37 research outputs found
A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications
No full textFigure 8. Skull, mandible, and postcranial remains of Dyrosaurus maghribensis sp. nov., OCP DEK-GE 253, Ypresian of Mera el Arech, Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco.Published as part of Jouve, Stéphane, Iarochène, Mohamed, Bouya, Baâdi & Amaghzaz, Mbarek, 2006, A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications, pp. 603-656 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 148 (4) on page 609, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2006.00241.x, http://zenodo.org/record/542766
Dasornis abdoun Bourdon & Amaghzaz & Bouya 2010, sp. nov.
No full textDasornis abdoun, sp. nov., Bourdon ETYMOLOGY: Refers to the phosphate basin where the holotype was found. HOLOTYPE: OCP.DEK/GE 1033, incomplete right humerus. TYPE LOCALITY: Ouled Abdoun Basin, Sidi Daoui (southeast of TS area, 32°50′87 N and 06°38′48 W: see Gheerbrant et al., 2003). TYPE HORIZON: Intercalary beds II/I (level 13), basal Ypresian, Lower Eocene (see Gheerbrant et al., 2003). REFERRED MATERIAL: OCP.DEK/GE 1016, distal part of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/ GE 1021, distal part of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1022, incomplete distal end and fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1030, distal part of leπ radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1031, proximal part of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1096, fragment of shaπ of right femur; OCP. DEK/GE 1151, fragment of shaπ of right tibiotarsus close to proximal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1158, distal part of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1191, fragment of shaπ of right tibiotarsus; MHNL 20-149225, distal end of leπ humerus. LOCALITIES: Ouled Abdoun Basin, Sidi Daoui (Krupp, RP13 and TS areas). HORIZONS: Intercalary beds II/I, basal Ypresian, Lower Eocene. DIAGNOSIS: Gannet-sized odontopterygiform with a wingspan of 1.5–1.7 m that differs from D. emuinus and D. toliapica in the following features: much smaller size; humerus, distal almond-shaped foramen pneumaticum absent; intumescentia humeri displaced proximally and more developed; ulna, papillae remigales caudales smooth and narrow; radius, convexity cranial to sulcus tendinosus more prominent with a more strongly curved edge; carpometacarpus, os metacarpale majus caudocranially flattened. MEASUREMENTS: See table 2.Published as part of Bourdon, Estelle, Amaghzaz, Mbarek & Bouya, Baâdi, 2010, Pseudotoothed Birds (Aves, Odontopterygiformes) from the Early Tertiary of Morocco, pp. 1-72 in American Museum Novitates 2010 (3704) on page 49, DOI: 10.1206/3704.2, http://zenodo.org/record/459766
Further evidence of the African antiquity of hyaenodontid (‘Creodonta’, Mammalia) evolution
No full textFigure 11. Comparison of the occlusal sketch of the lower molars of Lahimia selloumi gen. et sp. nov. (M1 and M2 of MNHN PM 57 and M1 trigonid of OCP DEK/GE 443) and the upper molars of Koholia atlasense (M1). I–V: related morphological features: see Table 7. 1–6: wear facets.Published as part of Solé, Floréal, Gheerbrant, Emmanuel, Amaghzaz, Mbarek & Bouya, Baâdi, 2009, Further evidence of the African antiquity of hyaenodontid ('Creodonta', Mammalia) evolution, pp. 827-846 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156 (4) on page 841, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00501.x, http://zenodo.org/record/544468
Figure 9 in A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications
No full textFigure 9. Reconstruction of the skull of Dyrosaurus maghribensis sp. nov., Ypresian of the Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco, in ventral view.Published as part of Jouve, Stéphane, Iarochène, Mohamed, Bouya, Baâdi & Amaghzaz, Mbarek, 2006, A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications, pp. 603-656 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 148 (4) on page 610, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2006.00241.x, http://zenodo.org/record/542766
Lahimia SOLE & GHEERBRANT 2009, GEN. NOV.
No full text<i>LAHIMIA</i> SOLE & GHEERBRANT GEN. NOV. <p> <i>Type species and only known species: Lahimia selloumi</i> sp. nov.</p>Published as part of <i>Solé, Floréal, Gheerbrant, Emmanuel, Amaghzaz, Mbarek & Bouya, Baâdi, 2009, Further evidence of the African antiquity of hyaenodontid (' Creodonta', Mammalia) evolution, pp. 827-846 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156 (4)</i> on page 829, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00501.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5444681">http://zenodo.org/record/5444681</a>
FIGURE 24. A, I in Pseudotoothed Birds (Aves, Odontopterygiformes) from the Early Tertiary of Morocco
No full textFIGURE 24. A, I. Dasornis toliapica, OCP.DEK/GE 1194, proximal end of right humerus: A. cranial view; I. caudal view. B–H. Dasornis abdoun, sp. nov., right humeri: B. reversed OCP.DEK/GE 1031, cranial view; C. reversed MHNL 20-149225, cranial view; D. reversed MHNL 20-149225, distal view; E. OCP.DEK/GE 1033, cranial view; F. reversed MHNL 20-149225, caudal view; G. OCP.DEK/GE 1033, caudal view; H. reversed OCP.DEK/GE 1031, caudal view. J–L. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1022, two fragments of right ulna: J. distal end in dorsal view; K. distal end in caudal view; L. corpus ulnae in caudal view. M, N. Right ulnae in distal view: M. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1022; N. D. toliapica, OCP.DEK/GE 1035. O–R. Distal parts of leπ radii: O. D. toliapica, reversed OCP.DEK/GE 1118, ventral view; P. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/ GE 1030, ventral view; Q. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1030, dorsal view; R. D. toliapica, reversed OCP. DEK/GE 1118, dorsal view. S–V. Distal parts of leπ carpometacarpi: S. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1121, dorsal view; T. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1121, ventral view; U. D. toliapica, reversed OCP. DEK/GE 1101, ventral view; V. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1121, distal view. W, X. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1096, fragment of right corpus femoris: W. cranial view; X. caudal view. Y–AA. Right tibiotarsi: Y. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP.DEK/GE 1191, fragment of corpus, cranial view; Z. D. abdoun, sp. nov., OCP. DEK/GE 1151, fragment of corpus, caudal view; AA. D. toliapica, MHNL 20-149238, proximal end, caudal view. Scale bars equal 10 mm.Published as part of Bourdon, Estelle, Amaghzaz, Mbarek & Bouya, Baâdi, 2010, Pseudotoothed Birds (Aves, Odontopterygiformes) from the Early Tertiary of Morocco, pp. 1-72 in American Museum Novitates 2010 (3704) on page 51, DOI: 10.1206/3704.2, http://zenodo.org/record/459766
Dasornis toliapica Bourdon & Amaghzaz & Bouya 2010, new combination
No full textDasornis toliapica (Owen, 1873), new combination Odontopteryx toliapica Owen, 1873. Macrodontopteryx oweni Harrison and Walker, 1976. Neptuniavis minor Harrison and Walker, 1977. REFERRED MATERIAL: OCP.DEK/GE 534B, distal part of right tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1001, fragments of cranium; OCP.DEK/GE 1002, proximal part of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1003, incomplete proximal part of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1005, proximal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1011, distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1012, proximal part of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1013, fragment of shaπ of humerus + fragment of shaπ of ulna + distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1017, distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1018, distal part of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1020, incomplete distal end of right tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1024, fragment of shaπ of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1026, fragment of shaπ of humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1029, fragment of distal part of right tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1034, distal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1035, distal part of right ulna; OCP. DEK/GE 1038, distal part of right carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1039, incomplete proximal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1042, incomplete cranium; OCP.DEK/GE 1043, incomplete cranium; OCP.DEK/GE 1044, incomplete cranium; OCP.DEK/GE 1045, shaπ of right femur; OCP.DEK/GE 1048, proximal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1051, fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1055, fragment of shaπ of leπ radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1056, fragment of shaπ of right radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1058, distal end of right radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1068, fragment of shaπ of right radius close to distal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1070, nearly complete right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1071, distal part of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1073, fragments of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1075, distal end of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1076, incomplete cranium; OCP.DEK/GE 1079, distal part of leπ ulna lacking extremity; OCP.DEK/GE 1080, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1081, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1082, fragment of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1083, proximal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1086, proximal part of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1088, three fragments of right coracoideum; OCP.DEK/GE 1090, fragments of distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1091, fragments of distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1092, fragment of shaπ of radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1100, fragment of shaπ of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1101, distal part of right carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1102, distal part of right carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1105, proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1107, fragment of shaπ and incomplete distal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1108, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1110, distal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1112, fragment of major metacarpal of right carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1114, fragments of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1115, proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1116, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus in proximal half; OCP.DEK/GE 1118, distal end of right radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1121, fragment of shaπ of radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1122, fragment of shaπ of carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1124, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1125, distal part of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1126, proximal end of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1128, fragment of shaπ of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1135, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1137, fragment of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1138, fragment of shaπ of radius + distal part of right carpometacarpus; OCP. DEK/GE 1139, fragment of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1140, distal end of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1141, fragment of shaπ of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1142, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1144, fragment of distal end of right femur; OCP. DEK/GE 1146, distal end of leπ tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1147, distal end of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1148, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1149, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1150, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna close to proximal end; OCP.DEK/ GE 1152, proximal end of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1153, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna + fragment of shaπ of radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1155, fragment of shaπ of leπ tarsometatarsus close to distal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1157, fragment of shaπ of right radius close to distal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1160, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1161, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1163, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1164, several fragments of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1166, portion of right mandible; OCP.DEK/ GE 1168, fragment of shaπ of humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1171, incomplete distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1172, leπ carpometacarpus with incomplete extremities; OCP.DEK/ GE 1173A, proximal part of leπ humerus with incomplete end; OCP.DEK/GE 1174, fragment of shaπ of right tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1175, proximal part of leπ radius with incomplete end; OCP.DEK/GE 1176, nearly complete right tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1179, proximal part of right humerus lacking extremity; OCP.DEK/GE 1180, fragment of right humerus close to proximal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1182, incomplete distal end of right tarsometatarsus; OCP. DEK/GE 1183, incomplete proximal part of right humerus + shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1185, portion of maxilla close to proximal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1187, fragments of shaπ of leπ humerus close to proximal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1188, fragments of proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1190, shaπ of right tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1192, distal end of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1193, distal end of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1194, proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1195, distal part of right humerus and proximal part of leπ coracoideum; OCP.DEK/GE 1197, proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/ GE 1198, distal part of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1199, fragment of shaπ of right radius close to distal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1203, incomplete distal end of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1204, distal part of right tibiotarsus lacking extremity; OCP.DEK/GE 1205, fragment of shaπ of right humerus close to distal end; OCP.DEK/GE 1206, distal part of leπ carpometacarpus; OCP. DEK/GE 1207, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1209, several fragments of incomplete leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1210, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/ GE 1212, proximal part of leπ radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1213, fragment of shaπ of radius; OCP. DEK/GE 1216, proximal end of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1217, fragment of shaπ of right femur; OCP.DEK/GE 1218, distal part of leπ humerus with incomplete end; OCP.DEK/GE 1219, fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1222, fragment of shaπ of right humerus; OCP. DEK/GE 1223, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1227, fragment of shaπ of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1228, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1229, proximal end of leπ humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1230, fragment of cranium and fragment of maxilla embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1233, complete right humerus embedded in matrix; OCP. DEK/GE 1235, distal end of right tarsometatarsus embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1238, cranium embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1240, complete right humerus embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1241, complete right carpometacarpus embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/ GE 1243, fragment of shaπ of right ulna embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1244, fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1246, distal end of leπ humerus + fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1250, fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1255, distal part of right carpometacarpus; OCP.DEK/GE 1256, distal part of leπ tibiotarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1257, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1258, fragment of shaπ of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1260, fragment of shaπ of ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1262, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; OCP. DEK/GE 1264, fragment of shaπ of humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1265, fragment of shaπ of leπ radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1270, fragment of shaπ of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1272, distal end of leπ tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1274, fragment of shaπ of humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1275, distal end of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1283, proximal part of leπ ulna; OCP.DEK/GE 1287, cranium embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1289, complete leπ humerus embedded in matrix; OCP.DEK/GE 1293, distal end of leπ tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1294, distal end of leπ tarsometatarsus; OCP.DEK/GE 1298, proximal part of right radius; OCP.DEK/GE 1299, distal part of right ulna lacking extremity; OCP.DEK/GE 1314, fragment of shaπ of humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1316, incomplete proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1324, incomplete proximal part of right humerus; OCP.DEK/GE 1326, proximal part of leπ radius; OCP. DEK/GE 1327, distal part of right radius; MHNL 20-149211, distal part of right humerus; MHNL 20-149212, shaπ of leπ humerus; MHNL 20-149213, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus; MHNL 20-149214, distal part of right humerus; MHNL 20-149215, leπ ulna + fragment of shaπ of radius; MHNL 20-149216, fragments of shaπ of leπ humerus with incomplete distal end; MHNL 20-149217, fragment of shaπ of leπ ulna close to distal end; MHNL 20-149218, distal part of right ulna; MHNL 20-149219, fragment of shaπ of leπ radius in proximal part; MHNL 20-149220, two fragments of distal part of leπ ulna; MHNL 20-149221, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; MHNL 20-149227, fragment of shaπ of right ulna; MHNL 20-149228, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus + fragment of shaπ of ulna; MHNL 20-149229, incomplete proximal part of leπ humerus; MHNL 20-149231, partial leπ tarsometatarsus; MHNL 20-149234, fragment of shaπ of leπ humerus; MHNL 20-149235, incomplete distal part of leπ ulna; MHNL 20-149236, fragments of shaπ of humerus + fragment of distal end of leπ ulna; MHNL 20-149237, incomplete distal part of leπ ulna; MHNL 20-149238, complete right tibiotarsus; D1-0027B, incomplete cranium; D1-0027C, incomplete cranium with portion of proximal maxilla; D1-0027D, incomplete cranium; D1-0027E, distal end of maxilla; MHNMKhg 10, leπ humerus embedded in matrix. LOCALITIES: Ouled Abdoun Basin (Morocco): Sidi Daoui (including Krupp, PH 2, RP13, TS and TZ5 areas); Recette IV; southern Meraa El Arech (Lahou area); Sidi Chennane (M1S2, M8, M11 and R6–R7 areas). STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Bed IIa, Thanetian, Upper Paleocene; intercalary beds II/I, basal Ypresian, lowermost Eocene; bed I, Ypresian, Lower Eocene. AMENDED DIAGNOSIS (from Harrison and Walker, 1976): Albatross-sized odontopterygiform with a wingspan of 2 to 3 m; differs from Dasornis emuinus in the following features: much smaller size; cranium, sutura frontoparietalis less pronounced, forming barely distinguishable groove; lamina parasphenoidalis caudorostrally longer; caudal extension of cotyla quadratica otici shorter and not twisted ventrally; foramen pneumaticum dorsale larger; laterosphenoid hollow square in shape, bounded medially by conspicuous prominentia lobi optici; tibiotarsus with shorter sulcus musculi fibularis. MEASUREMENTS: See tables 1 and 2.Published as part of Bourdon, Estelle, Amaghzaz, Mbarek & Bouya, Baâdi, 2010, Pseudotoothed Birds (Aves, Odontopterygiformes) from the Early Tertiary of Morocco, pp. 1-72 in American Museum Novitates 2010 (3704) on pages 5-9, DOI: 10.1206/3704.2, http://zenodo.org/record/459766
Dyrosaurus POMEL 1894
No full text<i>DYROSAURUS</i> POMEL, 1894 A <p> <i>Type species:</i> <i>Dyrosaurus phosphaticus</i> (Thomas, 1893).</p> <p> <i>Type locality:</i> Lower Eocene (Ypresian), from the phosphates of the north of Djebel Teldja, near Metlaoui, Tunisia.</p> <p> <i>Emended diagnosis:</i> Long and narrow snout, representing 73–75% of the total skull length in adults; 18–23 teeth anterior to the orbits; 23–26 teeth per premaxillary + maxillary upper mid-row; prefrontal– nasal contact longer than lacrimal–nasal; posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra almost vertical and weakly exposed in dorsal view; posterior margin of skull roof straight in dorsal view; occipital tuberosities moderately developed; interfenestral bar ornamented anteriorly and T-shaped in transverse section; ventral portion of the basioccipital almost vertical, and largely visible in occipital view; dorsal osteoderms thin, ornamented with shallow and wide pits separated by wide and low T-shaped margin in cross-section.</p>Published as part of <i>Jouve, Stéphane, Iarochène, Mohamed, Bouya, Baâdi & Amaghzaz, Mbarek, 2006, A new species of Dyrosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Dyrosauridae) from the early Eocene of Morocco: phylogenetic implications, pp. 603-656 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 148 (4)</i> on page 605, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2006.00241.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5427667">http://zenodo.org/record/5427667</a>
Dyrosaurus maghribensis Jouve & Iarochène & Bouya & Amaghzaz 2006, SP. NOV.
No full textDYROSAURUS MAGHRIBENSIS SP. NOV. <p> <i>Etymology:</i> From ‘Maghrib’, Morocco in arabic language, referring to the distribution of this species, known up to now in Morocco only.</p> <p> <i>Holotype:</i> OCP DEK-GE 255, a nearly complete specimen, with skull, mandible, and postcranial material (Fig. 2A), housed in the geological survey of the OCP in Khouribga, Morocco.</p> <p> <i>Type horizon and locality:</i> The phosphate mine of Mera el Arech, in the Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco; from the ‘layer 1’, according to the miner’s terms, corresponding to the early Eocene (Ypresian).</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis:</i> Dorsal margin of parietal almost smooth, ornamented with very light furrows only; interfenestral bar wide and strongly T-shaped in transverse section; choanae widely opened and prolonged on the pterygoids by lateral shallow depressions; short distance between the posterior margin of the choanae (posterior margin of the septum) and the medial eustachian foramen; lateral and medial dorsal osteoderms not sutured, with all their margins without serration; anterolateral margin of medial row of the dorsal osteoderms with rounded lateral lobe; lateral row of the dorsal osteoderms square in shape with rounded corner.</p> <p> <i>Referred specimens:</i> OCP DEK-GE 36, OCP DEK-GE 43, OCP DEK-GE 78, OCP DEK-GE 88, OCP DEK-GE 252, OCP DEK-GE 253, OCP DEK-GE 254, OCP DEK-GE 255, OCP DEK-GE 256, OCP DEK-GE 257, OCP DEK-GE 258, OCP DEK-GE 259, OCP DEK-GE 263, OCP DEK-GE 362, OCP DEK-GE 323, IRSNB R146, Rhin. Coll. phosphate 1; all from the Ypresian of the Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco.</p> <p> <i>Skull</i></p> <p> <i>General shape:</i> The rostrum is very long and narrow, with the snout proportion (antorbital portion) reaching 75% of the total skull length in the largest specimen. This proportion varies ontogenetically from 66 to 75%. The dorsal surface of the rostrum is slightly sculptured with shallow anteroposterior grooves and ridges (Figs 3, 4).</p> <p> <i>Cranial openings:</i> The unpaired external naris is almost oval and dorsally orientated (Figs 3, 4). The lateral margin is lower than the posterior margin and the anterior suture between the two premaxillae makes a distinct dorsal protuberance anterior to the external naris. In lateral view, the lateral margins of the naris are anteroventrally inclined.</p> <p>The foramen incisivum is small and heart-shaped, with its anterior extremity penetrating anteriorly between the first premaxillary alveoli. It is posteriorly bordered by the maxillae and ends posteriorly at the same level as the posterior margin of the second tooth.</p> <p>The orbit, because of the anterolateral postorbital process, appears circular in dorsal view (Fig. 4). Its anterior margin comprises the prefrontal and lacrimal. The ventral margin is formed by the jugal, the frontal, constituting the posteromedial quarter, and the postorbital, constituting the posterolateral quarter.</p> <p> The anterior wall of the orbit is exposed. The postnasal fenestra, which pierces the antorbital wall, enables a communication between the antorbital cavity (<i>sensu</i> Witmer, 1995) and the suborbital cavity. It is small, and situated in the ventral part of the antorbital wall. Three-quarters of the prefrontal pillar is formed by the prefrontal, and only its base by the palatine. The lacrimal forms a high, anteriorly convex vertical wall, dorsal to the postnasal fenestra. The right and left prefrontal pillars are medially separated by a narrow and dorsoventrally high slit [passage for the olfactory nerve (I) (dorsally) and the nasal septum (ventrally)]. Ventrally, the sulcus septalis is formed by the pterygoid.</p> <p>The supratemporal fenestra is extremely large, much longer than wide, with rounded anterior and posterior margins, giving a general longitudinally ovate shape to this opening. The right and left supratemporal fenestrae are separated by a wide interfenestral bar, which is wider above than below (Tshaped in transverse section) (Figs 3, 4). This interfenestral bar widens gently and slightly anteriorly, but more strongly posteriorly. The frontal participates in one-fifth of the interfenestral bar, and in slightly more than half of the anterior margin of the supratemporal fenestra. The anteromedial corner of the fenestra is more angular than the other corners; the anterolateral corner, formed by the postorbital, is very rounded. Posteromedially, the corner is also rounded. The posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra is nearly vertical and weakly exposed in dorsal view.</p> <p>The temporal canal is small and slightly wider than high, surrounded by the squamosal in its dorsolateral quarter, and by the parietal in the remainder of its margin.</p> <p>The infratemporal fenestra is extremely elongated anteroposteriorly, extending posteriorly beyond the posterior margin of the supratemporal fenestra (Fig. 5). It is limited anteriorly by the lateromedially flattened postorbital bar and ventrally by the jugal (and for a weak posterior portion by the quadratojugal). The quadratojugal forms less than the posterior half and the postorbital more than the anterior half of the dorsal margin (Fig. 6).</p> <p>The post-temporal fenestra is located above the occipital tuberosity (Fig. 7). It is elongated lateromedially, and thin dorsoventrally. The squamosal forms the dorsolateral quarter of its margin, and the exoccipital a part of the ventral border. The participation of the parietal, supraoccipital, and exoccipital cannot be estimated because of the absence of visible sutures in the area of the post-temporal fenestra.</p> <p>The foramen magnum is large, mostly surrounded by the exoccipital, the basioccipital forming only a weak portion of its medioventral margin.</p> <p>On the ventral side of the skull, the suborbital fenestra is well developed and rounded in shape anteriorly. It is sharp posteriorly, and reaches the level of the mid-length of the choanae (Figs 8, 9).</p> <p>The choanae are large, wide, divided by a pterygoid septum, and open posteroventrally. They are not abruptly pierced within the pterygoids, but are laterally prolonged by a depression on the pterygoids (Fig. 9). The depression extends posterolaterally on to the lateral branch of the pterygoid, tapering before the pterygoid contacts the ectopterygoid. They are almost completely surrounded by the pterygoids, the palatines narrowly entering the anteromedial margin.</p> <p> <i>Premaxilla:</i> The premaxillae are relatively narrow and very slightly inflated laterally relative to the width of the maxillary (Figs 4, 5). The anterior suture between the right and left premaxillae forms a distinct dorsal protuberance anterior to the external naris (Fig. 6). The premaxillae are slightly ornamented with shallow furrows. The posterodorsal processes reach the level of the third maxillary tooth. Each premaxilla bears four alveoli, the third tooth being the largest, the three others being nearly equal in diameter. Sulci for the occlusion of the mandibular teeth separate the alveoli. The first notch, between the first and second alveolus, is particularly well marked, and the first right and left premaxillary alveoli are very close to each other.</p> <p>Ventrally, the premaxillae do not contact each other posterior to the foramen incisivum (Fig. 9).</p> <p> <i>Maxilla:</i> The maxillae are ornamented with shallow longitudinal and spaced furrows (Figs 3, 4, 7). The two maxillae are separated dorsally by the nasal bone throughout their length, and each maxilla bears 19–21 teeth. The lateral margin of the maxilla runs straight posteriorly and progressively curves laterally from the level of the ninth maxillary alveolus.</p> <p>The last premaxillary and the first maxillary alveoli are widely separated (due to the passage of the large occlusal notch for the large fourth dentary tooth) (Figs 5, 9). The alveoli are relatively small, circular, with their base in relief ventrally in lateral view. They are widely spaced, the interalveolar distance being larger than the alveoli diameter for the teeth anterior to the 15th.</p> <p>The lateral margin of the maxilla is linear, and the occlusal sulci are present between the alveoli, but not sufficiently deep dorsally to be seen in dorsal view (Figs 3, 4). The occlusal pits are present from the space between the 15th and 16th alveoli. These pits, lined with the alveoli tooth row, increase in depth posteriorly.</p> <p>The distance between the tooth rows is narrow and constant to the eighth maxillary tooth (slightly wider than the diameter of the alveoli) and increases progressively posteriorly (Figs 8, 9).</p> <p>Ventrally, the contact with the palatines is expected between the level of the 15th and 16th alveoli. The maxilla contacts the ectopterygoid medially, and terminates below the jugal in a long edentelous posterior process (Fig. 11).</p> <p> <i>Nasal:</i> The single nasal bone (the two nasals are fused) is ornamented with discrete and scarce furrows (Figs 3–5). Its anterior process penetrates deeply between the posterior processes of the premaxillae, but does not reach to the external naris. The nasal is narrow anteriorly between both maxillae, and has a constant width from its posterior contact with the premaxillae to the level of the 11th maxillary tooth. It widens posteriorly and divides into posteriorly tapering processes which are inserted for a short distance between the anterior ends of the frontal and the prefrontals.</p> <p> <i>Lacrimal:</i> The lacrimal is not well expanded anteriorly, and its contact with the nasal is much shorter than the prefrontal–nasal suture (Fig. 5). Its ornamentation is light, with some shallow pits. It is large, and forms with the prefrontal the anterior margin of the orbit.</p> <p> <i>Prefrontal:</i> The prefrontal is short, narrow, and longer than wide (Fig. 5). Dorsally, its contact with the frontal is as long as that with the nasal.</p> <p>The prefrontal forms three-quarters of the prefrontal pillar (its height). It is dorsally wide, narrowing ventrally before contacting the palatine. Medially, the right and left prefrontal pillars are separated from each other by a narrow and high slit-like opening that is interpreted as the passage for the nasal septum and the olfactory nerve (I). The frontal forms the dorsal margin of this opening. The ventral margin (sulcus septalis) is formed by the pterygoid.</p> <p> <i>Frontal:</i> The frontal extends wedge-like between posterior processes of the nasal bone. It extends slightly beyond the tip of the lacrimal but before the end of the prefrontal. Its interorbital space is narrow (Figs 3–5). Its lateral extension is small, and it contacts the postorbital to form the posteromedial margin of the orbit. Posteriorly, the frontal, forming the anteromedial margin of the supratemporal fenestra, overhangs the anteromedial part of the supratemporal fenestra. It continuous posteriorly, forming a strong overhang along the edge of the interfenestral bar. Consequently, the interfenestral bar is strongly T-shaped in crosssection. The frontal forms nearly one-fifth of the interfenestral bar.</p> <p>The frontal is ornamented with shallow anteroposterior furrows (Figs 3–5).</p> <p> <i>Jugal:</i> The jugal forms the lateroventral edge of the orbit, and the ventral part of a strong, anteroposteriorly oval and mediolaterally flattened postorbital bar (Figs 3, 4). There is no raised lateral jugal lamina bordering this bar, although the lateral surface of the postorbital bar is not continuous laterally with the lateral edge of the jugal, being slightly displaced from it medially. The postorbital bar is slightly located on the dorsomedial edge of the jugal bar, dorsomedially inclined and gently medially concave. The anterior elevation of the orbital edge begins to decrease at the level of the contact with the anterolateral postorbital process, and decreases rapidly posteriorly to reach the same level as the base of the postorbital bar.</p> <p>The jugal is laterally ornamented with spaced deep pits and furrows (Figs 3, 4). Its posterior ramus is high, slightly convex dorsally, compressed transversely, and ends slightly anteriorly to the quadrate condyle. Anteriorly, it terminates slightly anterior to the orbits, but remains posterior to the anterior process of the prefrontal (Figs 5, 6).</p> <p> <i>Quadratojugal:</i> The quadratojugal is well developed and contributes to more than one-quarter of the craniomandibular joint (Figs 5, 9). It is straight laterally and extends slightly ventrally posteriorly.</p> <p>The quadratojugal forms the posterior edge of the infratemporal fenestra and participates in less than half of its posterodorsal margin. It takes part shortly in the ventral margin of the infratemporal fenestra (Fig. 6). Dorsally, it widely contacts the quadrate, but only slightly the postorbital. There is no contact between the quadratojugal and the squamosal.</p> <p>Medioventrally, the contact with the jugal is long, and the distance between the quadratojugal and the ectopterygoid is short on the jugal (2 cm).</p> <p> <i>Postorbital:</i> The postorbital represents the largest part of the lateral arcade of the supratemporal fenestra (Fig. 5). It appears to be dorsally and laterally ornamented with spaced pits, and contacts the squamosal posteriorly and the quadratojugal posteroventrally, above the infratemporal fenestra.</p> <p>Anteriorly, it bears a robust anteroventral lateral process that is ornamented with strong ridges and furrows. It contacts the ventral margin of the orbit (jugal), giving a circular shape to the orbit in dorsal view (Figs 3–6). The postorbital process is not ventrolaterally continuous with the postorbital bar, but a slight crest, continuous with the ventral border of the postorbital process, separates the lateral margin of the postorbital bar from the lateral margin of the postorbital process.</p> <p>The postorbital bar is half formed by the postorbital and half by the jugal, and is gently concave mediodorsally. It is inclined dorsomedially, its ventral portion being inclined because of its concave shape. It is unornamented, mediolaterally flat, and much longer than wide.</p> <p> <i>Parietal:</i> The frontoparietal suture zigzags in a vertical plane and the frontal–parietal–laterosphenoid contact lies anteriorly beyond the frontoparietal suture on the interfenestral bar (Fig. 5). The parietal bears a thin projection between the frontal and the laterosphenoid. Ventrally, the parietal– laterosphenoid suture descends posteriorly relative to the skull roof. Like the frontal in the interfenestral bar, the parietal is T-shaped in cross-section, and the dorsal overhang continues on the posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra. The posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra is nearly vertical and weakly visible in dorsal view. The parietal–quadrate suture, on the posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra, is parallel with the parietal–laterosphenoid suture. It joins the squamosal–quadrate suture largely beneath and lateral to the temporal canal. The parietal forms half of the posterodorsal margin of the supratemporal fenestra, and its suture with the squamosal crosses the dorsal margin of the temporal canal in its mid-width. The ventral squamosal– parietal suture is bowed medially and is continuous with the laterosphenoid–quadrate suture, a condition that prevents a contact between the quadrate and the parietal.</p> <p>The parietal is seen on the occipital face of the skull between the occipital tuberosities. It is W-shaped in occipital view, and bears a dorsoventrally orientated medial ridge. It forms the dorsomedial margin of the post-temporal fenestra (Fig. 7).</p> <p>In the interfenestral bar, the parietal is ornamented in its anteriormost portion, but is posteriorly and posterolaterally smooth. Its posterior margin is straight or slightly concave anteriorly in dorsal view, according to the specimens.</p> <p> <i>Squamosal:</i> The squamosal forms the posterolateral part of the supratemporal fenestra (Fig. 5). It is thin in the posterior wall of the supratemporal fenestra dorsal to the temporal canal, and forms half of its dorsal margin. It contacts anterolaterally the postorbital, but is separated from the quadratojugal by the quadrate. It takes part in the dorsal margin of the external otic aperture, and sends off a narrow squamosal wing roofing the recessus oticus externus. Posterior to the external ear, the squamosal forms a long, high blade which sinks deeply beneath the squamosal skull roof (squamosal). It forms the dorsal margin of the paroccipital process, which extends ventrally beyond the level of the skull roof.</p> <p>In occipital view, the squamosal contributes dorsolaterally to the post-temporal fenestra (about half the dorsolateral margin), and to a small lateral part of the occipital tuberosity. It contributes slightly to the occipital face and forms the dorsal edge of the paroccipital process. Its occipital face bears a relatively wellmarked furrow, parallel and immediately beneath the skull roof. Its suture with the exoccipital lies in a furrow parallel to the first one.</p> <p> <i>Supraoccipital:</i> The supraoccipital is V-shaped, located below the parietal and between the occipital tuberosities (Fig. 7). It is a small bone separated from the foramen magnum by the exoccipitals. It does not participate in the occipital tuberosities, but seems to participate modestly in the medioventral margin of the post-temporal fenestra.</p> <p> <i>Exoccipital:</i> The exoccipitals form the major part of the occipital face, contributing approximately onethird to either side of the occipital condyle, and surrounding more than three-quarters of the foramen magnum. Dorsally, the exoccipital forms the occipital tuberosity, which is moderately developed, rounded, and posteriorly directed below the post-temporal fenestra. Laterally, it constitutes the ventral portion of the robust paroccipital process (Fig. 7), and surrounds dorsally, medially, and ventrally the cranioquadrate canal. Ventrally, the exoccipital forms one-third of the basioccipital tubera lateroposteriorly.</p> <p>The foramen for the hypoglossal nerve (XII) is small and laterally orientated on the exoccipital. The foramen vagi (X–XI) and the foramen caroticum posterius are located anterior to the foramen for the nerve XII, and orientated ventroposteriorly.</p> <p> <i>Quadrate:</i> The quadrate is long, directed posteroventrally, and forms the jaw joint with the quadratojugal (Figs 5, 9). The quadrate contacts the squamosal within the supratemporal fenestra ventral and lateral to the temporal canal. It has an extensive contact with the parietal, and bears a relatively long process between the parietal and the laterosphenoid beyond the foramen for the trigeminal nerve (V). It also bears a long ventral process, located at the same level as the ventral margin of the basisphenoid rostrum. The quadrate contacts the laterosphenoid ventral to the foramen for the trigeminal nerve, and slightly the posterior margin of the basisphenoid rostrum. Anterolaterally, it slips in between the squamosal and the quadratojugal, ends slightly anterior to the external ear, and it contacts anteriorly the postorbital. It forms half of the anterior margin, and the ventral and the posterior margins of the external ear.</p> <p> <i>Palatine:</i> The palatine is wide and long anterior to the suborbital fenestra. It reaches the level of the interalveolar space between the 15th and 16th maxillary teeth (Fig. 9). The maxilla–palatine suture crosses the edge of the suborbital fenestra at its anteriormost extremity. The two palatines constitute a wide, ventrally flattened tube which transmits the nasopharyngeal duct. The palatine bridge is curved dorsally towards the posterior end, and ventrally behind. Its portion immediately anterior to the internal nares is more flattened than its anteriormost part.</p> <p>The contact with the pterygoid is large and located anterolaterally to the internal nares (Fig. 9). The palatines participate in the anteromedial border of the internal nares.</p> <p> <i>Pterygoid:</i> Anteroventrally, the pterygoids surround the choanae almost completely. A pterygoid septum separates the choanae in two openings (Fig. 9).</p> <p>The pterygoid extends posterolaterally to form a lateral ‘wing’ in contact with the ectopterygoid. Anterolaterally to the choanae, the pterygoid is flattened and expanded laterally in the suborbital fenestra, whereas it is relatively narrow anteroposteriorly between the choanae and its contact with the ectopterygoids (Fig. 9). This contact is at first small, but increase
Pseudotoothed birds (Aves, Odontopterygiformes) from the early Tertiary of Morocco
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