Computed 3D visualisation of an extinct cephalopod using computer tomographs

AbstractThe first 3D visualisation of a heteromorph cephalopod species from the Southern Alps (Dolomites, northern Italy) is presented. Computed tomography, palaeontological data and 3D reconstructions were included in the production of a movie, which shows a life reconstruction of the extinct organism. This detailed reconstruction is according to the current knowledge of the shape and mode of life as well as habitat of this animal. The results are based on the most complete shell known thus far of the genus Dissimilites. Object-based combined analyses from computed tomography and various computed 3D facility programmes help to understand morphological details as well as their ontogentical changes in fossil material. In this study, an additional goal was to show changes in locomotion during different ontogenetic phases of such fossil, marine shell-bearing animals (ammonoids). Hence, the presented models and tools can serve as starting points for discussions on morphology and locomotion of extinct cephalopods in general, and of the genus Dissimilites in particular. The heteromorph ammonoid genus Dissimilites is interpreted here as an active swimmer of the Tethyan Ocean. This study portrays non-destructive methods of 3D visualisation applied on palaeontological material, starting with computed tomography resulting in animated, high-quality video clips. The here presented 3D geometrical models and animation, which are based on palaeontological material, demonstrate the wide range of applications, analytical techniques and also outline possible limitations of 3D models in earth sciences and palaeontology. The realistic 3D models and motion pictures can easily be shared amongst palaeontologists. Data, images and short clips can be discussed online and, if necessary, adapted in morphological details and motion-style to better represent the cephalopod animal

Early Cretaceous araucarian driftwood from hemipelagic sediments of the Puez area, South Tyrol, Italy

AbstractWe describe a calcareously permineralised fossil tree-trunk, preserved as driftwood, within hemipelagic sediments of the Cretaceous Puez Formation near Wolkenstein, South Tyrol, Italy. Planktic foraminiferal assemblages recovered from the marls containing the fossil wood indicate a latest middle Albian age. Based on its wood anatomy, the trunk is assigned to Agathoxylon and probably has an affinity with the conifer family Araucariaceae. The wood lacks pronounced tree-rings consistent with tree growth within the broad humid tropical belt that existed at that time. The trunk contains cylindrical chambers filled within faecal pellets, demonstrating that oribatid mites infested the tree, either during life, or shortly after death. Prior to final burial, the tree-trunk drifted out into the open sea for a considerable period as indicated by extensive borings assigned to the ichnospecies Teredolites longissimus and produced by teredinid bivalves. Relatively little is known about the Cretaceous floras of Italy, so this new finding fills a gap in our knowledge of the composition and ecology of the vegetation of this region

Shell accumulation of the brachiopod Pygope catulloi PICTET, 1867 (Lower Valanginian; Northern Calcareous Alps, Upper Austria): Palaeoecological implications

Abstract A shell accumulation of the brachiopod Pygope catulloi from the upper Steinmühl Formation (Lower Cretaceous; Northern Calcareous Alps, Upper Austria) is recorded for the first time. Extraordinary environmental conditions during the Lower Valanginian led to an accumulation within a single layer. The acme of Pygope catulloi within the investigated area seems to coincide with drastic sea-level falls during the Lower Valanginian. The pygopid assemblage most probably inhabited a submarine ridge where bottom currents hindered rapid accumulation of pelagic sediments and the sedimentation rate was very low

Evidence of two lineages of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs in the Lower Cretaceous of the Czech Republic

Metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs were an important component in shallow marine ecosystems during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in the European archipelago. While metriorhynchids are well known from western European countries, their central and eastern European record is poor and usually limited to isolated or fragmentary specimens which often hinders a precise taxonomic assignment. However, isolated elements such as tooth crowns, have been found to provide informative taxonomic identifications. Here we describe two isolated metriorhynchid tooth crowns from the upper Valanginian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Stramberk area, Czech Republic. Our assessment of the specimens, including multivariate analysis of dental measurements and surface enamel structures, indicates that the crowns belong to two distinct geosaurin taxa (Plesiosuchina? indet. and Torvoneustes? sp.) with different feeding adaptations. The specimens represent the first evidence of Metriorhynchidae from the Czech Republic and some of the youngest metriorhynchid specimens worldwide.Web of Science66236735

The Sarmatian/Pannonian boundary at the western margin of the Vienna Basin (City of Vienna, Austria)

Abstract Sarmatian and Pannonian cores, drilled at the western margin of the Vienna Basin in the City of Vienna, reveal a complex succession of marine and lacustrine depositional environments during the middle to late Miocene transition. Two Sarmatian and two Pannonian transgressive-regressive sequences were studied in detail. Identical successions of benthic faunal assemblages and similar patterns in magnetic susceptibility logs characterise these sequences. This allows a correlation of the boreholes over a distance of ~3.5 km across one of the major marginal faults of the Vienna Basin. Biostratigraphic data, combined with rough estimates of sedimentation rates, reveal large gaps between these sequences, suggesting that only major transgressions reached this marginal area. In particular, during the Sarmatian-Pannonian transition, the basin margin completely emerged and turned into a terrestrial setting for at least 600 ka

Traumatic events in the life of the deep-sea cephalopod mollusc, the coleoid Spirula spirula

Here, we report on different types of shell pathologies of the enigmatic deep-sea (mesopelagic) cephalopod Spirula spirula. For the first time, we apply non-invasive imaging methods to: document trauma-induced changes in shell shapes, reconstruct the different causes and effects of these pathologies, unravel the etiology, and attempt to quantify the efficiency of the buoyancy apparatus. We have analysed 2D and 3D shell parameters from eleven shells collected as beach findings from the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura), West-Australia, and the Maldives. All shells were scanned with a nanotom-m computer tomograph. Seven shells were likely injured by predator attacks: fishes, cephalopods or crustaceans, one specimen was infested by an endoparasite (potentially Digenea) and one shell shows signs of inflammation and one shell shows large fluctuations of chamber volumes without any signs of pathology. These fluctuations are potential indicators of a stressed environment. Pathological shells represent the most deviant morphologies of a single species and can therefore be regarded as morphological end-members. The changes in the shell volume / chamber volume ratio were assessed in order to evaluate the functional tolerance of the buoyancy apparatus showing that these had little effect. Key words: pathology; parasitism; Spirula; mesopelagic; ecology; predator; buoyancy; cephalopod

Comparative actualistic study hints at origins of alleged Miocene coprolites of Poland

Excrement-shaped ferruginous masses have been recovered from the Miocene of Turów mine in south-western Poland. These siderite masses have been the subject of much controversy, having been interpreted either as being coprolites, cololithes or pseudofossils created by mechanical deformation of plastic sediment. Here we present the results of mineralogical, geochemical, petrographic and microtomographical analyses. Our data indicate that these masses consist of siderite and iron oxide rather than phosphate, and rarely contain recognizable food residues, which may suggest abiotic origins of these structures. On the other hand, evidence in support of a fecal origin include: (i) the presence of two distinct morphotypes differing in size and shape, (ii) the presence of rare hair-like structures or coalified inclusions and (iii) the presence of rare fine striations on the surface. Importantly, comparative actualistic study of recent vertebrate feces shows overall resemblance of the first morphotype (sausage-shaped with rare coalified debris) to excrements of testudinoid turtles (Testudinoidea), whose shell fragment was found in the investigated locality. The second morphotype (rounded to oval-shaped with hair-like structures), in turn, is similar to the feces of some snakes (Serpentes), the remains of which were noted in the Miocene of the neighborhood areas. Other potential producers (such as lizards and crocodiles) and even abiotic origins cannot be fully excluded but are less likely

Comparative actualistic study hints at origins of alleged Miocene coprolites of Poland

Excrement-shaped ferruginous masses have been recovered from the Miocene of Turów mine in south-western Poland. These siderite masses have been the subject of much controversy, having been interpreted either as being coprolites, cololithes or pseudofossils created by mechanical deformation of plastic sediment. Here we present the results of mineralogical, geochemical, petrographic and microtomographical analyses. Our data indicate that these masses consist of siderite and iron oxide rather than phosphate, and rarely contain recognizable food residues, which may suggest abiotic origins of these structures. On the other hand, evidence in support of a fecal origin include: (i) the presence of two distinct morphotypes differing in size and shape, (ii) the presence of rare hair-like structures or coalified inclusions and (iii) the presence of rare fine striations on the surface. Importantly, comparative actualistic study of recent vertebrate feces shows overall resemblance of the first morphotype (sausage-shaped with rare coalified debris) to excrements of testudinoid turtles (Testudinoidea), whose shell fragment was found in the investigated locality. The second morphotype (rounded to oval-shaped with hair-like structures), in turn, is similar to the feces of some snakes (Serpentes), the remains of which were noted in the Miocene of the neighborhood areas. Other potential producers (such as lizards and crocodiles) and even abiotic origins cannot be fully excluded but are less likely

Evidence of two lineages of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs in the Lower Cretaceous of the Czech Republic

Metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs were an important component in shallow marine ecosystems during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in the European archipelago. While metriorhynchids are well known from western European countries, their central and eastern European record is poor and usually limited to isolated or fragmentary specimens which often hinders a precise taxonomic assignment. However, isolated elements such as tooth crowns, have been found to provide informative taxonomic identifications. Here we describe two isolated metriorhynchid tooth crowns from the upper Valanginian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Stramberk area, Czech Republic. Our assessment of the specimens, including multivariate analysis of dental measurements and surface enamel structures, indicates that the crowns belong to two distinct geosaurin taxa (Plesiosuchina? indet. and Torvoneustes? sp.) with different feeding adaptations. The specimens represent the first evidence of Metriorhynchidae from the Czech Republic and some of the youngest metriorhynchid specimens worldwide.Web of Science66236735