bcreisler@gmail.com
Some recent non-dino papers:
Free pdf:
Urban Olsson & Per AlstrÃm (2020)
A comprehensive phylogeny and taxonomic evaluation of the waxbills (Aves: Estrildidae).
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 146: 106757
doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106757 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790320300294Highlights
First time-calibrated phylogeny of the entire family Estrildidae.
Estrildidae is a well-defined and strongly supported clade.
Six well supported biogeographically structured subclades.
Abstract
We present a revised taxonomy of Estrildidae based on the first time-calibrated phylogeny of the family Estrildidae estimated from a data set including the majority of the species, and all genera except the monospecific Paludipasser, using two mitochondrial and five nuclear markers. We find that most differences in current taxonomy reflect alternative opinions among authors regarding inclusiveness of genera, which are usually not in conflict with the phylogeny. The most notable exception is the current circumscriptions of the genera Neochmia, Nesocharis and Taeniopygia, which are incompatible with the phylogeny.
Estrildidae is subdivided into six well supported subclades, which we propose be recognized as the subfamilies Amandavinae, Erythrurinae, Estrildinae, Lagonostictinae, Lonchurinae and Poephilinae.
====
Free pdf:
Our knowledge of early evolution of snakes is improving, but all that we can infer about the evolution of modern clades of snakes such as boas (Booidea) is still based on isolated bones. Here, we resolve the phylogenetic relationships of Eoconstrictor fischeri comb. nov. and other booids from the early-middle Eocene of Messel (Germany), the best-known fossil snake assemblage yet discovered. Our combined analyses demonstrate an affinity of Eoconstrictor with Neotropical boas, thus entailing a South America-to-Europe dispersal event. Other booid species from Messel are related to different New World clades, reinforcing the cosmopolitan nature of the Messel booid fauna. Our analyses indicate that Eoconstrictor was a terrestrial, medium- to large-bodied snake that bore labial pit organs in the upper jaw, the earliest evidence that the visual system in snakes incorporated the infrared spectrum. Evaluation of the known palaeobiology of Eoconstrictor provides no evidence that pit organs played a role in the predatorâprey relations of this stem boid. At the same time, the morphological diversity of Messel booids reflects the occupation of several terrestrial macrohabitats, and even in the earliest booid community the relation between pit organs and body size is similar to that seen in booids today.
=============
Eudald Mujal & Lorenzo Marchetti (2020)
Ichniotherium tracks from the Permian of France, and their implications for understanding the locomotion and palaeobiogeography of large diadectomorphs.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Article 109698
doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109698 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031018220301437Highlights
Permian Ichniotherium tracks are reported from the LodÃve Basin of France.
Among the largest Ichniotherium specimens, and the largest I. cottae knwon.
Tracks were probably produced by large basal diadectomorph reptiliomorphs.
The peculiar tracks depth pattern suggests progressive locomotion adaptation.
Tracks increase knowledge of tetrapod ichnofaunal diversity in central tropical Pangaea.
Abstract
The lower Permian continental succession of the LodÃve Basin (southern France) contains a rich tetrapod ichnofossil record. In this paper, we re-describe ~20 large footprints from the Autunian (Asselian) Lunas locality using new data and photogrammetric techniques. Analysis of the best-preserved footprints permits the recognition of two trackways of Ichniotherium cottae and we compare this material with all known Carboniferous-Permian occurrences of the ichnogenus. The large size, slow gait, footprint arrangement and depth pattern inferred from the trackways are consistent with a primitive diadectomorph, and suggest a progressive adaptation to more terrestrial locomotion. A synapomorphy-based track-trackmaker correlation indicates Limnoscelis or analogous forms as possible trackmakers. These footprints increase our knowledge of the ichnofaunal diversity of central Pangaea.
===