The stone implements and wrist-guards of the Bell Beaker cemetery of Budakalász (M0/12 site)

In this article I investigate the stone finds of the Bell Beaker cemetery of Budakalász from archaeological and petrographic points of view. For the first time in Hungary I describe the finds in the terms of international typology, and compare the inventory with other published Hungarian and European Bell Beaker sites

Metabolic rate and growth in the temperate bivalve Mercenaria mercenaria at a biogeographic limit, from the English Channel

Metabolism and growth rate of the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, were investigated in a population invasive to Southampton Water, southern England. An individual metabolic model expressed as a function of soft tissue dry mass was fitted to data of 18 individuals (log (VO2) = −1.952 + 0.543 • log (DM); F1,16 = 201.18, P < 0.001, r2 = 0.926). A von Bertalanffy growth function was fitted to 227 size-at-age data pairs of 18 individuals (Ht = 80.13 • (1 − e−0.149 • (t−0.542)); r2 = 0.927). Individual age-specific somatic production was calculated, demonstrating increase with age to a maximum of 3.88 kJ y−1 at ten years old followed by decrease, and individual age-specific annual respiration was calculated, demonstrating asymptotic increase with age to 231.37 kJ y−1 at 30 years old. Results found here lie within the physiological tolerances reported across the biogeographical range, suggesting that the species' biogeographical limitation in the UK to Southampton Water results from ecological rather than physiological factors

The male of Strotarchus paradoxus (Petrunkevitch, 1963) (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae), a fossil spider from Chiapas, Mexico

The spider genus Strotarchus Simon, 1888 includes 18 extant species from the American continent (12 from Mexico). Additionally, two fossil species have been described for this genus, Strotarchus paradoxus (Petrunkevitch, 1963) from Mexican amber (Chiapas), and Strotarchus heidti Wunderlich, 1988 from Dominican Republic amber. From two pieces of amber from Chiapas, here we describe for the first time, the male of the fossil spider S. paradoxus previously known only by a female specimen preserved in amber from the same locality. Moreover, a diagnosis is proposed for this species based on the characteristics of the female described by Petrunkevitch (1963) and the male here described.El género de arañas Strotarchus Simon, 1888 incluye 18 especies actuales para el continente americano (12 de México). Adicionalmente, se han descrito dos especies fósiles de este género, Strotarchus paradoxus (Petrunkevitch, 1963) de ámbar de México (Chiapas), y Strotarchus heidti Wunderlich, 1988 de ámbar de la República Dominicana. A partir de dos piezas de ámbar de Chiapas, describimos aquí por primera vez, el macho de la araña fósil S. paradoxus conocida previamente solo por un ejemplar hembra preservado en ámbar de la misma localidad. Además, se propone una diagnosis para esta especie con base en las características de la hembra descrita por Petrunkevitch (1963) y del macho aquí descrito

The stone implements and wrist-guards of the Bell Beaker cemetery of Budakalász (M0/12 site)

In this article I investigate the stone finds of the Bell Beaker cemetery of Budakalász from archaeological and petrographic points of view. For the first time in Hungary I describe the finds in the terms of international typology, and compare the inventory with other published Hungarian and European Bell Beaker sites

Evidence of pachyostosis in the cryptocleidoid plesiosaur Tatenectes laramiensis from the Sundance Formation of Wyoming

In this paper we present evidence for pachyostosis in the cryptocleidoid plesiosaur Tatenectes laramiensis Knight, 1900 (O\u27Keefe and Wahl, 2003a). Pachyostosis is not common in plesiosaurs and is particularly rare in non-pliosaurian plesiosaurs, although enlarged gastralia were first recognized in Tatenectes by Wahl (1999). This study aims to investigate the nature of the disproportionately large gastralia of Tatenectes m greater depth, based on new material. A recently discovered partial skeleton consisting of a dorsal vertebral series, ribs, gastralia, and a complete pelvic girdle was collected from the Jurassic-aged Sundance Formation of the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming during the summer of 2006. The gastralia of this specimen are disproportionately large considering the small size of the taxon (about 3 meters total length), and we therefore investigated the size of these elements quantitatively. Polished cross-sections were also prepared to explore the histology of the ribs and gastralia. The ribs of Tatenectes are not pachyostotic, whereas the gastralia exhibit a novel condition of pachyostosis while lacking osteosclerosis

Evaluation Of Cementochronology As An Aging Method For Inexperienced Researchers

There are numerous different methods of determining the age of an adult human skeleton from the auricular surface or pubic symphysis of the pelvis, attrition of the human dental enamel, and degeneration of other syndesmosis. Age-at-death estimates from cementum annulation counts are one of the most accurate methods available. Cementochronology can provide an estimate for age-at-death despite pathological conditions that affect the bones and teeth; in some cases, where remains are incomplete, fragmented, or damaged post-mortem, a count of cementum annulations might be the only technique possible to obtain an age estimate. This method is of course not without its limitations. Despite its potential accuracy and precision, over the past 20 years, there has been much debate over whether this method should be used for human skeletons, particularly in a forensic context. Concerns are primarily focused on the lack of a standard protocol and validation studies thereof. This thesis will address the question of why counting cementum annulations is potentially so valuable as an age estimation tool and concerns as to whether a recently developed sectioning protocol will make this method more accessible

The argonaut constructs its shell via physical self-organization and coordinated cell sensorial activity.

We acknowledge TESCAN and Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH for the acquisition and early processing of the images by FIB-SEM. This research was funded by projects CGL2017-85118-P (A.G.C., C.G.), PID2020- 116660GB-I00 (A.G.C., C.G., A.B.R.-N.) (Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación), and B-RNM-265- UGR18 (A.G.C., C.G., A.B.R.-N.) (Junta de Andalucía), the Unidad Científica de Excelencia UCE-PP2016-05 (A.G.C., C.G., A.B.R.-N.) (University of Granada), and the Research Group RNM363 (A.G.C., C.G.) (Junta de Andalucía).Conceptualization: A.G.C.; methodology: A.G.C., F.L., A.B.R.-N., and E.G.; investigation and formal analysis: all authors; visualization: A.G.C., F.L.; writing – original draft: A.G.C.; writing – review & editing: F.L., C.G., E.G., A.B.R.-N., W.W.S.The shell of the cephalopod Argonauta consists of two layers of fibers that elongate perpendicular to the shell surfaces. Fibers have a high-Mg calcitic core sheathed by thin organic membranes (>100 nm) and configurate a polygonal network in cross section. Their evolution has been studied by serial sectioning with electron microscopy-associated techniques. During growth, fibers with small cross-sectional areas shrink, whereas those with large sections widen. It is proposed that fibers evolve as an emulsion between the fluid precursors of both the mineral and organic phases. When polygons reach big cross-sectional areas, they become subdivided by new membranes. To explain both the continuation of the pattern and the subdivision process, the living cells from the mineralizing tissue must perform contact recognition of the previously formed pattern and subsequent secretion at sub-micron scale. Accordingly, the fabrication of the argonaut shell proceeds by physical self-organization together with direct cellular activity.Unidad Científica de Excelencia UCE-PP2016-05Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación B-RNM-265-UGR18Universidad de Granada RNM363Junta de Andalucí

Comparative osteohistology of hyperelongate neural spines in basal synapsids (Vertebrata, Amniota): Growth and mechanical considerations

Basal synapsids comprise one of the best represented groups of early tetrapods and demonstrate a classic example of a macroevolutionary transition. The basal synapsid fossil record is of significant interest to paleontolists because it presents an excellent opportunity for studying the evolution of vertebrate morphology. In the present study, neural spine osteohistology is further examined across a broad range of basal synapsid genera with hyperlongate neural spines. Due to the limited availability of specimens and the comparative approach required for destructive analysis, the present study is divided into two major comparative investigations: analysis of hyperlongate neural spine in (1) Spenacodontidae and (2) Edaphosauridae