No abstract

Examples of photoluminescence (PL) are being reported with increasing frequency in a wide range of organisms from diverse ecosystems. However, the chemical basis of this PL remains poorly de ned, and our understanding of its potential ecological function is still super cial. Amongst mammals, recent analyses have identi ed free-base porphyrins as the compounds responsible for the reddish ultravioletinduced photoluminescence (UV-PL) observed in the pelage of springhares and hedgehogs. However, the localization of the pigments within the hair largely remains to be determined. Here we use photoluminescence multispectral imaging emission and excitation spectroscopy to detect, map and characterize porphyrinic compounds in skin appendages in situ. We also document new cases of mammalian UV-PL caused by free-base porphyrins in distantly related species. Spatial distribution of the UV-PL is strongly suggestive of an endogenous origin of the porphyrinic compounds. We argue that reddish UV-PL is predominantly observed in crepuscular and nocturnal mammals because porphyrins are photodegradable. Consequently, this phenomenon may not have a speci c function in intra-or interspeci c communication but rather represents a byproduct of potentially widespread physiological processes.

Turtles are a charismatic reptile group with a peculiar body plan, which most notably includes the shell. Anatomists have often focused descriptive efforts on the shell and other strongly derived body parts, such as the akinetic skull, or the cervical vertebrae. Other parts of turtle osteology, like the girdles, limbs, and mandibles, are documented with less rigor and detail. The mandible is the primary skeletal element involved in food acquisition and initial food processing of turtles, and its features are thus likely linked to feeding ecology. In addition, the mandible of turtles is composed of up to seven bones (sometimes fused to as little as three) and has thus anatomical complexity that may be insightful for systematic purposes and phylogenetic research. Despite apparent complexity and diversity to the mandible of turtles, this anatomical system has not been systematically studied, not even in search of characters that might improve phylogenetic resolution. Here, we describe the mandibular osteology for all major subclades of extant turtles with the help of digitally dissected 3D models derived from high‐resolution computed tomography (μCT) scans of 70 extant species. We provide 31 fully segmented mandibles, as well as 3D models of the mandibular musculature, innervation, and arterial circulation of the cryptodire Dermatemys mawii. We synthesize observed variation into 51 morphological characters, which we optimize onto a molecular phylogeny. This analysis shows some mandibular characters to have high systematic value, whereas others are highly homoplastic and may underlie ecological influences or other factors invoking variation.

Spectacular photoluminescence (PL) phenomena have been increasingly reported in various organisms from diverse ecosystems. However, the chemical basis of this PL remains poorly defined, and its potential ecological function is still blurry, especially in mammals. Here we used state-of-the-art spectroscopy and multispectral imaging techniques to document new cases of mammalian ultraviolet-induced PL (UV-PL) and to identify free-base porphyrins and natural derivatives as the organic compounds responsible for the reddish luminescence observed in the hairs and spines of distantly related species. We argue that pink to red UV-PL is predominantly observed in crepuscular and nocturnal mammals because porphyrins are photodegradable, and that this phenomenon might not have a specific function in intra- or interspecific communication but consists of a byproduct of a widespread physiological condition, overlooked in mammals.Co-first authors: Séverine Toussaint and Jasper Ponstein

The cave deposits of the Lower Permian Richards Spur locality in Oklahoma, USA, have produced an incredible number of terrestrial tetrapod taxa, many of which are currently only known from this locality. One of the many recent taxa to be described from the locality was the small lanthanosuchoid parareptile Feeserpeton oklahomensis. Represented by a well-preserved, near complete skull, F. oklahomensis would have been a small predatory reptile, likely preying upon arthropods, and contributes to the extensive tetrapod fauna that was present at Richards Spur. New computed tomography data of the holotype and only specimen has allowed us to visualize and describe previously obscured and inaccessible anatomy of this taxon. These areas include the mandibular ramus, the palate, the sphenethmoid, the epipterygoids, and the braincase. Furthermore, this new anatomical information allowed formerly unknown character codings to be updated, thus we also performed new phylogenetic analyses that incorporated this new information. The results of these updated phylogenetic analyses are very similar to those of past studies, with F. oklahomensis being found as the sister taxon to all other lanthanosuchoids.

The early Permian Richards Spur locality of Oklahoma has produced abundant material of numerous terrestrial fossil tetrapods, including various “microsaurs,” several of which are considered to belong to the clade Recumbirostra. We present a new partial skull of the recumbirostran “microsaur” Nannaroter mckinziei; through computed tomography (CT) analysis of both this new specimen and the holotype, we provide an updated description of the taxon. This new description provides novel information regarding several regions that could not be examined previously due to either being absent in the holotype or difficult to access. This includes missing and obscured aspects of the skull roof, braincase, lower jaw, and the palatal region. Furthermore, the new information obtained from this description was used to update phylogenetic character codings of Nannaroter, and a revised phylogenetic analysis was conducted. The results of this updated analysis are congruent with those of other recent phylogenetic analyses of recumbirostran “microsaurs.” This new information adds to the ever-growing body of early tetrapod CT data, which has been, and will continue to be, important in revealing details regarding early tetrapod anatomy, interrelationships, paleoecology, and evolution.

Spectacular photoluminescence (PL) phenomena have been increasingly reported in various organisms from diverse ecosystems. However, the chemical basis of this PL remains poorly defined, and its potential ecological function is still blurry, especially in mammals. Here we used state-of-the-art spectroscopy and multispectral imaging techniques to document new cases of mammalian ultraviolet-induced PL (UV-PL) and to identify free-base porphyrins and natural derivatives as the organic compounds responsible for the reddish luminescence observed in the hairs and spines of distantly related species. We argue that pink to red UV-PL is predominantly observed in crepuscular and nocturnal mammals because porphyrins are photodegradable, and that this phenomenon might not have a specific function in intra- or interspecific communication but consists of a byproduct of a widespread physiological condition, overlooked in mammals.

A mandible of a Late Cretaceous sea turtle with affinities to Ctenochelys is reported from the Maastrichtian type area of the Netherlands. The triangular mandible has a well-developed symphyseal ridge surrounded on both sides by large, concave areas on the triturating surface. It represents the first potential occurrence of Ctenochelys from the Maastrichtian type area. This finding increases the diversity of the turtle fauna known from the Maastrichtian type area.