A bryozoan fauna containing 16 species is described from a set of small mud mounds occurring in the Lebanza Formation (Lower Devonian) of the Arauz area, NW Spain. One genus with one species is new: the cystoporate Petalosis clarus n. gen., n. sp. Eleven new species are described: three cystoporates Altshedata hispanica n. sp., A. gracilis n. sp. and Fistulipora arauzensis n. sp.; four trepostomes: Neotrematopora tenuis n. sp., Leioclema arauzensis n. sp., Eridotrypella validaeformis n. sp. and Leptotrypella armata n. sp.; two rhabdomesine cryptostomes Orthopora spinosa n. sp. and Vidronovella elegantula n. sp.; and two fenestrates Rectifenestella exiliformis n. sp. and Tectulipora tuberculata n. sp. Two species were identified at genus and family level respectively: Eridopora sp. and Rhomboporidae sp. indet. Two identified species show palaeobiogeographic relations to the Lower Devonian of Altai, Mongolia, and Tajikistan respectively: Leioclema multiacanthoporum Astrova in Astrova & Yaroshinskaya, 1968 and Hemitrypa lasutkiniae Waschurova, 1964. The bryozoan fauna is dominated by cystoporates and trepostomes, followed by cryptostomes and fenestrates.

These species display four different growth habits: encrusting (43.75%), ramose branched/encrusting (12.5%), ramose branched (25%), and reticulate (18.75%). Encrusting and encrusting/ramose growth habits dominate in all parts of mud mounds, whereas ramose branched and reticulate bryozoans are most abundant in the lower part of mounds, being rare in the upper parts. Despite their abundance, bryozoans cannot be regarded as the principal builders of the mud mounds, which apparently were mainly built by microbial communities. Nevertheless, bryozoans played the role of sediment binders (encrusting species), stabilizing the sediment, or exerted a baffling effect (fenestrates).

The acanthodian originally described as Euthacanthus curtus Powrie, 1870 from the Early Devonian (Lochkovian) of Scotland was tentatively reassigned to Diplacanthus Agassiz, 1844 later in the nineteenth century, although doubt was cast on this revision. In 1976 Paton suggested that specimens comparable with the single type could belong to Uraniacanthus Miles, 1973, based on similarities with the type species U. spinosus Miles, 1973 from the Lochkovian of England. Hanke et al. (2001) noted that the Canadian Lochkovian species Gladiobranchus probaton Bernacsek & Dineley, 1977 was also very similar to U. spinosus. Our investigations indicate that all three species belong to the genus Uraniacanthus (which has priority over Gladiobranchus Bernacsek & Dineley, 1977) in the family Gladiobranchidae Bernacsek & Dineley, 1977, order Diplacanthiformes Berg, 1940 (revised). This identification supports a biogeographical connection between the Canadian, Scottish and English Early Devonian based on the common presence of the genus Uraniacanthus, as well as other acanthodian genera, including Ischnacanthus Powrie, 1864. Uraniacanthus could also be represented by isolated scales in coeval deposits in the Baltic.

We describe here a new machaeracanthid acanthodian (Machaeracanthus goujeti n. sp.), based on isolated spines, scales and scapulocoracoids from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian-Pragian) of the Nogueras Formation, Celtiberia, Spain. The new taxon also includes a fragmentary spine and isolated scales from the Lower Devonian of northern Spain (Palencia and Cantabrian Mountains) and western France (Saint-Céneré) originally assigned to Machaeracanthus sp. The spines of M. goujeti n. sp. comprise two morphotypes in agreement with the morphofunctional model of a pair of pectoral spines articulating with the pectoral girdle already indicated for M. hunsrueckianum Südkamp & Burrow, 2007, M. longaevus Eastman, 1907, and M. sulcatus Newberry, 1857. The morphology and size of the spines distinguish M. goujeti n. sp. from the coeval species M. bohemicus Barrande, 1872; the new species most closely resembles the younger species M. peracutus Newberry, 1857. The spines of M. goujeti n. sp. consist of trabecular and lamellar dentine layers which form the wall of the central axis (pierced by a longitudinal pulp cavity) and lateral expansions. The most superficial layer of dentine is centrifugally deposited in the complete spine; this condition is found in fin spines of some chondrichthyans and contrasts with that observed in typical acanthodian fin spines where the exserted portion is ornamented with ribs of centripetally growing dentine. Very small spines and scapulocoracoids of M. goujeti n. sp. described here, are the first report of juvenile specimens of a species of Machaeracanthus Newberry, 1857. The distal part of the juvenile spine lacks lateral expansions (keel and wing) and demonstrates the first stage in the development of the spine.

A new genus with a new species, Exilibittacus lii n. gen., n. sp., and a new species, Megabittacus spatiosus n. sp., are described and illustrated. Both of them belong to the family Bittacidae (Mecoptera). These specimens were collected respectively from the Middle Jurassic of Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou in Inner Mongolia and from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at Dawangzhangzi in Liaoning, China. In Exilibittacus n. gen., both RP MA and MP have four branches in forewings, while both have three branches in hind wings, and RP1 2 and MP3 are not forked. This is the first time that the character ‘MP with three branches in hind wings’ is reported for the Bittacidae. Based on data on Megabittacus spatiosus n. sp., the diagnosis of Megabittacus is revised and a key to the known species is provided. Morphological changes in hangingflies from Middle Jurassic to present are discussed based on body length, wing length, and forewing/body length ratio.

Early to Middle Permian ostracods of the Indochina block were reported from Central Thailand. Twelve Permian localities spreading in the Loei, Phetchabun, and Nakhon Sawan-Lopburi areas were investigated and limestone samples were collected. Out of 135 samples collected, 82 yielded ostracods. In this paper, 39 species of 20 genera belonging to Order Palaeocopida, families Aparchitidae, Kloedenellidae, Knoxitidae, Paraparchitidae, Kirkbyidae, Amphissitidae, Youngiellidae, Hollinellidae, and Coelonellidae are identified; species of Order Podocopida will be described in a second paper. Eight species are newly described: Langdaia meesooki Chitnarin n. sp., Sargentina chantarameei Chitnarin n. sp., Geffenina posterodorsospina Chitnarin n. sp., Geffenina mariebeatriceae Chitnarin n. sp., Samarella sonei Chitnarin n. sp., Samarella viscusforma Chitnarin n. sp., Microcoelonella takliensis Chitnarin n. sp., and Microcoelonella takfaensis Chitnarin n. sp. This paper presents the first intensive systematics treatment of Permian ostracods of the Indochina block. Detailed analysis of the fauna recovered Palaeocopida and Podocopida, facilitates and will contribute to a palaeoenvironmental and palaeobiogeographical reconstruction.

This paper reports on the first record of cordylid lizards from the locality of Merkur-North. The fossil history of girdled lizards is very poorly known and this group was rare during the Lower Miocene in Europe. The fossils described herein come from grey calcareous marls at the base of the so-called “Main Brown Coal Seam”. These marls are interpreted as reworked volcanic ash and the sediments are considered as early Miocene in age and are precisely equated with the MN 3a zone. For this reason, the cordylid fauna from this locality is older than previously described Miocene material and it represents the oldest known Neogene cordylids in Europe. The material of the dentary is very similar to that of Palaeocordylus bohemicus Roček, 1984, described from the younger locality of Dolnice near Cheb. The intramandibular septum of the dentary described herein, lying ventromedially from the alveolar canal, has a free posterolateral portion. It represents the first report of this structure in cordylids. The maxilla is only fragmentarily preserved. The size difference between the maxillary and dentary elements, the number of teeth and, especially their morphology evokes the possibility of two different taxa. Unfortunately, it is impossible to decide on the basis of such limited material if both finds represent independent forms or only extreme forms of the same taxon.

In 1817, Desmarest erected Eryon cuvieri, a new crustacean from the Late Jurassic of Bavaria (southern Germany). Later, the same taxon was described as Macrourites arctiformis by von Schlotheim (1820). Subsequently, numerous authors, probably unaware of Desmarest's first paper, referred to this taxon as Eryon arctiformis (von Schlotheim, 1820). Following the Principle of Priority, the original name must be used and Macrourites arctiformis von Schlotheim, 1820 is here considered to be a more recent, subjective synonym. Moreover, two specimens of the type series of Eryon cuvieri Desmarest, 1817, from Faujas de Saint-Fond's Cabinet of Natural History, have recently been traced in the Collection de Géologie of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris. A lectotype is herein designated.

The palaeontological collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France, house a broad range of marine arthropods from the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestones (Late Jurassic, Germany). These arthropods include decapod crustaceans, stomatopods, supposed mysidaceans, and limulids. A commented systematic list is proposed in order to give to the specialists an instrument of comparison and reference.

The small Mahakamby Island (= Island of the Shrimp) is located in the Mozambique Channel (Indian Ocean) along the northwestern coast of the Mahajanga Province, (Soalala District, NW Madagascar). Miocene outcrops of Mahakamby were examined during the expeditions of two naturalists from the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris: the first by Perrier de la Bâthie in 1915 and the second by Waterlot in 1922. Among the fossil invertebrates collected during the Waterlot's Mission, some decapod crustaceans were partially reported by Collignon & Cottreau (1927) but their specimens are nowadays almost completely lost. However, additional materiel collected by Waterlot was rediscovered in the palaeontological collections of the Paris Museum. It allows a review and a discussion of the crustacean samples previously studied on the basis of iconographic material. Moreover, new specimens of brachyurans, collected during the Waterlot mission, are here assigned for the first time to Portuninae Rafinesque, 1815.

Varricchio (2002) described some forelimb bones from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Two Medicine Formation, Glacier County, Montana (USA), as the holotype of Piksi barbarulna, a supposed ornithothoracine bird. However reevaluation of Piksi Varricchio, 2002 instead recognizes this genus as belonging to Pterosauria Kaup, 1834 and not Aves Linnaeus, 1758. Piksi exhibits the following derived humeral traits of pterosaurs: 1) very large ectepicondyle; 2) large trochlea; 3) with a deep, wide and poorly deliminated brachial depression that is proximodistally extended; 4) a wide and deep olecranal fossa not marked dorsally by a ridge; and 5) lacking a distal depression of the groove for the m. humerotricipitalis. Moreover, the putative Early Cretaceous birds Eurolimnornis Jurcsák & Kessler, 1986 and Palaeocursornis Jurcsák & Kessler, 1986, based on distal humeri, are also regarded as pterosaurs. The record of Piksi constitutes an important addition to the Latest Cretaceous pterosaurian record.

A collection of fish scales from the La Meseta Formation (Paleogene, Eocene; Seymour Island, Antarctica) has been studied, permitting the characterisation of five clearly distinguishable morphotypes. Three morphotypes are comparable to scales of recent trachichthyids, clupeids, and gadids. The other two morphotypes are represented only by two poorly preserved specimens; however, they probably pertain to perciform and pleuronectiform fishes. The latter is a new record for the La Meseta Formation. The mixed composition of the fish scale assemblage reflects substantial redistribution of fish remains within a high-energy, shallow marine environment. Scales were recovered from calcareous sandstone concretions, which accounts for their overall good preservation. This is the most diversified assemblage of fish scales yet reported from the fossil record of Antarctica.

The ostracod fauna from the outcroup “la falunière” of Grignon (Lutetian, Paris Basin): stratigraphical implications.

The rehabilitation of the outcroup “la falunière” of Grignon (shell marl pit) allowed for the first time to take an almost complete section of the Paris Basin Middle Lutetian under its uncimented facies. It was the opportunity to undertake sedimentological and paleontological studies. This publication presents results of the ostracode study. More than 6000 valves or carapaces were collected and 87 species was distinguished. Three new species are described : Paracypris keiji n. sp., Neocytherideis labyrinthoidea n. sp. and Grinioneis pachycosta n. sp. The ostracodes vertical distribution in the faluns of Grignon is probably without stratigraphical signification. On the contrary, the Lutetian ostracodes associations are characteristic, as well in comparison with those of the Ypresian that with those of the Auversian or of the Barton beds. Specific diversification reflects that of the environmental niches and the wealth in individuals testify of the abundance of the food. Ostracodes indicate that the Lutetian sea was shallow, from some decimetres to some metres, probably, and its waters limpid, not much agitated. The summer temperature of water was equal at least to that of present Mediterranean Sea. From a paleogeographic point of view, the similarity between gallic fauna seems much more narrow than between whatever of this gallic fauna and those of the Aquitanian basin; so, the majority of English Lutetian species are known in the Paris Basin while the proportion of common species of the Paris Basin and of the North Aquitain basin is weak.

The first lower molars of the cave bear Ursus spelaeus Rosenmüller, 1794 exhibit a high variability in size and shape. An outline analysis via the elliptic Fourier transform has been performed on a population from the oldest archaeological deposit (Level 4, Upper Pleistocene) of the Trou du Sureau (Montaigle caves, Belgium) in order to quantify the intra-specific morphological plasticity. The size and shape descriptors were extracted and results were compared to traditional measurements of length, mesial width, distal width and height. We determinated a few individual parameters, such as the individual age, the laterality and a few Rabeder's morphotypes and we tested their effect on the morphological variability. Results indicate no significant relationship between the shape variability and the individual parameters, except for the metastylid conformation and the laterality. The metastylid would induce a decoupling in the evolution of the size and the shape, maybe related to differences in the evolutionary patterns. The effect of the laterality could not be clearly established because it seems closely linked to the distribution of the metastylids in our sample. A marked polymorphism could be interpreted as a sexual dimorphism or could more probably correspond to two distinct cave bear sub-populations. Finally, our analysis demonstrates the feasibility of the outline analysis on ursid dental elements and provides a preliminary step before applying this method at an inter-specific level.