Earliest evidence for fruit consumption and potential seed dispersal by birds

eLife, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Aug. 9, 2022

The Early Cretaceous diversification of birds was a major event in the history terrestrial ecosystems, occurring during earliest phase Terrestrial Revolution, long before origin bird crown-group. Frugivorous play an important role seed dispersal today. However, evidence fruit consumption early from outside crown-group has been lacking. Jeholornis is one earliest-diverging birds, only slightly more crownward than Archaeopteryx, but its cranial anatomy poorly understood, limiting trophic information which may be gleaned skull. Originally hypothesised to granivorous based on seeds preserved as gut contents, this interpretation become controversial. We conducted high-resolution synchrotron tomography exquisitely new skull Jeholornis, revealing remarkable plesiomorphies combined with specialised rostrum. use provide near-complete reconstruction and exclude possibility that granivorous, morphometric analyses mandible (3D) cranium (2D), comparisons 3D alimentary contents extant birds. show provides for indicates have recruited stages avian radiation. As mobile dispersers, frugivorous could expanded scope biotic plants, might therefore explain, at least part, subsequent evolutionary expansion fruits, indicating potential bird-plant interactions Revolution.Birds plants close relationship developed over millions years. Birds became diverse abundant around 135 million years ago. Shortly after, started developing different kinds fruits. Today, fruit-eating help reproduce by spreading their droppings. This suggests coevolved, changing together time. But it not clear exactly how started. One species hold answers known Jeholornis. It lived China Cretaceous, 120 Palaeontologists discovered inside fossilised remains. question is, did they get there? Some eat directly, cracking them open or grinding up stomach extract nutrients inside. Other swallow when are eating fruit. If belonged second group, represent steps plant-bird coevolution. Hu et al. scanned reconstructed compared skulls, especially mandibles, modern including grind seeds, crack leaving whole. ruled out cracking. distinguish between eating. remains found fossils eaten were intact showed no grinding. ate whole fruits part year. At time alive, world entering called characterized explosion both flowering finding opens avenues scientists explore plant evolved together. Similar unlock about other interacted environments.

Language: Английский

---

A Synoptic Review of the Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, Diversity, and Faunal Relationships

Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 386 - 386

Published: March 8, 2023

The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (164-100 Ma) represents one of the main transitional periods in life history. Recent studies unveiled a complex scenario which abiotic and biotic factors drivers on regional global scales due to fragmentation Pangaea resulted dramatic faunal ecological turnovers terrestrial marine environments. However, chondrichthyan faunas from this interval have received surprisingly little recognition. presence numerous entire skeletons chondrichthyans preserved several localities southern Germany, often referred as Konservat-Lagerstätten (e.g., Nusplingen Solnhofen Archipelago), provides unique opportunity study taxonomic composition these assemblages, their distributions adaptations, evolutionary histories detail. even after 160 years study, current knowledge Germany's Jurassic diversity remains incomplete. Over last 20 years, systematic bulk sampling deposits significantly increased number known fossil genera region (32 present study). In work, record, Germany are reviewed compared with contemporaneous assemblages other sites Europe. Our results suggest, inter alia, that displayed extended within it nevertheless also is evident taxonomy urgent need revision.

Language: Английский

---

New theropod dinosaur teeth from the Middle Jurassic of the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Scottish Journal of Geology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 55(1), P. 7 - 19

Published: April 2, 2019

The Middle Jurassic is a largely mysterious interval in dinosaur evolution, as few fossils of this age are known worldwide. In recent years, the Isle Skye has yielded substantial record trackways, and more limited inventory body fossils, that indicate diverse fauna dinosaurs living around lagoons deltas. Comparatively little about predators these faunas (particularly theropod dinosaurs), their among rarest discoveries. We here report two new isolated teeth, from Valtos Sandstone Formation Lealt Shale Skye, which we visualized measured using high-resolution x-ray computed microtomographic scanning (µCT) identified via statistical phylogenetic analyses large comparative dental dataset. argue teeth most likely represent at least species – one small-bodied other large-bodied belonged to or several clades basal avetheropods (ceratosaurs, megalosauroids, allosauroids). These groups, were diversifying during would become dominant Late Jurassic, filled various niches food chain probably both on land lagoons. Supplementary material : Character lists, datasets, measurements available https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4452533

Language: Английский

---

Evolution of the vomer and its implications for cranial kinesis in Paraves

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 116(39), P. 19571 - 19578

Published: Sept. 9, 2019

Most living birds exhibit cranial kinesis-movement between the rostrum and braincase-in which force is transferred through palatal jugal bars. The palate alone distinguishes Paleognathae from Neognathae, with kinesis more developed in neognaths. previous studies were based on 2D data rarely incorporated stem despite great interest their kinetic abilities. Here we reconstruct vomer of Early Cretaceous bird Sapeornis troodontid Sinovenator, taxa spanning dinosaur-bird transition. A 3D shape analysis including these paravians an extensive sampling neornithines reveals strong similarity to paleognaths indicates that morphological differences neognaths are intimately related different These results suggest skull Mesozoic lacked abilities observed neognaths, a conclusion also supported by our identification ectopterygoid here. We conclude evolved relatively late, likely innovation linked transformation vomer. This increased mobility, enabling evolution diversity mechanisms ultimately contributing extraordinary evolutionary success this clade.

Language: Английский

---

Comment on the letter of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) dated April 21, 2020 regarding “Fossils from conflict zones and reproducibility of fossil-based scientific data”: the importance of private collections

PalZ, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 94(3), P. 413 - 429

Published: Aug. 8, 2020

Language: Английский

---

The diet of early birds based on modern and fossil evidence and a new framework for its reconstruction

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 96(5), P. 2058 - 2112

Published: July 8, 2021

Birds are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, with species inhabiting a wide variety niches across every major biome. As such, birds vital to our understanding modern ecosystems. Unfortunately, evolutionary history ecosystems is hampered by knowledge gaps in origin bird diversity and ecosystem ecology. A crucial part addressing these shortcomings improving earliest birds, non-avian avialans (i.e. non-crown birds), particularly their diet. The diet has been matter debate, large because ambiguous qualitative approaches that have used reconstruct it. Here we review methods for determining fossil avians crown birds) as well theropods, comment usefulness when applied avialans. We use this propose set comparable, quantitative ascertain basis provide consensus what currently know about While no single approach can precisely predict each exclude diets narrow dietary possibilities. recommend combining (i) dental microwear, (ii) landmark-based muscular reconstruction, (iii) stable isotope geochemistry, (iv) body mass estimations, (v) traditional and/or geometric morphometric analysis, (vi) lever modelling, (vii) finite element analysis accurately. Our provides specific methodologies implement discusses complications future researchers should keep mind. note current forms assessment mesowear, skull morphometrics, certain systems yet be proven effective at discerning On report state avialan which remains very incomplete. ancestral condition unclear due scarce data contradictory evidence Archaeopteryx. Among early pygostylians, Confuciusornis mechanical advantage pointing herbivory, whilst Sapeornis only indicating granivory, agreeing fossilised ingested material known taxon. enantiornithine ornithothoracine Shenqiornis pedal carnivory. In hongshanornithid ornithuromorph Hongshanornis indicates but agrees gastrolith ingestion Mechanical fish support carnivory songlingornithid Yanornis. Due sparsity robust assignments, clear trends evolution emerged. Dietary seems increase through time, preservational bias associated predominance from Early Cretaceous Jehol Lagerstätte. With new framework synthesis diet, expect become much clearer coming years, especially fossils other locations climates found. This will allow deeper more role played Mesozoic how developed into pivotal

Language: Английский

---

Exceptional preservation and foot structure reveal ecological transitions and lifestyles of early theropod flyers

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Dec. 20, 2022

Abstract Morphology of keratinised toe pads and foot scales, hinging joints claw shape size all inform the grasping ability, cursoriality feeding mode living birds. Presented here is morphological evidence from fossil feet early theropod flyers. Foot soft tissues joint articulations are qualitatively assessed using laser-stimulated fluorescence. Pedal quantitatively analysed traditional morphometrics. We interpret these data among existing to better understand evolutionary ecology Jurassic flyers like Anchiornis Archaeopteryx show adaptations suggestive relatively ground-dwelling lifestyles. Early Cretaceous then diversify into more aerial lifestyles, including generalists Confuciusornis specialists climbing Fortunguavis . Some birds, Late Berlin Sapeornis , complex ecologies seemingly unique sampled modern As a non-bird flyer, finding affinities Microraptor specialised raptorial lifestyle unexpected. Its hawk-like characteristics rare known time suggesting that some perform roles filled by birds today. demonstrate diverse ecological profiles flyers, changing as flight developed, have roles.

Language: Английский

---

Decoupling the skull and skeleton in a Cretaceous bird with unique appendicular morphologies

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 20 - 31

Published: Jan. 2, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Transformation of the pectoral girdle in pennaraptorans: critical steps in the formation of the modern avian shoulder joint

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e16960 - e16960

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

Important transformations of the pectoral girdle are related to appearance flight capabilities in Dinosauria. Previous studies on this topic focused mainly paravians yet recent data suggests evolved dinosaurs several times, including at least once among non-avialan paravians. Thus, fully explore evolution flight-related avian shoulder characteristics, it is necessary compare morphology more broadly. Here, we present information from pennaraptoran specimens preserving elements, all purportedly volant taxa, and extensively aspects joint. The results show that many modifications appear during basal pennaraptorans paravians, changes orientation coracoid body location articulation between furcula scapula. These suggest a change forelimb range motion preceded origin During early avialans, additional adaptive occur, such as separation scapula reduction articular surface these two bones, angle elongation coracoid. diversity morphologies types articulations joining scapula-coracoid each avialan lineage features parallel they independently refined capabilities. In ornithothoracines, glenoid fossa acrocoracoid approaches condition extant birds, suggesting greater stroke, which may represent acquisition improved powered capabilities, ground take-off. formation new Ornithuromorpha last step an osseous triosseal canal, indicate complete modern apparatus. morphological transitions equipped birds with motion, increased efficient muscular output while same time transmitting pressure being generated by ever powerful flapping movements way protect organs. driving factors functional adaptations transitional unclear although ontogenetic function observed provide excellent framework through can behavior Mesozoic pennaraptorans.

Language: Английский

---

A new Archaeopteryx from the lower Tithonian Mörnsheim Formation at Mühlheim (Late Jurassic)

Fossil record, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1), P. 17 - 43

Published: Jan. 3, 2025

Here we describe a new specimen of Archaeopteryx sp. from the lower Tithonian Mörnsheim Formation in Franconian Alb Bavaria, Germany. This fossil is third avialan found this formation. The skeleton comprises right forelimb and shoulder as well fragments left both hind limbs. lengths humerus ulna are most similar to those Munich . Despite having been massively altered by late diagenesis, it can be referred sp., based on morphology furcula, coracoid, radius, manual ungual, which nests within morphospace rather than that Anchiornis Phylogenetic analyses also support assignment Due fossil’s state preservation, still-unresolved taxonomy genus species level, an identification beyond remains impossible.

Language: Английский

---