parasaurolophus and lambeosaurines,” the scientists said.

“The southern fauna not only has different species but also different patterns of diversity change compared to the northern Laramidia fauna.”

“Differences in species composition and community structure in different regions of Laramidia mean that further studies on dinosaurs from Mexico and the southwestern United States are needed to understand the evolution of dinosaur diversity in western North America.”

“Southern dinosaur faunas may have been characterized by higher origination rates and lower extinction rates than northern faunas.”

of study Published in the journal on September 1, 2024 Diversity.

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Nicholas R. Longrich others2024. Coahuilasaurus lipania new species of kritosaurine hadrosaurid from the Upper Campanian Cerro del Pueblo Formation, northern Mexico. Diversity 16 (9): 531; doi: 10.3390/d16090531

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered abalone species found in the waters of New Zealand

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Named Haliotis pilimoana, the newly identified gastropod species is found only on the Manawatawi Three Kings Islands, off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island.

Shell Haliotis pilimoana Manawatawhi Three Kings Islands (AD) and Haliotis virginia (EG). Scale bars – 5 mm in. (AC) and 0.5 mm in. (DG). Image courtesy of Jean-Claude Stahl.

Abalone Family Haliotidae) are herbivorous marine gastropods that inhabit hard substrates in shallow, non-polar regions worldwide.

Several haliotiids are the basis of wild capture and/or aquaculture fisheries.

Additionally, the shells are often used in art, cultural practices, jewelry, and are prized among shell collectors.

Currently, there are approximately 70 species recognized by science, with many subspecies and forms, all belonging to this genus. Haliotis.

Haliotis pilimoana It lives under rocks and in crevices in the Manawatawhi Three Kings Islands at depths of 5-47 metres.

The new species differs subtly but consistently from New Zealand’s native abalone in that its spiral threads are thinner and more numerous. Haliotis virginia are at the same stage of development.

“Haliotis pilimoana Superficially it resembles specimens from the North Island (except near Wellington) population. Haliotis virginia “The shell morphology is similar but differs significantly in that at comparable stages of development, the dorsal surface has consistently thinner spiral threads that are more evenly spaced and closely spaced, and the stigma is more tightly coiled,” said Dr Kelly Walton, a researcher at the University of Otago and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and colleagues.

“These differences are between shells from the northernmost part of the North Island, closest to the Three Kings Islands, and Haliotis pilimoana“The former is obviously a cruder carving.”

“Haliotis pilimoana The mainland population is even more different. Haliotis virginia Average shell shape: Generally, the carapace has a lower profile, more angular carapace margin, and a flatter, wider, and more clearly delimited umbilical edge, especially in the carapace.

According to the study authors: Haliotis pilimoana Has a remnant distribution in or diverged from the Three Kings Islands Haliotis virginia It is unclear what his status will be after the quarantine period.

“The shallow coastal fauna of the Three Kings Islands is highly endemic,” the researchers said.

“The cause of the increase in local endemism in the Three Kings Islands is unknown, but the phenomenon is certainly influenced by successive periods of connectivity and isolation during glacial periods since the Miocene.”

“Strong upwelling can make water quality more stable during glacial cycles.”

“Given the Three Kings region’s small size, easy access from mainland New Zealand, proximity to major shipping lanes and high abundance of endemic species, the area has the potential to benefit from enhanced marine protection.”

Discovery Haliotis pilimoana It has been reported paper In the journal Mollusc Research.

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Kelly Walton others. Haliotis virginia Gmelin, 1791 and a new species of abalone (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Abaloneidae) from New Zealand. Mollusc ResearchPublished online August 30, 2024; doi: 10.1080/13235818.2024.2390476

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered herbivorous dinosaur species

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of non-hadrosaur hadrosauroid dinosaur, Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi was identified from a specimen discovered in southwestern China in 2022.

Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi Image credit: Hai Xing/Sci.News.

Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi lived in China during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago.

The 8-metre (26-foot) long herbivore Hadrosauroidea is a superfamily of ornithischian dinosaurs that includes the so-called duck-billed dinosaurs and their relatives.

“Hadrosauroids are a diverse and highly specialized clade of ornithischian dinosaurs whose fossils have been found in Early to Late Cretaceous deposits in Asia, Europe, America, Africa and Antarctica,” said paleontologist Dr. Hai Xin from the National Museum of Natural History of China, the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, and his colleagues.

“Phylogenically, it is defined as the most inclusive taxon, Parasaurolophus but, Iguanodon It is noted for its duck-billed snout and complex skull dentition.”

“Since the early 20th century, hadrosauroids have been considered an important component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the entire Cretaceous.”

“The fossil record of this group contains a large amount of loose elements, dozens of heavily articulated skeletons, egg and fetal material, and bone bed assemblages that produce soft-tissue impressions and footprints.”

“Within the hadrosauroidea, non-hadrosaur species form a paraphyletic group that reveals a transitional morphology from early-diverging iguanodonts to hadrosaurids.”

“Most non-hadrosaur hadrosaurids are found in Cretaceous Asia, especially in northern and central China, and in the Early Cretaceous Exhibits, Xu Wulong and Probactrosaurus and the Late Cretaceous Tanius, Gilmoreosaurus and Zhang Henglong has been recovered.”

“However, comparable material from the Cretaceous of southwestern China is extremely scarce and fragmentary.”

Incomplete, partially articulated skeleton Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi Collected in 2022 Positive Yang Layer Chongqing, southwest China.

“Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi is the second officially named hadrosauroid dinosaur discovered in South China. Nanningosaurus dassiensis” the paleontologist said.

This specimen represents a transitional morphology between hadrosauroid and non-hadrosauroid dinosaurs and enhances our understanding of the diversity and evolution of non-hadrosauroid dinosaurs.

“The age distribution of eight hadrosaurids is Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi. Phylogenetically, it corresponds to the apex of the Zhengyang Formation during the Santonian to early Maastrichtian period. Chienjiangsaurus chanshengi “Fossils found are probably limited to the late Late Cretaceous,” the authors say.

“Hierarchical clustering of 12 hadrosauroid dinosaur assemblages from Late Cretaceous deposits in Asia revealed strong correlations between the Zhongyang Formation and the Djadokhta and Barungoyot Formations in Mongolia, supporting contemporaneous exchange of dinosaur faunas across East Asia.”

Team paper Published in the journal on August 27, 2024 Cretaceous Research.

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Huy Dai others A new late-divergent non-hadrosaur hadrosauroid species (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from southwestern China: supports Late Cretaceous dinosaur fauna exchange across East Asia. Cretaceous Research Published online August 27, 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105995

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered DNA Methylation Sensor Uncovered by Scientists

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

DNA methylation is a widely observed epigenetic modification in biological systems that serves diverse functions in transcriptional regulation, transposable element silencing, and innate immunity.

A nucleosome composed of DNA (grey) and histones (blue) with a single hemimethylated cytosine bound by CDCA7 (purple). Image courtesy of Kyohei Arita and Kazuaki Ushi.

DNA methylation is the process by which methyl groups are added to cytosine bases in DNA molecules and is the primary way in which DNA is epigenetically marked.

Epigenetic modifications act as on-off switches that regulate gene expression, helping to generate diverse cell types without altering the underlying DNA sequence – a way for the body to ensure that brain-related genes aren’t turned on in heart cells, for example.

Therefore, maintenance of DNA methylation patterns is crucial to ensure correct and consistent function of each cell type.

However, this is not easy: DNA methylation patterns can change over time, and this has been linked to a range of diseases.

One is a rare genetic disorder called immunodeficiency, centromere instability and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, whose symptoms include recurrent respiratory infections, facial abnormalities, and poor growth and cognitive function.

Although it was known that mutations in the CDCA7 gene cause ICF syndrome, little was known about the molecular function of this gene.

In a new study, Professor Hironori Funabiki of Rockefeller University and his colleagues have identified unique functional features of CDCA7 that ensure the correct inheritance of DNA methylation.

The researchers discovered that CDCA7 senses hemimethylation in eukaryotes, an important finding because hemimethylation sensing was long thought to be carried out exclusively by a protein called UHRF1.

“This is a really surprising discovery,” said Isabel Wassing, a scientist at Rockefeller University.

“The discovery that CDCA7 also acts as a sensor explains why mutations in it lead to diseases like ICF syndrome and fills a major gap in the field of epigenetics.”

“But it also raised new questions, such as why do cells need two different hemimethylation sensors?”

“We discovered that the CDCA7 gene, known to be the causative gene for ICF syndrome, specifically binds to hemimethylated DNA on nucleosomes and promotes DNA methylation by controlling the ubiquitination of histone H3,” said Atsuya Nishiyama, a research scientist at the University of Tokyo.

Scientists know that chromatin limits access for many enzymes and DNA-binding proteins, including those needed to introduce methylation into DNA.

Previous research by Professor Funabiki’s team has shown that CDCA7 forms a complex with a protein encoded by the HELLS gene, mutations of which also cause ICF syndrome.

HELLS is a so-called nucleosome remodeller that can temporarily release DNA molecules from nucleosomes.

“We reasoned that the CDCA7-HELLS complex is important in helping cells overcome the barrier of condensed heterochromatin and make DNA molecules available for methylation deposition,” Professor Funabiki said.

“But there are many nucleosome remodelers that can expose DNA molecules in this way.”

“It remained a mystery to us why CDCA7-HELLS is the only nucleosome-remodeling complex directly linked to DNA methylation maintenance.”

“By showing that CDCA7 specifically recruits HELLS to hemimethylated DNA, we finally have an explanation.”

In this model, CDCA7 recognizes hemimethylated DNA in chromatin and recruits HELLS to the site, which acts as a nucleosome remodeler to slide nucleosomes and reveal the hemimethylated site to UHRF1.

The takeover of hemimethylation sensing indicates that CDCA7 is better at detecting hemimethylation in dense heterochromatin than UHRF1 and also explains why cells require two distinct sensors.

“For these sensors to detect hemimethylation, they need to bind directly and selectively to hemimethylated DNA substrates,” Dr. Wassing said.

“CDCA7 appears to perform its function independently while DNA is wrapped around the nucleosome. Without CDCA7, UHRF1 cannot recognize the hemimethylation signals within the nucleosome particle.”

“Our findings suggest that CDCA7 and HELLS promote DNA methylation through a mechanism distinct from de novo DNA methylation, and this is strengthened by our demonstration that the CDCA7 HMZF domain specifically recognizes hemimethylated CpGs, which are substrates for the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1,” said Dr. Nishiyama.

“ICF disease-associated mutations in the CDCA7 gene abolish hemimethylated DNA binding, supporting the functional importance of hemimethylation detection by CDCA7.”

This new understanding may help elucidate the underlying mechanisms of diseases resulting from methylation dysfunction.

In the future, the functions of hemimethylation sensors beyond maintaining DNA methylation will be explored.

“Because some chromosomal regions are known to maintain a hemimethylated state, their recognition by CDCA7 may play a broader role in gene regulation and chromosomal organization, which is a very intriguing possibility,” says Professor Funabiki.

“Our research lays the foundation for the development of new DNA methylation inhibitors and therapeutic drugs for ICF syndrome,” said Dr. Nishiyama.

“Therapies that artificially control CDCA7-dependent DNA methylation may be useful for preventing cancer and aging and extending healthy lifespan.”

of Survey results Featured in this month’s journal Scientific advances.

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Isabel E. Wassing others2024. CDCA7 is an evolutionarily conserved hemimethylated DNA sensor in eukaryotes. Scientific advances 10 (34); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp5753

This article is based on a press release from Rockefeller University.

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered archaeological site illuminates Neanderthal hunting skills and adaptability

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeological sequence Abrik Pissarro ruins The southeastern Pre-Pyrenees About MIS4 (about 71,000 years ago), a little-known period in Neanderthal history.

Iberian Neanderthals sampled wild mushrooms, pine nuts, and forest moss. Image by Abel Grau, CSIC Communication.

A team of archaeologists led by the Australian National University has collected hundreds of thousands of artefacts at the Abric Pizarro site, including stone tools, animal bones and other evidence, providing crucial data about Neanderthal lifestyles.

The discovery reveals that Neanderthals were able to adapt to their environment, calls into question archaic humans' reputation as slow-footed cavemen, and sheds light on their survival and hunting abilities.

“Our results show that Neanderthals knew how to best exploit their area and territory, and were able to withstand harsh climatic conditions,” said archaeologist Sophia Samper-Caro of the Australian National University.

“The amazing finds at Abric Pizarro show how adaptable the Neanderthals were. The animal bones we found show that they made good use of the fauna around them, hunting red deer, horses and bison, but also eating freshwater turtles and rabbits. This suggests a level of planning that is rarely associated with Neanderthals.”

“These new findings call into question the widely held belief that Neanderthals only hunted large animals such as horses and rhinos.”

“The bones we found contain cut marks, providing direct evidence that Neanderthals were able to hunt small animals.”

“The bones at this site are so well preserved that you can see traces of how the Neanderthals handled and butchered these animals.”

“Analysis of stone tools also shows a great deal of diversity in the types of tools made, indicating that Neanderthals were capable of exploiting the resources available in their region.”

By uncovering this critical transition period, archaeologists are one step closer to solving a mystery that has vexed researchers for decades: what caused the Neanderthals to go extinct?

“The discovery of sites like Abric Pizarro from this particular, poorly documented period gives us information about how Neanderthals lived and shows that they were thriving at a time when modern humans were not yet in the area,” Dr Samper-Caro said.

“The unique site of Abric Pissarro offers us a glimpse into the behaviour of Neanderthals in the landscape they roamed for hundreds of thousands of years.”

“The Neanderthals disappeared about 40,000 years ago. All of a sudden, we modern humans showed up in this part of the Pyrenees and the Neanderthals disappeared. But before that, the Neanderthals had been living in Europe for almost 300,000 years.”

“They obviously knew what they were doing. They knew the area and they knew how to survive for a long period of time.”

“One of the most fascinating aspects of this site is that it provides unique information about a time when Neanderthals lived alone in harsh conditions and how they thrived before the arrival of modern humans.”

Thanks to modern excavation techniques, Abric Pizarro and other nearby sites provide detailed data for understanding Neanderthal behavior.

“We make a 3D plot of each and every bone found that is larger than one or two centimetres,” Dr Sampar Karo said.

“This slows down the work – excavations at some sites have been going on for over 20 years – but the result is that the sites are documented with unparalleled accuracy.”

“We're interested in how all these different pieces of data, from stone tools to bones to hearths, relate to each other.”

“This more thorough excavation will provide archaeologists with information about how Neanderthals lived and how long they were in the area.”

“It's not just the individual item that gives us clues, but knowing where it is found in relation to other items at the site helps us understand how and when Neanderthals visited these sites. Did they settle there or were they just passing through?”

of result Appears in Journal of Archaeological Sciences.

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Sophia C. Samper-Caro others2024. Living dangerously: Abrik Pissarro, a MIS 4 Neanderthal site in the lowermost foothills of the southeastern Pre-Pyrenees (Lleida, Iberian Peninsula). Journal of Archaeological Sciences 169: 106038; doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106038

Source: www.sci.news

The newly discovered ceratopsian species had unique curved, blade-like horns on the underside of its frill.

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of centrosaurine dinosaur from fossils discovered in the Judith River Formation in the Kennedy Coulee region of Montana, USA. Lociceratops rangiformisThe new species emerged at least 12 million years earlier than its better-known relatives. Triceratops It was the largest ceratopsid of its time.

Reconstruction Lociceratops rangiformis Be amazed by a crocodile in the 78-million-year-old swamps of northern Montana. Image by Andrej Achutin/Museum of Evolution, Maribo, Denmark.

Lociceratops rangiformis It lived in what is now Montana during the Cretaceous period, about 78 million years ago.

This species was about 6.7 metres (22 feet) long and weighed five tons, making it the largest dinosaur in the group called ceratopsians. Centrosaurinae It has never been found in North America before.

“In the dinosaur ecosystem of the ancient island continent Laramidia, ceratopsians were geographically widespread, morphologically diverse and possessed a great deal of variation in cranial ornamentation, including horns and a morphologically diverse parietal scaly frill,” said Professor Mark Loewen of the University of Utah and his colleagues.

“Two distinct lineages within the Ceratopsidae family diverged by at least 83 million years ago.”

“These are the chasmosaurinae, which have long snouts and long frills, and the centrosaurines, which have rounded snouts and relatively short frills.”

“Centrosaurinae represent an ecologically important and diverse lineage of ceratopsians that reached a peak in diversity during the Campanian, 83 to 70 million years ago.”

“Historically known from abundant fossil finds in Alberta, Canada, and Montana, USA, discoveries over the past two decades have rapidly expanded our understanding of this group, particularly its geographic and morphological range, and have also provided new insights into the ontogeny of centrosaurines.”

“Centrosaurinae were locally abundant in some areas of southern Alberta and northern Montana, but were previously rare or poorly known in other parts of Laramidia.”

Fossil skull Lociceratops rangiformisImage courtesy of the Evolution Museum, Maribo, Denmark.

Paleontologists have discovered the skeleton of a mature individual. Lociceratops rangiformis Quarrying at Loki Quarry in 2019 Judith River Formation.

“The Loki quarry, which yielded the new specimen, is located on private land in the Kennedy Coulee Badlands, north of the town of Rudyard in Hill County, northern Montana, USA,” the researchers said.

Lociceratops rangiformis It has the largest frill horns of any ceratopsid ever, and lacks the nasal horns characteristic of its genus.

“This new dinosaur pushes the boundaries of outlandishness in ceratopsian head ornaments, boasting the largest frill horns ever seen on a ceratopsian,” said paleontologist Joseph Sertich of Colorado State University.

“These skull ornaments provide another window into the diversity of horned dinosaurs and demonstrate that evolutionary selection for flashy displays contributed to the dazzling richness of Cretaceous ecosystems.”

“We think dinosaur horns were similar to the displays performed by birds, who used them for mate selection and species recognition.”

Lociceratops rangiformis It coexisted with three other centrosaurine dinosaurs (Wendiceratops pinhornensis, Albertaceratops nesmoiand Medusaceratops Loki) and Chasmosaurinae (Judiceratops tigris).

“The combination of five species is an unprecedented diversity and resembles the range of horned ungulates found on the plains of East Africa today,” Dr Sertich said.

“Unlike the wide-ranging large wild mammals, such as elk, that currently roam the American West, these ancient animals were geographically restricted.”

“discovery Lociceratops rangiformis “It provides evidence that these species evolved rapidly within a small area, a process sometimes seen in birds.”

“at that time Triceratops By the time ceratopsians emerged 12 million years later, regional differences had homogenized to just two species found across Canada and Mexico, probably as a response to a more homogenous climate.”

“This study shows that dinosaur diversity has been underestimated and presents the most complete ceratopsid family tree to date.”

“Lociceratops rangiformis “This study helps us understand that we're only just scratching the surface when it comes to the diversity and relationships of the ceratopsian family tree,” Prof Loewen said.

of study Published online in the journal Peer J.

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M.A. Rowen others. 2024. Lociceratops rangiformis A new genus and species (Ceratopsia: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals the rapid regional dispersal and extreme endemism of centrosaurinae dinosaurs. Peer J 12: e17224; doi: 10.7717/peerj.17224

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Identified Species: Fossil of Small Ape Discovered in Europe

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Two teeth from the newly identified ancient ape Buronius manfredschmidi, viewed from multiple angles

Böhme et al., 2024, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0

A small, herbivorous ape may have lived in Western Europe 11.6 million years ago. Smaller and lighter than any great ape known to date, the newly discovered 10-kilogram (22-pound) primate was probably a skilled climber that ate leaves, researchers say. Madeline Boehme At the University of Tübingen, Germany.

“This is a fairly small primate,” she says, “but it's different from all the known fossils and certainly different from all the modern great apes we've known so far.”

About 15 million years ago, during the Miocene, hominoids (great apes) became rare in Africa and more abundant in Europe. Hominoids sometimes shared habitats with other primates, including apes and pliopithecoids, extinct relatives of Old World monkeys, but hominoids do not appear to have coexisted with each other in Europe.

In 2019, Boehme and his colleagues reported the discovery of 37 bones at the Hammerschmiede site in Bavaria that appear to belong to an early, bipedal ape dating back 11.6 million years ago, which they named “hominoid.” Danubius Guggenmosi.

During the excavation, Boehme was surprised to find two small ape-like teeth and a kneecap in the same sedimentary layer. Danubius fossil.

“We kept saying, 'What is this?'” she says of these tiny fossils, “and we concluded that this is clearly something new.”

The fossils are too old for DNA analysis, Boehme said, so the researchers took detailed measurements of the juvenile's 7-millimeter-long molar and 16-millimeter-wide kneecap, as well as a fragment of a premolar that they believe to belong to a young adult. They also calculated the thickness of the enamel and took microscopic CT scans of the teeth.

The gorilla-like thin enamel suggests they probably ate soft foods like leaves, Boehme said, and the shape, thickness and ligament attachment sites of the kneecap are similar to those of arboreal primates, suggesting the apes were good climbers.

Researchers look at new ape Bronius ManfredschmidyThe fossil, named after the medieval name of the nearby Hammerschmiede site, was discovered by dentist Manfred Schmidt, who has been collecting fossils at the site since the 1970s.

Lack of competition for resources Bronius and Danubius Apes can coexist, says Boehme – Danubius They are thought to have eaten tough foods such as nuts and meat, and the team can't rule out the possibility that great apes, which could have been up to three times as heavy, may have preyed on smaller species, she added.

But these three fossils alone may not be enough to reach such a “big” conclusion, the researchers say. Sergio Almesia It is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. “Small fossil elements may date to infancy. Danubius “The teeth definitely look like baby teeth. [baby teeth]. “

He also thinks the kneecap may represent the same species as the tooth: “It has been suggested that it belongs to a juvenile individual, but its size overlaps with the lower range of adult orangutans.” [which are much larger apes]” says Almesija.

Clement Zanolly A researcher from the University of Bordeaux in France also has doubts: “I'm not sure whether the teeth, especially the molars, belong to a hominoid or to another primate superfamily, a pliopithecoid.”

Boehme and his colleagues say their comparison rules out the possibility that the tooth is a milk tooth or a pliopithecoid tooth.

In any case, the fact that the two primate species shared the same habitat and possibly even interacted with each other is a “fantastic discovery,” Zanolli said, “and it reinforces the idea that Europe at that time was a luxurious and comfortable place for primates to evolve.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly discovered fossil of hybodontiform shark found in Japan

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Japanese paleontologists have described a new species of shark-like cartilaginous fish based on fossil teeth found in the Momonoki Formation of the Late Triassic Period.

Fossilized teeth Parvodus ominechonensisScale bar – 0.5 mm. Image courtesy of Breeden III others., doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2322749.

Named Parvodus ominechonensis The newly identified shark species lived during the Late Triassic period, between 237 million and 227 million years ago.

it is Parvodas Small extinct genus Hybodontiform Shark It has been known since the Mesozoic era.

“Hybodontiforme is an extinct lineage of sharks that is generally considered to be the sister lineage of Neoselachia (i.e. rays, rays, and modern sharks) within the chondrichthyes Euselaciidae,” he said. Dr. Benjamin T. Breedon III Researchers from the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tsukuba and his colleagues.

“The oldest clearly hybodontiform fossils are from the Mississippian, but the discovery of isolated teeth has pushed the oldest record of this group back to the Late Devonian.”

“Hybodontiform fossils have been found primarily in coastal and lagoonal deposits throughout the Late Palaeozoic, suggesting a shallow-marine palaeoecology of the clade's ancestors.”

“However, some hybodontiforms appear to have become euryhaline early in the evolution of their lineage, and since the Mississippian, hybodontiforms have repeatedly invaded freshwater environments.”

“Hybodontis were the most abundant group of sharks among marine and non-marine vertebrate groups throughout the Early Mesozoic, but their diversity declined after the Early Jurassic until their extinction at or near the end of the Cretaceous.”

Ecological reconstruction of the hybodontiform shark Strophodus rebeccae Image credit: Jorge Blanco / CC BY 4.0.

Some isolated teeth Parvodus ominechonensis It was collected from the non-marine peach tree layer in Ominecho (romanized as Ominecho) in the western part of Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

“The diversity of Triassic hybodontids is known from Japan, among which Parvodus ominechonensis It is the only species known from non-marine sediments and the first reported occurrence of this family. Ronchididae” the paleontologist said.

According to the study: Parvodus ominechonensis Filling in gaps in the geological record Parvodas Between occurrences in Middle Triassic and Middle Jurassic strata.

“The Triassic Global Record Parvodas include Parvodus physodus From the Chinese Olenekians, Parvodas Chinese Anisian sp., and Parvodus ominechonensis The Carnian period in the Japanese Archipelago Parvodus ominechonensis and Parvodus physodus “It is also known from non-marine deposits,” the authors say.

“Since the Triassic Period, Parvodas It is known to have lived in marine and non-marine strata throughout Laurasia and South America until its extinction in the Early Cretaceous.

“this is, Parvodas They may have originated in freshwater habitats in the southern Chinese region of Pangaea after the end-Permian mass extinction, diversified throughout the Triassic in what is now East Asia, and achieved a global distribution during the late Mesozoic.”

Discovery Parvodus ominechonensis It has been reported paper In Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Benjamin T. Breedon III others2023. A new species of hybodontiform shark (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchia), a freshwater shark from the Upper Triassic Momonoki Formation of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 43(5); doi:10.1080/02724634.2024.2322749

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Found Ancient Rock Art Ruins Unearthed in Sudan’s Eastern Desert

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeologists from Macquarie University and the Polish Academy of Sciences' Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures have discovered 16 new rock art sites in Sudan's eastern desert, or 'Atobai'. Almost all of his newly discovered 4,000-year-old artwork depicts the presence of cows.

Rock art from the area around Gebel Nahoganet in the eastern desert of Sudan. Image credit: Cooper other., doi: 10.1177/03075133231211.

“Finding a cow carved into a desert rock face was puzzling, as cows require large amounts of water and acres of pasture, and cannot survive in today's arid conditions in the Sahara Desert.” said Macquarie University researcher Dr Julian Cooper.

“The presence of cows in ancient rock art is one of the most important pieces of evidence for a former 'Green Sahara.'”

Rock art found in eastern Sudan also depicts the desert as a grassy savanna filled with ponds, rivers, swamps, and waterholes and home to a variety of African savannah animals, including giraffes and elephants.

The idea of a “Green Sahara'' has been proven through previous archeological and climate fieldwork and research, and experts are calling this the “African Wet Period''. This is a period of increased summer monsoon precipitation that began about 15,000 years ago and ended about 5,000 years ago.

Depictions of humans alongside cows may indicate the act of milking, suggesting that the area was once occupied by cattle pastoralists until the 2nd or 3rd millennium BC.

After this point, reduced rainfall made cattle grazing impossible.

Currently, the region receives very little annual precipitation.

At the end of the “African Wet Period”, around 3000 BC, lakes and rivers began to dry up, dry pastures became covered with sand, and most of humanity left the Sahara Desert to seek refuge near the Nile River.

“The Atbai desert around Wadi Halfa, where new rock art was discovered, was almost completely depopulated. For those who remained, cattle were abandoned for sheep and goats,” the archaeologists said.

“This would have profoundly affected every aspect of human life, from diets and limited milk supplies to the movement patterns of nomadic families and the identity and livelihoods of those who depended on cattle.”

team's paper Published in Egyptian Archeology Journal.

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julian cooper other. 2023. Rock art research in the eastern desert of Sudan: Results of the 2018-2019 Atobai research project. Egyptian Archeology Journal 109 (1-2); doi: 10.1177/03075133231211

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered Stegosaurus species had distinctive skin armor

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of stegosaur from the Middle Jurassic period has been identified from fossilized posterior skulls discovered in the Middle Atlas Mountains, south of Fez, Morocco.

Artist’s impression Tireosaurus atlasix. Image credit: Sci.News.

Tireosaurus atlasix lived in North Africa during the middle Jurassic period, about 165 million years ago.

This species is closely related to Dakentrulus members of the clade Dacenturinae within the Tyreophoran dinosaur family Stegosauridae.

Dr. Mostafa Oukas of Casablanca’s Universidad Hassan II and his colleagues said, “Thireophora is a diverse clade of herbivorous ornithischians consisting of stegosaurs, sclerosaurs, and basal types.”

“Thyleophorans have an extensive fossil record spanning from the Early Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous and are best known from well-preserved specimens from Laurasia.”

“In contrast, fossil remains are poorly known in Gondwana, and most of them are partial,” the researchers added.

“In Africa, thyreophorans may have been present since the Early Middle Jurassic.”

“Stegosaur body fossils have been recorded from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco, the Late Jurassic of Tanzania, and the Early Cretaceous of South Africa.”

“African ankylosaurs are represented by Spicomerus afar from Morocco during the Middle Jurassic period.”

divided partial skeleton Tireosaurus atlasix found in gray marl. El Mars III formation is located in the northern part of the Bourafa region near Bourmane, in the Atlas region of central Morocco.

“In 2021, during a geological mapping mission south of Bourmane, we discovered a new site rich in dinosaur remains in the El Mars III Formation,” the paleontologists said.

“This site, named Bourafa North, is located north of the Bourafa quarry.”

“This material was collected during several consecutive field trips and consists of the posterior skull of a stegosaur, including dorsal vertebrae and ribs, limb bones, and skin armor.”

According to the team: Tireosaurus atlasix had a strange asymmetrical skin armor, unique among stegosaurs.

“Dermal armor is Tireosaurus atlasix “It is composed of up to 4 cm (1.6 in) thick bone oval to subrectangular shaped osteoderms,” the researchers said.

“The asymmetrical texture of the sides, with one side roughly decorated with small holes and strands of fibers and the other with a distinct cross-hatch pattern, is unlike anything previously observed in other stegosaurs and sclerosaurs. It’s clearly different.”

“The bone histology of these osteoderms is reminiscent of the histology of stegosaur tail spines.”

“These osteoderms are interpreted to have been placed in a lying position on the animal’s body, rather than in an upright position.”

Tireosaurus atlasix was estimated to be over 6 meters (19.7 feet) long.

“The axial features indicate that this specimen belongs to a medium- to large-sized stegosaur,” the scientists said.

“The holotype corresponds to an adult individual that has not yet reached its maximum body size.”

discovery of Tireosaurus atlasix is important in understanding the evolutionary history of stegosaurs and other thyreophora dinosaurs.

“Recent discoveries are adraticrit and Tireosaurus atlasix “We provide insight into the early evolution of stegosaurs during the Middle Jurassic of Africa,” the authors concluded.

of findings appear in the diary Gondwana research.

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Omar Zafati other. 2024. A new stegosaur dinosaur (Ornithischian: Thyreophora) with prominent cutaneous armor that lived during the Middle Jurassic period of North Africa. Gondwana research 131: 344-362; doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.03.009

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered species of mimic spider uncovered in Copal, Colombia

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Myrmarachne colombiana This is the first species of ant-mimicking spider discovered in Colombian copal.

Myrmarachne colombiana. Image credit: George Poinar Jr. / Oregon State University.

“Ants are particularly well-suited for spiders to pretend to be ants,” said George Poyner Jr., a professor at Oregon State University. “Many animals find them unpalatable or dangerous to eat.” said.

“Ants are aggressive to protect themselves. They have strong bites and stinging venom, and can call on dozens of nestmates as allies.”

“Spiders, on the other hand, have no chemical defenses and are solitary, making them vulnerable to predators that want to avoid them, such as larger spiders, bees, and birds. So if spiders could become like ants, There is a high possibility that it will not be used.”

Myrmarachne colombiana It was discovered in a type of fossilized resin known as copal.

“Copal is a less mature form of fossilized resin than amber, which is typically more than 25 million years old. Still, copal can be up to 3 million years old.” Professor Poyner said.

“However, we were unable to determine the age of the resin in this case.”

“The resin blocks I was working with came from Medellin, Colombia, and were too small to perform aging tests without risking harming the spiders inside.”

According to the study, there are currently no records of living ant-mimicking spiders living in Colombia.

“For spiders, this magical transformation into ants is difficult to achieve. Ants have six legs and two long antennae, whereas spiders have eight legs, but only one antennae. “No,” Professor Poyner said.

“To get around these anatomical differences, spiders typically arrange their two front legs in a way that approximates the appearance of antennae.”

“But the number of legs and the presence or absence of antennae are not the only features that distinguish ants from spiders.”

“In spiders, the abdomen and cephalothorax are closely attached, whereas in ants these body parts are separated by narrow areas called petioles.”

“And there are many other small-scale structures that need to be modified to bring spiders closer to ants.” We say it starts with mutation, adaptation, and natural selection.”

“But I think spider reasoning and intelligence are also involved, because spiders often model the subsequent body changes of certain ants in the same environment.”

“In the early days, it was said that all insect behavior was the result of instinct, but this is no longer the case.”

“Some spider groups have developed the ability to look and behave like different types of ants, he added. Spiders that try to blend in with other insects, such as flies, beetles and wasps. There are some too.”

“Most of the mimic spiders belong to the few families that hunt, such as Jumping spiders and Jumping spiders. The Colombian copal specimen looks like a jumping spider.”

“Mimetic spiders also belong to the families Coringidae (Arachnidae), Tomisidae (Flower spiders), and Zodariidae (Arachidae or Arachnidae).”

of study It was published in the magazine historical biology.

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George Poyner. Myrmarachne colombiana sp. n. (Araneidae: Salticidae), a new species of ant-like spider that lives on copal from Colombia, South America. historical biology, published online March 7, 2024. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2320190

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered titanosaurus species found in Uruguay

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new genus and species of titanosaur dinosaur, based on fossilized remains discovered in Uruguay’s Paysandu department.

Uderartitan Celeste. Image credit: Soto other., doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105894.

The newly described dinosaur species roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous Period, more than 85 million years ago.

Named Uderartitan Celeste, the body length of the ancient giant was 15 to 16 meters (49 to 52 feet).

This species belongs to a superfamily of dinosaurs called titanosaurs. Saltasaurinae.

“Titanosaurs represent the most successful and diverse group of sauropods, with more than 80 species described since the beginning of this century.” Dr. Matias Soto from the Uruguay Institute of Geosciences and its colleagues.

“They were the most abundant large herbivores of the Gondwana supercontinent during the Late Cretaceous, in sharp contrast to the ornithischian-dominated contemporaneous fauna of Laurasia.”

“This clade appears to have originated in South America, where it shows its greatest diversity, with records ranging from Belian-Varangian to Maastrichtian (145 million years ago to 72 million years ago). Masu.”

Fossilized materials of Uderartitan Celeste (60 vertebrae, bone fragments, and associated eggshells) were discovered within the deposit in 2006. Layers of Guichon near Quebracho, Paysandu Department, Uruguay.

“Titanosaur fossils have been known in Uruguay since the early 20th century, when four species were identified based on fragmentary fossils,” the paleontologists said.

“Such references are questionable, but given the strong central protrusion of the tail, there is no doubt that they were titanosaurs.”

“These discoveries were relevant because they allowed us to confirm the presence of Upper Cretaceous rocks in Uruguay, but given recent discoveries in South America, for example, Ninja Titan Zapatai, Tapuasaurus macedoi. Without additional data, older epochs within the Cretaceous cannot be excluded.”

According to the team: Uderartitan Celeste shows unique combinations and possibilities of character autotapomorphy.

This discovery indicates that at least two titanosaur lineages existed in Uruguay during the Late Cretaceous. Saltasauidea and Saltasauidea. Aerosaurini.

“Uderartitan Celeste represents the second sauropod taxon recognized in Uruguay, after the recently reported one. Aeolosaurus vertebrae from Asensio’s formation” said the researchers.

“Phylogenetic relationships between saltasaurids saltasaurids or non-saltasaurids saltasauridae prove the presence of saltasauroids in the Guichon Formation.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper in diary Cretaceous research.

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Matias Soto other. Phylogenetic relationships of new species of titanosaurs (order Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Uruguay. Cretaceous research, published online March 26, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105894

Source: www.sci.news

Microsoft Appoints DeepMind Co-founder to Lead Newly Formed AI Division

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Microsoft has named the co-founder of the British artificial intelligence research institute DeepMind as the head of its new AI division. Mustafa Suleiman, now 39 years old, co-founded DeepMind with Demis Hassabis and Shane Legg back in 2010. The company was later acquired by Google in 2014 for £400m and has since become the core of Google’s AI efforts. Suleiman left DeepMind in 2019 and will now lead Microsoft AI, a new organization focusing on the US company’s consumer products and research. Several members from Suleiman’s Inflection AI startup will also join the division.

Microsoft has made a multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI, the developer of the ChatGPT chatbot, to develop generative AI technology. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, praised Suleiman as a visionary product maker and a team leader with a bold mission. The new division will integrate Microsoft’s consumer AI efforts, such as the Copilot chatbot and the Bing browser, which utilizes ChatGPT technology. Copilot is a key element in Microsoft’s AI monetization efforts, enabling users to easily compose emails, summarize documents, create presentations, and more.

Suleiman’s colleague Karen Simonyan, also a co-founder of Inflection AI, will join the new division as a principal investigator. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported that Apple is in talks to incorporate Google’s Gemini AI product into the iPhone. Inflection AI, backed by Microsoft and Nvidia, has become one of the leading companies in the generative AI race.

Suleiman, who has roots in both Syria and the UK, recently published a book on AI titled “The Coming Wave.” In it, he discusses both the potential benefits and risks of AI technology, calling for an increase in research on AI safety. In an interview last year, he described the book as a “provocation,” noting the importance of predicting future trends and taking action to mitigate potential risks.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A newly discovered spinosaur dinosaur species confirmed in Spain

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New genus and species of spinosaurid dinosaur named Riojavenatrix lacustris It was discovered by paleontologist Eric Isasmendi of the University of the Basque Country.

Artist's reconstruction of spinosaurids Baryonyx. Image credit: Andrey Atubin / CC BY 4.0 Certificate.

Spinosauridae (Spinosauridae) is a family of large theropod dinosaurs known from the mid-Cretaceous period.

These dinosaurs were characterized by long skulls with crocodile teeth and converging conical teeth, and sturdy limbs with huge thumb claws.

They grow to huge sizes and at least one species is Spinosaurus aegyptiushas grown as much or larger than tyrannosaurus rex.

In many species of spinosaurids, the spinal neural spines were significantly elongated, forming a sail on the dinosaur's back.

Spinosaurs are thought to be piscivorous (fish eaters) based on their sharp teeth and skull and jaw features.

Their fossils have been recovered all over the world, including Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia.

The newly identified spinosauridae lived in what is now Spain during the Early Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago.

with scientific name Riojavenatrix lacustristhis species reached 7–8 meters (23–26 ft) in length and weighed 1.5 tons.

“Riojavenatrix lacustris is one of the newest species of Iberian and European spinosaurids,” Isasmendi and co-authors said.

“It holds a triangular pubic boot. Megalosauridae, and the medial condyle of the femur, marking a transitional stage between the anteroposteriorly directed long axis of non-spinosaurian theropods and the posteromedially directed long axis of spinosaurids. ”

Skeletal reconstruction Riojavenatrix lacustris. Image credit: Scott Hartman.

Fossilized bones are Riojavenatrix lacustris Collected from the Enciso Group, Cameros Basin, La Rioja, Spain.

“with” Riojavenatrix lacustris“Currently, five spinosaurids have been described from the Early Cretaceous of the Iberian Peninsula,” the paleontologists said.

“Other Iberian spinosaurs are camarillasaurus From Aragon, Valibona Benatrix and prearthritis from Valencia, and iberospinasse It's from Portugal. ”

“Fossil remains prove that large and diverse populations of these carnivorous dinosaurs lived on the Iberian Peninsula.”

“The numerous discoveries within this iconic group raise several new questions about the ecology of these animals,” said Dr. Elena Cuesta, a paleontologist at the Egidio Ferrio Museum of Paleontology and Ludwig Maximilian University. Stated.

“How did these species coexist with each other?”

“These questions prompt us to revisit future, more detailed studies of spinosaurids, which are sure to yield important results.”

of findings It was published in the magazine Zoological journal of the Linnean Society.

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Eric Isasmendi other. Increasing record of European theropods: new basal spinosaurs from the Enciso Group of the Cameros Basin (La Rioja, Spain). Evolutionary implications and paleontological diversity. Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, published online on February 19, 2024. doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad193

Source: www.sci.news

Newly discovered deep-sea worm amazes marine biologists

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Marine biologists at the University of California, San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Ensenada Higher Education and Research Center have described a rare new species of deep-sea insect with gills discovered in a methane well off San Diego’s Pacific coast. Named pectine rice triclotti, the new species has an elongated body flanked by rows of feathery, gill-tipped appendages called lateral legs.

pectine rice triclotti, a living male specimen. Image credit: Ekin Tilic.

pectine rice triclotti belong to Nereididae, a segmented, mostly marine family of insects with over 700 recognized species.

Commonly known as lugworms, these organisms are generally found in coastal areas and are usually limited to shallow marine habitats, but can also be found in brackish waters, freshwater bodies, and even moist terrestrial environments.

However, around 10% of the total diversity of lugworms is known to inhabit deep-sea environments.

These nematodes have a long body with rows of bristly parapods on the sides and a set of scissor-like jaws for feeding.

Many lugworm species undergo two distinct life stages: atokes and epitokes.

Pectine rice triclotti was first discovered during a dive in 2009 at a depth of approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) using the submersible Alvin.

“We observed two lugworms swimming close to each other, about the length of a submarine, near the ocean floor,” said Bruce Stricklot, a researcher at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Several specimens of pectine rice triclotti were collected and analyzed for anatomical features and DNA to determine their evolutionary relationships within the Nereididae family.

According to Dr. Greg Rouse, a marine biologist at the University of California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Pectine rice triclotti has unique characteristics compared to other lugworms.

Pectine rice triclotti, while possessing menacing-looking jaws, has unknown feeding habits, with the possibility of feeding on bacteria and other large food particles similar to other insects.

The body color of pectine rice triclotti in its natural habitat is likely rosy due to the darkness at 1,000 meters below the surface.

Further research is needed to explore the reproductive mechanisms and feeding behavior of this newly discovered deep-sea species.

The finding is detailed in the article: paper published in the online journal PLoS ONE.

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TF Villalobos Guerrero et al. 2024. A remarkable new species of deep-sea Nereidae (Annelidae: Nereidiidae) with gills. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0297961; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297961

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Found Fossil Remains in France Offer Valuable Information on Ordovician Polar Ecosystems

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

in new paper in diary natural ecology and evolution, paleontologists described the diversity of the Cabrières biota, a new Early Ordovician site in the Montagne Noire in southern France. During the Early Ordovician, this region was an open marine environment located in the southern hemisphere at high polar latitudes, on the margin of the Gondwana supercontinent.

Artistic reconstruction of Cabrière Biota: in the foreground, Unpix (trilobites) and various ostracods including brachiopods and cryoliths (bottom left corner). Behind the trilobites are lobopods, chelicerates, cnidarians (blue), sponges (green), thin branched algae (red and green), hemichordates (purple), and some soft bodies. There are animals. Bivalve arthropods live in the water column along with graptolites. Image credit: Christian McCall, Prehistorya Art.

“Early Paleozoic sites with preserved soft tissues provide a wealth of information about the evolution of past life and improve our understanding of earlier ecosystems, but they are unevenly distributed in time and space. ,” said paleontologist Farid Saleh of the University of Lausanne and his colleagues.

“About 100 soft-tissue preserved assemblages have been recorded from the Cambrian, while about 30 are known from the Ordovician, and only a few have been discovered in early Ordovician rocks. .”

“The distribution of early Paleozoic remains is also paleogeographically biased, as approximately 97% of the biota discovered represents tropical and temperate ecosystems within 65 degrees north and south of the paleoequator.”

“This pattern is especially true for the Ordovician, where very few sites are known to have polar environments.”

“Among the most famous Ordovician sites, Sumchere in South Africa, Big Hill in the United States, and Winneshiek exhibit tropical ecosystems.”

“Given the rarity of Ordovician sites and their lopsided paleogeographical distribution, discovering new biota with preserved soft tissues across the aforementioned paleogeographic zones and environments will deepen our understanding of this period and This is crucial for gaining better insight into the factors driving increases in animal diversity on Earth. ”

Biomineralized species of the Cabriere biota: (a) Trilobites of the genus Unpix(b) gastropods with tubular structures, probably conuraids Sphenothalas(c) biomineralized canine cnidarians; (d) Arthrobrachiopod attached to a spongiosa, probably of the leptomid family. (e) Assemblage formed by an articulated brachiopod (center), a flattened carapace of a probably bivalve arthropod (left and right of center), and the skull of a calimenin trilobite (left). (f) Possibly visceral cyst. Scale bars – (a) and (e) 4 mm, (b) and (d) 1 cm, (c) 5 mm, (f) 2 mm.Image credit: Saleh other., doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w.

In a new paper, paleontologists describe a group of 470-million-year-old (early Ordovician) fossils, named Cabrière Biota, discovered in southern France's Montagne Noire.

The fossil site was discovered by two French amateurs, Eric Montseret and Sylvie Montseret Goujon.

Saleh and his co-authors examined about 400 extremely well-preserved soft tissue fossils taken from the site.

Fossils typically exhibit shades of brown, red, or orange and are embedded within a siliciclastic matrix of mudstone and siltstone, and their colors range from blue to green to yellow.

The Cabriere biota is characterized by a prevalence of sponges and branched algae, which constitute 26% of all identified fossils.

Also included are molluscs (14%), trilobites (12%), brachiopods (9%), cystoliths (7%), and cnidarians (6%).

An interesting feature of this biota is its rarity, with echinoderms being represented by only three specimens.

The Cabrières biota also exhibits the shells of various bivalve arthropods, which constitute 16% of the fossils identified.

Some wormlike organisms are also present in the biota (approximately 1% of identified fossils).

“The Cabrière biota was once located in close proximity to Antarctica and reveals the composition of the southernmost Ordovician ecosystem,” Dr Saleh said.

“The high biodiversity of this site suggests that the area served as a refuge for species fleeing the high temperatures that were prevalent further north at the time.”

“During this period of global warming, animals were certainly living in high-latitude refuges, escaping the extreme temperatures at the equator.”

Dr Jonathan Antcliffe, a paleontologist at the University of Lausanne, said: “The distant past gives us a glimpse of the near future that could happen to us.''

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F. Saleh other. Cabrières Biota (France) provides insight into Ordovician polar ecosystems. Nat Ecole Evol, published online on February 9, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41559-024-02331-w

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble spots a group of newly formed stars at the end of a colliding galaxy

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers observed seven interacting galaxies with long tadpole-like tidal tails of gas, dust, and numerous stars. Hubble’s exquisite clarity and sensitivity to ultraviolet light led to the discovery of 425 clusters of newborn stars along these tidal tails. Each cluster contains up to a million newborn blue stars.

As seen in this Hubble image, galaxy AM 1054-325 has been distorted from its usual pancake-like spiral shape into an S-shape by the gravity of its neighboring galaxies. As a result, clusters of newborn stars form along tidal tails stretching across thousands of light years, resembling strings of pearls. Image credit: NASA/ESA/STScI/Jayanne English, University of Manitoba.

Tidal tail star clusters have been known for decades. When galaxies interact, gravitational tidal forces pull out long streams of gas and dust.

Two commonly used examples are antennas and rat galaxy It has elongated finger-like projections.

In a new study, astronomer Michael Rodrak of Randolph-Macon College and his colleagues combined new observational data with archival data to determine the age and mass of the tidal tail cluster.

Researchers discovered that these star clusters are very young, only 10 million years old.

And they appear to be forming at the same rate along a tail that extends over thousands of light years.

“It’s surprising that there are so many young objects in the tail,” said Dr Rodrak, lead author of the paper. paper Published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

“It tells us a lot about cluster formation efficiency.”

“With tidal tails, a new generation of stars will be built that otherwise would not exist.”

Tidal tails look like spiral arms of galaxies extending into space.

The outer part of the arm is pulled like taffy by the gravitational tug of war between a pair of interacting galaxies.

Before the merger occurred, galaxies may have been rich in dusty clouds of hydrogen molecules that simply remained inert.

However, during the encounter, the clouds swayed and clashed.

This compressed the hydrogen and triggered the firestorm of star birth.

“The fate of these strung star clusters is uncertain,” the astronomers said.

“They remain intact under gravity and can evolve into globular clusters that orbit outside the plane of the Milky Way.”

“Alternatively, they could disperse and form a stellar halo around their host galaxy, or be thrown off and become stars that wander between galaxies.”

“This pearly star formation may have been more common in the early Universe, when galaxies were colliding with each other more frequently.”

“These nearby galaxies observed by Hubble are proxies for what happened in the distant past, and are therefore laboratories for studying the distant past.”

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michael rodrak other. 2023. Star clusters in tidal dust. MNRAS 526 (2): 2341-2364; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad2886

Source: www.sci.news

Confirmation of Two Newly Discovered Carboniferous Ctenacan Shark Species in the United States

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

An intensive search for ancient marine vertebrates in Mammoth Cave National Park's paleontological resource inventory has yielded a wealth of new fossil data. To date, paleontologists have identified marine vertebrate fossils from four major formations within the park, two of which are the first of marine vertebrate fossils to occur in those formations. It's a record. The Mammoth Cave ruins have yielded more than 70 species of ancient fish, approximately 90% of which are cartilaginous fish (sharks and related species), including two new species: I am. Troglocladodus trimbley and Grikmanius Care Forum.

Reconstruction of a new Ctenacan shark discovered in Mammoth Cave National Park and northern Alabama: Grikmanius Care Forum Two people can be seen swimming in the foreground. Troglocladodus trimbley swimming above. Image credit: Benji Paynose.

Mammoth Cave National ParkLocated in central Kentucky, it is home to the longest cave system in the world.

To date, more than 685 km (426 miles) of corridors within 214 km have been mapped.² It forms a park. In addition, within the boundaries of the park there are more than 500 small caves.

These cave passages date back 340 to 325 million years and were formed by dissolution by underground rivers, streams, and other drainage channels that cut through a series of limestones covered with durable sandstone. I did.

These passages opened up unique views of these limestones. Limestone is a time capsule containing a wealth of information about the ancient marine environment at the time of its deposition.

From these layers, invertebrate fossils such as horned corals, fan-like bryozoans, brachiopods, gastropods, shelled cephalopods, and a variety of echinoderms are found throughout the various strata that form the cave. It has been.

“Every new discovery at Mammoth Cave is made possible because of collaboration,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble.

“Our parks team is proud to collaborate and collaborate with the National Park Service Paleontology Program and now the University of Alabama Department of Geological Sciences to make this latest announcement possible.”

Restoration of the St. Louis Shallow Marine Environment and its Fauna Genevieve Formation, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. Image credit: Julius Csotony.

The two new species are stenacanto shark, Troglocladodus trimbley and Grikmanius Care Forumlikely hunting in an ancient coastal habitat that covered Kentucky and Alabama more than 325 million years ago.

This region was once an ancient sea route connecting what is now eastern North America, Europe, and North Africa, but it later disappeared with the formation of the supercontinent Pangea.

Troglocladodus trimbley It was identified from adult and juvenile teeth found in St. Louis and St. Louis. Genevieve Formation and Bangor Formation of Mammoth Cave.

The ancient shark is estimated to have reached about 3 to 3.7 meters (10 to 12 feet) in length, about the same size as the oceanic white shark.

Grikmanius Care Forum It was mainly identified from teeth in St. Louis, St. Louis.Genebabe and Haney Formations in Mammoth Cave, Hartselle and Bangor Formations in Alabama, but a partial set of jaws and gills from a young specimen Grikmanius Care Forum It was also discovered in Mammoth Cave.

The body length of this species was 3-3.7 meters. The shape of its jaws suggests that it had a short head with a powerful bite to hunt small sharks, bony fish, and right-cone-shaped creatures like squid.

“This discovery pushes the origin of the Ktenacanto shark back more than 50 million years earlier than expected,” the paleontologists said.

of study It was published in the magazine park management forum.

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JM Hodnet other. 2024. Sharks in the Dark: Paleontological inventory reveals multiple contiguous populations of Mississippian cartilaginous fishes (chondrichthyes) in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. park management forum 40(1); doi: 10.5070/P540162921

Source: www.sci.news

A newly discovered kangaroo lizard species found in India

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A research team led by scientists from Calicut University has described a new species of agamid lizard discovered in the Indian state of Kerala.

Agastya Gama Edge, an uncollected female from the reference locality habitat of Kuramab, Idukki District, Kerala, India. Image credit: Sandeep Das.

The newly confirmed species belong to the following: Agastya Gama, a previously monotypic genus of diurnal, terrestrial, insectivorous lizards of the family Agamiidae.

This genus includes Indian Kangaroo Lizard (Agastya Gama Bed Dormitory) Originally from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

“Terrestrial agamids, which inhabit the forests of southern India and Sri Lanka, are currently classified into two separate genera. Agastya Gama and Otocryptis It is based on genetic and morphological grounds,” said Calicut University researcher Sandeep Das and colleagues.

“Genus Otocryptis It originally included two species. Otocryptis Bed Dormitory From the southern Western Ghats of India, Otocryptis wigmannii It comes from the humid region of Sri Lanka. ”

“After a long gap, additional species Otocryptis nigristigma Illustrated from the dry forests of Sri Lanka. ”

“In 2018, scientists showed that the Sri Lankan kangaroo skink is paraphyletic with the Western Ghats kangaroo skink.”

“This prompted them to establish a monotypic genus.” Agastya Gama to accommodate Indians. Otocryptis Bed Dormitory however, no molecular data are available. Otocryptis nigristigma”

Agastya Gama Edge Lifetime: (A) An unrecovered adult male from Kuramab, Idukki District, Kerala, India. (B) Females not collected from the same locality. Image credit: Sandeep Das.

named Agastya Gama EdgeThe new species is a small agamid lizard with a body length of 3 to 4.3 centimeters.

“Agastya Gama Edge It is the second species of the genus Agastya Gama” said the researchers.

“On the surface, they are similar. Agastya Gama Bed Dormitory They vary in overall shape, size, and color, but can be distinguished by the combination of letters. ”

Agastya Gama Edge It is currently known only from evergreen forests in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. All records of this species are between 636 and 835 m above sea level.

“We encountered more individuals from March to May,” the scientists said.

“Disturbed habitats such as roadside vegetation and plantation areas had lower numbers compared to undisturbed vegetation types.”

“During the breeding season from March to May, males had creamy spots on their throats. Young individuals were observed in June and July.”

“Discovery of the second species Agastya Gama “The reptile diversity of the Western Ghats is increasing,” they added.

“Agastya Gama Bed Dormitory Its range is home to a variety of habitat types, including myristica wetlands, hilltop tropical evergreen forests in the south, tropical evergreen forests on the west coast, tropical semi-evergreen forests on the west coast, and secondary moist mixed deciduous forests in the south. I am. Agastya Gama Edge So far it has been recorded only from tropical semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. ”

“Our study shows that the two species are geographically separated by about 80 km in a straight line.”

discovery of Agastya Gama Edge is explained in paper It was published in the magazine vertebrate zoology.

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S. Das other. 2024. Discovery of a new species of kangaroo lizard (Squamatora: Agamiidae: Agastya Gama) from the southern Western Ghats of India. vertebrate zoology 74: 151-168; doi: 10.3897/vz.74.e113084

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Found Anti-Aging Cells Offer Potential for Prolonged Youthfulness

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The ‘fountain of youth’ isn’t locked away in a philosopher’s stone or a mythical body of water, according to new research. In fact, US scientists say the key to slowing aging is hidden within our bodies.

It was announced in new research that: The secret to anti-aging lies in white blood cells known as T cells. The researchers behind the study discovered that these cells can be reprogrammed into senescent cell-killing machines known as CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cells.

When they tested this treatment on mice, they lost weight, improved their metabolism and glucose tolerance, increased physical activity, and led healthier lives. Moreover, there is no tissue damage or toxicity.

“If you give this to old mice, it rejuvenates them. If you give this to young mice, it slows down the aging process. There are currently no other treatments that can do this.” Corina Amor Vegas is an assistant professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in the United States and one of the authors of the paper.

Researchers call this treatment a “living drug.” That’s because when CAR T cells are genetically modified, they become more aggressive in attacking a group of cells known as senescent cells.

Senescent cells are responsible for many of the conditions and diseases that develop as we age, such as obesity and diabetes. As the years go by, we accumulate more and more of them, and this causes a buildup of harmful inflammation. However, CAR T cells may be able to eliminate them and slow the effects of aging.

This treatment is already approved in the United States to treat blood cancers. But this is the first time scientists have shown that CAR T cells can slow or even reduce the effects of aging.

There are already drugs that can eliminate senescent cells, but these must be taken repeatedly. The effects of CAR T cells, on the other hand, are long-lasting. If he takes one dose when he is young, he will be protected for life.

“With CAR T cells, you could potentially get away with just one treatment. For chronic diseases, this is a big advantage. Think about the patients who need treatment,” said Amor Vegas. If administered intravenously, it will be fine for several years. ”

Scientists will then investigate whether the cells not only make you healthier for the rest of your life, but also help you live longer.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Texas is the home of a newly discovered wind dragon species

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A new genus and species of a large wind dragon that lived about 218 million years ago has been described from a large portion of its carapace discovered in Texas, USA.

Aerosaurus life restoration chest typothorax. Image credit: Smokeybjb.

Aitosaurus is an extinct quadrupedal heavily armored reptile aetosaurs.

Their name means “eagle lizard” and comes from the fact that their skull resembles that of a bird.

These creatures could reach lengths of up to 6 m (20 ft) and were geographically widespread during the Late Triassic.

“Aetosaurs are a group of quadrupedal armored reptiles whose terrestrial ecology is inferred to include both herbivory and omnivory,” said a paleontologist at the University of Texas at Austin. William Reyes and his colleagues.

“They have achieved a nearly global geographic distribution, but are stratigraphically restricted to the Late Triassic.”

“Most species of wind dragons reach a total length of 2 to 6 meters (6.6 to 20 feet).”

dubbing Garsapelta Murerithe newly identified species grew up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long.

This extinct animal lived in what is now the United States during the Middle Triassic period, about 218 million years ago.

Hypothetical reconstruction of Garsapelta Mureri: (a) Carapace seen from the back, and (bf) cross-sectional view of the carapace seen from the back. Cross-sectional views of (b) posterior neck and anterior trunk, (c) mid-trunk, (d) posterior trunk and sacrum, (e) anterior caudal region, and (f) mid-caudal region. Arrows indicate anatomical direction. A – Anterior, D – Dorsal, L – Lateral, M – Medial. Image credit: Jeffrey Martz / Reyes other., doi: 10.1002/ar.25379.

Its fossilized skeleton was discovered. Cooper canyon formation Located in Garza County, Texas.

It was recovered with an associated carapace containing elements of both the left and right sides of the body.

The discovery of Garsapelta Mureri “This provides new insights into interspecific variation in the carapace of etosaurs,” the paleontologists said.

“It is clear that the morphology of the lateral osteoderm determines the final topological position of the bone. Garsapelta Murerirecover it as a sister taxon of . Desmatostini”

“The similarities between the two are Garsapelta Mureri, Rioaribascus chamensisand the paratipothrasin The discoveries from Colorado's Eagle Basin indicate a biostratigraphic range that we believe is probably limited to Revuelto's putative holochronozone (215 to 207 million years ago), but It suggests that we are working on the emergence of a new group of wind dragons that may be just as old. The latest Adamanian. ”

team's paper appear in anatomical records.

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William A. Reyes other. Garsapelta Mureri generation. Such. In November, a new species of wind dragon (archosaur: pseudosaur) was discovered in the middle Cooper Canyon Formation of the late Triassic (middle Norian) in the Dokum Group, Texas, USA, and the morphological characteristics of the wind dragon's carapace. its impact on our understanding of difference; anatomical records, published online on January 11, 2024. doi: 10.1002/ar.25379

Source: www.sci.news

Newly color-corrected image shows that Uranus and Neptune have a greenish-blue hue

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The so-called ice giants Uranus and Neptune are the most distant giant planets in the solar system. Our knowledge of these worlds was revolutionized by his flybys of NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft on January 24, 1986 and August 25, 1989, respectively. Since these Voyager encounters, our knowledge of the visible appearance of these worlds has come primarily from images reconstructed from observations from Voyager 2 Imaging Science System (ISS), images were recorded with several separate filters ranging from ultraviolet to orange. In these images, Uranus appears pale green and Neptune appears dark blue, and the perception of the relative colors of these planets has become generally accepted. However, new research has revealed that the two ice giants are actually much closer in color.

Voyager 2/ISS images of Uranus and Neptune, released shortly after the Voyager 2 flybys in 1986 and 1989, respectively, were used in this study to determine the best estimates of the true colors of these planets. The filtered image was compared with the reprocessed version.Image credit: Irwin other., doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad3761.

Professor Patrick Irwin of the University of Oxford said: “While the well-known Voyager 2 image of Uranus was released in close to ‘true’ color, the image of Neptune has actually been stretched and enhanced. As a result, it was artificially too blue.”

“Although artificially saturated colors were known to planetary scientists at the time and images were published with descriptive captions, over time that distinction has been lost. I lost it.”

“By applying our model to the original data, we were able to reconstruct the most accurate representation to date of the colors of both Neptune and Uranus.”

In the study, Professor Irwin and his colleagues space telescope imaging spectrometer On board the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope (STIS) Multi-unit spectroscopic explorer (MUSE) ESO’s Very Large Telescope.

This means that the STIS and MUSE observations can be processed unambiguously to determine the actual apparent colors of Uranus and Neptune.

Astronomers used these data to rebalance the composite color images recorded by Voyager 2’s camera. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).

This revealed that Uranus and Neptune are actually quite similar shades of greenish-blue.

The main difference is that Neptune has a slight hint of additional blue. Models revealed that this is due to Neptune’s thin haze layer.

The study also provides an answer to the long-standing mystery of why Uranus’ color changes slightly during the sun’s 84-year revolution.

The authors first reached their conclusion after comparing images of the ice giant with measurements of its brightness recorded in blue and green wavelengths from 1950 to 2016 by the Lowell Observatory in Arizona.

These measurements showed that Uranus appears slightly greener during the summer and winter solstices, when one of the planet’s poles points toward our star.

However, at the vernal equinox, when the sun is above the equator, the sun takes on a somewhat blue hue.

Part of the reason for this is known to be because Uranus has a very unusual rotation.

During its orbit, it effectively rotates almost sideways. This means that during the planet’s summer solstice, either the north or south pole points almost directly in the direction of the sun and Earth.

This is therefore important because changes in reflectivity in the polar regions have a large effect on Uranus’ overall brightness as seen from Earth.

Astronomers have not been very clear about how or why this reflectance differs.

This led the researchers to develop a model that compares the spectra of Uranus’ polar and equatorial regions.

They found that in polar regions, green and red wavelengths are more reflective than blue wavelengths. Part of the reason is that red-absorbing methane is about half as abundant near the poles as it is at the equator.

But this wasn’t enough to fully explain the color change, so the researchers looked at the gradually thickening icy surface of the planet’s sunlit pole during the summer. We added a new variable to the model in the form of a haze “hood”. We move from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice.

Astronomers believe it is likely made up of particles of methane ice.

When simulated in the model, the ice particles further increased reflection in green and red wavelengths at the poles, providing an explanation for why Uranus is green at the summer solstice.

“This is the first study to match quantitative models with image data to explain why Uranus’s color changes during its orbit,” Professor Irwin said.

“Thus, we prove that Uranus at the summer solstice is greener, not only because methane abundance is reduced in the polar regions, but also because the thickness of brightly scattering methane ice particles is increased. it was done.”

“The misperceptions of Neptune’s colors and the unusual color changes of Uranus have puzzled us for decades. This comprehensive study finally puts an end to both problems. ” said Dr. Heidi Hummel, a researcher at the Association of Universities for Astronomical Research (AURA).

of result will appear in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Patrick G.J. Irwin other. 2024. Model the seasonal cycle of Uranus’ color and size and compare it to Neptune. MNRAS 527 (4): 11521-11538; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad3761

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Resting Behavior of Gray Reef Sharks Will Surprise You

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Considered to be a perpetually mobile predator, gray reef sharks have only ever been observed in motion, leading many to believe that they need to swim to breathe. Credit: © Christopher Leon

The first report of a gray shark resting under a reef shelf in the Seychelles changes our knowledge of how they breathe (they don’t need to keep swimming to stay alive), and the science of sleeping sharks. The basis for this has been clarified again.

A predator in perpetual motion. I can’t sleep in our ocean. If you have this impression of sharks, you’re not alone. There’s a good reason for that. Sharks have to swim to breathe (that’s what we were told). The science of shark sleep and breathing is related, and all sharks use gills for breathing, but he has two ways to move oxygen-rich seawater over the gills.

Some sharks, called obligatory rams, “ram” oxygen-rich seawater over their gills, which requires them to keep moving.other seedThey actively pump seawater over their gills while at rest, called buccal pumps.

Evidence of shark rest: A new perspective

Today’s science shows that sharks may be stationary, and there are also suggestions that sharks are asleep. However, there is no solid evidence regarding the sleep behavior of Ram ventilators. Scientists hypothesize that they may not be sleeping at all, sleeping using half their brains (like sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins), or sleeping against ocean currents. There is.

New paper “Just keep swimming? Observation of resting behavior of gray reef sharks Medicaginus Ambryrrhinchus (Bleeker, 1856),” published this month. Fish Biology Journal This overturns our knowledge of one mandatory ram ventilator. The gray shark is an endangered reef-dwelling shark of the family Ceridae, and was a typical representative of sharks that move for breathing.

First evidence of a gray reef shark resting under a reef shelf in the Seychelles. Credit: Photography by Craig Foster | © Save Our Seeds Foundation

“During a routine research dive around Daros, we discovered a gray shark resting under a reef shelf,” said the head of research at the Save Our Seas Daros Research Center (SOSF-DRC) in the Seychelles. Dr. Robert Block begins speaking. “This is not something we believed they were capable of. Gray sharks have been thought of as a ram-breathing species that cannot rest, so when we find these sharks resting, It turns our basic understanding of them upside down.”

Stationary sharks: a surprising discovery

Researchers encountered gray sharks resting alone or in groups at various locations around the Seychelles. And all the while, the sharks seemed oblivious to the observer’s presence. This is an important observation. Scientists believe that increased arousal threshold is a characteristic of sleep, not just rest.

The sharks remained stationary except for mandibular movements, suggesting that these ram-ventilating sharks switch to buccal pumping behavior. Since there is little current at the site and the shark rests facing on all sides, the idea that resting facing the current is the only way to do so is because there is little water for gray reef sharks.

Craig Foster, founder of the SeaChange project, is one of the divers and an author of the paper. “There’s something special about tiptoeing around 25 meters underwater, staring into the open eyes of a sleeping shark, and moving carefully so as not to wake the peaceful, beautiful shark.” he says.

Implications and future research

“I love anything that challenges our current thinking, and I’ve always thought the gray reef shark is a clear example of a species that needs to swim to breathe. Obviously with this discovery. Dr James Lea, CEO of the Save Our Seas Foundation, is enthusiastic about the implications of this paper. “This raises all sorts of other questions,” he says. “How are they coping? For how long? How often? We still have a lot to learn, and that’s very exciting to me.”

If gray reef sharks can switch up their breathing and rest, we may be able to learn more about similar sharks. “It’s important to understand how they use their environment and how it changes in response to changing environmental conditions,” explains Dr. Lee. “How important is this rest, or even the possibility of sleep, for sharks? And how will they be affected if they are unable to rest if conditions change, such as rising or falling oxygen levels due to climate change? Will I receive it?”

remind us of our connection to nature

The authors all agree that this discovery also tells us a lot about ourselves and our relationship with the natural world. “I hope these discoveries remind us how much we still don’t know and how interesting that is. Science can get quite a lot wrong. That’s a lot, and that’s okay,” Dr. Block recalled. Foster believes what we know about the wild is critical to conservation. “Knowing how our shark family sleeps brings us closer to their fascinating world, and awakens us from our own slumber to remind us that we cannot live without these amazing marine creatures.” ,” he said.

Reference: “Just keep swimming? Observation of resting behavior of gray reef sharks Medicaginus Ambryrrhinchus (Bleeker, 1856)” by Robert W. Block, Craig Foster, and James S.E. Lee, November 20, 2023, Fish Biology Journal.
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15623

Source: scitechdaily.com