The phylogenetic tree of Galliformes (gamebirds, including megapodes, currassows, guinea fowl, New and Old World quails, chicken, pheasants, grouse, turkeys) has been considerably remodeled over the last decades as new data analytical methods became available. Analyzing presence/absence patterns retroposed elements avoids problems homoplastic characters inherent in other methodologies. In gamebirds, chicken repeats 1 (CR1) are most prevalent elements, but little is known about activity their...

A new eucryptodiran turtle, Xinjiangchelys qiguensis sp. nov. from the Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian — ?Kimmeridgian) Qigu Formation of southern Junggar Basin (north‐west China) is described. The type material consists a partial skeleton, including complete carapace, plastron, nearly all cervical vertebrae, both scapulae, pelvis and one ulna. It clearly identifiable as basal eucryptodire since it lacks mesoplastron. distinguished other species by several autapomorphies carapace such first fifth...

ABSTRACT A new Middle Jurassic xinjiangchelyid turtle from China, Xinjiangchelys chowi sp. nov., is described the Toutunhe Formation of southern Junggar Basin, southwest Urumchi (NW China). The material consists a nearly complete carapace and right hypoplastron. It shows important autapomorphies family Xinjiangchelyidae genus Xinjiangchelys: first neural larger than second, anterior peripherals guttered, posterior expanded, reduced thoracic rib, lateral pegs bridge plastron. distinguished...

ABSTRACT A new species of Xinpusaurus Yin in et al., 2000 (Thalattosauria, Thalattosauridae), is described from the Wayao Member Falang Formation (Tuvalian, Carnian, Upper Triassic) Guanling County Guizhou, southwestern China. It third thalattosaur known faunal assemblage marine reptiles. The type and only specimen consists an entire skeleton, including a complete skull. differs species, X. suni, by its smaller adult size, larger nasal, more slender angular low retroarticular process, shape...

The dicynodont Sungeodon kimkraemerae n. gen. sp. is described on the basis of a skull from Lower Triassic Jiucaiyuan Formation Dalongkou (Junggar Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic China). It first representative Kannemeyeriiformes earliest Triassic. Kannemeyeriiforms were predominant clade dicynodonts, which constituted major component terrestrial ecosystems. new taxon helps closing one most significant gaps in fossil record since stem-kannemeyeriiforms are known...

ABSTRACT A new tritylodontid cynodont, Bienotheroides ultimus sp. nov., is described from the Upper Jurassic Shishugou Formation of Jiangjunmiao in northeastern Junggar Basin Xinjiang (NW China). The type consists a partial skeleton, including teeth, skull, and considerable portion postcranium. It identifiable as because structure upper molars characteristically deep zygomatic arch. distinguished zigongensis Middle particularly by characters forelimb, humerus that shows little torsion...

ABSTRACT For the first time, a three-dimensionally preserved skull of Lower Jurassic leptonectid ichthyosaur Leptonectes cf. tenuirostris is described. The specimen reveals wealth new data on cranial anatomy basal neoichthyosaurs. osteology roof differs fundamentally from other well-known post-Triassic ichthyosaurs and highly autapomorphic. structure sclerotic ring, which well in situ, described it appears plausible that L. was capable stereoscopic vision. Inadequate description makes...

Abstract: New specimens of a mixosaurid ichthyosaur are described from the People's Republic China. They consist an almost complete skull, forefin and shoulder girdle single individual, second partial skull Anisian Guanling Formation Guizhou Province that belongs to same taxon. A phylogenetic analysis shows this species be sister-taxon all other mixosaurids. It is distinguished Mixosaurus, Contecotpalatus Phalarodon by features its dentition cranial morphology. There only one maxillary tooth...

Abstract: A new, unusually well‐preserved juvenile specimen of Ctenochelys stenoporus from the Niobrara Formation is described. The skull has come apart at its sutures and all bones braincase ear region are preserved three‐dimensionally. This allows a detailed reconstruction important brain structures basal cheloniid turtle. It compared with adult specimens, major ontogenetic changes in postcranial skeleton Furthermore, other fossil extant cheloniids well‐known braincases differences between...

Abstract Solving problematic phylogenetic relationships often requires high quality genome data. However, for many organisms such data are still not available. Among rodents, the position of beaver has always attracted special interest. The arrangement beaver’s masseter (jaw-closer) muscle once suggested a strong affinity to some sciurid rodents (e.g., squirrels), placing them in Sciuromorpha suborder. Modern molecular data, however, closer relationship representatives mouse-related clade,...