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

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

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

Imaging and manipulating pituitary function in the awake mouse

International audienceExtensive efforts have been made to explore how the activities of multiple brain cells combine to alter physiology through imaging and cell-specific manipulation in different animal models. However, the temporal regulation of peripheral organs by the neuroendocrine factors released by the brain is poorly understood. We have established a suite of adaptable methodologies to interrogate in vivo the relationship of hypothalamic regulation with the secretory output of the pituitary gland, which has complex functional networks of multiple cell types intermingled with the vasculature. These allow imaging and optogenetic manipulation of cell activities in the pituitary gland in awake mouse models, in which both neuronal regulatory activity and hormonal output are preserved. These methodologies are now readily applicable for longitudinal studies of short-lived events (e.g., calcium signals controlling hormone exocytosis) and slowly evolving processes such as tissue remodeling in health and disease over a period of days to weeks

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

A study of the morphology of Tatenectes laramiensis, a cryptocleidoid plesiosaur from the Sundance Formation (Wyoming, USA)

Tatenectes laramiensis is a cryptocleidoid plesiosaur from the Late Jurassic Sundance Formation. This study primarily concerns a partial skeleton comprised of dorsal vertebrae, ribs, gastralia, and pelvic girdle. Even though the skeleton is incomplete, it is hypothesized that the preserved fossils are sufficient to indicate the overall body shape and also the preferred habitat of Tatenectes. Possibly the most notable of the novel characters is the pachyostotic state of the gastralia. In relation to the ribs and overall size of Tatenectes, in comparison to the gastralia in related taxa, these gastralia are disproportionately robust. The combination of these morphologies suggests a dorso-ventrally compressed body shape. A sub-cylindrical cross-section along with the low center of gravity indicated by the pachyostotic gastralia suggest that Tatenectes laramiensis inhabited shallow coastal regions

Genomic-Phenomic Reciprocal Illumination: Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov., an Exceptional Aneuretine-like Fossil Ant from Ethiopian Amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) †

Simple Summary: We describe a new species of extinct ants from Miocene-aged Ethiopian amber, based on males that resemble species of the relictual lineage Aneuretinae, but which effectively belong to the Ponerinae, as revealed by advanced 3D-imaging technology (synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography, SR-µ-CT). We subsequently propose a revision of ant classification at the subfamily level. We also recognize that the new species belongs to a new genus based on recent phylogenomic results that have clarified the generic boundaries of Ponerini ants. Our work, therefore, represents an example of reciprocal illumination between phenomic and genomic data. Abstract: Fossils are critical for understanding the evolutionary diversification, turnover, and morphological disparification of extant lineages. While fossils cannot be sequenced, phenome-scale data may be generated using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT), thus revealing hidden structures and internal anatomy, when preserved. Here, we adduce the male caste of a new fossil ant species from Miocene Ethiopian amber that resembles members of the Aneuretinae, matching the operational definition of the subfamily. Through the use of synchrotron radiation for µ-CT, we critically test the aneuretine-identity hypothesis. Our results indicate that the new fossils do not belong to the Aneuretinae, but rather the Ponerini (Ponerinae). Informed by recent phylogenomic studies, we were able to place the fossils close to the extant genus Cryptopone based on logical character analysis, with the two uniquely sharing absence of the subpetiolar process among all ponerine genera. Consequently, we: (1) revise the male-based key to the global ant subfamilies; (2) revise the definitions of Aneuretinae, Ponerinae, Platythyreini, and Ponerini; (3) discuss the evolution of ant mandibles; and (4) describe the fossils as † Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov. Our study highlights the value of males for ant systematics and the tremendous potential of phenomic imaging technologies for the study of ant evolution

Description and histology of a small-bodied elasmosaur and discription of mortuneria seyemourensis postcranium

Elasmosauridae is a monophyletic group of plesiosaurs that evolved in the Early Cretaceous and radiated to achieve a cosmopolitan distribution by the end of the Cretaceous. They were a highly successful group of deep sea predators with long necks, small heads, and stout four flippered bodies. Here we describe four postcranial elasmosaurs skeletons that were collected from the shallow marine Lopez de Bertodano formation located on Seymour Island of the Antarctic Peninsula. One specimen is a small-bodied elasmosaurs. Despite its small size it has several advanced ontogenetic character states including the fusion of neural spines to the vertebral centra. The individual was considered to be sub-adult in age. Histological samples were taken of the right femur that showed a moderate amount of remodeling while still preserving much of the fiber lamellar bone associated with fast growing juveniles. Together these features confirm a late juvenile to sub-adult ontogenetic stage for the specimen. Two of the other specimens are moderate sized elasmosaurs with unusual characteristics sometimes attributed to the clade Aristonectinae. We use their characters along with other WBP (Weddelian Biogeographic Provinance) and Pacific elasmosaurs taxa to better understand the relationships among basal Aristonectine elasmosaurs and evaluate characters attributed to them. The final specimen is the post cranial material from the holotype for Mortuneria seymourensis. Using this taxa we can better understand potential apomorphic characters and its relationship to closely related aristonectines. This paper aims to better understand these unusual elasmosaurs and the relationships of WBP elasmosaurs