Juvenile morphology: A clue to the origins of the most mysterious of mysticetes?

The origin of the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata) has long been one of the most vexing conundrums of marine mammal evolution. The extremely disparate skeletal structure ofCapereaand a patchy fossil record have left morphology and molecules at odds: whereas most morphological analyses allyCapereawith right whales (Balaenidae), most molecular studies instead suggest a close relationship with rorquals (Balaenopteridae) and grey whales (Eschrichtiidae). The morphological evidence supporting aCaperea-balaenid clade consists of several shared features of the skull and mandible, as traditionally observed in adult individuals. Here, we show that at least two of these features, the ascending process of the maxilla and the coronoid process, arise from substantially different precursors early during ontogeny and therefore likely do not represent genuine synapomorphies. Both of these juvenile morphologies have adult counterparts in the fossil record, thus indicating that the ontogenetic variation in the living species may be a genuine reflection of differing ancestral states. This new evidence contradicts previous morphological hypotheses on the origins ofCapereaand may help to reconcile morphological and molecular evidence.Fil: Marx, Felix. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagonico; ArgentinaFil: Fordyce, R. Ewan. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Boessenecker, Robert W.. University of Otago; Nueva Zeland

Gigantic mysticete predators roamed the Eocene Southern Ocean

Modern baleen whales (Mysticeti), the largest animals on Earth, arose from small ancestors around 36.4 million years ago (Ma). True gigantism is thought to have arisen late in mysticete history, with species exceeding 10 m unknown prior to 8 Ma. This view is challenged by new fossils from Seymour Island (Isla Marambio), Antarctica, which suggest that enormous whales once roamed the Southern Ocean during the Late Eocene (c. 34 Ma). The new material hints at an unknown species of the archaic mysticete Llanocetus with a total body length of up to 12 m. The latter is comparable to that of extant Omura´s whales (Balaenoptera omurai Wada et al. 2003), and suggests that gigantism has been a re-occurring feature of mysticetes since their very origin. Functional analysis including sharpness and dental wear implies an at least partly raptorial feeding strategy, starkly contrasting with the filtering habit of living whales. The new material markedly expands the size range of archaic mysticetes, and demonstrates that whales achieved considerable disparity shortly after their origin.Fil: Marx, Felix G.. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Directorate Earth and History of Life; Bélgica. Monash University; Australia. Museums Victoria. Geosciences; AustraliaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Evans, Alistair R.. Monash University; Australia. Museums Victoria. Geosciences; AustraliaFil: Fordyce, Robert Ewan. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda. National Museum of Natural History; Estados UnidosFil: Reguero, Marcelo Alfredo. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Hocking, David P.. Monash University; Australia. Museums Victoria. Geosciences; Australi

Radical platforms: autonomism, globalisation and networks

© 2016 Dr. Robert David Ewan FordyceThis thesis engages in the work of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri as well as others in the post-autonomist Italian Marxist tradition to critique the concept of Empire and to identify serious flaws in cryptolibertarian approaches to replacing the state with computational apparatuses. Hardt and Negri’s work proposes the existence of an international, multi-layered political structure called Empire, with a corresponding international working class called the ‘multitude’ which has been subsumed within this new global political system. The main thrust of the thesis identifies that media is underanalysed in Hardt and Negri’s work, yet there is great scope for networked media to be included as not just a component to Empire, but as constitutive of Empire’s existence. Thus the argument is that Empire is reliant on media, and would not survive without it. From this perspective, the acts of loose groups and fraternities, such as IP pirates, cryptolibertarians and cryptofascists, and anti-state groups of other sorts, to engineer software solutions to replace the state are problematic. Examples such as 3D printing, bitcoin, Wikileaks, and State-In-A-Box suggest that cryptolibertarian and related ideologies of technological solutions not only tend to be misguided, they reproduce the nature of Empire in an intensified manner. The argument of this thesis is thus that technological solutions that seek to replace the state with mediated software protocols will likely tend to simply reproduce structures of governance that are more rigid, and have less capacity for social intervention than the current structures of governance. This argument does not preclude technological methods as integral to political solutions in the future, but certainly questions those approaches that conceive of society as a set of problems to be solved

A new genus and species of eomysticetid (Cetacea: Mysticeti) and a reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus Marples, 1956: transitional baleen whales from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand

The early evolution of toothless baleen whales (Chaeomysticeti) remains elusive despite a robust record of Eocene-Oligocene archaeocetes and toothed mysticetes. Eomysticetids, a group of archaic longirostrine and putatively toothless baleen whales fill in a crucial morphological gap between well-known toothed mysticetes and more crownward Neogene Mysticeti. A historically important but perplexing cetacean is “Mauicetus” lophocephalus (upper Oligocene South Island, New Zealand). The discovery of new skulls and skeletons of eomysticetids from the Oligocene Kokoamu Greensand and Otekaike Limestone permit a redescription and modern reinterpretation of “Mauicetus” lophocephalus, and indicating that this species may have retained adult teeth. A new genus and species, Tokarahia kauaeroa, is erected on the basis of a well-preserved subadult to adult skull with mandibles, tympanoperiotics, and cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ribs, sternum, and forelimbs from the Otekaike Limestone (>25.2 Ma). “Mauicetus” lophocephalus is relatively similar and recombined as Tokarahia lophocephalus. Phylogenetic analysis supports inclusion of Tokarahia within the Eomysticetidae alongside Eomysticetus, Micromysticetus, Yamatocetus, and Tohoraata, and strongly supports monophyly of Eomysticetidae. Tokarahia lacked extreme rostral kinesis of extant Mysticeti and primitively retained a delicate archaeocete-like posterior mandible and synovial temporomandibular joint, suggesting that Tokarahia was capable of at most, limited lunge feeding in contrast to extant Balaenopteridae, and utilized an alternative as-yet unspecified feeding strategy

Anatomy, feeding ecology, and ontogeny of a transitional baleen whale: a new genus and species of Eomysticetidae (Mammalia: Cetacea) from the Oligocene of New Zealand

The Eocene history of cetacean evolution is now represented by the expansive fossil record of archaeocetes elucidating major morphofunctional shifts relating to the land to sea transition, but the change from archaeocetes to modern cetaceans is poorly established. New fossil material of the recently recognized family Eomysticetidae from the upper Oligocene Otekaike Limestone includes a new genus and species, Waharoa ruwhenua, represented by skulls and partial skeletons of an adult, juvenile, and a smaller juvenile. Ontogenetic status is confirmed by osteohistology of ribs. Waharoa ruwhenua is characterized by an elongate and narrow rostrum which retains vestigial alveoli and alveolar grooves. Palatal foramina and sulci are present only on the posterior half of the palate. The nasals are elongate, and the bony nares are positioned far anteriorly. Enormous temporal fossae are present adjacent to an elongate and narrow intertemporal region with a sharp sagittal crest. The earbones are characterized by retaining inner and outer posterior pedicles, lacking fused posterior processes, and retaining a separate accessory ossicle. Phylogenetic analysis supports inclusion of Waharoa ruwhenua within a monophyletic Eomysticetidae as the earliest diverging clade of toothless mysticetes. This eomysticetid clade also included Eomysticetus whitmorei, Micromysticetus rothauseni, Tohoraata raekohao, Tokarahia kauaeroa, Tokarahia lophocephalus, and Yamatocetus canaliculatus. Detailed study of ontogenetic change demonstrates postnatal elaboration of the sagittal and nuchal crests, elongation of the intertemporal region, inflation of the zygomatic processes, and an extreme proportional increase in rostral length. Tympanic bullae are nearly full sized during early postnatal ontogeny indicating precocial development of auditory structures, but do increase slightly in size. Positive allometry of the rostrum suggests an ontogenetic change in feeding ecology, from neonatal suckling to a more specialized adult feeding behaviour. Possible absence of baleen anteriorly, a delicate temporomandibular joint with probable synovial capsule, non-laterally deflected coronoid process, and anteroposteriorly expanded palate suggests skim feeding as likely mode of adult feeding for zooplankton. Isotopic data in concert with preservation of young juveniles suggests the continental shelf of Zealandia was an important calving ground for latitudinally migrating Oligocene baleen whales

Hearing from the ocean and into the river: The evolution of the inner ear of Platanistoidea (Cetacea, Odontoceti)

The inner ear of the two higher clades of modern cetaceans (Neoceti) is highly adapted for hearing infrasonic (mysticetes) or ultrasonic (odontocetes) frequencies. Within odontocetes, Platanistoidea comprises a single extant riverine representative, Platanista gangetica, and a diversity of mainly extinct marine species from the late Oligocene onward. Recent studies, drawing on features including the disparate tympanoperiotic, have not yet provided a consensus phylogenetic hypothesis for platanistoids. Further, cochlear morphology and evolutionary patterns have never been reported. Here, we describe for the first time the inner ear morphology of late Oligocene-early Miocene extinct marine platanistoids and their evolutionary patterns. We initially hypothesized that extinct marine platanistoids lacked a specialised inner ear like Platanista gangetica and thus, their morphology and inferred hearing abilities were more similar to pelagic odontocetes. Our results reveal there is no "typical" platanistoid cochlear type as the group displays a disparate range of cochlear anatomies, but all are consistent with high-frequency hearing. Stem odontocete Prosqualodon australis and platanistoid Otekaikea huata present a tympanal recess in their cochlea, of yet uncertain function in the hearing mechanism in cetaceans. The more basal morphology of Aondelphis talen indicates it had lower high-frequency hearing than other platanistoids. Finally, Platanista has the most derived cochlear morphology, adding to evidence that it is an outlier within the group and consistent with a >9 Myr long separation from its sister genus Zarhachis. The evolution of a singular sound production morphology within Platanistidae may have facilitated the survival of Platanista to the present day.Fil: Viglino, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Gaetán, Carlos Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Fordyce, Robert Ewan. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Park, Travis. Natural History Museum; Reino Unid

Unravelling the identity of the platanistoid Notocetus vanbenedeni Moreno, 1892 (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the early Miocene of Patagonia (Argentina)

Platanistoidea remains one of the most evolutionarily intriguing lineages of toothed whales (Odontoceti). The clade comprises mostly extinct species from the late Oligocene–early Miocene onward and a single extant riverine genus (Platanista). There is an ongoing debate as to the membership of Platanistoidea and the causes of their near extinction. In Patagonia (Argentina), the most abundant platanistoid recorded in the lower Miocene Gaiman Formation is Notocetus vanbenedeni, first described by Moreno in 1892 based on two individuals. The goal of the present contribution is to conduct an updated anatomical, palaeobiological and phylogenetic analyses of Notocetus vanbenedeni and hence contribute to an understanding of the evolutionary history of the Platanistoidea. Our analyses, including at least 26 individuals (12 undescribed), show that Notocetus vanbenedeni is a valid platanistoid taxon, recovered as part of a new clade. Among its most outstanding features, this taxon has an elevated dorsal tubercular supraorbital crest formed mainly by the frontal, the precursor of the pneumatized crest of the extant Platanista. Notocetus vanbenedeni also shows initial stages of the plesiomorphic bony connection between the earbones and skull as in Platanista, although the functional implications for hearing remain elusive. The nasal sac system, pterygoid sinus system and morphology of the earbones suggest that this species was able to hear high-frequency sounds and echolocate underwater, similar to extant odontocetes. Thus, Notocetus vanbenedeni presents a mosaic of features that suggest an intermediate platanistoid morphotype. Anatomical differences and phylogenetic analyses suggest that Peruvian specimens could not be referred to this species. The feeding apparatus of Notocetus vanbenedeni makes it the only combination suction-feeder recorded in the early Miocene of Patagonia and among the smallest odontocetes. Finally, the abundant records of Notocetus vanbenedeni in an inner shelf environment with freshwater influence suggest a possible early preference for such protected habitats.Fil: Viglino, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Tanaka, Yoshihiro. Osaka Museum Of Natural History; JapónFil: Cuitiño, José Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Fordyce, Robert Ewan. University of Otago; Nueva Zeland

Hearing the puzzle: The inner ear evolution of Platanistoidea (Cetacea: Odontoceti)

Hearing is one of the key senses for modern cetaceans (Neoceti) to hunting and communication, adapted for either infrasonic (Mysticeti) or ultrasonic (Odontoceti) frequencies. Among odontocetes, the Platanistoidea comprises a single extant riverine representative (Platanista gangetica) but numerous extinct marine species from the late Oligocene onward. Platanista is a critically endangered odontocete species that possess unique morphological characteristics, but their evolutionary patterns remain mostly unknown. Studying extinct platanistoids' hearing abilities might contribute a piece to the complex evolutionary puzzle of this group to understand its drastic diversity reduction. Thus, we describe for the first time the inner ear morphology of 6 late Oligocene–early Miocene extinct marine platanistoids from New Zealand and Patagonia (Argentina).Fil: Viglino, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Gaetán, Carlos Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Fordyce, Robert Ewan. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Park, Travis. Natural History Museum; Reino Unido9th International Meeting on the Secondary Adaptation of Tetrapods to Life in Water Virtual MeetingSantiago de ChileChileUniversidad de Chile. Red PaleontológicaConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y PaleontologíaUniversidad de Magallanes. Centro de Investigación GAIA-AntárticaUniversidad AustralUniversity of OtagoUniversity of California - Santa Cru

Anatomy and phylogeny of the large shark-toothed dolphin Phoberodon arctirostris Cabrera, 1926 (Cetacea: Odontoceti) from the early Miocene of Patagonia (Argentina)

The early Miocene of Patagonia (Argentina) provides one of the best-known records of odontocetes for an age interval with scarce fossils. Most of these taxa are historically old and briefly described, which has contributed, in part, to their controversial taxonomic position. The shark-toothed dolphin Phoberodon arctirostris was described almost 100 years ago and suggested as a member of Platanistoidea and Squalodontidae. However, it has not been analysed recently and has never been included in a phylogenetic analysis. Recent fieldwork in the early Miocene sediments in Patagonia yielded a new specimen referred to this species, allowing for its modern and detailed description and the first phylogenetic analyses. Analyses recovered P. arctirostris as a stem Odontoceti or an early-diverging platanistoid, more closely related to an unnamed Oligocene specimen from New Zealand and not in a clade with Squalodon calvertensis (i.e. Squalodontidae). The reconstructed body length of P. arctirostris indicates that it is one of the largest stem Odontoceti. Our results suggest that during the early Miocene of Patagonia, archaic odontocete forms (i.e. P. arctirostris) cohabited with archaic and more crownward platanistoids (i.e. Aondelphis talen and Notocetus vanbenedeni), helping to characterize the early Miocene cetacean communities of Patagonia.Fil: Viglino, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Buono, Mónica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Fordyce, Robert Ewan. University Of Otago; CanadáFil: Cuitiño, José Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Fitzgerald, Erich M.G.. Museums Victoria; Australi