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A new furry lobster (Achelata, Synaxidae) and a forgotten crab (Brachyura, Homolidae) from the Early Cretaceous of France

Geodiversitas 47 (21)

A new species of furry lobster (Decapoda, Achelata, Synaxidae) from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of Cheminon (Marne, France) is herein described. Cretapalibythus moniquae n. gen., n. sp. is erected based on two main morphological characters: the unarmed, rimmed, rostral margins and one elongate, prominent, unarmed anterolateral spine. It represents the first record of a furry lobster from the Early Cretaceous, filling the gap between the Late Jurassic (Oxfordian of France) and the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian of Lebanon) synaxids. A species of brachyuran crab – Prosopon gignouxi Van Straelen, 1928 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Homolidae) – from the Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian) of Loriol-sur-Drôme (Drôme, France) is reappraised based on the rediscovery of its holotype.

Typification of the names Goniothalamus macranthus (Kurz) Boerl. and Mezzettia curtisii King (Annonaceae)

Adansonia 47 (19)

The previous typification of the names Goniothalamus macranthus (Kurz) Boerl. and Mezzettia curtisii King is discussed here. Suitable lectotype for G. macranthus and second-step lectotype for M. curtisii are designated.

A new peculiar early diverging caenophidian snake (Serpentes) from the late Eocene of Hordle Cliff, England

Comptes Rendus Palevol 24 (25)

We here describe a new genus and species of snake, based on several trunk and caudal vertebrae, originating from the late Eocene (MP 17a) of Hordle Cliff, England. We investigated the fossil ­material via both visual microscopy and micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning, focused on its intracolumnar variation, and extensively compared it with other Paleogene snake taxa from England and continental Europe. The new small taxon is characterized by an array of bizarre and distinctive vertebral features that can differentiate it from all other snakes. Its morphology is similar to that of russellophiids; however, some anatomical features differ drastically from those observed in the latter group and therefore, defy such family-level placement.

Palaeoecology and palaeoenvironment of Discosauriscus Kuhn, 1933 with exceptional preservation of skin and intestine molds from the early Permian of Franchesse (Allier, France)

Comptes Rendus Palevol 24 (24)

The Carboniferous-Permian is a key period concerning the emergence and diversification of major tetrapod clades such as amphibians and amniotes. This is particularly the case of the Seymouriamorpha Watson, 1917. Some seymouriamorphs are well-known, such as Seymouria Broili, 1904 from North America and Germany, but the ecology of most taxa remains debated. This is the case of Discosauriscus Kuhn, 1933 from the early Permian of Europe. Here we provide a preliminary study of new specimens from the early Permian Lagerstätte of Franchesse (Allier, France) whose exceptionally well-preserved soft tissues including skin and intestinal casts provide valuable insights into the palaeoecology of Discosauriscus.

Fossil freshwater mollusks from the Early Pleistocene (Calabrian) of northern Taiwan

Geodiversitas 47 (20)

Despite the extensive fossil mollusk records in Taiwan, over 99% are marine species. Among the few freshwater deposits, the Tananwan Formation (1.46-1.24 Ma) in northern Taiwan has been recognized as one of the most prolific fossiliferous strata. In a 1-meter thick fossiliferous mudstone layer within the formation, we identified five molluscan taxa. The assemblage is primarily dominated by Sinotaia quadrata (Benson, 1842) and the less common Melanoides aff. tuberculata, which corresponds to the current freshwater ecosystem in northern Taiwan. This study presents detailed descriptions and images of fossil freshwater molluscan assemblage from Taiwan, providing insights into the origins of contemporary freshwater biodiversity in the subtropical West Pacific.

Revision of Pherecardia Horst, 1886 (Annelida, Amphinomidae)

Zoosystema 47 (28)

Amphinomid annelids are classified after the shape of caruncle, the presence and type of branchiae along body segments, and the type of chaetae present. Pherecardia Horst, 1886 was proposed to include species having a large caruncle with a heart-shaped median ridge and lateral lobes. However, generic delineation was not well understood at the time, and some species currently referred to the genus were described in Hermodice Kinberg, 1857 and Amphinome Bruguière, 1789. Pherecardia currently includes four shallow water species: P. maculata Imajima, 2003 from Japan; P. parva Monro, 1924 from the Macclesfield Bank; P. polylamellata de Silva, 1961 from Sri-Lanka; and P. striata (­Kinberg, 1857) from the French Polynesia.

Diagnostiquer un problème de santé dans une colonie de Chiroptères : exemple d’une mortalité atypique de Petit Molosse de La Réunion, Mormopterus francoismoutoui Goodman, Jansen Van Vuuren, Ratrimomanarico, Probst & Bowie, 2008

Naturae 2025 (13)

Chiropteran diseases are poorly documented and their role in bat population decline is probably insufficiently considered. In this context, it is essential to have an early and multidisciplinary detection system for bat mortality. The SMAC network constitutes one of these surveillance tools and has been in effect since 2014 in France and since 2018 on Reunion Island. In January 2023, this network recorded an abnormal mortality of Reunion Free-tailed bats. Emergency investigations were initiated in order to quickly establish a diagnosis, assess the risks for bats and human populations and inform public decision-making regarding the management of this event. These investigations did not allow to conclude with certainty about the causes of this mortality but point to environmental stress.

The class Somasteroidea and its significance among early Asterozoa (Echinodermata)

Comptes Rendus Palevol 24 (23)

Many specimens of the echinoderm subphylum Asterozoa from the Mediterranean Gondwanan ­Ordovician of France and Morocco have been compiled from many collections, the composite including representation of all four asterozoan classes. While providing a basis for survey of early asterozoan history, the large fauna remains geographically and environmentally localized, and therefore it does not depict Ordovician Asterozoa globally. Overall uniformity of expression has led to widespread agreement on the composition of the subphylum Asterozoa; however, consensus has not been reached on recognition of a precursor (or sister-group) that can clearly advance interpretation of early asterozoan history, a vacancy contributing to differing evaluations in the literature.

Discovery of two crania of Equus (Sussemionus) ovodovi Eisenmann & Vasiliev, 2011 (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Late Pleistocene of Khakassia, Russia

Geodiversitas 47 (19)

Two crania, 40 000 years old, collected inside the Fanatics Cave in Khakassia (Southern Siberia) have improved our knowledge of Equus ovodovi Eisenmann & Vasiliev, 2011 anatomy. Equus ovodovi belongs to the subgenus Sussemionus Eisenmann, 2010 all other members of which went extinct during the Middle Pleistocene. By cranial morphology as well as by other anatomical and molecular characters, E. ovodovi differs from all other Equus species and in particular from E. hydruntinus Regàlia, 1907 to which it was initially referred. E. ovodovi has narrower choanae and supra-occipital crest and a longer muzzle.

An emended description for Rosularia haussknechtii (Boiss. & Reuter) A.Berger (Crassulaceae) from Southeastern Anatolia

Adansonia 47 (18)

Rosularia haussknechtii s.str. is an enigmatic endemic taxon only spread in Southeastern Anatolia. Since the description of this species has been made only on herbarium specimens and from herbarium and live samples of R. pseudohaussknechtii Niederle incorrectly, unfortunately, it contains many deficiencies and mistakes. With this study, the only known type locality of R. haussknechtii s.str. was collected for the first time since 1865, and a new different locality was also found. Based on the live specimens from these different populations, the description of the species was emended. Considering these new data., habitat and ecological characteristics of R. haussknechtii s.str. were determined and distribution map in Türkiye was given.

Do spores of Tortula inermis (Brid.) Mont. deharden to desiccation tolerance during germination?

Cryptogamie, Bryologie 46 (7)

The potential for spores of a moss to deharden to desiccation tolerance during the 48 hours prior to germination is investigated for perhaps the first time in a moss. Spores from capsules of Tortula inermis (Brid.) Mont. stored for 13 years desiccated in darkness were rehydrated for 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, or 48 hours and then rapidly dried to equilibration with c. 34% relative humidity at c. 22°C. The spores were then rehydrated and germination observed on days 3, 7, and 14. Control spores that were not subject to desiccation began to germinate on day 3, and reached 50% germination by day 7 postrehydration.