Trisha Shetty (Editor)

2016 in paleontology

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2016 in paleontology

Paleontology or palaeontology (from Greek: paleo, "ancient"; ontos, "being"; and logos, "knowledge") is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 2016.

Contents

Research

  • Yunnanoascus haikouensis, previously thought to be a member of Ctenophora, is reinterpreted as a crown-group medusozoan by Han et al. (2016).
  • A study on the fossil corals from the Late Triassic (Norian) outcrops in Antalya Province (Turkey), indicating that the corals lived in symbiosis with photosynthesizing dinoflagellate algae, is published by Frankowiak et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A study on the histology and growth histories of the humeri of the specimens of Acanthostega recovered from the mass-death deposit of Stensiö Bjerg (Greenland) is published by Sanchez et al. (2016), who argue that even the largest individuals from this deposit are juveniles.
  • Fossils of a tetrapod resembling Ichthyostega and a probable whatcheeriid-grade tetrapod are described from two Devonian (Famennian) localities from Belgium by Olive et al. (2016).
  • A study on the functional significance of the interpterygoid vacuities (holes in the palate) in temnospondyls is published by Lautenschlager, Witzmann & Werneburg (2016).
  • A study on the stress distribution in the skulls of Edingerella madagascariensis and Stanocephalosaurus birdi during the bite, with implications for establishing the ecological niches occupied by these temnospondyls, is published by Fortuny et al. (2016).
  • A study on the morphology of the skull and braincase of Brachydectes newberryi is published by Pardo & Anderson (2016).
  • A study on the locomotor capabilities of Triadobatrachus massinoti is published by Lires, Soto & Gómez (2016).
  • A revised description of the holotype of Triadobatrachus massinoti based on X-ray micro-tomography data is published by Ascarrunz et al. (2016).
  • The first unambiguous frog fossil from the Jurassic of Asia (an atlantal centrum of a possible member of the genus Eodiscoglossus) is described from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Itat Formation (Russia) by Skutschas, Martin & Krasnolutskii (2016).

    • Research

  • Twelve specimens of lizards (including stem-gekkotans, crown-agamids, a lacertoid, a stem-chamaeleonid and squamates of uncertain phylogenetic placement, probably stem-squamates) are described from the Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian boundary) amber from Myanmar by Daza et al. (2016).
  • A study of almost 30 specimens of Polyglyphanodon sternbergi, including almost complete skeletons, is published by Simões et al. (2016), who report the discovery of previously unrecognized ontogenetic series, sexual dimorphism and a complete lower temporal bar in the skull of members of this species.
  • New anatomical data on the Late Cretaceous lizard Slavoia darevskii is published by Tałanda (2016), who interprets it as a stem-amphisbaenian.
  • A study on the skull anatomy of the Eocene amphisbaenian Spathorhynchus fossorium is published by Müller, Hipsley & Maisano (2016).
  • A redescription of the mosasaur Hainosaurus bernardi Dollo (1885) is published by Jimenez-Huidobro & Caldwell (2016), who transfer this species to the genus Tylosaurus and synonymize genera Tylosaurus and Hainosaurus.
  • A revision of the species assigned to the mosasaur genus Tylosaurus is published by Jiménez-Huidobro, Simões & Caldwell (2016).
  • Early Miocene chamaeleonid fossils, including a specimen tentatively attributed to the species Chamaeleo cf. andrusovi Čerňanský (2010), previously known only from the early Miocene of the Czech Republic, are described from the Aliveri locality (Euboea, Greece) by Georgalis, Villa & Delfino (2016).
  • Lizard fossils which might be the oldest known chameleon fossils from India are described from the Miocene Nagri Formation by Sankhyan & Čerňanský (2016).

    • Research

  • Lee et al. (2016) examine the limb anatomy of Tetrapodophis amplectus, which according to the authors is suggestive of aquatic habits.
  • A redescription of the Cenomanian snake Simoliophis rochebrunei on the basis of new fossil material from France is published by Rage, Vullo & Néraudeau (2016).
  • Smith & Scanferla (2016) describe a juvenile specimen of Palaeopython fischeri from the Eocene Messel pit with preserved stomach contents, including a specimen of the stem-basilisk species Geiseltaliellus maarius, which in turn preserves an unidentified insect in its stomach.
  • McNamara et al. (2016) describe pigment cells responsible for coloration and patterning preserved in a fossil skin of a colubrid snake from the Late Miocene Libros Lagerstätte (Teruel, Spain).
  • New fossil material of the viperid Laophis crotaloides is described from Greece by Georgalis et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A study of taxonomic richness, disparity and evolutionary rates of ichthyosaurs throughout the Cretaceous period is published by Fischer et al. (2016).
  • A restudy of "Platypterygius" campylodon is published by Fischer (2016), who transfers this species to the genus Pervushovisaurus.

    • Research

  • A study of the histology and microanatomy of the humeri of members of the genus Nothosaurus is published by Klein et al. (2016).
  • A reassessment of fossils attributed to the genus Polyptychodon is published by Madzia (2016), who considers the type species of this genus, P. interruptus, to be nomen dubium, and the genus Polyptychodon to be a wastebasket taxon.
  • O'Gorman (2016) provides a new diagnosis for Fresnosaurus drescheri and describes additional plesiosaur material from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Moreno Formation (California, USA), which he interprets as representing the first aristonectine plesiosaur reported from the Northern Hemisphere.
  • A redescription of the holotype specimen of Brancasaurus brancai and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Sachs, Hornung & Kear (2016), who consider the species Gronausaurus wegneri to be a junior synonym of B. brancai.

    • Research

  • A study on the latitudinal gradients in species diversity of Mesozoic non-marine turtles is published by Nicholson et al. (2016).
  • A study on the morphological diversity of the skulls of the fossil and recent turtles through time is published by Foth & Joyce (2016).
  • A study of the bone shell histology of Condorchelys antiqua and its implications for the lifestyle of the species is published by Cerda, Sterli & Scheyer (2016).
  • A study of the bone histology of shell elements of the Late Cretaceous—Paleocene chelid Yaminuechelys is published by Jannello, Cerda & de la Fuente (2016).
  • A review of the fossil record, taxonomy and diagnostic features of the fossil species belonging to the genus Chelus is published by Ferreira et al. (2016).
  • Fossils of Plesiochelys etalloni and Tropidemys langii, otherwise known from the Kimmeridgian of the Swiss and French Jura Mountains, are described from the British Kimmeridge Clay by Anquetin & Chapman (2016).
  • An emended diagnosis of Testudo catalaunica and a study of phylogeny of extinct members of the genus Testudo is published by Luján et al. (2016).
  • Giant tortoise fossils collected from the late Miocene-early Pliocene Mehrten Formation (California, USA) are identified as belonging to members of the species Hesperotestudo orthopygia by Biewer et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A study on the resting metabolic rate of 14 taxa of fossil archosauromorph reptiles as indicated by bone histology is published by Legendre et al. (2016).
  • A study of the phylogenetic relationships of the archosauriforms traditionally assigned to the family Euparkeriidae is published by Sookias (2016).
  • A redescription of the braincase and the inner ear of Euparkeria capensis is published by Sobral et al. (2016).
  • A study of the phylogenetic relationships of archosauromorph reptiles, with an emphasis on the phylogenetic relationships of proterosuchids and erythrosuchids, is published by Ezcurra (2016).
  • A study on the patterns of morphological diversity of the skulls of late Permian to Early Jurassic archosauromorph reptiles is published by Foth et al. (2016).
  • A study on the braincase anatomy of the type specimens of Pseudochampsa ischigualastensis and Tropidosuchus romeri is published by Trotteyn & Paulina-Carabajal (2016).
  • A reevaluation of the neotype specimen of Parasuchus hislopi and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Kammerer et al. (2016), who consider the genus Parasuchus to be a senior synonym of the genera Paleorhinus and Arganarhinus, and refer the species Paleorhinus bransoni Williston (1904), Francosuchus angustifrons Kuhn (1936) and Paleorhinus magnoculus Dutuit (1977) to the genus Parasuchus.
  • A study on the endocranial anatomy (including the brain, inner ear, neurovascular structures and sinus systems) of Parasuchus angustifrons and Ebrachosuchus neukami is published by Lautenschlager & Butler (2016).

    • Research

  • A study of the skull anatomy of the ornithosuchid Riojasuchus tenuisceps is published by von Baczko & Desojo (2016).
  • A restudy of Dasygnathoides longidens and Ornithosuchus woodwardi, rejecting their synonymy, is published by von Baczko & Ezcurra (2016).
  • A study on the cranial anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of the aetosaur Paratypothorax andressorum is published by Schoch & Desojo (2016).
  • New fossil material from the Triassic (Ladinian or earliest Carnian) Pinheiros-Chiniquá Sequence of the Santa Maria Supersequence in Brazil attributed to the rauisuchian species Prestosuchus chiniquensis is described by Lacerda et al. (2016).
  • A study on the presence, size, shape, and position of the subnarial foramen (an opening located between premaxilla and maxilla) in Prestosuchus chiniquensis and its implication for archosaurian phylogeny is published by Roberto-da-Silva et al.' (2016).
  • A redescription of the fossil material assignable to the species Trialestes romeri and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Lecuona, Ezcurra & Irmis (2016).
  • The osteological description of Carnufex carolinensis and a study of its phylogenetic position is published by Drymala & Zanno (2016).
  • Description of postcranial skeletons of three specimens of the sphagesaurid Caipirasuchus (representing Caipirasuchus montealtensis, Caipirasuchus paulistanus and Caipirasuchus sp.) is published by Iori, Carvalho & Marinho (2016).
  • Description of the postcranial elements of the skeleton of Pissarrachampsa sera is published by Godoy et al. (2016).
  • Description of new cranial remains of Pholidosaurus purbeckensis from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) of France and a study of phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Martin, Raslan-Loubatié & Mazin (2016).
  • Fossils of the dyrosaurid crocodylomorph Hyposaurus are described from the Late Cretaceous Shendi Formation of Sudan by Salih et al. (2016).
  • A description of the endocranial anatomy of Steneosaurus is published by Brusatte et al. (2016).
  • A study on the body proportions and body size of teleosaurids is published by Young et al. (2016).
  • Fossils of teleosauroid thalattosuchians, including a close relative of "Steneosaurus" obtusidens and Machimosaurus, are described from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of Morocco by Jouve et al. (2016), who name a new tribe Machimosaurini.
  • A redescription of the holotype specimen of the metriorhynchid species "Plesiosaurus" mexicanus Wieland (1910) is published by Barrientos-Lara et al. (2016), who transfer the species to the genus Torvoneustes.
  • A Middle Jurassic dentary from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom, referred to Theriosuchus sp., is described by Young et al. (2016).
  • A histological study of a specimen of Susisuchus anatoceps is published by Sayão et al. (2016).
  • New fossil material of Allodaposuchus precedens is described from the Late Cretaceous of France by Martin et al. (2016).
  • Fossil mekosuchine vertebrae, tentatively assigned to Mekosuchus whitehunterensis, are described from Riversleigh (Australia) by Stein, Archer & Hand (2016), who interpret them as confirming that even adult specimens of this species were smaller in snout-vent length than adults of extant small crocodilian species belonging to the genera Paleosuchus and Osteolaemus, and indicating that this species employed feeding behaviours that were unusual for crocodilians.
  • Partial skeleton of the Chinese alligator is described from the late Pliocene of western Japan by Iijima, Takahashi & Kobayashi (2016).
  • A study on the osteology of alligator fossils from the late Miocene Moss Acres Racetrack locality in Marion County, Florida and the phylogenetic placement of the alligators these fossils belonged to within the genus Alligator is published by Whiting, Steadman & Vliet (2016).
  • New information on the anatomy of Globidentosuchus brachyrostris and Centenariosuchus gilmorei and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of these species is published by Hastings, Reisser & Scheyer (2016).

    • Research

  • Marsicano et al. (2016) date the Chañares Formation, containing fossils of non-dinosaurian dinosauromorphs Lagerpeton, Lewisuchus, Marasuchus and Pseudolagosuchus, to early Carnian (236–234 Ma), 5–10 million years younger than previously thought. On this basis the authors postulate that the origin of dinosaurs was a relatively rapid event, as the transition from vertebrate communities containing only non-dinosaurian dinosauromorphs to communities containing the first dinosaurs occurred in less than a 5-million year interval.
  • A study on the ontogeny of the femur and the histology of long bones of the silesaurid Asilisaurus kongwe is published by Griffin & Nesbitt (2016).
  • Basal dinosauromorph fossils including fossils of both Dromomeron romeri and D. gregorii, as well as a dinosauriform fibula resembling the fibula of Marasuchus lilloensis but with much larger size, are described from the Late Triassic Dockum Group of Texas, USA by Sarıgül (2016).

    • Research

  • An assessment of methods used to the determine the ontogenetic status of non-avian dinosaur specimens is published by Hone, Farke & Wedel (2016).
  • A study of the evolutionary dynamics of speciation and extinction through time in Mesozoic dinosaurs is published by Sakamoto, Benton & Venditti (2016).
  • A study on the morphological similarities of the skulls of Plateosaurus engelhardti, Stegosaurus stenops and Erlikosaurus andrewsi, their feeding mechanics and behaviour is published by Lautenschlager et al. (2016).
  • A study testing for a correlation between the presence of bony cranial ornaments and large body size in non-avian theropod dinosaurs is published by Gates, Organ & Zanno (2016).
  • A description of theropod teeth from the Late Jurassic of Northern Germany and a study of their phylogenetic relationships is published by Gerke & Wings (2016).
  • A study on the tooth attachment tissues in Coelophysis bauri is published by Fong et al. (2016).
  • A study on the variation in morphological changes during ontogeny among members of the same species in early dinosaurs Coelophysis bauri and Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis as compared to the variation among living birds and crocodilians is published by Griffin & Nesbitt (2016).
  • A study of osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Elaphrosaurus bambergi is published by Rauhut & Carrano (2016).
  • A new specimen of Velocisaurus unicus is described by Brissón Egli, Agnolín & Novas (2016).
  • Footprints attributed to large megalosaurid theropods are described from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Serra de Aire Formation (Portugal) by Razzolini et al. (2016), who interpret the tracks as left by dinosaurs crossing the tidal flat during low tide periods.
  • A study on the validity of the theropod genus Altispinax is published by Maisch (2016).
  • Six isolated spinosaurid quadrates, most likely coming from the Kem Kem Beds, are described by Hendrickx, Mateus & Buffetaut (2016), who interpret the differences in their anatomy as confirming the presence of two spinosaurine taxa in the Cenomanian of North Africa, rather than only one (Spinosaurus aegyptiacus).
  • The description of a new large abelisaurid femur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Kem Kem Beds, by Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza & Andrea Cau (2016) demonstrates the presence of large bodied individuals of this clade sympatric with other giant theropod dinosaurs from this area. This study includes also an overview on the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) theropod assemblage from Morocco.
  • Fossils of a large Early Cretaceous (Albian) megaraptorid theropod are described from the Griman Creek Formation (New South Wales, Australia) by Bell et al. (2016), who consider the theropod to be the largest predatory dinosaur yet identified from Australia.
  • A study on the manual anatomy of Megaraptor and Australovenator, as well as its implications for the phylogenetic relationships of these taxa, is published by Novas, Aranciaga Rolando & Agnolín (2016).
  • A study of the phylogenetic relationships of tyrannosauroid theropods is published by Brusatte and Carr (2016).
  • Medullary bone homologous with one present in living birds is identified in a specimen of Tyrannosaurus rex by Schweitzer et al. (2016).
  • Three fossil feathers from the Crato Member of the Early Cretaceous Santana Formation (Brazil) are described by Prado et al. (2016), who attribute them to coelurosaurian theropods of uncertain phylogenetic placement.
  • Feathered tail of a theropod dinosaur, probably of a juvenile non-avian coelurosaur, preserved in Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Burmese amber is described by Xing et al. (2016)
  • A study of the effectiveness of proposed pathways for the evolution of the flight stroke in non-avian coelurosaurian theropods and early birds using biomechanical mathematical models is published by Dececchi, Larsson & Habib (2016).
  • The first known oviraptorosaur (Avimimus) bone bed is described from the Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) by Funston et al. (2016).
  • New specimens of Elmisaurus rarus are described from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia by Currie, Funston & Osmólska (2016).
  • New specimens of Leptorhynchos elegans and Leptorhynchos sp. are described from the Late Cretaceous of Canada by Funston, Currie & Burns (2016).
  • A study of the morphological disparity of teeth of maniraptoran theropods living during the last 18 million years of the Cretaceous is published by Larson, Brown and Evans (2016).
  • A robust ilium of a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur is described from the Elliot Formation (South Africa) by McPhee & Choiniere (2016).
  • A new complete femur assigned to Pampadromaeus barberenai is described by Müller et al. (2016).
  • A study on the jaw adductor musculature and bite forces in Plateosaurus and Camarasaurus is published by Button, Barrett & Rayfield (2016).
  • A study of the evolution of whole-body shape and body segment properties of sauropod dinosaurs is published by Bates et al. (2016).
  • A study on the intervertebral joints in the necks and tails of sauropod dinosaurs, characterized by having the convex articular face directed away from the body and the concave articular face directed toward the body, is published by Fronimos, Wilson & Baumiller (2016), who argue that these joints evolved to prevent possible joint failure caused by rotation, providing stability with greater mobility and facilitating the evolution of elongated necks and tails in sauropods.
  • A restudy of Sanpasaurus yaoi, originally classified as an ornithopod dinosaur, is published by McPhee et al. (2016), who consider this species to be an early sauropod instead.
  • Description of several sauropod vertebrae collected from the Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation (South Africa) and a study on the diversity of the sauropods known from the Kirkwood Formation is published by McPhee et al. (2016).
  • Gallina (2016) argues that Amargatitanis macni, initially considered to be a titanosaur, is actually a dicraeosaurid.
  • A reassessment of the systematics, paleoenvironment, life history and geologic age of Sonorasaurus thompsoni is published by D’Emic, Foreman & Jud (2016).
  • A study on divergence dates and ancestral ranges of Titanosauria is published by Gorscak & O‘Connor (2016).
  • Osteoma and hemangioma are documented for the first time in a vertebra of a titanosaur sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil by de Souza Barbosa et al. (2016).
  • Sauropod fossils, including a caudal vertebra attributed to a large-bodied lithostrotian titanosaur, are reported from the Cretaceous Kem Kem Beds (Morocco) by Ibrahim et al. (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy of the appendicular skeleton of Dreadnoughtus schrani is published by Ullmann & Lacovara (2016).
  • A study of the skull anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of Tapuiasaurus macedoi is published by Wilson et al. (2016).
  • A juvenile specimen of Rapetosaurus krausei is described by Curry Rogers et al. (2016).
  • Well-vascularised endosteally formed bone tissue is reported in the saltasaurine titanosaurs by Chinsamy, Cerda & Powell (2016), who argue that additional evidence is required to determine whether vascularised endosteal bone tissues reported in extinct archosaurs are medullary bone or just a pathological bone.
  • A study on the effect of jaw shape and jaw adductor musculature on the relative bite force in members of 52 ornithischian genera is published by Nabavizadeh (2016).
  • A study on the anatomical diversity of the predentary in ornithischian dinosaurs is published by Nabavizadeh & Weishampel (2016).
  • Heterodontosaurid metatarsi, phalanges and tail vertebrae are described from the Early Jurassic (late Toarcian) Cañadon Asfalto Formation (Argentina) by Becerra et al. (2016), who note the similarities in anatomy of the digits of this heterodontosaurid and the digits of arboreal birds and argue that the heterodontosaurid might have had grasping feet with long digits.
  • New specimens of Lesothosaurus diagnosticus are described by Barrett et al. (2016).
  • A description of the braincase anatomy of Pawpawsaurus campbelli based on CT scans is published by Paulina-Carabajal, Lee & Jacobs (2016).
  • A new specimen of Haya griva is described from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia by Norell & Barta (2016).
  • A reassessment of the holotype locality of Leaellynasaura amicagraphica is published by Herne, Tait & Salisbury (2016), who argue that several fossils traditionally referred to L. amicagraphica cannot be confidently attributed to this species.
  • A study on the evolution of the teeth morphologies of the ornithopod dinosaurs is published by Strickson et al. (2016), who argue that major increases of rates of dental character evolution among ornithopods did not correspond to times of plant diversification, including the radiation of the flowering plants.
  • Fossils of a diminutive ornithopod dinosaur, probably a member of Rhabdodontidae, are described from the upper Barremian-lower Aptian Castrillo de la Reina Formation (Cameros Basin, Spain) by Dieudonné et al. (2016).
  • A new specimen of Valdosaurus canaliculatus, the most complete yet found, is described by Barrett (2016).
  • Tibia and tail vertebrae of iguanodontian dinosaurs are described from the Cleaver Bank (North Sea) by Mulder & Fraaije (2016).
  • Isolated teeth of large-bodied iguanodontians are described from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of Tunisia by Fanti et al. (2016).
  • Parallel trackways of medium-sized and robust ornithopods similar to Draconyx or Cumnoria, providing evidence of gregarious behavior, are described from the Late Jurassic of Spain by Piñuela et al. (2016).
  • A mandible of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus exhibiting ameloblastoma is described from the Late Cretaceous Sînpetru Formation (Hațeg Basin, Romania) by Dumbravă et al. (2016).
  • A revision of the original diagnosis of Willinakaqe salitralensis and of fossil material attributed to this species is published by Cruzado Caballero and Coria (2016), who argue that the fossils attributed to Willinakaqe salitralensis might represent more than a single taxon of hadrosaurid and that all characters of the original diagnosis are invalid.
  • Large ornithopod (probably hadrosaurid) tracks, assigned to the ichnogenus Hadrosauropodus, are described from the Maastrichtian-Danian Yacoraite Formation of Argentina by Díaz-Martínez, de Valais & Cónsole-Gonella (2016).
  • A hadrosaurid radius and ulna affected by a severe septic arthritis are described from the Late Cretaceous Navesink Formation (New Jersey, USA) by Anné, Hedrick & Schein (2016).
  • A study on the development of the dental battery of the hadrosaurid dinosaurs through their ontogeny and on the evolution of the hadrosaurid dental battery is published by LeBlanc et al. (2016).
  • Chondroid bone (a tissue intermediate between bone and cartilage) is reported in embryos and nestlings of Hypacrosaurus by Bailleul et al. (2016).
  • Restudies of the fossil material attributed to Stegoceras novomexicanum are published by Williamson & Brusatte (2016) and Jasinski & Sullivan (2016).
  • A study on the skull anatomy of Yinlong downsi is published by Han et al. (2016).
  • A study of the bristle-like appendages on the tail of Psittacosaurus is published by Mayr et al. (2016).
  • A study on the color patterns of a well-preserved specimen of Psittacosaurus sp. as indicated by the distribution of organic residues is published by Vinther et al. (2016).
  • A study on the dental microwear in Leptoceratops gracilis is published by Varriale (2016).
  • A study of the frill bones of Protoceratops andrewsi, indicating that its frill increased in length and width during the ontogeny of the animal and that the growth of the frill was greater than the overall growth of the animal, is published by Hone, Wood & Knell (2016), who interpret these findings as indicating that Protoceratops most likely used its frill for sexual and social dominance signaling.
  • Partial skull of a ceratopsid related to Nasutoceratops titusi is described from the Late Cretaceous Oldman Formation (Alberta, Canada) by Ryan et al. (2016), who also name new ceratopsid tribes Centrosaurini and Nasutoceratopsini.
  • A revision of the species assigned to the genus Chasmosaurus is published by Campbell et al. (2016).
  • Forelimb studies show Oryctodromeus was extremely adapted for an underground lifestyle (2016).
  • A group of paleontologists discovered the remains of the smallest specimen of Pachycephalosaurus to date. The specimen also casts doubt on the validity of Dracorex and Stygimoloch (2016).
  • A study was done on the skulls of Majungasaurus and revealed changes throughout the life cycle of this dinosaur (2016).
  • A study was conducted on the skeleton of Nasutoceratops, revealing that it and Avaceratops belonged to a completely new group of centrosaurines (2016).

    • Research

  • A study on the rates of morphological evolution in Early Cretaceous birds is published by Wang and Lloyd (2016).
  • A study on the microbodies associated with feathers of a new specimen of Eoconfuciusornis from the Early Cretaceous Huajiying Formation (China) and on the matrix in which the microbodies were embedded is published by Pan et al. (2016), who interpret the microbodies as melanosomes.
  • Remains of non-plumage soft tissues, including scales, toe pads, skin and muscle, are identified in two specimens of Confuciusornis by Falk et al. (2016).
  • A skeleton of an enantiornithine bird preserving a gastric pellet that includes fish bones is described from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of China by Wang, Zhou & Sullivan (2016).
  • Two partial wings with vestiges of soft tissues, probably belonging to precocial hatchlings of enantiornithine birds, are described from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Burmese amber by Xing et al. (2016).
  • A revised diagnosis of Cerebavis cenomanica, a study on the braincase anatomy of the species and a study on its phylogenetic relationships is published by Walsh, Milner & Bourdon (2016).
  • A study on the shape, growth, attachment, implantation, replacement, and tissue microstructures of the teeth of Hesperornis and Ichthyornis is published by Dumont et al. (2016).
  • A phylogenetic analysis of Hesperornithiformes is published by Bell & Chiappe (2016).
  • A specimen of Hesperornis with a healed wound is described from the Late Cretaceous Pierre Shale (South Dakota, United States) by Martin, Rothschild & Burnham (2016), who interpret the wound as caused by an unsuccessful attack of a polycotylid plesiosaur.
  • Pelvic elements of Gargantuavis philoinos, providing new information about the pelvic morphology of the species, are described from the Late Cretaceous (late Campanian/early Maastrichtian) of southern France by Buffetaut & Angst (2016).
  • A specimen of Vegavis iaai with a fossilized syrinx is described from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica by Clarke et al. (2016).
  • Mariana B.J. Picasso & María Clelia Mosto, 2016: Hinasuri nehuensis Tambussi was a robust, extinct rheid bird from the early Pliocene of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. This paper revisits the femoral morphology of H. nehuensis and provides an updated osteological description together with new insights into its palaeobiology.
  • Restudies of the Pleistocene species Rhea pampeana and Rhea anchorenensis are published by Picasso (2016) and Picasso and Mosto (2016), respectively, who consider these species to be junior synonyms of the extant greater rhea (Rhea americana).
  • Worthy et al. (2016) argue that Sylviornis neocaledoniae is a stem-galliform related to Megavitiornis altirostris and both are placed in the Sylviornithidae Mourer-Chauviré et Balouet, 2005.
  • A revision of the systematics of the early Eocene North American members of Geranoididae is published by Mayr (2016), who argues that geranoidids might be stem group representatives of the Gruoidea (the clade including trumpeters, cranes and related birds).
  • Zelenkov, Boev & Lazaridis (2016) reinterpret Otis hellenica from the Miocene of Greece, originally thought to be a bustard, as a member of Gruiformes belonging to the family Eogruidae and the subfamily Ergilornithinae; the authors classify it as a possible member of the genus Amphipelargus of uncertain specific assignment ("?Amphipelargus sp.").
  • A restudy of the holotype specimen of Bathornis grallator and a study on the taxonomic composition and phylogenetic affinities of bathornithids is published by Mayr (2016).
  • Zelenkov, Volkova and Gorobets (2016) describe buttonquail fossils from the late Miocene of Hungary, southern Ukraine and northern Kazakhstan, and transfer the species Calidris janossyi Kessler (2009) to the genus Ortyxelos.
  • Gerald Mayr and Zbigniew M. Bochenski,(2016) describe a disarticulated postcranial skeleton of a Ralloidea from the Early Oligocene (Rupelian) Jamna Dolna Site 2 in Poland as Gen. et Sp. indet.
  • Agnolin, Tomassini and Contreras (2016) describe a distal end of tarsometatarsus from the late Miocene levels of the Loma de Las Tapias Formation (San Juan Province, Argentina), identified as the oldest seedsnipe fossil discovered so far.
  • Body mass estimates for 25 extinct pan-alcids and a study of body mass evolution in Pan-Alcidae are published by Smith (2016).
  • The earliest known cranial endocast of a stem-penguin (a member of the genus Waimanu) is described from the Paleocene Waipara Greensand (New Zealand) by Proffitt, Clarke & Scofield (2016).
  • Thomas & Ksepka (2016) classify a Whaingaroan penguin from the Glen Massey Formation (North Island, New Zealand), first described in 1973, as a member of the genus Kairuku of uncertain specific assignment, extending the geographic range of the genus.
  • Park et al., 2016 The description of recently collected penguin fossils from the re-dated upper Miocene Port Campbell Limestone of Portland (Victoria), in addition to reanalysis of previously described material, has allowed the Cenozoic history of penguins in Australia to be placed into a global context for the first time. Australian pre-Quaternary fossil penguins represent stem taxa phylogenetically disparate from each other and Eudyptula minor, implying multiple dispersals and extinctions.
  • Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, Leandro M. Pérez, Sergio Marenssi, Marcelo Reguero (2016). The purpose of this paper is to provide a taphonomic analysis of the holotype of Crossvallia unienwillia, in order to improve the knowledge of the vertebrate record of the Cross Valley Formation, a unit exposed in the central area of Marambio (Seymour) Island, Antarctic Peninsula.
  • A new skeleton of the Eocene penguin Palaeeudyptes klekowskii is described from the Submeseta Formation (Seymour Island, Antarctica) by Acosta Hospitaleche (2016).
  • Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche & Eduardo Olivero, 2016: Eocene penguins are known mostly from Antarctic specimens. A previously documented partial skeleton consisting of a pelvis, femur, tibiotarsus and fibula, from the middle Eocene Leticia Formation, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina, has been prepared and re-described. Re-analysis favours assignment to Palaeeudyptes gunnari, a species widely recorded in the Eocene of Antarctica.
  • Fossils of a stork and a heron belonging or related to the tribe Nycticoracini are described from the Pliocene of Myanmar by Stidham et al. (2016).
  • A restudy of the fossils attributed to the species Liornis floweri and Callornis giganteus from the Miocene Santa Cruz Formation (Patagonia, Argentina) is published by Buffetaut (2016), who considers L. floweri to be a junior synonym of Brontornis burmeisteri and considers C. giganteus to be a chimera based on a phorusrhacid tarsometatarsus and a brontornithid tibiotarsus.
  • A study of eggshell fragments from the Pleistocene of Australia putatively referred to Genyornis newtoni is published by Grellet-Tinner, Spooner & Worthy (2016), who argue that these fossils are more likely to be remains of eggs laid by megapodes. Based on the similarities in the structure of eggshells of megapodes and dromornithids, the authors also hypothezise that dromornithids might be a sister group to galliforms rather than to or within anseriforms.
  • A study of burnt putative Genyornis eggshell fragments from the Pleistocene of Australia is published by Miller et al. (2016), who interpret them as confirming that eggs of Genyornis newtoni were harvested by humans.
  • A study on the possible presence, form, and extent of sexual dimorphism in Dromornis stirtoni is published by Handley et al. (2016).
  • Gastornithid and presbyornithid fossils are described from the early Eocene of Ellesmere Island (Canada) by Stidham & Eberle (2016).
  • The genus Wilaru, initially considered to be of a stone-curlew, is reinterpreted as a member of Presbyornithidae by De Pietri et al. (2016); the authors also reassess the Cretaceous species Teviornis gobiensis and confirm it as a member of Presbyornithidae.
  • A revision of anseriform birds known from the late Miocene localities in central Hungary is published by Zelenkov (2016), who transfers the species Anas denesi Kessler (2013) to the genus Aythya and classifies the species Anas albae Janossy (1979) as a member of tribe Mergini of uncertain generic assignment.
  • A revision of galliform birds known from the late Miocene localities in central Hungary is published by Zelenkov (2016), who transfers the subspecies Pavo aesculapi phasianoides Janossy (1991) to the genus Syrmaticus and raises it to the rank of a separate species Syrmaticus phasianoides.
  • New fossil remains of the Eocene cuckoo Chambicuculus pusillus are described from Tunisia by Mourer-Chauviré et al. (2016).
  • Virtual cranial endocast of the dodo is described by Gold, Bourdon & Norell (2016).
  • An ungual phalanx of a large member of Accipitridae belonging to an unknown genus and species is described from the Miocene of Panama by Steadman & MacFadden (2016).
  • Partial tarsometatarsus of a small parrot is described from the Early Miocene Khalagay Formation (Baikal region, Russia) by Zelenkov (2016).
  • Fossil avian feet from the Early Eocene of Messel, Germany are described by Gerald Mayr
  • A new tracksite with bird footprints (attributed to the ichnospecies Uvaichnites riojana), preserved in the early Miocene Lerín Formation (Bardenas Reales de Navarra Natural Park, Navarre, Spain), is described by Díaz-Martínez et al. (2016).
  • A new ichnospecies, Koreananornis lii, from the Lower Cretaceous avian track locality in the Guanshan area, Yongjing County, Gansu Province, northwest China, is described by Xing, Buckley, Lockley, Zhang, Marty, Wang, Li, McCrea et Peng, 2016. (2016).
  • An avian egg from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Liangtoutang Formation is described by Lawver et al. (2016) and named Pachycorioolithus jinyunensis oogen. et oosp. nov. within Pachycorioolithidae oofam. nov.
  • Three pellets with bird remains are described from the Eocene Messel pit (Germany) by Mayr & Schaal (2016), who interpret two of the pellets as probably produced by snakes or other squamates, and one as probable owl pellet (which, if confirmed, would make it the oldest owl pellet identified so far), possibly produced by the owl Palaeoglaux artophoron.

    • Research

  • A new wukongopterid specimen is described from the Late Jurassic Daohugou Bed or Tiaojishan Formation (China) by Cheng et al. (2016).
  • Description of a new specimen of Gladocephaloideus jingangshanensis and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of this species is published by Lü, Kundrát & Shen (2016).
  • New information on the braincase anatomy of Pterodaustro guinazui is published by Codorniú, Paulina-Carabajal & Gianechini (2016).
  • A small azhdarchoid, possibly an azhdarchid, is described from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Northumberland Formation (British Columbia, Canada) by Martin-Silverstone et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A skull of a juvenile specimen of Delorhynchus cifellii is described from the Richards Spur locality (Oklahoma, United States) by Haridy et al. (2016).
  • A revision of the systematics of the Chinese pareiasaurs is published by Benton (2016).
  • A study of evolution of body size of the carnivorous and herbivorous members of Captorhinidae is published by Brocklehurst (2016).
  • Surmik et al. (2016) describe nothosaurid and tanystropheid bones from the Triassic of Poland preserving blood-vessel-like structures enclosing organic molecules.
  • Two new specimens of Atopodentatus unicus are described by Chun et al. (2016), providing new information on the skull anatomy of this species and indicating that its rostrum, rather than being downturned as originally assumed, developed a hammerhead-like shape.
  • Description of new material of Hemilopas mentzeli from the Middle Triassic of Silesia (Poland) and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Surmik (2016).
  • Description of the anatomy of partially articulated forelimbs and isolated forelimb bones of Drepanosaurus recovered from the Late Triassic (Norian) Hayden Quarry (Chinle Formation) of New Mexico, USA is published by Pritchard et al. (2016).
  • A study on the femoral and tibial histology of the rhynchosaur Stenaulorhynchus stockleyi is published by Werning & Nesbitt (2016).
  • A study on the maximum body size and distribution of the reptile species known to have gone extinct during the last 50,000 years, as well as the role played by these factors in recent reptile extinction events, is published by Slavenko et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A study on the respiratory system and paleobiology of caseids is published by Lambertz et al. (2016), who argue that at least some caseids might have been predominantly aquatic and that a homologue of the mammalian diaphragm might have been present in caseids.
  • A study on the paleoneurology of non-mammaliaform therapsids is published by Benoit, Manger & Rubidge (2016), who argue that whiskers, body hair coverage and mammary glands might have been present in some non-mammaliaform therapsids.
  • A study on the occurrence and size of the parietal foramen (an opening in which the pineal eye is located) in non-mammaliaform therapsids (especially non-mammaliaform eutheriodonts) known from the Karoo Supergroup of South Africa is published by Benoit et al. (2016).
  • A study of life histories and growth patterns as indicated by bone tissue microstructure and body size in members of three synapsid groups that survived Permian–Triassic extinction event (dicynodonts, therocephalians and cynodonts) and one that didn't (gorgonopsians) is published by Botha-Brink et al. (2016).
  • A revision of the systematics of the gorgonopsian subfamily Rubidgeinae is published by Kammerer (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy and potential function of the cranial outgrowths of Choerosaurus dejageri is published by Benoit et al. (2016).
  • Benoit & Jasinoski (2016) present a digital reconstruction of the lost holotype specimen of the cynodont species Scalopocynodon gracilis (a junior synonym of Procynosuchus delaharpeae).
  • A study on the microstructure of the postcanine teeth of the trirachodontid cynodont Cricodon metabolus is published by Hendrickx, Abdala & Choiniere (2016).
  • A description of a new specimen of Massetognathus ochagaviae collected at the Middle Triassic Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone (Brazil) is published by Müller et al. (2016).
  • A study comparing the growth patterns of the tritylodontid cynodont Oligokyphus and the basal mammaliaform Morganucodon is published by O’Meara & Asher (2016).
  • Hair-like structures found in a coprolite recovered from the Late Permian Vyazniki site (Russia), which might represent the oldest evidence of hair in the stem group of mammals, are described by Bajdek et al. (2016).

    • Research

  • A study on the differences in cusp arrangement on the surface of molars of Morganucodon and Kuehneotherium and its impact on ability of the teeth to fracture prey is published by Conith et al. (2016).
  • Description of a new specimen of Kollikodon ritchiei and a study of its phylogenetic relationships is published by Pian et al. (2016).
  • A redescription of Teinolophos trusleri is published by Rich et al. (2016).
  • A study comparing the skull anatomy of the extant platypus and the Miocene Obdurodon dicksoni is published by Asahara et al. (2016).
  • A partial mandible of the amphitheriid Palaeoxonodon ooliticus, previously known only from isolated teeth, is described from the Middle Jurassic (late Bathonian) Kilmaluag Formation (Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom) by Close et al. (2016).
  • A study on the morphological disparity, dietary trends and generic level taxonomic diversity patterns in early therians is published by Grossnickle & Newham (2016).
  • A near-complete skull, a snout and two maxillae assigned to the species Didelphodon vorax are described from the Late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation (Montana and North Dakota, United States) by Wilson et al. (2016).
  • Description of a new specimen of Malleodectes mirabilis and a study of phylogenetic relationships of this species is published by Archer et al. (2016).
  • A study on the shape of the elbow joint of the marsupial lion and its implications for the predatory behavior of the species is published by Figueirido, Martín-Serra & Janis (2016).
  • Claw marks are described from the Tight Entrance Cave (southwestern Australia) by Arman & Prideaux (2016), who interpret the marks as left by the marsupial lions.

    • New taxa

    Metatherians
    Other non-eutherian mammals

    Research

  • A study on the date of the origin of the Placentalia and an analysis of the effect of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event on placental evolution is published by Halliday, Upchurch & Goswami (2016).
  • A study on the influence of the methods used to establish divergence dates on the studies reconstructing body-size evolution of the Cretaceous and Paleogene eutherian mammals is published by Halliday & Goswami (2016).
  • A study on the relationship between the primary productivity of plant communities and the diversity of terrestrial large mammals in North America and Europe through the Neogene is published by Fritz et al. (2016).
  • Studies of the phylogenetic relationships of the glyptodonts within Xenarthra, indicating that the glyptodonts were nested within the armadillo crown group, are published by Delsuc et al. (2016) and Mitchell et al. (2016).
  • A description of new fossil material of Abdounodus hamdii and a study of its phylogenetic relationships is published by Gheerbrant, Filippo & Schmitt (2016).
  • A description of new fossil material of Palaeoamasia kansui and a study of phylogenetic relationships of embrithopods is published by Erdal, Antoine & Sen (2016).
  • A study on the patterns of mastication in Neogene and Quaternary proboscideans as indicated by the anatomy of their teeth is published by von Koenigswald (2016).
  • Part of a humerus of a large proboscidean, probably a member of the genus Deinotherium, is described from the Miocene of Finland by Salonen et al., representing the northernmost record of a Miocene proboscidean fossil in the world so far.
  • A study on the timing, causes, and consequences of the Holocene extinction of the relict woolly mammoth population from Saint Paul Island (Alaska) is published by Graham et al. (2016).
  • A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the unallocated fossil species of the Old World leaf-nosed bats, particularly Miocene species from Riversleigh (Australia) is published by Wilson et al. (2016).
  • A complete skull of the macraucheniid Huayqueriana cf. H. cristata is described from the Huayquerian Huayquerías Formation (Argentina) by Forasiepi et al. (2016).
  • An osteological study on the Pleistocene camelid fossils reported from Alaska and Yukon, assigned to the species Camelops hesternus, is published by Zazula et al. (2016).
  • New fossil material of the Pleistocene wildebeest-like bovid Rusingoryx atopocranion is described from the Rusinga Island (Kenya) by O’Brien et al. (2016), who note the presence of large, hollow, bony nasal crests in this mammal, similar to crests present in hadrosaurid dinosaurs.
  • A study on the diet and evolution of ecologically-relevant traits in members of the genus Hoplitomeryx as indicated by tooth wear, hypsodonty and body mass estimations is published by DeMiguel (2016).
  • A study estimating the ability of the cetacean Ambulocetus and the desmostylians Paleoparadoxia, Neoparadoxia and Desmostylus to support themselves on land as indicated by the strengths of their rib cages against vertical compression is published by Ando & Fujiwara (2016).
  • Description of an early Miocene dolphin from Kaikoura (New Zealand), closely related to Papahu taitapu, and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of Papahu is published by Tanaka & Fordyce (2016).
  • Description of a new skull of the Pliocene porpoise Numataphocoena yamashitai recovered from the Horokaoshirarika Formation (Hokkaido, Japan) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Tanaka & Ichishima (2016).
  • A new aetiocetid specimen is described from the late Oligocene Pysht Formation (Washington, United States) by Marx et al. (2016), who interpret its tooth wear as inconsistent with the presence of baleen, and instead indicative of suction feeding.
  • A study on the evolution of large body size in early baleen whale evolution is published by Tsai & Kohno (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy of the ear region of Miocaperea pulchra and its implications for the proposed origin of the pygmy right whale from the cetotheriids is published by Marx & Fordyce (2016).
  • A study on the baleen microstructures found in association with the skeleton of a late Miocene balaenopteroid whale recovered from the Pisco Formation (Peru) is published by Gioncada et al. (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy and paleobiology of the Eocene pangolin Patriomanis americana is published by Gaudin, Emry & Morris (2016).
  • A revision of the systematics of the North American members of Nimravidae is published by Barrett (2016).
  • A study on the bone thickness of dentary bones of the specimens of Smilodon fatalis recovered from the La Brea Tar Pits and its implications for the changes in the diet of the saber-toothed cats through the time-periods that are captured at this site, is published by Binder, Cervantes & Meachen (2016).
  • A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the cave lion, based on the first mitochondrial genome sequences for this taxon, is published by Barnett et al. (2016).
  • A description of new bear dog fossils from the early Miocene of Uganda and Namibia and a systematic revision of the Miocene bear dogs known from Africa is published by Morales, Pickford & Valenciano (2016).
  • A description of new fossil material of Megalictis ferox and a study of phylogenetic relationships of the oligobunine mustelids is published by Valenciano et al. (2016).
  • A study on the feeding strategy of the arctoid Kolponomos is published by Tseng, Grohe & Flynn (2016).
  • A study of phylogenetic relationships of bears belonging to the genus Arctotherium, incidating that they were more closely related to the spectacled bear than to short-faced bears, is published by Mitchell et al. (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy of the auditory region of the Pleistocene bear Arctotherium tarijense is published by Arnaudo et al. (2016).
  • A description of the most recent cave bear remains reported so far, recovered from the Stajnia Cave (Poland), and a study on the cave bear’s extinction time is published by Baca et al. (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy of Enaliarctos and its implications for the evolution of tooth spacing, tooth size and pierce-feeding in pinnipeds is published by Churchill & Clementz (2016).
  • A study on the enamel ultrastructure in modern eared seals and extinct Pelagiarctos is published by Loch et al. (2016).
  • Fossils of an earless seal belonging to the tribe Miroungini (the tribe containing elephant seals) are described from the late Pliocene Petane Formation (New Zealand) by Boessenecker & Churchill (2016), representing the oldest record of Miroungini reported so far.
  • Virtual cranial endocasts of the Eocene rodents Paramys copei and Paramys delicatus are described by Bertrand, Amador-Mughal and Silcox (2016).
  • The taxonomic revision of the fossil New World porcupines known from North America is published by Sussman et al. (2016), who transfer the species Erethizon kleini Frazier (1981) and Erethizon poyeri Hulbert (1997), as well as specimens previously identified as North American porcupines from Irvingtonian faunas in Florida and Aguascalientes, Mexico, to the genus Coendou.
  • Virtual cranial endocasts of the notharctines Notharctus tenebrosus and Smilodectes gracilis, as well as the adapid adapiform Adapis parisiensis are reconstructed by Harrington et al. (2016).
  • Eocene (Ypresian) adapoid and omomyid limb bones are described from the Vastan lignite mine (Gujarat, India) by Dunn et al. (2016).
  • Isolated teeth of a member of the genus Cebus and a member of the genus Cebuella are described from the Miocene (Mayoan) Pebas Formation (Peru) by Marivaux et al. (2016).
  • Fossils of the probable relative of the gorillas, Chororapithecus abyssinicus, are dated to ~8.0 Myr by Katoh et al. (2016).
  • Fossils of Homo floresiensis and the deposits containing them are dated to between about 100 000 and 60 000 years ago by Sutikna et al. (2016).
  • Hominin fossils similar in most dimensions and morphological characteristics to those of Homo floresiensis are described from the early Middle Pleistocene site in Flores, Indonesia by van den Bergh et al. (2016).
  • A study on the cause of death of the Australopithecus afarensis specimen Lucy is published by Kappelman et al. (2016).
  • A study on the bone structural properties of the femur and humerus of the Australopithecus afarensis specimen Lucy and its implications for the locomotor behavior and ecology of the species is published by Ruff et al. (2016).
  • A study on the locomotor mechanics and footprint formation of the tracemaker of the Pliocene Laetoli footprints is published by Hatala, Demes & Richmond (2016).
  • Pliocene hominin tracks discovered in the new site at Laetoli locality are described by Masao et al. (2016), who estimate the height of one of the trackmakers to be about 1.65 metres, thus exceeding previous estimates for Australopithecus afarensis.
  • 1.5-million-year-old footprint assemblages produced by at least 20 different individuals of Homo erectus are described from multiple sites near Ileret, Kenya by Hatala et al. (2016).

    • New taxa

    Xenarthrans
    Afrotherians
    Bats
    Odd-toed ungulates
    Even-toed ungulates
    Cetaceans
    Carnivorans
    Rodents
    Primates
    Other eutherians

    Research

  • Traces of a wriggling, mucus-secreting animal are described from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (China) by Wang et al. (2016), who name a new ichnotaxon Linbotulitaenia globulus.
  • New fossils of Ernietta plateauensis are described from the Ediacaran site in southern Namibia by Elliott et al. (2016).
  • Embryo-like fossils are described from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (China) by Yin et al. (2016), who argue that at least some of these fossils represent crown-animal embryos.
  • New fossil material of Oesia disjuncta is described by Nanglu et al. (2016), who interpret this species as a primitive acorn worm that inhabited the tubes previously identified as the alga Margaretia.
  • A redescription of Helenodora inopinata and a study of its phylogenetic relationships is published by Murdock, Gabbott & Purnell (2016).
  • Description of the anatomy of the fossil velvet worm Cretoperipatus burmiticus and a study on its phylogenetic relationships is published by de Sena Oliveira et al. (2016).
  • A study on the anatomy of the mouth apparatus of the lobopodian Pambdelurion whittingtoni is published by Vinther et al. (2016), who show that its mouth apparatus was identical to the fossilized feeding apparatus described under the name Omnidens.

    • Research

  • Probable stromatolites are described from the 3,700-Myr-old rocks from the Isua supracrustal belt (Greenland) by Nutman et al. (2016)
  • Exceptionally large, organic, smooth-walled, coccoidal microfossils are described from the 2.52 Ga Gamohaan Formation (South Africa) by Czaja, Beukes & Osterhout (2016), who interpret them as fossils of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria similar to members of the modern genus Thiomargarita.
  • Macroscopic fossils up to 30 cm long and nearly 8 cm wide are described from the 1,56-billion-year-old Gaoyuzhuang Formation (Yanshan area, North China) by Zhu et al. (2016), who interpret them as probable fossils of benthic multicellular eukaryotes of size that is unprecedentedly large for eukaryotes older than the Ediacaran Period.
  • Organic-walled microfossils (at least some of which are eukaryote fossils) with holes in the walls similar to those formed by predatory protists in the walls of their prey to consume the contents inside are described from the 780–740 million-year-old Chuar Group (Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA) by Porter (2016).
  • Tubular microfossils showing similarities to modern coenocytic green and yellow-green algae are described from the ∼2.8 to 2.7 Ga lacustrine deposits in South Africa by Kaźmierczak et al. (2016).
  • Soft-bodied discoidal specimens resembling Aspidella are described from the Ediacaran Cerro Negro Formation (Argentina) by Arrouy et al. (2016).

    • References

    2016 in paleontology Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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