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Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • horsetails and seed ferns from the Middle Triassic anisian locality kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler, Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert
    Abstract:

    Abstract:  Well-preserved floras from the Alpine Early–Middle Triassic are rare, and thus our understanding of the vegetation in this area during this period of time continues to be incomplete. As a result, every new find represents a significant piece of information that deserves thoughtful consideration. Anisian (Middle Triassic) sphenophytes and pteridosperms have recently been recovered from the Kuhwiesenkopf locality (Monte Pra della Vacca) in northern Italy. The sphenophytes are represented by stem fragments, strobili and isolated sporangiophore heads of Equisetites, as well as by a few specimens of Neocalamites sp. and Echinostachys sp. The pteridosperms include abundant remains of the peltasperm foliage type Scytophyllum bergeri. A second Scytophyllum species in this flora, S. apoldense, is regarded as conspecific with S. bergeri based on epidermal anatomy; the two morphotypes are interpreted as sun and shade leaves of a single biological species. The seed-bearing disc Peltaspermum bornemannii sp. nov. probably represents the female reproductive structure of S. bergeri. Additional pteridosperm remains include foliage assignable to Sagenopteris sp. and Ptilozamites sp., in both cases perhaps the earliest records of these genera.

  • Middle Triassic anisian ferns from kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert, Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler
    Abstract:

    :  This papers deals with the description of the ferns found in the recently discovered Anisian locality of Kuhwiesenkopf (Monte Pra della Vacca). A revision of the genera and species involved has been undertaken where necessary. Because of transitional material found at Kuhwiesenkopf, the number of Neuropteridium species found in the European Middle Triassic floras is reduced from five to three: N. voltzii (Brongniart) Schimper, N. elegans (Brongniart) Schimper and N. grandifolium (Schimper et Mougeot) Compter. The fertile material attributed to this genus is transferred from the illegitimately published genus Crematopteris Schimper and Mougeot to the genus Scolopendrites Goeppert, in two species: S. scolopendrioides (Brongniart) comb. nov. and S. grauvogelii sp. nov. Anomopteris mougeotii Brongniart is unequivocally recorded for the first time from Italy. Gordonopteris lorigae gen. et sp. nov. is described for tripinnate fern fronds without the aphlebiae typical for the bipinnate genus Anomopteris but in which both sterile and fertile pinnule resemble closely those from that genus. Two probable marattialean ferns are described and recorded for the first time from the Middle Triassic of Italy: Marattiopsis sp. and Marantoidea sp. The nomenclature of the latter genus is discussed. Some ferns attributed to morphogenera are also described, namely: Sphenopteris schoenleiniana (Brongniart) Presl, Cladophlebis remota (Presl) comb. nov. and Cladophlebis sp. Moreover, two specimens from Kuhwiesenkopf are described under gen. et sp. indet. as we are unsure if they are ferns or seed ferns. Similar material has been described from the Scythian of China as Neuropteridium curvinerve Wang and Wang.

Evelyn Kustatscher - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Correlation of Lopingian to Middle Triassic Palynozones
    Journal of Earth Science, 2018
    Co-Authors: Hendrik Nowak, Elke Schneebeli-hermann, Evelyn Kustatscher
    Abstract:

    Terrestrial floras underwent important changes during the Lopingian (Late Permian), Early Triassic, and Middle Triassic, i.e., before, during, and after the end-Permian mass extinction. An accurate account of these developments requires reliable correlation. Macrofossils of land plants can only provide a low-resolution biostratigraphy, while detailed zonation schemes based on palynomorphs are available for many regions. Their applicability is still limited due to several factors, such as (micro-)floral provincialism, a lack of suitable marker taxa commonly occurring at important boundaries, and in many cases a lack of independent age control. Nevertheless, these palynostratigraphic schemes are regularly used for dating and correlation of successions between different regions. To support such efforts, the biozonation schemes based on palynomorphs from the Lopingian up to and including the Middle Triassic from across the world are summarized and revised. Thus, a consistent correlation of palynozones with the currently recognized international stages is established.

  • horsetails and seed ferns from the Middle Triassic anisian locality kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler, Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert
    Abstract:

    Abstract:  Well-preserved floras from the Alpine Early–Middle Triassic are rare, and thus our understanding of the vegetation in this area during this period of time continues to be incomplete. As a result, every new find represents a significant piece of information that deserves thoughtful consideration. Anisian (Middle Triassic) sphenophytes and pteridosperms have recently been recovered from the Kuhwiesenkopf locality (Monte Pra della Vacca) in northern Italy. The sphenophytes are represented by stem fragments, strobili and isolated sporangiophore heads of Equisetites, as well as by a few specimens of Neocalamites sp. and Echinostachys sp. The pteridosperms include abundant remains of the peltasperm foliage type Scytophyllum bergeri. A second Scytophyllum species in this flora, S. apoldense, is regarded as conspecific with S. bergeri based on epidermal anatomy; the two morphotypes are interpreted as sun and shade leaves of a single biological species. The seed-bearing disc Peltaspermum bornemannii sp. nov. probably represents the female reproductive structure of S. bergeri. Additional pteridosperm remains include foliage assignable to Sagenopteris sp. and Ptilozamites sp., in both cases perhaps the earliest records of these genera.

  • Middle Triassic anisian ferns from kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert, Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler
    Abstract:

    :  This papers deals with the description of the ferns found in the recently discovered Anisian locality of Kuhwiesenkopf (Monte Pra della Vacca). A revision of the genera and species involved has been undertaken where necessary. Because of transitional material found at Kuhwiesenkopf, the number of Neuropteridium species found in the European Middle Triassic floras is reduced from five to three: N. voltzii (Brongniart) Schimper, N. elegans (Brongniart) Schimper and N. grandifolium (Schimper et Mougeot) Compter. The fertile material attributed to this genus is transferred from the illegitimately published genus Crematopteris Schimper and Mougeot to the genus Scolopendrites Goeppert, in two species: S. scolopendrioides (Brongniart) comb. nov. and S. grauvogelii sp. nov. Anomopteris mougeotii Brongniart is unequivocally recorded for the first time from Italy. Gordonopteris lorigae gen. et sp. nov. is described for tripinnate fern fronds without the aphlebiae typical for the bipinnate genus Anomopteris but in which both sterile and fertile pinnule resemble closely those from that genus. Two probable marattialean ferns are described and recorded for the first time from the Middle Triassic of Italy: Marattiopsis sp. and Marantoidea sp. The nomenclature of the latter genus is discussed. Some ferns attributed to morphogenera are also described, namely: Sphenopteris schoenleiniana (Brongniart) Presl, Cladophlebis remota (Presl) comb. nov. and Cladophlebis sp. Moreover, two specimens from Kuhwiesenkopf are described under gen. et sp. indet. as we are unsure if they are ferns or seed ferns. Similar material has been described from the Scythian of China as Neuropteridium curvinerve Wang and Wang.

Michael Wachtler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • horsetails and seed ferns from the Middle Triassic anisian locality kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler, Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert
    Abstract:

    Abstract:  Well-preserved floras from the Alpine Early–Middle Triassic are rare, and thus our understanding of the vegetation in this area during this period of time continues to be incomplete. As a result, every new find represents a significant piece of information that deserves thoughtful consideration. Anisian (Middle Triassic) sphenophytes and pteridosperms have recently been recovered from the Kuhwiesenkopf locality (Monte Pra della Vacca) in northern Italy. The sphenophytes are represented by stem fragments, strobili and isolated sporangiophore heads of Equisetites, as well as by a few specimens of Neocalamites sp. and Echinostachys sp. The pteridosperms include abundant remains of the peltasperm foliage type Scytophyllum bergeri. A second Scytophyllum species in this flora, S. apoldense, is regarded as conspecific with S. bergeri based on epidermal anatomy; the two morphotypes are interpreted as sun and shade leaves of a single biological species. The seed-bearing disc Peltaspermum bornemannii sp. nov. probably represents the female reproductive structure of S. bergeri. Additional pteridosperm remains include foliage assignable to Sagenopteris sp. and Ptilozamites sp., in both cases perhaps the earliest records of these genera.

  • Middle Triassic anisian ferns from kuhwiesenkopf monte pra della vacca dolomites northern italy
    Palaeontology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Johanna H A Van Konijnenburgvan Cittert, Evelyn Kustatscher, Michael Wachtler
    Abstract:

    :  This papers deals with the description of the ferns found in the recently discovered Anisian locality of Kuhwiesenkopf (Monte Pra della Vacca). A revision of the genera and species involved has been undertaken where necessary. Because of transitional material found at Kuhwiesenkopf, the number of Neuropteridium species found in the European Middle Triassic floras is reduced from five to three: N. voltzii (Brongniart) Schimper, N. elegans (Brongniart) Schimper and N. grandifolium (Schimper et Mougeot) Compter. The fertile material attributed to this genus is transferred from the illegitimately published genus Crematopteris Schimper and Mougeot to the genus Scolopendrites Goeppert, in two species: S. scolopendrioides (Brongniart) comb. nov. and S. grauvogelii sp. nov. Anomopteris mougeotii Brongniart is unequivocally recorded for the first time from Italy. Gordonopteris lorigae gen. et sp. nov. is described for tripinnate fern fronds without the aphlebiae typical for the bipinnate genus Anomopteris but in which both sterile and fertile pinnule resemble closely those from that genus. Two probable marattialean ferns are described and recorded for the first time from the Middle Triassic of Italy: Marattiopsis sp. and Marantoidea sp. The nomenclature of the latter genus is discussed. Some ferns attributed to morphogenera are also described, namely: Sphenopteris schoenleiniana (Brongniart) Presl, Cladophlebis remota (Presl) comb. nov. and Cladophlebis sp. Moreover, two specimens from Kuhwiesenkopf are described under gen. et sp. indet. as we are unsure if they are ferns or seed ferns. Similar material has been described from the Scythian of China as Neuropteridium curvinerve Wang and Wang.

Changyong Zhou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Middle Triassic conodont apparatus architecture revealed by synchrotron x ray microtomography
    Palaeoworld, 2019
    Co-Authors: Jinyuan Huang, Michael J. Benton, Qiyue Zhang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Mao Luo, Carlos Martinezperez, Philip C J Donoghue, Huazhou Yao, Kexin Zhang
    Abstract:

    Abstract The composition of conodont apparatuses is crucial for understanding the feeding mechanisms of these early vertebrates. However, the multielement apparatus reconstructions of most species remain equivocal because they have been inferred from loose element collections, guided by knowledge from rare articulated ‘bedding plane assemblages’ and fused clusters, often from distantly related taxa. Even these natural assemblages can be difficult to interpret because the component elements can be closely juxtaposed or embedded in matrix, making it hard to discern the morphology of each element and their relative positions within the architecture of the feeding apparatus. Here we report five exceptionally preserved conodont clusters from the Middle Triassic Luoping Biota, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. These materials were scanned using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), revealing the morphology and positional homology of the component elements in the fused clusters. We confirm that the apparatus of Nicoraella was composed of eight types of elements, comprising a total of 15 elements. SRXTM reveals the positional homologies of the component elements, viz. a single alate element is located in the S0 position, flanked successively abaxially by pairs of breviform digyrate S1 and S2 elements, bipennate S3 and S4 elements, and a pair of inwardly curved breviform digyrate M elements. Carminate elements occupy the P1 and P2 positions. The apparatus of Nicoraella is among the most completely characterised of all conodonts and serves as a template for the reconstruction of gondollellids.

  • palaeoecological analysis of trace fossil sinusichnus sinuosus from the Middle Triassic guanling formationin southwestern china
    Journal of Earth Science, 2018
    Co-Authors: Yiming Gong, Qiyue Zhang, Jinyuan Huang, Zhongqiang Chen, Shixue Hu, Xueqian Feng, Changyong Zhou
    Abstract:

    The Luoping Biota discovered from the early Middle Triassic (Anisian) Guanling Formation of southwestern China represents a fully recovered shallow marine ecosystem, marking the end point of Early Triassic biotic recovery following the end-Permian mass extinction. Contemporaneously preserved are prolific trace fossils, which offer good opportunities to understand the palaeoecology of marine invertebrates from a fully recovered shallow marine ecosystem. Here we present a newly discovered sinuous branching burrow from the fossil-bearing unit in Member II of the Guanling Formation. Several features, including the horizontal regular sinuous nature, the branching pattern, typical H-junction, and the small wavelength/amplitude ratio of these sinuous structures within the burrow systems justify assignment of these traces as Sinusichnus sinuosus, a trace possibly produced by decapod crustaceans. Close association of S. sinuosus with Rhizocorallium commune suggests a deposit-feeding strategy of these trace makers. The newly reported Anisian material from the Guanling Formation in Luoping represents first report of Sinusichnus from South China. The global record of Sinusichnus occurrence suggests that these burrows might have an older history than Early Middle Triassic.

  • Exceptional appendage and soft-tissue preservation in a Middle Triassic horseshoe crab from SW China
    Nature Publishing Group, 2017
    Co-Authors: Qiyue Zhang, Michael J. Benton, Rodney M. Feldmann, Carrie E. Schweitzer, Jinyuan Huang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Tao Xie
    Abstract:

    Abstract Horseshoe crabs are classic “living fossils”, supposedly slowly evolving, conservative taxa, with a long fossil record back to the Ordovician. The evolution of their exoskeleton is well documented by fossils, but appendage and soft-tissue preservation is extremely rare. Here we analyse details of appendage and soft-tissue preservation in Yunnanolimulus luopingensis, a Middle Triassic (ca. 244 million years old) horseshoe crab from Yunnan Province, SW China. The remarkable preservation of anatomical details including the chelicerae, five pairs of walking appendages, opisthosomal appendages with book gills, muscles, and fine setae permits comparison with extant horseshoe crabs. The close anatomical similarity between the Middle Triassic horseshoe crabs and their recent analogues documents anatomical conservatism for over 240 million years, suggesting persistence of lifestyle. The occurrence of Carcinoscorpius-type claspers on the first and second walking legs in male individuals of Y. luopingensis indicates that simple chelate claspers in males are plesiomorphic for horseshoe crabs, and the bulbous claspers in Tachypleus and Limulus are derived

  • a gigantic nothosaur reptilia sauropterygia from the Middle Triassic of sw china and its implication for the Triassic biotic recovery
    Scientific Reports, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jun Liu, Olivier Rieppel, Michael J. Benton, Jinyuan Huang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Da-yong Jiang, Neil P Kelley, Jonathan C Aitchison, Tao Xie
    Abstract:

    The presence of gigantic apex predators in the eastern Panthalassic and western Tethyan oceans suggests that complex ecosystems in the sea had become re-established in these regions at least by the early Middle Triassic, after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME). However, it is not clear whether oceanic ecosystem recovery from the PTME was globally synchronous because of the apparent lack of such predators in the eastern Tethyan/western Panthalassic region prior to the Late Triassic. Here we report a gigantic nothosaur from the lower Middle Triassic of Luoping in southwest China (eastern Tethyan ocean), which possesses the largest known lower jaw among Triassic sauropterygians. Phylogenetic analysis suggests parallel evolution of gigantism in Triassic sauropterygians. Discovery of this gigantic apex predator, together with associated diverse marine reptiles and the complex food web, indicates global recovery of shallow marine ecosystems from PTME by the early Middle Triassic.

  • early Middle Triassic stromatolites from the luoping area yunnan province southwest china geobiologic features and environmental implications
    Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Mao Luo, Qiyue Zhang, Jinyuan Huang, Zhongqiang Chen, Laishi Zhao, Steve Kershaw, Hao Yang, Yuheng Fang, Yuangeng Huang, Changyong Zhou
    Abstract:

    Abstract An early Middle Triassic stromatolite deposit is documented from the Guanling Formation of the Luoping area, Yunnan, SW China. The Luoping stromatolite shows five types of constructional microbial forms in various magnifications: 1) typical stratified columnar structures, up to 20 cm high, with crinkled laminae. Dark coloured laminae, 1 mm thick, are composed of upright filamentous tubes, averagely 29.4 μm in diameter, showing a vertical growth fabric. 2) Laminoid fenestrae, 0.5–1 mm wide, and 3) prostrate filaments, which are reflected by strong fluorescence in sharp contrast to dolomite cement in fluorescent images. 4) Rod-like aggregates, 4.6–18 μm in diameter, composed of minute dolomite rhombs, are very common in stromatolitic laminae; they resemble present-day cyanobacterial trichome, and thus may represent putative fossilized cyanobacteria. 5) Moreover, small pits, coccoid-like spheroids, calcified biofilms, and fibrous structures are also common in stromatolitic laminae. The last two may represent calcified extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that contributed to the development and lithification of stromatolites. Authigenic quartz grains are common and may also have involved biological processes in stromatolite formation. Of these microbial functional-groups driving accretion and lithification processes of stromatolite documented in literature, both lithified cyanobacteria/oxygenic phototrophs and possible sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which induced microbial formation of dolomite and contributed to the accretion of the Luoping stromatolite, are suggestive of biogenic origin. The Luoping stromatolite differs from the Permian–Triassic boundary microbialites (PTBMs) in having abundant filamentous structures and growing in an oxic marine environment. Both sedimentary facies analysis and abundant fossilized cyanobacteria may indicate proliferation of oxygenic phototrophs in a normal, oxic habitat during the Middle Anisian (early Middle Triassic), a period when hospitable environments, coupled with biotic diversification, prevailed in South China and set an agenda for the full recovery of marine ecosystems in Middle–late Anisian. However, the post-extinction stromatolites and other anachronistic facies are not necessarily indicative of anoxic or oxic conditions, and their environmental settings are much more complex than previously thought.

Michael J. Benton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Middle Triassic conodont apparatus architecture revealed by synchrotron x ray microtomography
    Palaeoworld, 2019
    Co-Authors: Jinyuan Huang, Michael J. Benton, Qiyue Zhang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Mao Luo, Carlos Martinezperez, Philip C J Donoghue, Huazhou Yao, Kexin Zhang
    Abstract:

    Abstract The composition of conodont apparatuses is crucial for understanding the feeding mechanisms of these early vertebrates. However, the multielement apparatus reconstructions of most species remain equivocal because they have been inferred from loose element collections, guided by knowledge from rare articulated ‘bedding plane assemblages’ and fused clusters, often from distantly related taxa. Even these natural assemblages can be difficult to interpret because the component elements can be closely juxtaposed or embedded in matrix, making it hard to discern the morphology of each element and their relative positions within the architecture of the feeding apparatus. Here we report five exceptionally preserved conodont clusters from the Middle Triassic Luoping Biota, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. These materials were scanned using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), revealing the morphology and positional homology of the component elements in the fused clusters. We confirm that the apparatus of Nicoraella was composed of eight types of elements, comprising a total of 15 elements. SRXTM reveals the positional homologies of the component elements, viz. a single alate element is located in the S0 position, flanked successively abaxially by pairs of breviform digyrate S1 and S2 elements, bipennate S3 and S4 elements, and a pair of inwardly curved breviform digyrate M elements. Carminate elements occupy the P1 and P2 positions. The apparatus of Nicoraella is among the most completely characterised of all conodonts and serves as a template for the reconstruction of gondollellids.

  • a new species of platysiagum from the luoping biota anisian Middle Triassic yunnan south china reveals the relationship between platysiagidae and neopterygii
    Geological Magazine, 2019
    Co-Authors: W Wen, Michael J. Benton, Zhongqiang Chen, Q Y Zhang, Jurgen Kriwet, C Y Zhou, T Xie, J Y Huang
    Abstract:

    Four complete platysiagid fish specimens are described from the Luoping Biota, Anisian (Middle Triassic), Yunnan Province, southwest China. They are small fishes with bones and scales covered with ganoine. All characters observed, such as nasals meeting in the midline, a keystone-like dermosphenotic, absence of post-rostral bone, two infraorbitals between dermosphenotic and jugal, large antorbital, and two postcleithra, suggest that the new materials belong to a single, new Platysiagum species, P. sinensis sp. nov. Three genera are ascribed to Platysiagidae: Platysiagum , Helmolepis and Caelatichthys . However, most specimens of the first two genera are imprints or fragmentary. The new, well-preserved specimens from the Luoping Biota provide more detailed anatomical information than before, and thus help amend the concept of the Platysiagidae. The Family Platysiagidae was previously classed in the Perleidiformes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Platysiagidae is a member of basal Neopterygii, and its origin seems to predate that of Perleidiformes. Moreover, platysiagid fishes are known from the Middle Triassic of the western Tethys region. The newly found specimens of platysiagids from Luoping provide additional evidence that both eastern and western sides of the Tethys Ocean were biogeographically more connected than previously thought.

  • Exceptional appendage and soft-tissue preservation in a Middle Triassic horseshoe crab from SW China
    Nature Publishing Group, 2017
    Co-Authors: Qiyue Zhang, Michael J. Benton, Rodney M. Feldmann, Carrie E. Schweitzer, Jinyuan Huang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Tao Xie
    Abstract:

    Abstract Horseshoe crabs are classic “living fossils”, supposedly slowly evolving, conservative taxa, with a long fossil record back to the Ordovician. The evolution of their exoskeleton is well documented by fossils, but appendage and soft-tissue preservation is extremely rare. Here we analyse details of appendage and soft-tissue preservation in Yunnanolimulus luopingensis, a Middle Triassic (ca. 244 million years old) horseshoe crab from Yunnan Province, SW China. The remarkable preservation of anatomical details including the chelicerae, five pairs of walking appendages, opisthosomal appendages with book gills, muscles, and fine setae permits comparison with extant horseshoe crabs. The close anatomical similarity between the Middle Triassic horseshoe crabs and their recent analogues documents anatomical conservatism for over 240 million years, suggesting persistence of lifestyle. The occurrence of Carcinoscorpius-type claspers on the first and second walking legs in male individuals of Y. luopingensis indicates that simple chelate claspers in males are plesiomorphic for horseshoe crabs, and the bulbous claspers in Tachypleus and Limulus are derived

  • a gigantic nothosaur reptilia sauropterygia from the Middle Triassic of sw china and its implication for the Triassic biotic recovery
    Scientific Reports, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jun Liu, Olivier Rieppel, Michael J. Benton, Jinyuan Huang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Da-yong Jiang, Neil P Kelley, Jonathan C Aitchison, Tao Xie
    Abstract:

    The presence of gigantic apex predators in the eastern Panthalassic and western Tethyan oceans suggests that complex ecosystems in the sea had become re-established in these regions at least by the early Middle Triassic, after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME). However, it is not clear whether oceanic ecosystem recovery from the PTME was globally synchronous because of the apparent lack of such predators in the eastern Tethyan/western Panthalassic region prior to the Late Triassic. Here we report a gigantic nothosaur from the lower Middle Triassic of Luoping in southwest China (eastern Tethyan ocean), which possesses the largest known lower jaw among Triassic sauropterygians. Phylogenetic analysis suggests parallel evolution of gigantism in Triassic sauropterygians. Discovery of this gigantic apex predator, together with associated diverse marine reptiles and the complex food web, indicates global recovery of shallow marine ecosystems from PTME by the early Middle Triassic.

  • nothosaur foraging tracks from the Middle Triassic of southwestern china
    Nature Communications, 2014
    Co-Authors: Qiyue Zhang, Michael J. Benton, Jinyuan Huang, Wen Wen, Changyong Zhou, Tao Xie, Jun Liu, Brian Choo, Zhongqiang Chen, Qican Zhang
    Abstract:

    The seas of the Mesozoic were populated by marine reptiles, yet their modes of locomotion remain unknown. Here, Zhang et al. describe seabed tracks made by the paddles of Middle Triassic nothosaurs in southwestern China, which shows that these marine reptiles used their forelimbs for propulsion.