| 1. |
- Barbacka, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Early Jurassic coprolites : insights into palaeobotany and the feeding behaviour of dinosaurs
- 2022
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In: Papers in Palaeontology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2056-2799 .- 2056-2802. ; 8:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Analyses of coprolites provide important data on animal feeding and food quality, including information on the taxonomy of the biotope. Knowledge of the diet of extinct animals has implications for our understanding of the evolution of various physiological strategies and feeding adaptations. Here we provide the first description of plant remains preserved in coprolites from early Hettangian deposits at Soltykow (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland). The coprolites probably originated from herbivorous sauropodomorphs, ornithischians and large carnivorous theropods, from which tracks are known from the site. Herbivorous coprolite producers fed on the flora growing on a fluvial plain, and the cuticles that remain in the coprolites originated from crowns of gymnospermous trees or shrubs. Coprolites assigned to large predators contained more diverse plant remains, although they also belonged to the gymnosperms. These were probably ingested together with the stomachs and intestines of prey animals and/or accidentally while drinking or feeding. The plant cuticles originated from seed ferns (including the newly proposed Komlopteris distinctiva Barbacka sp. nov.), cycadophytes, ginkgophytes and conifers. A fragment of a needle leaf, Aciphyllum triangulatum Barbacka & Gorecki gen. et sp. nov., is very similar to the leaves of Pinus, and is the oldest example of such a leaf type in the fossil record. Most ingested plants came from beyond the immediate surroundings of today's outcrop. Palynological analysis of the coprolites yielded 31 taxa of sporomorphs from the herbivore coprolites and 14 sporomorph taxa from the coprolites of predators. Cheirolepidiaceous pollen grains of Classopollis torosus dominated the sporomorph assemblage.
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| 2. |
- Pacyna, Grzegorz, et al.
(author)
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Early Jurassic dinosaur-dominated track assemblages, floristic and environmental changes in the Holy Cross Mountains region, Poland
- 2022
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In: Geological Quarterly. - : POLISH GEOLOGICAL INST. - 1641-7291 .- 2082-5099. ; 66:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Early Jurassic succession of the Holy Cross Mountains region in Poland offers a rare opportunity to study ecosystem complexity during the evolution and diversification of early dinosaurs, especially herbivorous ones. The section consists of continental and coastal deposits containing fossil assemblages spanning nearly 25 My of changes in terrestrial plants and some groups of invertebrates and tetrapods. Based on macrofossils and pollen and spores, the broader characteristics of the flora in this succession are presented. The floral assemblages show typical Early Jurassic characteristics and contain lycopsids, sphenopsids, ferns, cycadaleans, bennettitaleans, gnetaleans and ginkgoaleans, as well as conifers, and are similar to other Hettangian–Toarcian floral successions in Europe, showing the presence of a vast coniferous forest dominated by Hirmeriella in the early Hettangian, replaced by ginkgophyte-dominated floras in younger stages and araucarian conifer-dominated forests in the late Pliensbachian. Dinosaurs are documented mainly from their trace fossils (tracks and coprolites). Six distinct track assemblages (stratigraphically separated ichnoassemblages) of different ages can be identified. Current evidence indicates that while Anomoepus tracks are abundant throughout the long Hettangian–late Pliensbachian interval, medium-sized to large ornithischian tracks do not occur below the lower–middle Hettangian transition zone, associated with the first major marine transgression in the region. Hettangian strata with different theropod tracks (Grallator, Anchisauripus, Eubrontes, Kayentapus, cf. Megalosauripus), small Anomoepus tracks, numerous medium-sized Anomoepus-like tracks, Moyenisauropus tracks, tetradactyl tracks of sauropodomorphs (cf. Pseudotetrasauropus) and oval-shaped tracks of sauropods (Parabrontopodus) significantly contrast with the higher part of the Lower Jurassic succession (upper Pliensbachian Drzewica Formation and middle–upper Toarcian Borucice Formation) containing new types of medium-sized to large theropod tracks (Therangospodus), small and medium-sized bird-like tridactyl tracks (cf. Trisauropodiscus, cf. Anomoepus), exceptionally large, oval-shaped sauropod tracks (Sauropoda indet.), and new types of medium-sized and large ornithischian tracks (cf. Deltapodus, cf. Anomoepus). This points to a noticeable difference between the Hettangian and late Pliensbachian–Toarcian dinosaur ichnofaunas and may facilitate the study of regional and global changes and correlations. Both the palaeofloras and dinosaur trace fossils document ecosystem diversity and ecosystem changes, presented here in review form. The nature of these changes requires more detailed study, but preliminary results suggest the occurrence of rather complex and pronounced transformations in the dinosaur communities of the Holy Cross Mountains region. Based on our observations, the most significant event in Early Jurassic ecosystems took place within the Hettangian (change in floristic composition, the emergence of new groups of dinosaurs), but we also found what we believe to be a record of a major faunal turnover across the late Pliensbachian–middle–late Toarcian interval.
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| 3. |
- Elgh, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Pterosaur track assemblages from the Upper Jurassic (lower Kimmeridgian) intertidal deposits of Poland : Linking ichnites to potential trackmakers
- 2019
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In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. - : ELSEVIER. - 0031-0182 .- 1872-616X. ; 530, s. 32-48
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two distinct tetrapod track assemblages, dominated by pterosaur traces, are reported from Upper Jurassic (lower Kimmeridgian, Hypselocyclum Zone) tidal flat carbonate deposits exposed in Wierzbica Quarry, 20 km south of Radom, Poland. The pterosaur tracks, tentatively assigned to Pteraichnus isp. are well preserved as a positive hyporelief in intertidal facies. Some are preserved with anatomical details (e.g., skin, claw or digital pad impressions) and quality sufficient to make preliminary ichnotaxonomic assignment. Nearly all collected specimens are larger than most other pterosaurian ichnites of the Late Jurassic age, thus adding to the growing diversity of pterosaur traces known from this time period. Morphometrical and anatomical analyses show that ctenochasmatoids or possibly non-pterydactyloid monofenestratans or rhamphorhynchids were most likely the trackmakers. Anatomical comparisons give new insights into the morphology of the pes of pterydactyloids and the most closely related non-pterodactyloids which may be correlated with a niche expansion into marginal marine and lacustrine environments by Middle and Late Jurassic pterosaurs. The palaeoenvironmental interpretation as tidal flat is confirmed by presence of vertically accreted tidal bundles, each representing deposition in one tidal cycle. Most likely then, this was one of the environments frequented by these pterosaurs and other small tetrapods. The wider palaeoecological significance of the tracks is evaluated in the context of other similar reports from the Late Jurassic of Europe, Africa and North America.
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| 4. |
- Niedzwiedzki, Grzegorz, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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A dinosaur track assemblage from the Upper Hettangian (Lower Jurassic) marginal-marine deposits of Zapniów, Holy Cross Mountains, Poland.
- 2016
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In: Geological Quarterly. - Polish Geological Institute. - 1641-7291 .- 2082-5099. ; 60:4, s. 840-856
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Upper Hettangian (Lower Jurassic) marginal-marine Przysucha Ore-bearing Formation exposed at Zapniów mine and clay-pit (northwestern part of the Holy Cross Mountains area, central Poland) revealed an interesting assemblage of dinosaur tracks. Although mostly yielding poorly preserved and isolated tracks probably left in shallow water conditions, the site never the less indicates a diversity of early saurischian (theropods and sauropodomorphs) and ornithischian (thyreophorans) dinosaur trackmakers. This new assemblage is partly consistent with the Lower-Middle Hettangian ichnorecord from the same region. The tracks are preserved in sediments of a barrier-foreshore origin within a barrier/lagoonal depositional system, belonging to the highstand systems tract, located below a marked erosional surface (sequence boundary), which is associated with a substantial fall in sea level at the end of Hettangian times. Here we de scribed all previously and newly collected or observed in the field dinosaur tracks from both surface and underground exposures at Zapniów. Fourichnospecies: Grallator isp., Anchisauripus isp., cf. Tetrasauropus isp., and cf. Anomoepus isp. were identified. The theropod and ornithischian tracks show distinct similarities to those described from the richest in this region and most famous Gliniany Las dino saur track assemblage, in age approximately coeval to Zapniów. Two sizes of theropod tracks (small and medium) indicate the presence of two different size classes or species of predators in this area. The described cf.Tetrasauropus isp. from Zapniów is the first unquestioned evidence of basal sauropodomorphs in the Upper Hettangian ofthe Holy Cross Moun tains and first record of this ichnotaxa in the Lower Jurassic of Poland. Additionally, two theropod trackways (Anchisauripus isp.) show evidence for trotting. The new finds suggest similarities be tween marginal-marine environments (delta-plain and fore shore-barrier/lagoon lithofacies) association of dinosaurs containing low-browsing thyreophorans accompanied by small or juvenile sauropodomorphs and small to medium sized theropods. Presence of the ornithischian footprints suggests their prominent role as a major component in Middle-Upper Hettangian dinosaur faunas in marginal-marine environments dominating in the region.
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| 5. |
- Pienkowski, Grzegorz, et al.
(author)
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Climatic reversals related to the Central Atlantic magmatic province caused the end-Triassic biotic crisis : evidence from continental strata in Poland
- 2014
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In: Geological Society of America, Special Paper. - : Geological Society of America. - 0072-1077. ; 505, s. 263-286
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Eight climatic events can be distinguished in the Triassic–Jurassic (ca. 201 Ma) continental strata of Poland. These events are distinguished by kaolinite/illite ratio, chemical index of alteration (CIA), color of sediments, and palynomorphs. The first transition to wetter climate, evidenced by a shift from smectite- to kaolinite dominated mudrocks, coincides with the earlier (“precursor”) Rhaetian negative δ13Corg excursion, which means that the beginning of climate perturbations predates the oldest known Central Atlantic magmatic province fl ood basalts by some 100–200 k.y. The later global, late Rhaetian “initial” negative δ13Corg excursion is divided into two subpeaks, each corresponding to hot and humid events, separated by a cooler and drier event. The upper subpeak is also associated with perturbation of the osmium isotope system (attributed to volcanic fallout), and darkened miospores, pointing to acid rains. Between the “initial” excursion and the Triassic-Jurassic boundary interval, five climatic fluctuations are inferred from the changing kaolinite/illite ratio, the last two of which are also associated with an Os isotope perturbation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) occurrences, a “spore peak,” and darkened miospores. A series of periodic atmospheric loading events by CO2, CH4, or alternatively by SO2, sulfate aerosols, and toxic compounds, is inferred to have caused this series of rapid climatic reversals and resulting extinction of many less-adapted forms. Just above thepalynofloral extinction level, appearance of new forms commenced Jurassic palynofloral recovery. Tetrapod evolution events in the end-Triassic–earliest Jurassic were related to the extinction of the Pseudosuchia, Dicynodontia, Capitosauroidea, Plagiosaroidea, and Rhynchosauria, while appearance of highly diversifi ed tetrapod ichnofauna in the earliest Jurassic strata indicates a rapid recovery and refi ll of ecological niches by dinosaurs.
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| 6. |
- Sulej, Tomasz, et al.
(author)
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The earliest-known mammaliaform fossil from Greenland sheds light on origin of mammals
- 2020
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 117:43, s. 26861-26867
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synapsids are unique in having developed multirooted teeth and complex occlusions. These innovations evolved in at least two lineages of mammaliamorphs (Tritylodontidae and Mammaliaformes). Triassic fossils demonstrate that close to the origins of mammals, mammaliaform precursors were "experimenting" with tooth structure and function, resulting in novel patterns of occlusion. One of the most surprising examples of such adaptations is present in the haramiyidan Glade, which differed from contemporary mammaliaforms in having two rows of cusps on molariform crowns adapted to omnivorous/herbivorous feeding. However, the origin of the multicusped tooth pattern present in haramiyidans has remained enigmatic. Here we describe the earliest-known mandibular fossil of a mammaliaform with double molariform roots and a crown with two rows of cusps from the Late Triassic of Greenland. The crown morphology is intermediate between that of morganucodontans and haramiyidans and suggests the derivation of the multicusped molariforms of haramiyidans from the triconodont molar pattern seen in morganucodontids. Although it is remarkably well documented in the fossil record, the significance of tooth root division in mammaliaforms remains enigmatic. The results of our biomechanical analyses (finite element analysis [FEA]) indicate that teeth with two roots can better withstand stronger mechanical stresses like those resulting from tooth occlusion, than teeth with a single root.
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| 7. |
- Bajdek, Piotr, et al.
(author)
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Putative dicynodont coprolites from the Upper Triassic of Poland
- 2014
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In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0031-0182 .- 1872-616X. ; 411, s. 1-17
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A significant number (more than 100) of brownto dark and silty, carbonate or pyrite-mineralized, in part organic carbon-rich, spherical or oval-shaped structures have been collected fromthe Upper Triassic (uppermost NorianlowerRhaetian) sediments of the Lipie Śląskie clay-pit at Lisowice near Lubliniec town, Poland. Their geological context, morphology, content, geochemistry and association with skeletal remains suggest they are fecal masses of a sizable herbivorous tetrapod. The only large herbivore known from the site is a giant 5 meter-long dicynodont (Synapsida: Anomodontia), represented by numerous bones and also by large, oval-shaped footprints. The putative dicynodont coprolites were collected from mudstone and siltstone with numerous organic remains that were deposited in anoxic conditions. In addition, REEs and other trace element concentrations suggest that the burial environment and diagenesis of these coprolites were under anoxic conditions. SEM and thin section images of the coprolite matrix show numerous nests with pyrite (probably bacterial in origin) and large amount of mineral particles. The putative dicynodont coprolites contain also amorphous, dark organic matter, poorly preserved palynomorphs, small fragments of plant cuticle. Detailed characteristic of these coprolites reveals possible implications for the ecology and physiology of the source animal species. The δ 13C values of the gymnospermcuticle and dark organic matter measured in three coprolites are −23.4‰, −21.2‰and −20.3‰, all average. The evidence from these coprolites suggests that dicynodonts processed plant soft elements into very small pieces, but wood fragments were found also in a mass accumulation in two coprolites.
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| 8. |
- Bajdek, Piotr, et al.
(author)
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Residues from the Upper Permian carnivore coprolites from Vyazniki in Russia - key questions in reconstruction of feeding habits
- 2017
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In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0031-0182 .- 1872-616X. ; 482, s. 70-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Residues of twenty-five coprolite fragments collected from the Upper Permian of Vyazniki (European Russia) were studied in detail. The phosphatic composition, general shape and size, and bone inclusions of these specimens indicate that medium to large-sized carnivores, such as therocephalian therapsids or early archosauriforms, were the most likely coprolite producers. The contents of the examined fossils (i.e. Scale, bone and tooth fragments, mineral grains, and microbial structures) do not differ significantly among the samples, implying fairly comparable feeding habits of their producers. Fragments of large tooth crowns in two of the analyzed samples imply that either (1) the coprolite producer swallowed the cranial elements of its prey or (2) the coprolite producer broke and swallowed its own tooth while feeding (such tooth damage is known in archosaurs that have tooth replacement, e.g. crocodiles and dinosaurs). Indeed, the most complete tooth fragment in these fossils is serrated, most likely belonging to an early archosauriform known from skeletal records from the Late Permian of Vyaznilci. Another coprolite fragment contains the etched tooth of a lungfish, while putative actinopterygian fish remains (scales and small fragments of bones) are abundant in some samples. Mineral particles (mostly quartz grains, feldspars and mica) may have been swallowed accidentally. The preserved microbial colonies (mineralized fossil fungi and bacteria or their pseudomorphs), manifested in the coprolites as Fe-rich mineral structures, seem to have developed on the expelled feces rather than on the items before they were swallowed.
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| 9. |
- Blazcjowski, Blazcj, et al.
(author)
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Limulitella tejraensis, a new species of limulid (Chelicerata, Xiphosura) from the Middle Triassic of southern Tunisia (Saharan Platform)
- 2017
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In: Journal of Paleontology. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0022-3360 .- 1937-2337. ; 91:5, s. 960-967
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Numerous well-preserved remains of a new limulid species from the Anisian-lower Ladinian (Middle Triassic) of the Tejra section of southern Tunisia are described. Comparisons are made with limulids from the Triassic deposits of Europe and Australia. The new specimens are congeneric with the type species of Limulitella, but show some morphological differences. Here we describe Limulitella tejraensis new species, a small limulid with semicircular prosoma, small and triangular opisthosoma, well-defined axial ridge, and pleurae along both ridges of the opisthosoma. The Tunisian Limulitella fossils are associated with conchostracans, bivalves, gastropods, and microconchids. Sedimentological and paleontological data from the Tejra section suggest freshwater to brackish-water conditions during the formation of the fossil-bearing interval and the influence of marine transgression into a playa-like environment. Supposed adaptation to the stressful environment sheds new light on the origin and survival of the extant limulines. This is the first report of limulid body fossils from the Triassic of North Africa and the first documentation of Limulitella in the Middle Triassic of northern Gondwanaland.
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| 10. |
- Bremer, Oskar, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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Vertebrate microremains from the upper Silurian Winnica Formation of the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland
- 2018
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In: Geological Magazine. - 0016-7568 .- 1469-5081. ; 155:7, s. 1523-1541
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vertebrate microremains from the upper Silurian Winnica Formation in the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland are described from the Winnica and Rzepin sections. Both sites record the uppermost part of the Supianka Member, but represent different depositional environments. The Winnica samples come from a low-energy environment, while the Rzepin sample was taken from a high-energy, oolitic facies. Both sites contain thelodonts Thelodus parvidens, Thelodus trilobatus, an anaspid cf. Liivilepis and a number of acanthodian scales of 'nostolepid', poracanthodid and 'gomphonchid' types. Notable differences between the sites are the addition of the osteostracan Tahulaspis cf. ordinata, the thelodont Paralogania ludlowiensis and acanthodian scales identified as Nostolepis gracilis in the Rzepin section. Placing the vertebrate faunas within the vertebrate biozonation established for the Silurian proved difficult. The suggested late Ludlow age for the Supianka Member based on sequence stratigraphical and chemostratigraphical correlations cannot be definitely confirmed or refuted, but a late Ludfordian age seems the most plausible based on invertebrate and vertebrate faunas. The much lower abundance of poracanthodid acanthodians in the Rzepin sample supports the notion of Poracanthodes porosus Zone as a deep-water equivalent to a number of vertebrate biozones. The presence of P. ludlowiensis only in the oolitic sample confirms a long temporal range, but restricted environmental distribution for this taxon.
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