Systematics of Amazonian lizards of the genus Potamites (Gymnophthalmidae)

Although recent studies have helped unraveling the evolutionary history of the Neotropical lizard clade Gymnophthalmidae, many questions remain unanswered. Here we focus on assessing the diversity of the genus Potamites in Ecuador and Peru. Three mitochondrial and one nuclear marker of 172 individuals from both countries were combined to infer phylogenetic relationships among species of Potamites using Bayesian and Maximum likelihood methods. Our results demonstrate that Potamites is paraphyletic deriving in the misapplication of the name Potamites for the species P. cochranae and P. flavogularis which represent a tentative new genus. We also use bPTP species delimitation method to show cryptic diversity within P. ecpleopus and P. strangulatus, showing 30 unconfirmed candidate species (19 inside P. ecpleopus and 11 inside P. strangulatus). This could represent an increase in species richness inside each clade of 1900% and 1100% respectively

Perspective on the Role of Academic Journals on Scientific Colonialism in Paleontology

Academic journals have developed policies that globally regulate the specific protocols that must be followed when using sensitive medical, biological, chemical, and genetic data in research. Yet, paleontological material seems to be excluded. We performed a submission policy search to test the extent of this legal gap in light of colonialism. Results show that, even though most journals adhere to broad ethical guidelines, they do not systematically provide information regarding fossil permits and specifications on their collection and storage, as well as other relevant data (N = 108, > 80% in Asia and North America, > 65% in Europe and Latin America). This problem impacts educational, economical, and scientific development, perpetuates illegal trafficking, and boosts scientific colonialism. It is necessary to implement a mandatory policy for fossil handling, including ethical and legal management in the submission guidelines of journals, and to request that this information is included in materials and method sections

The Allemann collection from the Santa Cruz Formation (late early Miocene), Argentina, in Zurich, Switzerland

One of the best-known faunal assemblages that characterizes the past ecosystems from South America comes from the Santa Cruz Formation in Argentina. This assemblage is formed by an endemic fauna, which included ground sloths, glyptodonts, native ungulates, terror birds (phorusrhacids), among others. The Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age is dated 18.0–15.6 Ma, late early Miocene. Current curatorial efforts revealed a large collection of over 1100 fossil remains from the Santa Cruz Formation, donated in 2007 to the Paleontological Museum, University of Zurich, Switzerland. The fossils were brought to Switzerland in the late 1880s by Theodor Allemann, an engineer and amateur collector. The collection includes skulls, isolated teeth, mandibles, and isolated postcranial elements. Postcranials are mainly represented by astragali, calcanei, and osteoderms. The study of the remains allowed us to recognize 20 families of mammals, one of birds, and one of amphibians: Abderitidae, Palaeothentidae (Paucituberculata); Hathliacynidae (Sparassodonta); Dasypodidae, Peltephilidae, and Glyptodontidae (Cingulata); Megatheriidae and Megalonychidae (Tardigrada); Astrapotheriidae (Astrapotheria), Protherotheriidae and Macraucheniidae (Litopterna); Toxodontidae, Homalodotheriidae, Hegetotheriidae and Interatheriidae (Notoungulata); Dasyproctidae, Dinomyidae, Neoepiblemidae, Chinchillidae, Erethizontidae, Echimyidae and Eocardidae (Rodentia); Phorusrhacidae (Cariamiformes); and Calyptocephalellidae (Anura). Among them, we identified 28 genera and 9 species. Reference to the previous work on the Santa Cruz fauna and the good preservation of the material allow us to achieve taxonomic resolution in the identifications. We discuss the potential usefulness of this collection for studying the paleobiology of specimens/species of this fauna

The Allemann collection from the Santa Cruz Formation (late early Miocene), Argentina, in Zurich, Switzerland

One of the best-known faunal assemblages that characterizes the past ecosystems from South America comes from the Santa Cruz Formation in Argentina. This assemblage is formed by an endemic fauna, which included ground sloths, glyptodonts, native ungulates, terror birds (phorusrhacids), among others. The Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age is dated 18.0–15.6 Ma, late early Miocene. Current curatorial efforts revealed a large collection of over 1100 fossil remains from the Santa Cruz Formation, donated in 2007 to the Paleontological Museum, University of Zurich, Switzerland. The fossils were brought to Switzerland in the late 1880s by Theodor Allemann, an engineer and amateur collector. The collection includes skulls, isolated teeth, mandibles, and isolated postcranial elements. Postcranials are mainly represented by astragali, calcanei, and osteoderms. The study of the remains allowed us to recognize 20 families of mammals, one of birds, and one of amphibians: Abderitidae, Palaeothentidae (Paucituberculata); Hathliacynidae (Sparassodonta); Dasypodidae, Peltephilidae, and Glyptodontidae (Cingulata); Megatheriidae and Megalonychidae (Tardigrada); Astrapotheriidae (Astrapotheria), Protherotheriidae and Macraucheniidae (Litopterna); Toxodontidae, Homalodotheriidae, Hegetotheriidae and Interatheriidae (Notoungulata); Dasyproctidae, Dinomyidae, Neoepiblemidae, Chinchillidae, Erethizontidae, Echimyidae and Eocardidae (Rodentia); Phorusrhacidae (Cariamiformes); and Calyptocephalellidae (Anura). Among them, we identified 28 genera and 9 species. Reference to the previous work on the Santa Cruz fauna and the good preservation of the material allow us to achieve taxonomic resolution in the identifications. We discuss the potential usefulness of this collection for studying the paleobiology of specimens/species of this fauna.Fil: Zurita Altamirano, Daniel. Universitat Zurich; SuizaFil: Buffetaut, Éric. Maha Sarakham University; Tailandia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Forasiepi, Analia Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Kramarz, Alejandro Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Carrillo, Juan D.. University Goteborg; SueciaFil: Aguirre Fernández, Gabriel. Universitat Zurich; SuizaFil: Carlini, Alfredo Armando. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Morfologia Evolutiva y Desarrollo.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Scheyer, Torsten M.. Universitat Zurich; SuizaFil: Sánchez Villagra, Marcelo Ricardo. Universitat Zurich; Suiz

The Allemann collection from the Santa Cruz Formation (late early Miocene), Argentina, in Zurich, Switzerland

One of the best-known faunal assemblages that characterizes the past ecosystems from South America comes from the Santa Cruz Formation in Argentina. This assemblage is formed by an endemic fauna, which included ground sloths, glyptodonts, native ungulates, terror birds (phorusrhacids), among others. The Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age is dated 18.0–15.6 Ma, late early Miocene. Current curatorial efforts revealed a large collection of over 1100 fossil remains from the Santa Cruz Formation, donated in 2007 to the Paleontological Museum, University of Zurich, Switzerland. The fossils were brought to Switzerland in the late 1880s by Theodor Allemann, an engineer and amateur collector. The collection includes skulls, isolated teeth, mandibles, and isolated postcranial elements. Postcranials are mainly represented by astragali, calcanei, and osteoderms. The study of the remains allowed us to recognize 20 families of mammals, one of birds, and one of amphibians: Abderitidae, Palaeothentidae (Paucituberculata); Hathliacynidae (Sparassodonta); Dasypodidae, Peltephilidae, and Glyptodontidae (Cingulata); Megatheriidae and Megalonychidae (Tardigrada); Astrapotheriidae (Astrapotheria), Protherotheriidae and Macraucheniidae (Litopterna); Toxodontidae, Homalodotheriidae, Hegetotheriidae and Interatheriidae (Notoungulata); Dasyproctidae, Dinomyidae, Neoepiblemidae, Chinchillidae, Erethizontidae, Echimyidae and Eocardidae (Rodentia); Phorusrhacidae (Cariamiformes); and Calyptocephalellidae (Anura). Among them, we identified 28 genera and 9 species. Reference to the previous work on the Santa Cruz fauna and the good preservation of the material allow us to achieve taxonomic resolution in the identifications. We discuss the potential usefulness of this collection for studying the paleobiology of specimens/species of this fauna.Durante largos períodos del Cenozoico, América del Sur estuvo aislada de otros continentes y fue el hogar de una fauna endémica que incluía perezosos gigantes, gliptodontes y aves del terror (fororrácidos), entre otros. Uno de los conjuntos faunísticos más importantes que caracterizan a estos ecosistemas del pasado proviene de la Formación Santa Cruz (Edad Mamífero de América del Sur Santacrucense, 18.0–15.6 Ma, finales del Mioceno temprano. Los esfuerzos curatoriales recientes revelaron una gran colección (más de 1100 restos) de fósiles de la Formación Santa Cruz, donada por el Museo de Historia Natural Olten al Museo Paleontológico de la Universidad de Zúrich en 2007. Los fósiles fueron transportados a Suiza a fines de la década de 1880 por Theodor Allemann, un ingeniero y coleccionista aficionado, que donó su colección en 1926 al municipio de Olten. La colección incluye cráneos parciales, dientes aislados, mandíbulas, maxilares y elementos postcraneales aislados (principalmente astrágalos, calcáneos y osteodermos). La revisión de los restos nos permitió reconocer 20 familias de mamíferos, una de aves y una de anfibios: Abderitidae, Palaeothentidae (Paucituberculata); Hathliacynidae (Sparassodonta); Dasypodidae, Peltephilidae, y Glyptodontidae (Cingulata); Megatheriidae y Megalonychidae (Tardigrada); Astrapotheriidae (Astrapotheria), Protherotheriidae y Macraucheniidae (Litopterna); Toxodontidae, Homalodotheriidae, Hegetotheriidae y Interatheriidae (Notoungulata); Dasyproctidae, Dinomyidae, Neoepiblemidae, Chinchillidae, Erethizontidae, Echimyidae y Eocardidae (Rodentia); Phorusrhacidae (Cariamiformes); y Calyptocephalellidae (Anura). Hemos identificado 28 géneros y nueve especies. La referencia al trabajo previo sobre la fauna de Santa Cruz y la buena conservación del material nos permiten lograr una resolución taxonómica en las identificaciones, discutimos el potencial de esta colección para contribuir al estudio de la paleobiología de los especímenes/especies de esta fauna.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Perspective on the Role of Academic Journals on Scientific Colonialism in Paleontology

Academic journals have developed policies that globally regulate the specific protocols that must be followed when using sensitive medical, biological, chemical, and genetic data in research. Yet, paleontological material seems to be excluded. We performed a submission policy search to test the extent of this legal gap in light of colonialism. Results show that, even though most journals adhere to broad ethical guidelines, they do not systematically provide information regarding fossil permits and specifications on their collection and storage, as well as other relevant data (N = 108, > 80% in Asia and North America, > 65% in Europe and Latin America). This problem impacts educational, economical, and scientific development, perpetuates illegal trafficking, and boosts scientific colonialism. It is necessary to implement a mandatory policy for fossil handling, including ethical and legal management in the submission guidelines of journals, and to request that this information is included in materials and method sections.Fil: Chacon Baca, Elizabeth. Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.; MéxicoFil: Moreno, Karen. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Sterli, Juliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio; ArgentinaFil: Buldrini, Karina E.. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; ChileFil: Chacaltana Budiel, César Augusto. Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico; PerúFil: Echevarría, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: de Araújo Júnior, Hermínio Ismael. Universidade do Estado de Rio do Janeiro; BrasilFil: Ghilardi, Renato Pirani. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Tejada Medina, Luz Marina. Iinstituto Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural; PerúFil: Zurita Altamirano, Daniel. Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.; Méxic

Compilación de Proyectos de Investigacion de 1984-2002

Instituto Politecnico Nacional. UPIICS