Description of a new aspidorhynchid fish, <i>Belonostomus lamarquensis</i> sp. nov. (Halecostomi, Aspidorhynchiformes), from the continental Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina

Some braincases, a predentary, a few vertebrae and scales of a new aspidorhynchid species, Belonostomus lamarquensis sp. nov., are described from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) Allen Formation of Patagonia, Argentina. The new species differs from the other Belonostomus species by its flank scales having an anterior smooth region separated by a vertical groove from a posterior region bearing a series of numerous and closely spaced subparallel ridges that end in a deeply crenulated posterior margin. The dermal bones are ornamented with ridges and tubercles, a rare character in Belonostomus. The endocranial bones are completely fused together, except the basisphenoid. Within the Belonostomus species, B. lamarquensis seems closely related to B. hooleyi from the English Lower Cretaceous, which also exhibits dermal bones with ridges and tubercles, and scales morphologically somewhat similar to those of B. lamarquensis

Comparative bone microstructure of three archosauromorphs from the Carnian, Late Triassic Chanares Formation of Argentina

The Chañares Formation exhibits one of the most important archosauriform records of early Carnian ecosystems. Here we present new data on the palaeohistology of Chañares archosauriforms and provide new insights into their paleobiology, as well as possible phylogenetically informative traits. Bone microstructure of Lagerpeton chanarensis and Tropidosuchus romeri is dominated by fibro-lamellar tissue and dense vascularization. On the other hand, Chanaresuchus bonapartei is more densely vascularized, but with cyclical growth characterized by alternate fibro-lamellar, parallel-fibered and lamellar-zonal tissues. Dense vascularization and fibro-lamellar tissue imply fast growth and high metabolic rates for all these taxa. These histological traits may be tentatively interpreted as a possible adaptative advantage in front of Chañares Formation environmental conditions

Soluções de alho (Allium sativum L.) no controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais em bovinos jovens da raça Holandesa

Para avaliar o efeito da atividade anti-helmíntica do alho suplementado, foram utilizadas 24 bezerras e novilhas da raça Holandesa, naturalmente infectadas. As soluções foram preparadas triturando-se o alho, (50%), mais água ou álcool 92º, (50%), administrando-se oralmente aos animais. Os tratamentos (T) foram constituídos pelo grupo controle negativo (T1); extrato alcoólico de alho a 60g e 120g/100Kg de peso vivo (T2) e (T3); extrato aquoso de alho a 60 e 120g/100kg de peso vivo (T4) e (T5); e o grupo controle positivo com albendazol a 10% (T6). Os tratamentos fitoterápicos foram repetidos a cada 14 dias, caso a infecção fosse superior a 400 ovos por grama de fezes (OPG). A técnica de coprocultura quantitativa e qualitativa foi empregada para avaliar a eficácia anti-helmíntica dos tratamentos. Foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos controle e tratados para OPG e na porcentagem relativa de larvas infectantes e desenvolvimento larval. O uso das soluções de alho demonstrou controle parcial de nematódeos gastrintestinais

A Megaraptor-like theropod (Dinosauria: Tetanurae) in Australia: support for faunal exchange across eastern and western Gondwana in the Mid-Cretaceous

The fossil record of Australian dinosaurs in general, and theropods in particular, is extremely sparse. Here we describe an ulna from the Early Cretaceous Eumeralla Formation of Australia that shares unique autapomorphies with the South American theropod Megaraptor. We also present evidence for the spinosauroid affinities of Megaraptor. This ulna represents the first Australian non-avian theropod with unquestionable affinities to taxa from other Gondwanan landmasses, suggesting faunal interchange between eastern and western Gondwana during the Mid-Cretaceous. This evidence counters claims of Laurasian affinities for Early Cretaceous Australian dinosaur faunas, and for the existence of a geographical or climatic barrier isolating Australia from the other Gondwanan continents during this time. The temporal and geographical distribution of Megaraptor and the Eumeralla ulna is also inconsistent with traditional palaeogeographic models for the fragmentation of Gondwana, but compatible with several alternative models positing connections between South America and Antarctica in the Mid-Cretaceous