[Paleontology • 2024] Kiyacursor longipes • The Last Ceratosaur of Asia: A New noasaurid from the Early Cretaceous Great Siberian Refugium

Kiyacursor longipes

  Averianov, Skutschas, Atuchin, Slobodin, Feofanova & Vladimirova, 2024

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0537 

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Abstract

The noasaurid ceratosaur Kiyacursor longipes gen. et sp. nov. is described based on a fragmentary skeleton including cervical vertebra, pectoral girdle, humerus and hind limbs from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Ilek Formation at Shestakovo 1 locality in Western Siberia, Russia. This is the first ceratosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Asia, extending the stratigraphic range of Ceratosauria by 40 Myr on that continent. Kiyacursor shares unique hind limb proportions with Elaphrosaurus and Limusaurus, suggesting improved cursorial ability. These taxa show an ostrich-like specialization of the pes, with a large third metatarsal and greatly reduced second metatarsal. By contrast, all other fast running non-avian theropod dinosaurs have an arctometatarsalian pes, with the third metatarsal strongly reduced proximally. The new taxon lived in the Early Cretaceous ecosystem containing a number of other Jurassic relics, such as stem salamanders, protosuchian and shartegosuchid crocodyliforms, tritylodontid synapsids and docodontan mammaliaforms.

Keywords: Dinosauria, Theropoda, Ceratosauria, Early Cretaceous, Western Siberia, Russia

Kiyacursor longipes gen. et sp. nov.

 

Alexander O. Averianov, Pavel P. Skutschas, Andrey A. Atuchin, Dmitry A. Slobodin, Olga A. Feofanova and Olga N. Vladimirova. 2024. The Last Ceratosaur of Asia: A New noasaurid from the Early Cretaceous Great Siberian Refugium. Proc. R. Soc. B. 291: 20240537. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0537

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[Mammalogy • 2024] Spermophilus vorontsovi • Traditional Multilocus Phylogeny fails to fully resolve Palearctic Ground Squirrels Genus Spermophilus (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmotini) Relationships but reveals A New Species endemic to West Siberia

Spermophilus vorontsovi

Simonov, Lopatina, Titov, Ivanova, Brandler, Surin, Matrosova, Dvilis, Oreshkova, Kapustina, Golenishchev & Ermakov, 2024

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108057

Highlights: 

• The first multi-locus and complete taxon sampling phylogeny of Palaearctic ground squirrels.

• Four major clades diverged during the Late Miocene.

• The main speciation events took place during the Calabrian stage of the Pleistocene.

• A new species from West Siberia is discovered and described.

Abstract

Previous efforts to reconstruct evolutionary history of Palearctic ground squirrels within the genus Spermophilus have primarily relied on a single mitochondrial marker for phylogenetic data. In this study, we present the first phylogeny with comprehensive taxon sampling of Spermophilus via a conventional multilocus approach utilizing five mitochondrial and five nuclear markers. Through application of the multispecies coalescent model, we constructed a species tree revealing four distinct clades that diverged during the Late Miocene. These clades are 1) S. alaschanicus and S. dauricus from East Asia; 2) S. musicus and S. pygmaeus from East Europe and northwestern Central Asia; 3) the subgenus Colobotis found across Central Asia and its adjacent regions and encompassing S. brevicauda, S. erythrogenys, S. fulvus, S. major, S. pallidicauda, S. ralli, S. relictus, S. selevini, and S. vorontsovi sp. nov.; and 4) a Central/Eastern Europe and Asia Minor clade comprising S. citellus, S. taurensis, S. xanthoprymnus, S. suslicus, and S. odessanus. The latter clade lacked strong support owing to uncertainty of taxonomic placement of S. odessanus and S. suslicus. Resolving relationships within the subgenus Colobotis, which radiated rapidly, remains challenging likely because of incomplete lineage sorting and introgressive hybridization. Most of modern Spermophilus species diversified during the Early–Middle Pleistocene (2.2–1.0 million years ago). We propose a revised taxonomic classification for the genus Spermophilus by recognizing 18 species including a newly identified one (S. vorontsovi sp. nov.), which is found only in a limited area in the southeast of West Siberia. Employing genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping, we substantiated the role of the Ob River as a major barrier ensuring robust isolation of this taxon from S. erythrogenys. Despite its inherent limitations, the traditional multilocus approach remains a valuable tool for resolving relationships and can provide important insights into otherwise poorly understood groups. It is imperative to recognize that additional efforts are needed to definitively determine phylogenetic relationships between certain species of Palearctic ground squirrels.

 

Keywords: Species tree, Riverine barrier, MIG-seq, Marmotini, North Eurasia

Spermophilus vorontsovi 

Evgeniy Simonov, Natalia V. Lopatina, Sergey V. Titov, Anastasiya D. Ivanova, Oleg V. Brandler, Vadim L. Surin, Vera A. Matrosova, Alisa E. Dvilis, Nataliya V. Oreshkova, Svetlana Yu. Kapustina, Fedor N. Golenishchev and Oleg A. Ermakov. 2024. Traditional Multilocus Phylogeny fails to fully resolve Palearctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus) Relationships but reveals A New Species endemic to West Siberia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 195, 108057. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108057

[Paleontology • 2022] Annemys variabilis • Xinjiangchelyid Turtles from the Middle Jurassic of the Berezovsk Coal Mine (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia): Systematics, Skeletal Morphology, Variation, Relationships and Palaeobiogeographic Implications

  

 Annemys variabilis 

Obraztsova, Krasnolutskii, Sukhanov & Danilov, 2022

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2022.2093662

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal 

Artwork by Alexander Ostroshabov.

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the description of a new species of xinjiangchelyid turtle – Annemys variabilis sp. nov. – represented by thousands of isolated bones and several more complete specimens from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Itat Formation of the Berezovsk coal mine, Krasnoyarsk Territory, western Siberia, Russia. The description is based on a sample of the best-preserved specimens. The new species differs from other Annemys spp. by a combination of cranial and shell characters. The basisphenoids (about 200 specimens) of A. variabilis demonstrate variation in 12 characters, some of which are reported in turtles for the first time. About 20 shell characters of A. variabilis are subject to ontogenetic or interindividual variation. Some of these characters are variable in other Annemys spp. and other xinjiangchelyids. The formula of the cervical vertebrae [(2(3()4()5()6()7()8) or (2(3()4()5()6()7()8(] with two opisthocoelous vertebrae (2 and 3), four or five amphicoelous vertebrae (4–7 or 4–8), and one procoelous vertebra is unique for this species among xinjiangchelyids, which were previously known to have only amphicoelous cervicals. Other characters of the non-shell postcranium correspond to those of other xinjiangchelyids. Of the three phylogenetic analyses performed in this study, Analysis 1 does not support the monophyly of either Xinjiangchelyidae or Annemys, Analysis 2 shows paraphyly of Xinjiangchelyidae and monophyly of the Annemys clade (A. latiens, A. levensis, A. variabilis and A. wusu), and Analysis 3 supports monophyly of the Annemys clade with A. latiens, A. levensis and A. variabilis, only in the majority rule consensus tree. The diversity of the turtle assemblage of the Itat Formation is re-assessed as containing 2–3 taxa (A. variabilis [=Testudines indet. 2], Testudines indet. 1 and 3), which is in agreement with similar diversities seen in some other Middle Jurassic Asian turtle assemblages. The known record of Annemys spp. is restricted to the northern part of Asia.

Annemys variabilis 

 

Ekaterina M. Obraztsova, Sergei A. Krasnolutskii, Vladimir B. Sukhanov and Igor G. Danilov. 2022. Xinjiangchelyid Turtles from the Middle Jurassic of the Berezovsk Coal Mine (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia): Systematics, Skeletal Morphology, Variation, Relationships and Palaeobiogeographic Implications. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 20(1); 1-61. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2022.2093662

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[Paleontology • 2021] Auroroborealia incognita • Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian) of the New Siberian Islands, Russian Arctic, and Their Implications for the Evolution of the Ichthyosaurian Basicranium and Vertebral Column

Auroroborealia incognita

Zverkov, Grigoriev, Wolniewicz, Konstantinov & Sobolev, 2021

DOI: 10.1017/S1755691021000372 

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Abstract

The first ichthyosaurian specimens discovered from the Upper Triassic of the Russian Arctic (Kotelny Island, New Siberian Islands) are described herein. They include the remains of large- to small-bodied ichthyosaurians originating from six stratigraphic levels spanning the lower Carnian to middle Norian. The material is mostly represented by isolated vertebrae and ribs, which are not possible to accurately diagnose, but also includes specimens comprising associated vertebrae and a fragmentary skeleton that preserves cranial remains (parabasisphenoid, fragmentary quadrate, partial mandible and hyoids). Based on vertebral and rib morphology, we identify the specimens as representatives of the following taxonomic groups: large-bodied shastasaurids, medium-sized indeterminate ichthyosaurians with a single rib facet in the presacral centra, and small euichthyosaurians with double rib facets present throughout the presacral vertebrae that likely represent toretocnemids and/or basal parvipelvians. In addition, the cranial and mandibular remains preserved in one of the specimens, ZIN PH 5/250, were studied using micro-computed tomography. Its mandible is highly similar to that of toretocnemids, whereas the parabasisphenoid demonstrates a peculiar combination of both plesiomorphic and derived character states, providing the first detailed data on this cranial element in a Late Triassic ichthyosaurian. Furthermore, the specimen also demonstrates a distinctive condition of rib articulation in the anteriormost presacral (cervical) vertebrae, which together with other features allows for the erection of a new taxon – Auroroborealia incognita gen. et sp. nov. Although the phylogenetic position of this taxon is uncertain due to its fragmentary nature, its anatomy, indicating toretocnemid or parvipelvian affinities, further supports the previously hypothesised sister-group relationships between these two clades. The morphology of the parabasisphenoid and vertebral column of the new taxon is discussed in broader contexts of the patterns of evolution of these skeletal regions in ichthyosaurs.

Keywords: Euichthyosauria, Ichthyosauria, Late Triassic, Norian, parabasisphenoid, Parvipelvia, Toretocnemidae

Nikolay G. Zverkov, Dmitry V. Grigoriev, Andrzej S. Wolniewicz, Alexey G. Konstantinov and Evgeny S. Sobolev. 2021. Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian) of the New Siberian Islands, Russian Arctic, and Their Implications for the Evolution of the Ichthyosaurian Basicranium and Vertebral Column. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.  First View. DOI: 10.1017/S1755691021000372

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[Paleontology • 2018] Sibirotitan astrosacralis • A New Sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Ilek Formation, Western Siberia, Russia

Sibirotitan astrosacralis

Averianov, Ivantsov, Skutschas, Faingertz & Leshchinskiy, 2018

Сибиротитан звездокрестцовый  DOI: 10.1016/j.geobios.2017.12.004

Abstract

Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., is described based on isolated but possibly associated cervical and dorsal vertebrae, sacrum, and previously published pedal elements from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian?) Ilek Formation at Shestakovo 1 locality (Kemerovo Province, Western Siberia, Russia). Some isolated sauropod teeth from the Shestakovo 1 locality are referred to the same taxon. The phylogenetic parsimony analyses place Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., as a non-titanosaurian somphospondyl titanosauriform. The new taxon exhibits four titanosauriform and one somphospondylan synapomorphies, and one autapomorphy – a hyposphene ridge that extends between the neural canal and the postzygapophyses. It differs from all other Somphospondyli by having only five sacral vertebrae. The new taxon shares with Euhelopus and Epachtosaurus sacral ribs that converge towards the middle of the sacrum in dorsal view. Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., is only the second sauropod taxon from Russia and one of the oldest titanosauriform described so far in Asia.

Keywords: Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp.; Titanosauriformes; Sauropoda; Phylogenetic parsimony analysis; Early Cretaceous; Siberia; Asia

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropoda Marsh, 1878

Titanosauriformes Salgado et al., 1997

Genus Sibirotitan nov. gen.

Derivation of the name: from Siberia and Greek Tιτάν (titan), a member of the second order of divine beings, descended from the primordial deities and preceding the Olympian deities in Greek mythology.

Type and only species: Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp.

Derivation of the name: from Greek αστρον (star) and Latin os sacrum (“sacred bone”), an allusion to the unusual configuration of sacral ribs which radiate, in dorsal view, from the middle of the sacrum as the rays of a star.

 S.V. Ivantsov digging out the posterior cervical vertebra PM TGU 120/8-Sh1-3 from the Malyi Yar outcrop in 2008 (Kemerovo Province, Russia). Photo by S.V. Leshchinskiy.

  

  

 Alexander Averianov, Stepan Ivantsov, Pavel Skutschas, Alexey Faingertz and Sergey Leshchinskiy. 2018. A New Sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Ilek Formation, Western Siberia, Russia. Geobios. In Press.  DOI: 10.1016/j.geobios.2017.12.004

Averianov, A.O., Voronkevich, A.V., Maschenko, E.N., Leshchinskiy, S.V., and Fayngertz, A.V. 2002. A sauropod foot from the Early Cretaceous of Western Siberia, Russia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 47 (1): 117–124.  DOI: 10.1.1.492.1575 

Hello to the Sibirosaurus? New dinosaur discovered by university scientists http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/n0167-hello-to-the-sibirosaurus-new-dinosaur-discovered-by-university-scientists

Познакомьтесь с новым сибирским динозавром https://metkere.com/2018/01/sibirotitan.html via @metkere

Новый род найденных в Кузбассе динозавров назвали сибиротитаном https://mediakuzbass.ru/news/obshhestvo/94522.html 

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[Paleontology • 2014] Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus • A Jurassic ornithischian Dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales

Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus Godefroit, Sinitsa, Dhouailly, Bolotsky, Sizov, McNamara, Benton & Spagna, 2014
wanders the lake-dotted lowlands of Jurassic Siberia

illustration: Andrey Atuchin

ABSTRACT

Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous deposits from northeastern China have yielded varied theropod dinosaurs bearing feathers. Filamentous integumentary structures have also been described in ornithischian dinosaurs, but whether these filaments can be regarded as part of the evolutionary lineage toward feathers remains controversial. Here we describe a new basal neornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic of Siberia with small scales around the distal hindlimb, larger imbricated scales around the tail, monofilaments around the head and the thorax, and more complex featherlike structures around the humerus, the femur, and the tibia. The discovery of these branched integumentary structures outside theropods suggests that featherlike structures coexisted with scales and were potentially widespread among the entire dinosaur clade; feathers may thus have been present in the earliest dinosaurs.

Pascal Godefroit, Sofia M. Sinitsa, Danielle Dhouailly, Yuri L. Bolotsky, Alexander V. Sizov, Maria E. McNamara, Michael J. Benton and Paul Spagna. 2014. A Jurassic ornithischian Dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales. Science. 345(6195): 451-455. 

DOI: 10.1126/science.1253351 

researchgate.net/publication/264247851_Dinosaur_evolution._A_Jurassic_ornithischian_dinosaur_from_Siberia_with_both_feathers_and_scales

Feathers More Common Among Dinosaurs Than Previously Thought

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/07/24/feathers-common-among-dinosaurs-previously-thought/

http://theropoda.blogspot.com/2014/07/kulindadromeus-zabaikalicus-un.html