Harry Potter and the Half-Blood New Papers

["Harris, Jerald" <jharris@dixie.edu>]

Pereda Suberbiola, X., Canudo, J.I., Cruzado-Caballero, P., Barco, J.L., 
LÃpez-MartÃnez, N., Oms, O., and Ruiz-OmeÃaca, J.I. 2009. The last hadrosaurid 
dinosaurs of Europe: a new lambeosaurine from the uppermost Cretaceous of Aren 
(Huesca, Spain). Comptes Rendus Palevol. doi: 10.1016/j.crpv.2009.05.002.

ABSTRACT: A new hadrosaurid dinosaur, Arenysaurus ardevoli gen. et sp. nov., 
from the Late Maastrichtian of Aren (Huesca, South-central Pyrenees) is 
described on the basis of a partial, articulated skull, mandibular remains and 
postcranial elements, including vertebrae, girdle and limb bones. Arenysaurus 
is characterized by having a very prominent frontal dome; nearly vertical 
prequadratic (squamosal) and jugal (postorbital) processes, and deltopectoral 
crest of the humerus oriented anteriorly. Moreover, it possesses a unique 
combination of characters: short frontal (length/width approximately 0.5); 
midline ridge of parietal at level of the postorbital-squamosal bar; parietal 
excluded from the occiput; squamosal low above the cotyloid cavity. A 
phylogenetical analysis indicates that Arenysaurus is a rather basal member of 
Lambeosaurinae and the sister-taxon to Amurosaurus and the 
Corythosaurini-Parasaurolophini clade. The phylogenetic and biogeographical 
relationships of Arenysaurus and other lambeosaurines suggest a 
palaeogeographical connection between Asia and Europe during the Late 
Cretaceous.




Coiffard, C., and Gomez, B. 2009. The rise to dominance of the angiosperm 
kingdom: dispersal, habitat widening and evolution of during the Late 
Cretaceous of Europe. Lethaia. doi: 10.1111/j.1502-3931.2009.00181.x.

ABSTRACT: range with the result that they inhabited most environments by the 
Cenomanian. Nevertheless, most angiosperms had still restricted habitats, while 
a few angiosperm trees were confined to disturbed environments, such as channel 
margins. A Wagner's Parsimony Method analysis performed on a fossil plant and 
locality database from the Turonian to the Campanian of Europe indicates 
continued decrease in richness of ferns and gymnosperms compared with 
angiosperms, turnover between conifer and palm trees in freshwater-related 
swamps at about the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary, and spreading of angiosperm 
trees through the floodplains. The ecological range of angiosperm trees was 
increased, being recorded in channel margins from the Cenomanian and spreading 
over floodplains (e.g. Platanaceae) and swamps (e.g. Arecaceae) by the 
Campanian. These new ecological ranges and successions went with innovative 
architectures, such as dicot trees and palm trees. Most living core angiosperm 
families had their earliest representatives in the Late Cretaceous, which 
should be considered as the dawn of modern angiosperm forests.




Barroso-Barcenilla, F., Cambra-Moo, O., Escaso, F., Ortega, F., Pascual, A., 
PÃrez-GarcÃa, A., RodrÃguez-LÃzaro, J., Sanz, J.L., Segura, M., and Torices, A. 
2009. New and exceptional discovery in the Upper Cretaceous of the Iberian 
Peninsula: the palaeontological site of "Lo Hueco," Cuenca, Spain. Cretaceous 
Research. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.010.

ABSTRACT: The palaeontological site of âLo Huecoâ was discovered in Cuenca, 
Spain, in 2007. It includes a stratigraphic interval in âGarumnâ facies 
belonging to the upper part of the Villalba de la Sierra Formation. A 
succession of versicolor marly mudstone levels (V, G1, R1, G2, R2 and M) can be 
observed at the site studied. This succession is partially modified by a sandy 
channel structure (C) and by a sulphated interval (S). The C structure and the 
G1, G2 and R2 (lower part) levels have an extremely rich and varied fossil 
concentration and have provided to date more than 8500 macroremains. These are 
mainly from vertebrates, but also from plants and invertebrates. In general, 
vertebrates are represented by mineralized bones with an early infilling of 
gypsum, a ferruginous crust, and a secondary precipitation of gypsum; 
invertebrates by internal moulds; and plants by carbonized remains. Among the 
vertebrates, titanosaur dinosaurs (some of them with partially articulated 
skeletons) are by far the most common representatives, although lepisosteid 
fishes, bothremydid turtles, squamate lizards, eusuchian crocodiles, and 
ornithischian and theropod dinosaurs are also well represented. The relative 
stratigraphic position and the palaeontological content of this site allow to 
attribute it to the upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian. Interpretation of its 
materials suggests a near coast muddy flood plain crossed by distributary sandy 
channels environment, exposed to brackish to fresh water aquatic influence.




Marmi, J., Wila, B., and Galobart, A. 2009. Solemys (Chelonii, Solemydidae) 
remains from the Maastrichtian of Pyrenees: evidence for a semi-aquatic 
lifestyle. Cretaceous Research. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.008.

ABSTRACT: We report on a turtle from the Mina Esquirol site (Vallcebre basin), 
a new locality of early Maastrichtian age in the south-eastern Pyrenees. 
Fossils were located in the basal Tremp Formation, which was deposited in a 
littoral marsh. The material consists of a cast of a carapace including 
peripheral fragments and partial neural plates. The carapace exhibits a 
vermiculate ornamentation that is characteristic of genus Solemys and a 
histological bone structure similar to that of terrestrial taxa. However, 
taphonomic data indicates little transport and a short biostratinomic history, 
whereas palaeontological and sedimentological context indicates that the 
specimen was preserved in a shallow brackish water environment. Based on this 
taphonomic and sedimentological evidence, we suggest that at least some species 
of genus Solemys had a lifestyle similar to extant fresh or brackish water 
turtles (terrapins) and that the histological evidence alone for a terrestrial 
lifestyle is misleading.




Kocsis, L., Åsi, A., Vennemann, T., Trueman, C.N., and Palmer, M.R. 2009. 
Geochemical study of vertebrate fossils from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) 
CsehbÃnya Formation (Hungary): evidence for a freshwater habitat of mosasaurs 
and pycnodont fish. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. doi: 
10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.07.009.

ABSTRACT: The diverse vertebrate remains from the Upper Cretaceous freshwater 
settings at IharkÃt, Hungary, contain two fossil groups, Pycnodontiformes fish 
and Mosasauridae that are almost exclusively known from marine 
palaeo-environments. Hence, their appearance in alluvial sediments is very 
unusual. Trace element and isotope compositions of the remains have been 
analyzed to investigate the taphonomy and the ecological differences among the 
different fossil groups present at IharkÃt.
     All examined fossils have undergone post-depositional diagenetic 
alteration, which resulted in high concentrations of REE, U, and Fe, together 
with almost complete homogenization of Î18OCO3 values. Similar REE patterns in 
different fossils suggest a common origin for all remains, hence the discovered 
species most likely lived in the same local ecosystem. Despite partial 
diagenetic overprinting, the Î18OPO4 values of the fossils indicate sufficient 
taxon-specific isotopic diversity to permit some broad conclusions on the 
palaeo-environment of the fossils. In particular, it is apparent that the 
isotopic composition of the Pycnodontiformes fish and Mosasauridae remains are 
most compatible with a freshwater palaeo-habitat and incompatible with a marine 
palaeo-environment. In addition, the Sr concentration and isotope data indicate 
that the Pycnodontiformes and Mosasauridae likely lived predominantly in a 
freshwater environment and were not simply occasional visitors to the IharkÃt 
river ecosystem.
     Regarding other fossil groups, high Î18OPO4 values of Alligatoroidea and 
Iharkutosuchus teeth suggest that these small crocodile species might have 
inhabited swamps and ponds where the water was relatively rich in 18O due to 
evaporation.





Witton, M.P. 2009. A new species of Tupuxuara (Thalassodromidae, Azhdarchoidea) 
from the Lower Cretaceous Santana Formation of Brazil, with a note on the 
nomenclature of Thalassodromidae. Cretaceous Research. doi: 
10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.006.

ABSTRACT: A new species of the sail-crested pterosaur Tupuxuara is described 
from the Santana Formation of Brazil, Tupuxuara deliradamus sp. nov. The 
holotype, a partial skull, and a larger, partial skull referred to the same 
taxon differs from Tupuxuara leonardii by having a nasoantorbital fenestra with 
an acutely-angled posterior border with a long, straight posterodorsal margin, 
a reclined cranium, and an orbit situated entirely in the ventral half of the 
nasoantorbitral fenestra. Unfortunately, neither specimen is comparable with 
the fragmentary rostrum representing Tupuxuara longicristatus. In addition, 
resolution of a recent nomenclatural problem over the correct name for the 
clade containing Tupuxuara and its sister taxon, Thalassodromeus, is provided. 
Both genera are used by different authors as the nomenclatural basis for the 
group, but âTupuxuaridaeâ has never been explicitly erected as a new taxon, and 
therefore fails to meet ICZN criteria that new taxa are only valid if authors 
clearly indicate their intention to establish new names. By contrast, 
âThalassodrominaeâ was explicitly erected as a name for the Thalassodromeus + 
Tupuxuara clade, thereby fulfilling all ICZN requirements for naming of a new 
taxon and making Thalassodromeus stand as the type genus for this group.





Lee, Y.-N., Hutchison, J.H., and Chang, K.-H. 2009. The first Mesozoic turtle 
from South Korea. Cretaceous Research. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.004.

ABSTRACT: The partial carapace of a âmacrobaenidâ turtle from the Geoncheonri 
Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in Gyeongsan City near Daegu Metropolian City, 
South Korea, is referred to Kirgizemys Nessov and Khozsatzky, 1973. The 
specimen most closely resembles K. exaratus Nessov and Khozsatzky, 1973 from 
the Albian of Kyrgyzstan. It is the first turtle fossil described from the 
Mesozoic sediments on the Korean peninsula.





Chinaglia Montefeltro, F., Rettondini Laurini, C., and Langer, M.C. 2009. 
Multicusped crocodyliform teeth from the Upper Cretaceous (SÃo Josà do Rio 
Preto Formation, Bauru Group) of SÃo Paulo, Brazil. Cretaceous Research. doi: 
10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.003.

ABSTRACT: The six peculiar multicusped teeth described here were collected from 
sediments of the Upper Cretaceous of SÃo Josà do Rio Preto Formation, near 
Ibirà (northeastern SÃo Paulo, Brazil). Their bulbous crowns are slightly 
labio-lingual compressed, and bear a main plus two accessory cusps, which 
conceal a well developed cingulum. Wear facets are seen on the main and distal 
accessory cusps. Comparison to the known Crocodyliformes with multicusped teeth 
show that the new material is not referable to âprotosuchiansâ or eusuchians, 
nor related to two unnamed forms from Morocco and ânotosuchiansâ such as 
Uruguaysuchus, Chiamaerasuchus, and Simosuchus. On the other hand, possible 
affinities with Candidodon and Malawisuchus were maintained based on shared 
traits. This includes teeth with the main cusp and some accessory cusps 
arranged in more than one axis, a previously defined unambiguous apomorphy of 
the putative clade composed of Candidodon plus Malawisuchus. The term 
Candidodontidae can be applied to this group, and defined as all taxa closer to 
Candidodon itapecuruensis than to Notosuchus terrestris, Uruguaysuchus 
aznarezi, Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis, Sphagesaurus huenei, Baurusuchus 
pachecoi, and Crocodylus niloticus.




Cerda, I.A. 2009. Consideraciones sobre la histogÃnesis de las costillas 
cervicales en los dinosaurios saurÃpodos. Ameghiniana 46(1):193-198.




Gallina, P.A., and Otero, A. 2009. Anterior caudal transverse processes in 
sauropod dinosaurs: morphological, phylogenetic and functional aspects. 
Ameghiniana 46(1):165-176.

ABSTRACT: A great amount of the sauropod record is based on caudal vertebrae. 
Morphological analyses of tailbones until recently were essentially focused on 
centrum shape, with other anatomical features being poorly studied. A detailed 
description of anterior caudal transverse processes (ACTP) is presented here in 
order to improve the scarce knowledge of this tail part. Within Sauropoda there 
are four different ACTP morphological types; one simple (single element 
projected on the vertebral side) and three complex (lateral bony lami-nar 
plates supported by bony bars). The identity of the ACTP elements includes a 
rib, a synapophysis and laminar components, which are renamed here. The ventral 
laminae include the anterior centroparapophyseal lamina (acpl) and the 
posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina (pcdl), whereas the dorsal ones are the 
prezygodiapophyseal lamina (prdl) and the postzygodiapophyseal lamina (podl) 
when present. ACTP morphologyis not informative for higher-level phylogeny, but 
at lower levels the in-group relationships of Diplodocoideacan be improved 
through analyzing these structures. ACTP morphological variation between the 
first andconsecutive caudal vertebrae should presumably be interpreted as a 
consequence of the relative developmentof the M. caudofemoralis brevis. The 
âsacralizationâ of the ACTP is related to the attachment of soft tissues 
as-sociated with the tail, among which the Mm. caudofemorales should be the 
most important muscle group.




Selby, D. 2009. U-Pb zircon geochronology of the Aptian/Albian boundary implies 
that the GL-O international glauconite standard is anomalously young. 
Cretaceous Research. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2009.07.001.

ABSTRACT: A new U-Pb zircon age for the Aptian/Albian boundary (113.1 Â 0.3 Ma) 
indicates that an alternate Early Cretaceous timescale that is largely devised 
using the K-Ar date for GL-O glauconite international standard and other K-Ar 
glauconite geochronology, is inaccurate. Both 40Ar/39Ar sandine and U-Pb zircon 
ages indicate that the K-Ar date for the GL-O international standard does not 
record the timing of sediment deposition and thus should not be used for 
timescale calibration. This issue is not solely constrained to the Early 
Cretaceous, because other geological time intervals also reveal younger K-Ar 
glauconite ages in comparison to other radioisotopic dating techniques (e.g., 
U-Pb, Ar-Ar, Re-Os).





Fanti, F., and Catuneanu, O. 2009. Stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Wapiti 
Formation, west-central Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 
46(4):263-286. doi: 10.1139/E09-020.

ABSTRACT: The lithostratigraphic interval between the marine Puskwaskau 
Formation (Smoky Group, SantonianâCampanian) and the fluvial Scollard Formation 
(early Maastrichtian) in west-central Alberta and easternmost British Columbia 
(Canada) is represented by the nonmarine deposits of the Wapiti Formation. Its 
subdivision into regionally mappable stratigraphic units and the correlation of 
such units with the better known successions of central and southern Alberta 
are the main goals of this study. We present a detailed stratigraphic revision 
of the Wapiti Formation in the Grande Prairie region, where the entire 
succession crops out extensively and intensive oil and gas exploration activity 
provides excellent subsurface control. This study indicates that the Wapiti 
Formation consists in five stratigraphic units: their description has been 
based in particular on facies analysis and well-log signatures. In ascending 
order, units 1 to 5 record major differences in depositional architecture 
related to variation in accommodation and climatic conditions. Upper and lower 
contacts of these units are represented by regionally mappable subaerial 
unconformities or conformable facies contacts. Three major coal zones are 
identified within the Wapiti Formation, the Basal, Red Willow, and Cutbank: 
coals referred to these intervals have been documented in both outcrop and 
subsurface in the entire study area, thus representing a reliable tool for 
regional correlations. Furthermore, results presented here indicate that the 
maximum flooding surfaces of the Bearpaw seaway and the Drumheller Marine 
Tongue, both marine reference units in central and southern Alberta, lie, 
respectively, within coals of unit 3 and the Red Willow coal zone.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jerry D. Harris
Director of Paleontology
Dixie State College
Science Building
225 South 700 East
St. George, UT  84770   USA
Phone: (435) 652-7758
Fax: (435) 656-4022
E-mail: jharris@dixie.edu
 and     dinogami@gmail.com
http://cactus.dixie.edu/jharris/

"Experience is what you get when
you didn't get what you wanted."

                                 -- unknown