1
|
Jiang S, Wang X, Zheng X, Cheng X, Wang X, Wei G, Kellner AWA. Two emetolite-pterosaur associations from the Late Jurassic of China: showing the first evidence for antiperistalsis in pterosaurs. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210043. [PMID: 35125005 PMCID: PMC8819363 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge about the pterosaur diet and digestive system is limited, and there is little direct evidence in the fossil record. Here, we report two specimens of the wukongopterid Kunpengopterus sinensis, a juvenile and an adult, from the Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota of China with associated bromalites. Both of these concentrations are identified as emetolites, fossilized gastric pellets. These pellets contain scales of an unnamed palaeonisciform fish, confirming the pterosaur was a piscivore. It probably vomited the pellets, indicating the presence of two-part stomachs and efficient antiperistalsis in both juveniles and adults. Comparing the ganoid scales found in the pellets with those of complete fishes, it was possible to determine that the prey of the smaller pellet is an average-sized individual, while the prey of the larger pellet represents a large specimen. Kunpengopterus sinensis might have preyed on the same fish during ontogeny, with adults being able to feed on larger individuals. This article is part of the theme issue 'The impact of Chinese palaeontology on evolutionary research'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunxing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, People's Republic of China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, Pingyi 273300, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, People's Republic of China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, Pingyi 273300, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Cheng
- College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, People's Republic of China.,Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Crato 63195-000, Brazil
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China.,College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangjin Wei
- Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, People's Republic of China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, Pingyi 273300, People's Republic of China
| | - Alexander W A Kellner
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Department of Geology and Paleontology, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20940-040, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang S, Wang X, Zheng X, Cheng X, Zhang J, Wang X. An early juvenile of Kunpengopterus sinensis (Pterosauria) from the Late Jurassic in China. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20200734. [PMID: 33886742 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wukongopteridae is a transitional clade between the long- and short-tailed pterosaur groups, and at least ten specimens have been studied without a determined juvenile specimen. Here, we described a small-sized Kunpengopterus sinensis, less than half the size of the holotype, which is the smallest specimen in wukongopterids. Based on unossified small elements, unfused cranial and postcranial elements, and grooves on the bone surface, this specimen is thought to be at least an early juvenile or even a late hatchling. By comparing the juvenile and subadult specimens of K. sinensis, we have found that the mid region of the upper and lower jaws had a higher growth rate than the anterior part, and that the growth rates were similar in most postcranial elements except for a higher rate in the caudal vertebrae. We revised the previous diagnosis of K. sinensis and specified that two characteristics, nasoantorbital fenestra approximately 40% of the skull length and a thin and relatively short maxillary process of the jugal, should be diagnostic in subadult or adult specimens. We have also found that pedal features are stable during ontogeny and can be diagnostic in juvenile, subadult or adult specimens in K. sinensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunxing Jiang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, No. 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing, 100044, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, No. 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Linyi University, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Middle Part of Shuangling Road, Linyi, 276000, China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, West Part of Lianhua Road, Pingyi, 273300, China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Linyi University, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Middle Part of Shuangling Road, Linyi, 276000, China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, West Part of Lianhua Road, Pingyi, 273300, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Universidade Regional do Cariri, Laboratório de Paleontologia, Rua Carolino Sucupira, s/n, 63195-000 Crato, CE, Brazil.,Jilin University, College of Earth Sciences, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130061, China
| | - Junqiang Zhang
- Linyi University, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Middle Part of Shuangling Road, Linyi, 276000, China.,Tianyu Natural History Museum of Shandong, West Part of Lianhua Road, Pingyi, 273300, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, No. 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing, 100044, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, No. 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing, 100044, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, No. 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhou X, Pêgas RV, Ma W, Han G, Jin X, Leal MEC, Bonde N, Kobayashi Y, Lautenschlager S, Wei X, Shen C, Ji S. A new darwinopteran pterosaur reveals arborealism and an opposed thumb. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2429-2436.e7. [PMID: 33848460 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pterosaurs, which lived during the Mesozoic, were the first known vertebrates to evolve powered flight.1,2 Arboreal locomotion has been proposed for some taxa,3,4 and even considered to have played a role in the origin of pterosaur flight.5,6 Even so, there is still need for comprehensive quantitative ecomorphological analyses.3,4 Furthermore, skeletal adaptations correlated to specialized lifestyles are often difficult to recognize and interpret in fossils. Here we report on a new darwinopteran pterosaur that inhabited a unique forest ecosystem from the Jurassic of China. The new species exhibits the oldest record of palmar (or true) opposition of the pollex, which is unprecedented for pterosaurs and represents a sophisticated adaptation related to arboreal locomotion. Principal-coordinate analyses suggest an arboreal lifestyle for the new species but not for other closely related species from the same locality, implying a possible case of ecological niche partitioning. The discovery adds to the known array of pterosaur adaptations and the history of arborealism in vertebrates. It also adds to the impressive early bloom of arboreal communities in the Jurassic of China, shedding light on the history of forest environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology (Ministry of Natural Resources), Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China; Beipiao Pterosaur Museum of China, Beipiao, Liaoning, China.
| | | | - Waisum Ma
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gang Han
- Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou, Hainan, China; Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Xingsheng Jin
- Zhejiang Museum of Natural History, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - Niels Bonde
- Zoological Museum (SNM), Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Fur Museum (Museum Salling), Fur, Denmark
| | | | - Stephan Lautenschlager
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Xuefang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology (Ministry of Natural Resources), Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China; Centre of Cores and Samples of Nature Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing, China
| | - Caizhi Shen
- Dalian Natural History Museum, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Shu'an Ji
- Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology (Ministry of Natural Resources), Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kellner AWA, Rodrigues T, Costa FR, Weinschütz LC, Figueiredo RG, Souza GADE, Brum AS, Eleutério LHS, Mueller CW, Sayão JM. Pterodactyloid pterosaur bones from Cretaceous deposits of the Antarctic Peninsula. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91:e20191300. [PMID: 31800676 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920191300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fossil vertebrates from Antarctica are considerably rare, hampering our understanding of the evolutionary history of the biota from that continent. For several austral summers, the PALEOANTAR project has been carrying out fieldwork in the Antarctic Peninsula in search for fossils, particularly Cretaceous vertebrates. Among the specimens recovered so far are two bones referable to Pterosauria, more specifically to the Pterodacyloidea, the first volant reptiles from Antarctica to be fully described. MN 7800-V (part and counterpart) was recovered from a moraine at the Abernathy Flats (Santa Marta Formation, Lachman Crags Member, Santonian-Campanian) on James Ross Island. It is interpreted as the distal articulation of a first phalanx of the wing finger, representing an animal with an estimated wingspan between 3 and 4 m. The second specimen (MN 7801-V) comes from Vega Island (Snow Hill Island Formation, Maastrichtian) and is identified as a wing metacarpal IV of an animal with an estimated wingspan from 4 to 5 m. These occurrences show that pterodactyloids inhabited the Antarctic Peninsula at least during the Upper Cretaceous and demonstrate that large pterosaurs were widespread through all parts of the planet during that period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W A Kellner
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Humanas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, 29075-910 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Taissa Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Humanas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, 29075-910 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Fabiana R Costa
- Laboratório de Paleontologia de Vertebrados e Comportamento Animal/LAPC, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas/CCNH, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua São Paulo, s/n, Jardim Antares, 09606-045 São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz C Weinschütz
- CENPALEO - Centro Paleontológico da Universidade do Contestado, Universidade do Contestado, 89306-076 Mafra, SC, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo G Figueiredo
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Geovane A DE Souza
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Arthur S Brum
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lúcia H S Eleutério
- Laboratório de Paleobiologia e Microestruturas, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua do Alto Reservatório, s/n, Bela Vista, 55608-680 Vitória do Santo Antão, PE, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco/UFPE, Centro de Tecnologia e Geociências, Av. da Arquitetura, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-550 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Carsten W Mueller
- Technical University of Munich, Chair of Soil Science, Emil-Ramann-Strasse 2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Juliana M Sayão
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Laboratório de Paleobiologia e Microestruturas, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua do Alto Reservatório, s/n, Bela Vista, 55608-680 Vitória do Santo Antão, PE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou X, Pêgas RV, Leal MEC, Bonde N. Nurhachius luei, a new istiodactylid pterosaur (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province (China) and comments on the Istiodactylidae. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7688. [PMID: 31579592 PMCID: PMC6754973 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A new istiodactylid pterosaur, Nurhachius luei sp. nov., is here reported based on a complete skull with mandible and some cervical vertebrae from the lower part of the Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning (China). This is the second species of Nurhachius, the type-species being N. ignaciobritoi from the upper part of the Jiufotang Formation. A revised diagnosis of the genus Nurhachius is provided, being this taxon characterized by the presence of a slight dorsal deflection of the palatal anterior tip, which is homoplastic with the Anhangueria and Cimoliopterus. N. luei sp. nov. shows an unusual pattern of tooth replacement, with respect to other pterodactyloid species. The relationships within the Istiodactylidae and with their closest taxa are investigated through a phylogenetic analysis by parsimony.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Zhou
- Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China.,China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rodrigo V Pêgas
- Laboratory of Vertebrate Paleontology and Animal Behavior, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria E C Leal
- Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.,Zoological Museum (SNM), Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Bonde
- Zoological Museum (SNM), Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Fur Museum (Museum Saling), Fur, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kellner AWA, Weinschütz LC, Holgado B, Bantim RAM, Sayão JM. A new toothless pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea) from Southern Brazil with insights into the paleoecology of a Cretaceous desert. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91:e20190768. [PMID: 31432888 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920190768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The first pterosaur bone bed from Brazil was reported in 2014 at the outskirts of the town Cruzeiro do Oeste, Paraná State, in the Southern region of the country. Here named 'cemitério dos pterossauros' site, these outcrops were referred to the Goio-Erê Formation (Turonian-Campanian) of the Caiuá Group (Bauru Basin) and revealed the presence of hundreds of isolated or partially articulated elements of the tapejarine pterosaur Caiuajara and fewer amounts of a theropod dinosaur. Here we present a new tapejaromorph flying reptile from this site, Keresdrakon vilsoni gen. et sp. nov., which shows a unique blunt ridge on the dorsal surface of the posterior end of the dentary. Morphological and osteohistological features indicate that all recovered individuals represent late juveniles or sub-adults. This site shows the first direct evidence of sympatry in Pterosauria. The two distinct flying reptiles coexisted with a theropod dinosaur, providing a rare glimpse of a paleobiological community from a Cretaceous desert.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W A Kellner
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiz C Weinschütz
- CENPALEO - Centro Paleontológico da Universidade do Contestado, Universidade do Contestado, Jardim do Moinho, 89306-076 Mafra, SC, Brazil
| | - Borja Holgado
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Institut Català de Paleontologia 'Miquel Crusafont' (ICP), C/ de les Columnes, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Renan A M Bantim
- Laboratório de Paleontologia, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Rua Coronel Antônio Luiz, 1161, 63195-000 Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Sayão
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n, São Cristóvão, 20940-040 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Laboratório de Paleobiologia e Microestruturas, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua do Alto Reservatório, s/n, Bela Vista, 55608-680 Vitória do Santo Antão, PE, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
KELLNER ALEXANDERW, SOARES MARINAB. EDITORIAL NOTE: Collection of Paleontology Papers in honor of the Centenary of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91:e20191434. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920191434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
8
|
Cheng X, Jiang S, Wang X, Kellner AWA. New anatomical information of the wukongopterid Kunpengopterus sinensis Wang et al., 2010 based on a new specimen. PeerJ 2017; 5:e4102. [PMID: 29209577 PMCID: PMC5713629 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wukongopteridae compose a non-pterodactyloid clade of pterosaurs that are the most abundant flying reptiles in the deposits of the Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota. Until now, five species of three genera and two additional unnamed specimens have been described. Here we report on a new material, IVPP V 23674, that can be referred to the wukongopterid Kunpengopterus sinensis due to several features such as a comparably short nasoantorbital fenestra, the dorsally rising posterodorsal margin of the ischium, and the very short first pedal phalanx of digit V relative to metatarsal IV. IVPP V 23674 provides the first view of a wukongopterid palate, which differs from all other pterosaurs by having a very large postpalatine fenestra and laterally compressed choanae, indicating that the evolution of the pterosaur palate was more complex than previously thought. Sesamoid bones at the dorsal side of manual unguals are present and are reported for the first time in a wukongopterid suggesting an arboreal life-style for these pterosaurs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China.,Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Department of Geology and Paleontology, National Museum/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Shunxing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Alexander W A Kellner
- Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates, Department of Geology and Paleontology, National Museum/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|