Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and m...Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and microstructures, including ridges and nodes on the outer surface, two ultrastructurai layers, and an undulatory boundary between the mammillary and continuous layers. A phylogenic analysis shows that the Luanchuan eggshells belong to the ooclade Elongatoolithidae. Within Elongatoolithidae, the thickness ratio of the mammillary layer to the entire eggshell, and the porosity of the Luanchuan eggshells are comparable to the oogenera Macroolithus and Elongatoolithus. There is no direct evidence for the taxonomic identity of the Luanchuan eggshells; however, they were likely laid by oviraptorids based on their phylogenetic position and their similarities with known oviraptorid eggs.展开更多
The cross-section and surface structures of wing membranes from the ctenochasmatid pterosaur Beipiaopterus chenianus were observed through a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results show that the wing membran...The cross-section and surface structures of wing membranes from the ctenochasmatid pterosaur Beipiaopterus chenianus were observed through a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results show that the wing membrane contains a high density of blood vessels, implying strong thermoregulatory function, similar to that of a bat wing membrane. This is the first comparison of the microstmctures of pterosaur wing membranes with those of the modem bat. It is inferred that a bat-like physiology exists, at least in relatively small pterosaurs suggesting that these pterosaurs were warm-blooded, active fliers.展开更多
The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucida...The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucidate the evolution of iguanodontian diastema. A gap in ratios between most non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians and hadrosaurids was observed, suggesting that all non- hadrosaurid iguanodontians, expect for Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi, lack a diastema or have a short diastema, although some other taxa have been considered to have a long diastema in previous studies. In non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians, some large-sized forms, such as Iguanodon bernissartensis, Shuangmiaosaurus gilmorei, and possibly Eolambia caroljonesa, had a short diastema through ontogeny, whereas Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi developed a long diastema convergently. The development of a long diastema of hadrosaurine hadrosaurids may be different from that of lambeosaurine hadrosaurids. Some hadrosaurines （Edmontosaurus annectens, Edmontosaurus regalis, and Saurolophus angustirostris） may have developed a long diastema in the subadult stage and showed little elongation of dentary diastema through ontogeny. Lambeosaurines （Corythosaurus casuarius and Lambeosaurus lambei） tend to have a short diastema in the embryonic and subadult stages, and an elongated diastema from the subadult to adult stages.展开更多
A new dinosaur Chuxiongosaurus lufengensis gen.et sp.nov.is erected based on a nearly complete skull.The taxon is characterized by the lacrimal perpendicular to the ventral margin of the upper jaw,which is similar to ...A new dinosaur Chuxiongosaurus lufengensis gen.et sp.nov.is erected based on a nearly complete skull.The taxon is characterized by the lacrimal perpendicular to the ventral margin of the upper jaw,which is similar to that of Thecodontosaurus;a depression present on the dorsal profile of the snout behind the naris;the rostral profile of the maxilla slopes continuously towards the rostral tip;and the presence of 25 dentary teeth.It also displays prosauropod characters such as a relatively long skull,the slope of the maxillary rostral profile,and teeth that do not have basically constricted crowns.The new specimen is more basal than Anchisaurus and represents the first basal sauropod dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of China.展开更多
The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, ou...The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, outer surface texture, and shell thickness） of 461 eggs were analyzed using non-destructive techniques and subjected to statistical analyses in order to assess their diversity and taxonomic affinities. Three types （1, 2 and 3） of eggs were discerned based on shape and outer surface morphology. Type 1 eggs are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and have a rough surface. Three subtypes （Type 1-A-l, l-A-2, and l-B） are apparent from scatter plots and cluster analyses of egg diameters and shell thickness. Type 2 eggs are elongate with linear ornamentation on the surface, and are comparable to eggs that belong to the oofamily Elongatoolithidae. Type 3 eggs are elongate with a smooth surface, and are assigned to the oofamily Prismatoolithidae. Macromorphological features of the various egg types suggest that Type 1 could have been laid by ornithischian, sauropod or therizinosaur dinosaurs, Type 2 by oviraptorids, and Type 3 by troodontids. This study represents the first comprehensive statistical analysis of macrofeatures of dinosaur eggs, and reveals taxonomic diversity in the dinosaurs that were laying eggs in the Upper Cretaceous Heyuan area heretofore unrecognized in skeletal remains.展开更多
We examined the chemical constitution of the red alga Laurencia saitoi Perestenko,collected from Katsuura,Boso Peninsula,Chiba Prefecture,Japan.This specimen produced a new polyhalogenated acetogenin,named katsuural-l...We examined the chemical constitution of the red alga Laurencia saitoi Perestenko,collected from Katsuura,Boso Peninsula,Chiba Prefecture,Japan.This specimen produced a new polyhalogenated acetogenin,named katsuural-lene(1),which structure was determined by the spectral methods,along with known diterpene,deoxyparguerol(2)and triterpene,thyrsiferol(3).In this paper we describe the structural elucidation of katsuurallene together with some biological activities.展开更多
Male-specific wing spots are usually associated with wing displays in the courtship behavior of Drosophila and may play important roles in sexual selection.Two closely related species,D.nepalensis and D.trilutea,diffe...Male-specific wing spots are usually associated with wing displays in the courtship behavior of Drosophila and may play important roles in sexual selection.Two closely related species,D.nepalensis and D.trilutea,differ in wing spots and scissoring behavior.Here,we compare male morphological characters,pigmentation intensity of male wing spots,wing-scissoring behavior,courtship songs,and reproductive isolation between 2 species.F1 fertile females and sterile males result from the cross between females of D.nepalensis and males of D.trilutea.The pigmentation of wing spots is significantly weaker in D.trilutea than in D.nepalensis and the F1 hybrid.Males scissor both wings in front of the female during courtship,with a posture spreading wings more widely,and at a faster frequency in D.nepalensis than in D.trilutea and the F1s.Males of D.trilutea vibrate wings to produce 2 types(A and B)of pulse songs,whereas D.nepalensis and the F1s sing only type B songs.The incidence of wing vibration and scissoring during courtship suggests that wing vibration is essential but scissoring is a facultative courtship element for successful mating in both species.The association between the darker wing spots with more elaborate scissoring might be the consequence of correlated evolution of these traits in D.nepalensis;however,D.trilutea retains wing scissoring during courtship despite having weaker pigmentation of wing spots.The genetic architecture of 2 traits differs in the F1s,consistent with maternal or sex-linked effects for spots but nonadditive effects for scissoring.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(40872017)the Basic Outlay of Scientific Research Work from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China,and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry,to L J.C
文摘Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation （Upper Cretaceous） of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and microstructures, including ridges and nodes on the outer surface, two ultrastructurai layers, and an undulatory boundary between the mammillary and continuous layers. A phylogenic analysis shows that the Luanchuan eggshells belong to the ooclade Elongatoolithidae. Within Elongatoolithidae, the thickness ratio of the mammillary layer to the entire eggshell, and the porosity of the Luanchuan eggshells are comparable to the oogenera Macroolithus and Elongatoolithus. There is no direct evidence for the taxonomic identity of the Luanchuan eggshells; however, they were likely laid by oviraptorids based on their phylogenetic position and their similarities with known oviraptorid eggs.
基金This work is supported by the National Key Basic Research and Development Program(Grant 2006CB701405)China Geological Survey(Grant 200413000024).
文摘The cross-section and surface structures of wing membranes from the ctenochasmatid pterosaur Beipiaopterus chenianus were observed through a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results show that the wing membrane contains a high density of blood vessels, implying strong thermoregulatory function, similar to that of a bat wing membrane. This is the first comparison of the microstmctures of pterosaur wing membranes with those of the modem bat. It is inferred that a bat-like physiology exists, at least in relatively small pterosaurs suggesting that these pterosaurs were warm-blooded, active fliers.
文摘The dentary diastema of iguanodontians has been considered to be related to its unique jaw mechanism for herbivorous adaptation. The dentary and diastema lengths of iguanodontians were measured and compared to elucidate the evolution of iguanodontian diastema. A gap in ratios between most non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians and hadrosaurids was observed, suggesting that all non- hadrosaurid iguanodontians, expect for Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi, lack a diastema or have a short diastema, although some other taxa have been considered to have a long diastema in previous studies. In non-hadrosaurid iguanodontians, some large-sized forms, such as Iguanodon bernissartensis, Shuangmiaosaurus gilmorei, and possibly Eolambia caroljonesa, had a short diastema through ontogeny, whereas Ouranosaurus nigeriensis and Protohadros byrdi developed a long diastema convergently. The development of a long diastema of hadrosaurine hadrosaurids may be different from that of lambeosaurine hadrosaurids. Some hadrosaurines （Edmontosaurus annectens, Edmontosaurus regalis, and Saurolophus angustirostris） may have developed a long diastema in the subadult stage and showed little elongation of dentary diastema through ontogeny. Lambeosaurines （Corythosaurus casuarius and Lambeosaurus lambei） tend to have a short diastema in the embryonic and subadult stages, and an elongated diastema from the subadult to adult stages.
基金sponsored by the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,State Education Ministrythe Key Laboratory of Stratigraphy and Paleontology,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (KL05-5)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of China (40872017)a Hokkaido University Museum, Hokkaido University,Japan to Lü J.C.
文摘A new dinosaur Chuxiongosaurus lufengensis gen.et sp.nov.is erected based on a nearly complete skull.The taxon is characterized by the lacrimal perpendicular to the ventral margin of the upper jaw,which is similar to that of Thecodontosaurus;a depression present on the dorsal profile of the snout behind the naris;the rostral profile of the maxilla slopes continuously towards the rostral tip;and the presence of 25 dentary teeth.It also displays prosauropod characters such as a relatively long skull,the slope of the maxillary rostral profile,and teeth that do not have basically constricted crowns.The new specimen is more basal than Anchisaurus and represents the first basal sauropod dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of China.
基金supported by agrant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40872017)
文摘The Zhutian and Dafeng formations （Upper Cretaceous） of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features （egg diameter, egg shape, outer surface texture, and shell thickness） of 461 eggs were analyzed using non-destructive techniques and subjected to statistical analyses in order to assess their diversity and taxonomic affinities. Three types （1, 2 and 3） of eggs were discerned based on shape and outer surface morphology. Type 1 eggs are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and have a rough surface. Three subtypes （Type 1-A-l, l-A-2, and l-B） are apparent from scatter plots and cluster analyses of egg diameters and shell thickness. Type 2 eggs are elongate with linear ornamentation on the surface, and are comparable to eggs that belong to the oofamily Elongatoolithidae. Type 3 eggs are elongate with a smooth surface, and are assigned to the oofamily Prismatoolithidae. Macromorphological features of the various egg types suggest that Type 1 could have been laid by ornithischian, sauropod or therizinosaur dinosaurs, Type 2 by oviraptorids, and Type 3 by troodontids. This study represents the first comprehensive statistical analysis of macrofeatures of dinosaur eggs, and reveals taxonomic diversity in the dinosaurs that were laying eggs in the Upper Cretaceous Heyuan area heretofore unrecognized in skeletal remains.
基金supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers 18K05799 and 21K14904.
文摘We examined the chemical constitution of the red alga Laurencia saitoi Perestenko,collected from Katsuura,Boso Peninsula,Chiba Prefecture,Japan.This specimen produced a new polyhalogenated acetogenin,named katsuural-lene(1),which structure was determined by the spectral methods,along with known diterpene,deoxyparguerol(2)and triterpene,thyrsiferol(3).In this paper we describe the structural elucidation of katsuurallene together with some biological activities.
基金funded by the National Scientifie Foundation of China(31372187)funded by the NERC,UK(grants NE/E015255/1 and NE/020818/1).
文摘Male-specific wing spots are usually associated with wing displays in the courtship behavior of Drosophila and may play important roles in sexual selection.Two closely related species,D.nepalensis and D.trilutea,differ in wing spots and scissoring behavior.Here,we compare male morphological characters,pigmentation intensity of male wing spots,wing-scissoring behavior,courtship songs,and reproductive isolation between 2 species.F1 fertile females and sterile males result from the cross between females of D.nepalensis and males of D.trilutea.The pigmentation of wing spots is significantly weaker in D.trilutea than in D.nepalensis and the F1 hybrid.Males scissor both wings in front of the female during courtship,with a posture spreading wings more widely,and at a faster frequency in D.nepalensis than in D.trilutea and the F1s.Males of D.trilutea vibrate wings to produce 2 types(A and B)of pulse songs,whereas D.nepalensis and the F1s sing only type B songs.The incidence of wing vibration and scissoring during courtship suggests that wing vibration is essential but scissoring is a facultative courtship element for successful mating in both species.The association between the darker wing spots with more elaborate scissoring might be the consequence of correlated evolution of these traits in D.nepalensis;however,D.trilutea retains wing scissoring during courtship despite having weaker pigmentation of wing spots.The genetic architecture of 2 traits differs in the F1s,consistent with maternal or sex-linked effects for spots but nonadditive effects for scissoring.
