A Miocene sperm whale (Cetacea, Physeteroidea) tooth from Liessel (Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands)

Here we report a well-preserved isolated physeteroid tooth of Late Miocene age from Liessel, the Netherlands. The presence of several morphological features allows attribution to the macroraptorial physeteroids. Size and morphology are to some extent comparable to Zygophyseter and almost identical to the primarily tooth-based Tortonian taxon Scaldicetus caretti. However, the genus Scaldicetus was declared unutilizable, which is supported here with an overview of modern classifications of Scaldicetus species and specimens. Despite the restrictions, the type species S. caretti is still valid, although the name is to be restricted to the type material. Based on its morphological resemblance, the tooth is identified as Physeteroidea indet. cf. Scaldicetus caretti

The first report of Chelonioidea cf. Ctenochelys from the Late Cretaceous of the Maastrichtian type area

A mandible of a Late Cretaceous sea turtle with affinities to Ctenochelys is reported from the Maastrichtian type area of the Netherlands. The triangular mandible has a well-developed symphyseal ridge surrounded on both sides by large, concave areas on the triturating surface. It represents the first potential occurrence of Ctenochelys from the Maastrichtian type area. This finding increases the diversity of the turtle fauna known from the Maastrichtian type area

A reconsideration of the palinuroid family Synaxidae (Crustacea, Decapoda), with a new member from the Upper Jurassic of southern Poland

Representatives of the family Synaxidae, commonly referred to as furry lobsters, are rare constituents of modern-day marine communities, while their fossil record suggests that they were more common in the past, in reefal settings during the Late Jurassic across Europe, from where at least three species have been recorded to date. An overview of all known extant and extinct synaxids is presented here and a sixth fossil form is added to the list. The latter constitutes one of the earliest records to date of furry lobsters worldwide and extends the palaeogeographical range of this relatively small group of early palinuroids. It was collected from massive sponge-microbial build-ups (reefal limestones) of middle Oxfordian age (Gregoryceras transversarium ammonite Zone) near Kraków, southern Poland, and is here named Palaeosynaxes montserratae nov. gen., nov. sp

The Maastrichtian type area (Netherlands–Belgium): a synthesis of 250+ years of collecting and ongoing progress in Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy and palaeontology

Cretaceous limestones near Maastricht (south-east Netherlands) have been quarried at least since Roman times. In the late eighteenth century, scientific interest developed in their macrofossil content and specimens were illustrated for the first time. Amongst the early discoveries was a partial skull of a large predatory vertebrate that would play an important role in the emergence of modern palaeontology and our understanding of the concept of extinction. After decades of scientific debate, this animal was recognised as a large extinct marine relative of monitor lizards (varanoids) and named Mosasaurus. A detailed lithostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous (Santonian-Maastrichtian) rocks was established in the Maastrichtian type area during the mid-1970s, which resulted in a renewed interest in fossil hunting by professional and amateur palaeontologists alike. During recent decades, both micro- and macrofossils have enabled a refinement of biozonations, correlations within the basin and with sections elsewhere, a greater insight into taphonomic processes and updated taxonomic interpretations. A new age model and chemostratigraphical framework is the most recent addition, permitting the placement of geoheritage in a larger frame and intensifying outreach to the public, including also virtual and augmented reality and hands-on experience to visitors of museum and (disused) quarries alike

Miocene decapod crustacean faunas from Cyprus – Part 1. Geographical-stratigraphical setting and Anomura

Study of high-diversity Miocene decapod crustacean faunas has resulted in the recognition of several new species from a range of localities across Cyprus. Anomuran taxa collected comprise Paguristes joecollinsi, Dardanus cyprioticus sp. nov., Dardanus plevrotos sp. nov., Galathea weinfurteri, Palmunidopsis muelleri, Petrolisthes haydni, Petrolisthes magnus and Petrolisthes mitseroensis sp. nov. The presence of Petrolisthes magnus in upper Chattian-middle Burdigalian strata documents the oldest stratigraphical occurrence of that species to date. Anomuran taxa recognised in the lower Miocene are also present in upper Miocene reefal facies; the latter illustrate the highest anomuran diversity

The first record of a paguroid shield (Decapoda, Anomura, Annuntidiogenidae) from the Miocene of Cyprus

For the first time, a paguroid shield is recorded from upper Miocene reefal strata (Koronia Member, Pakhna Formation) that crop out along the northern margin of the Troodos Massif, north of the village of Mitsero, Cyprus. Described here as Paguristes joecollinsi sp. nov., it constitutes the first paguroid shield known from Miocene deposits. The paucity of Cenozoic paguroid shields can probably be linked to a collecting bias in view of their relatively small size; in addition, suitable gastropod shells and internal moulds of such should be screened for ‘hidden’ hermit crabs