Morphological comparison of the larynx and trachea of Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) and Caiman latirostris (Daudin, 1802).

The larynx is in the lower respiratory tract and has the function of protecting the airways, controlling, and modulating breathing, assisting the circulatory system, and vocalizing. This study aims to describe the anatomy and histology of the skeleton of the larynx and trachea of the species Chelonia mydas, Caiman yacare and Caiman latirostris. The study was conducted at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), using nine specimens of Ch. mydas, 20 of Ca. yacare and four of Ca. latirostris. Samples of the larynx and trachea were collected, fixed, and sent for dissection of the structures and subsequent macroscopic analysis. For histology, samples were processed by the routine paraffin embedding method and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff. For the three species, two arytenoid cartilages, a cricoid cartilage, a hyoid apparatus composed of a base and two horns were found. In Ch. mydas, two structures called thyroid wings were observed, not found in crocodilians. The trachea of crocodilians presented incomplete tracheal rings and musculature, while the trachea of Ch. mydas presented complete tracheal rings. Histologically, the entire cartilaginous skeleton of the larynx of the three species, as well as the tracheal rings, are constituted by hyaline cartilage.

First record of insect-plant interaction in Late Cretaceous fossils from Nelson Island (South Shetland Islands Archipelago), Antarctica.

Despite the enormous paleobotanical record on different islands of the Antarctic Peninsula, the evidence of insect activity associated with fossilized plants is scarce. Here we report the first evidence of insect-plant interaction from Cretaceous deposits, more precisely from a new locality at the Rip Point area, Nelson Island (Antarctic Peninsula). The macrofossil assemblage includes isolated Nothofagus sp. leaf impressions, a common component of the Antarctic paleoflora. Two hundred leaves were examined, of which 15 showed evidence of insect activity, displaying variations in size, shape, and preservation. Two types of interaction damage, galls and mines, were identified. A single specimen retained a circular scar recognized as galling scar, while meandering tracks were considered mines. These traces of herbivore insect activity, correspond to the oldest known record of this type of interaction of West Antarctica and the oldest record of insect-plant interaction in Nothofagus sp. reported so far.

A new species of Comahuesuchus Bonaparte, 1991 (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén, Lake Barreales, Patagonia, Argentina.

Notosuchian crocodyliforms were major components of the South American Cretaceous biota and, for over 125 years, paleontological fieldwork in this continent recovered several well-preserved fossils of these animals. They are largely recognized for terrestrial life and specialized feeding habits, frequently presenting bizarre taxa such as Comahuesuchus. A new species, Comahuesuchus bonapartei n. sp. (MUCPv 597; cast MN), is described from geological strata of Sierra Barrosa Formation (Upper Turonian) and Portezuelo Formation (Lower Coniacian) of Lake Barreales, Patagonia, Argentina. The new fossil comprises a right dentary bone that shares important and unique anatomical features with specimens of Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis, such as the presence of a well-marked shelf on the lateral surface of the bone; a flat, low, and wide mandibular symphysis; an enlarged, labiolingually compressed caniniform tooth at caudal position in the dentary; the presence of serrated mesial and distal carinae in the caniniform with a faceted labial surface, and the absence or extremely reduction in number of the postcaniniform dentition. C. bonapartei differs from C. brachybuccalis in having individual dentary alveoli, rather a dentition set in groove. Phylogenetic analyses support a sister-relationship between both species, which are well nested within notosuchians.

Paleoenvironment of the Cerro Negro Formation (Aptian, Early Cretaceous) of Snow Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

A study of macro and microfacies, palynoflora and palynofacies of the non-marine Cerro Negro Formation at President Head Peninsula, Snow Island, northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula, was developed. Two assemblages were recognized: Palynofacies assemblage 1 (P1) at the base of the section with a dominance of fern spores and conifer pollen grains, and facies association consisting of a clastic layer, with the predominance of mudstones; and Palynofacies assemblage 2 (P2) at the top of the section, with remarkable abundance of AOM/Pseudoamorphous particles, associated with facies that includes tuffs. The complete section shows in some levels the presence of freshwater algae and translucent phytoclasts. The integrated data characterizes a fluvial-lacustrine environment, what is reinforced by the occurrence of freshwater algae (Botryococcus) in some levels of P1 and P2. We could verify an increase in volcanic activity towards the top of the section that apparently has played an important role in the collapse of the palynoflora. The occurrence of the spore species Muricingulisporis annulatus, Sotasporites elegans, S. triangularis, Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, and F. asymmetricus in the Cerro Negro Formation allows the correlation with sections in South America and Australia, suggesting an Aptian age for these deposits.

Morphological variation in the dentition of Uruguaysuchidae (Crocodyliformes: Notosuchia).

Uruguaysuchidae was a diverse group of crocodyliforms with widespread Gondwanan distribution. Recent phylogenies recover a clade comprising six species of Araripesuchus and one Uruguaysuchus. We reviewed the morphological variation in the dentition of uruguaysuchid specimens, including unpublished fossils from the Crato (SMNK PAL 6404) and Romualdo (MN 7061-V) formations of the Araripe Basin. Dental patterns are clearly distinct between species, with important taxonomic and possible ecological implications. Neither Araripesuchus nor Uruguaysuchus have characters suggesting exclusive herbivory, even for species in which tooth-tooth occlusion is observed. New data on A. gomesii shows differences in teeth number between the new specimen MN 7061-V and the holotype, probably due to preservation. The specimen SMNK PAL 6404 has a unique combination of dental characters, which reinforces the hypothesis that it might belong to a new Araripesuchus species. The alveoli pattern of A. rattoides is very distinctive in comparison to other araripesuchids, what also suggests different taxonomic affinities. One interpretation for the morphological variation in the dentition of Uruguaysuchidae is foraging specializations for different life habits. Niche partitioning and ecological specialization could have been an important process in explaining the high taxonomic diversity and widespread spatial distribution of these animals in the Cretaceous of Gondwana.

Pterodactyloid pterosaur bones from Cretaceous deposits of the Antarctic Peninsula.

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.

Paleohistology of Susisuchus anatoceps (Crocodylomorpha, Neosuchia): Comments on Growth Strategies and Lifestyle.

Susisuchus anatoceps is a neosuchian crocodylomorph lying outside the clade Eusuchia, and associated with the transition between basal and advanced neosuchians and the rise of early eusuchians. The specimen MPSC R1136 comprises a partially articulated postcranial skeleton and is only the third fossil assigned to this relevant taxon. Thin sections of a right rib and right ulna of this specimen have been cut for histological studies and provide the first paleohistological information of an advanced non-eusuchian neosuchian from South America. The cross-section of the ulna shows a thick cortex with 17 lines of arrested growth (LAGs), a few scattered vascular canals, and primary and secondary osteons. This bone has a free medullary cavity and a spongiosa is completely absent. Thin sections of the rib show that remodeling process was active when the animal died, with a thin cortex and a well-developed spongiosa. In the latter, few secondary osteons and 4 LAGs were identified. According to the observed data, Susisuchus anatoceps had a slow-growing histological microstructure pattern, which is common in crocodylomorphs. The high number of ulnar LAGs and the active remodeling process are indicative that this animal was at least a late subadult, at or past the age of sexual maturity. This contradicts previous studies that interpreted this and other Susisuchus anatoceps specimens as juveniles, and suggests that full-grown adults of this species were relatively small-bodied, comparable in size to modern dwarf crocodiles.

On a new peirosaurid crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous, Bauru Group, southeastern Brazil.

A new crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) Presidente Prudente Formation of the Bauru Group is described based on two almost complete skulls and mandibles. The material comes from the "Tartaruguito" site, situated at an old railroad between the cities of Pirapozinho and Presidente Prudente, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The new species, Pepesuchus deiseae gen. et sp. nov., is classified in the clade Peirosauridae on the basis of three synapomorphies: the presence of five premaxillary teeth, the anterior two premaxillary alveoli nearly confluent, and the oval cross-section of the jugal along the lower temporal bar. The new taxon increases the outstanding crocodyliform diversity of the Bauru Group, particularly of the Peirosauridae, which might turn out to be one of the most representative clades of gondwanan mesoeucrocodylians.

On a new peirosaurid crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous, Bauru Group, southeastern Brazil

A new crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) Presidente Prudente Formation of the Bauru Group is described based on two almost complete skulls and mandibles. The material comes from the "Tartaruguito" site, situated at an old railroad between the cities of Pirapozinho and Presidente Prudente, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The new species, Pepesuchus deiseae gen. et sp. nov., is classified in the clade Peirosauridae on the basis of three synapomorphies: the presence of five premaxillary teeth, the anterior two premaxillary alveoli nearly confluent, and the oval cross-section of the jugal along the lower temporal bar. The new taxon increases the outstanding crocodyliform diversity of the Bauru Group, particularly of the Peirosauridae, which might turn out to be one of the most representative clades of gondwanan mesoeucrocodylians.

Um novo crocodilomorfo da Formação Presidente Prudente, Cretáceo Superior (Campaniano-Maastrichtiano) do Grupo Bauru é descrito com base em dois exemplares, consistindo de crânio e mandíbulas quase completos. O material é procedente da localidade conhecida como "Tartaruguito", situada em um antigo ramal ferroviário que ligava as cidades de Pirapozinho e Presidente Prudente, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A nova espécie, denominada de Pepesuchus deiseae gen. et sp. nov., é classificada no clado Peirosauridae, com base em três sinapomorfias: presença de cinco dentes pré-maxilares, os dois primeiros alvéolos da pré-maxila quase confluentes e a secção transversal do jugal ao longo da barra temporal inferior oval. O novo táxon aumenta a marcante diversidade de crocodiliformes do Grupo Bauru e dos Peirosauridae, que poderá vir a ser um dos clados mais representativos de mesoeucrocodilianos gondwânicos.