Description:    In this paper, part of the amphisbaenian fossil record from the european Eocene is revised. There is no evidence for the existence of amphisbaenian lizards in Europe or on other continents during the Late Cretaceous. Crown amphisbaenians were present in Europe in the early Paleocene and throughout the Paleogene, with the notable exception of the middle Eocene. In particular, they were not found at Messel. European fossil taxa previously assigned to the amphisbaenians are briefly reviewed, and a description of some representative specimens from the Eocene fossil record is presented: dentary and vertebrae from Mutigny (early Eocene, France) are referred to the North American genus Anniealexandria ; fossils from the late Eocene of the Phosphorites du Quercy (France) are attributed to Blanidae, and they are the earliest secure occurrence of Blanidae in the fossil record; and dentaries and maxillae from Grisolles (middle-late Eocene, Paris Basin, France) are referred to a new species, Louisamphisbaena ferox . Global distribution of fossil amphisbaenians in the Eocene reveals at least one episode of dispersal between North America and Europe during the early Eocene. Finally, some explanations are suggested for the absence of crown amphisbaenians at Messel and in the European middle Eocene. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-19 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0104-6 Authors Marc Louis Augé, Muséum national d‘Histoire naturelle UMR 7207 CNRS, CP 38, Rue Buffon, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    The publication of a well preserved Eocene primate, Darwinius masillae (Cercamoniinae, Notharctidae), has revived the debate on the phylogenetic relationships of Adapiformes and extant primates (Franzen et al., PLos ONE 4(5):e5723, 2009 ). Recently, Lebrun et al. (J Anat 216:368–380, 2010 ) showed that the morphology of the bony labyrinth of strepsirrhine primates conveys a strong phylogenetic signal. The study of labyrinthine morphology may thus bring a new piece of evidence to resolve phylogenetic relationships within a group. The investigation of the labyrinthine morphology of another Cercamoniinae, Pronycticebus gaudryi, reveals no synapomorphy with the labyrinths of modern anthropoids. On the contrary, Pronycticebus is closer in labyrinthine shape to extant strepsirrhines, which supports the hypothesis that the Cercamoniinae and other Adapiformes are the sister group of toothcombed primates. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0099-z Authors Renaud Lebrun, Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution (UMR-CNRS 5554), C.C. 64, Université Montpellier 2, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France Marc Godinot, Laboratoire EPHE d’Evolution des Primates and UMR 7207 «Centre de Recherches sur la Paléobiodiversité et les Paléoenvironnements» (CR2P), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 8 rue Buffon, CP38, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France Sébastien Couette, Laboratoire EPHE d’Evolution des Primates and UMR 7207 «Centre de Recherches sur la Paléobiodiversité et les Paléoenvironnements» (CR2P), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 8 rue Buffon, CP38, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France Paul Tafforeau, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France Christoph Zollikofer, AnthropologischesInstitut und Museum, Universität Zürich-Irchel, Zürich, Switzerland Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    Eocene mammals from Grube Messel are divided into those that lived terrestrially on the ground (2D-mammals) or arboreally (3D-mammals). Their biomechanics and locomotion are discussed on the basis of equids ( Eurohippus , Propalaeotherium ) and Leptictidium as examples of 2D-mammals and primates ( Europolemur , Darwinius ) of 3D-mammals. The determining factor for lifestyle is the autopodia: 2D-mammals need nothing more than compression-transmitting balls with reinforced anterior margins (hooves). These autopodia do not require much energy, but metapodia and even phalanges can elongate the functional length of the free limbs. Primates as 3D-animals need prehensile hands and feet, which can transmit tensile forces and even torques. Their metapodials are part of the prehensile organ. Their strong and energy-requiring musculature increases the masses on the distal limb segments and so influences the locomotor modes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-18 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0103-7 Authors Holger Preuschoft, Sub-Department of Functional Morphology, Anatomical Institute, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany Jens Lorenz Franzen, Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    Pedal distal phalanges of the Eocene adapoids Europolemur and Darwinius from Messel and Notharctus from Wyoming have been compared morphologically and metrically to representatives of all six superfamilies of extant primates. A detailed system of morphological types is established that differentiates pedal distal phalanges. Four major groups and 12 types can be recognised in primates. Primates additionally show a primary interruption of homogeneity (PIH) between the hallux and other pedal rays, as well as two distinct secondary interruptions of homogeneity (SIH) within more lateral pedal rays. Using morphology, PIH and SIH, we have developed a formula for pedal distal phalanges. Differences among Adapoidea are unexpectedly large. Notharctus shows less differentiation in the pedal phalanges than does Europolemur . Our analyses show that both species of Europolemur had a differentiated grooming claw. Preservation of the second distal phalanx in Darwinius is not sufficient for a detailed classification. Despite similarities of the grooming claws of Europolemur to those of some lemurs and lorises, we hesitate to classify adapoids with Lemuroidea and Lorisoidea as there are significant differences and a possibility of parallelism. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-27 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0096-2 Authors Wighart von Koenigswald, Steinmann Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany Jörg Habersetzer, Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Philip D. Gingerich, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079, USA Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    The Upper Kimmeridgian Wattendorf Plattenkalk, the oldest of the Solnhofen-type plattenkalks of southern Germany, has yielded a high number of exceptionally preserved fossils over the past several years. The high number of fossils and the fact that every bedding plane, along which the laminated rocks split, has been equally thoroughly searched for fossils, allow for qualitative as well as quantitative taphonomic investigations. For a quantitative analysis of the Wattendorf lagerstätte, four different taphofacies (A–D) were established by means of euclidean cluster analysis. For this, biostratinomic features of neopterygian fishes, primarily of the genus Tharsis , were recorded. Percentages of the occurrence of these features per layer were determined and clustered into groups of similar patterns. The taphonomic features utilised were bending of the spinal column, completeness, and skeletal articulation. Taphofacies A through D mark a change from a palaeoenvironment with only small extrinsic disturbing factors to a palaeoenvironment characterised by greater disturbance (e.g. bottom currents, fluctuating salinity). At the beginning of plattenkalk deposition, cyclic changes of the palaeoenvironment prevailed with periodic high disturbance, probably caused by storm-induced flows. These events initiated mixing of the supposedly chemically stratified water body. In the upper part of the plattenkalk unit, taphofacies indicative of higher disturbance dominate, suggesting a change from stable to less stable environmental conditions in the plattenkalk basin resulting in disruption of the typical plattenkalk sedimentation. Sporadic oxygenation of bottom waters is also indicated by the style of soft-tissue preservation. Besides typical phosphatisation, a specimen of Palaeohirudo ? sp. shows soft-tissue preservation through iron-oxide permineralisation. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-19 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0069-5 Authors Patrick Chellouche, GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Fachgruppe PaläoUmwelt, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstraße 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Franz T. Fürsich, GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Fachgruppe PaläoUmwelt, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstraße 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Matthias Mäuser, GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Fachgruppe PaläoUmwelt, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstraße 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    Fossil vertebrate skeletons from subaquatic sediments display a melange of decomposition processes, compaction and diagenesis, which have to be discriminated for a detailed taphonomic analysis. The sequence of decomposition and disarticulation of skeletal elements is controlled intrinsically by the different resistances of soft tissues to decay, as well as extrinsically by temperature and oxygen availability. Water pressure has a significant influence on the extent of bloating caused by gases of putrefaction. Bloated carcasses float at the surface, or can refloat from the bottom of the water body (depending on the water pressure), where they can be moved by currents or wind. During the last decade, forensic radiographic examinations by computed tomography (CT; Virtopsy) have evolved into a new approach for actuopalaeontological experiments, which allow a continuous insight into the decay process. In order to elucidate the taphonomy of the apatemyid mammal Heterohyus , we investigated the controlled decay of a dormouse ( Eliomys quercinus ) carcass in detail, using high-resolution micro-CT. Taphonomic study of a fossil specimen of a Heterohyus nanus from Messel revealed that decomposition came to a premature halt, as indicated by the disarticulation sequence of the skeletal elements, which stopped after a while. Little information is available about internal decay processes affecting the coherence of the skeletal system. The results of the actualistic study were compared with the state of disarticulation of the fossil apatomyid. The combination of different indicators of the decomposition process, the lack of skeletal disintegration in Heterohyus and palaeo-environmental data lead to the assumption that Heterohyus went through an adipocere forming phase before embedding. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s12549-011-0063-3 Authors Achim H. Schwermann, Steinmann-Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany M. Wuttke, Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Direktion Landesarchäologie, Referat Erdgeschichte, Große Langgasse 29, 55116 Mainz, Germany J. A. Schultz, Steinmann-Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    Much has been written about the palaeoenvironment of the middle Eocene fossil Lagerstätte of Messel, Germany, and of the taphonomy of the vertebrates found in it, but taphonomic phenomena among the reptiles in this locality are virtually unstudied. The iguanid Geiseltaliellus maarius is the most common lizard species in Messel. We present taphonomic data for this species and analyse it. Specimens of G. maarius can be divided into three preservation classes, one of which is distinguished purely by decompositional phenomena. Most specimens sank quickly to the bottom of Lake Messel after entering it, but one floated for some time prior to emplacement. In theory, overlying pressure should not preclude the accumulation of gases of decay in submerged carcasses. In one specimen, such gases appear to have built up intracoelomically for many weeks, but did not cause the carcass to rise because of overlying water pressure. Eruption of the gases through the oral and cloacal openings, possibly initiated by a coincident turbidity current, scattered the bones of the skull, the pelvic region, and the proximal part of the tail. G. maarius had evolved a form of intervertebral urotomy (pseudoautotomy), which is indicative of arboreal habits. The waxy substance adipocere, formed after breakdown of fat, has been neglected in discussions of taphonomy, but may constitute an important factor in stabilising carcasses and enabling three-dimensional preservation before diagensis. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-21 DOI 10.1007/s12549-011-0064-2 Authors Krister T. Smith, Department of Paleoanthropology and Messel Research, Senckenberg Research Institute, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Michael Wuttke, Referat Erdgeschichte, Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Große Langgasse 29, 55116 Mainz, Germany Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    The fauna of amphibians and squamates during the Eocene in western Europe resulted initially from the addition of an old, ante-Eocene fauna, and of a new fauna that arrived as a big wave of dispersals at the beginning of the Eocene (MP 7). These dispersals were likely favoured by the tropical climate. The fauna, as a whole, included taxa with Laurasian affinities, some of which indicate relationships with North America. However, some taxa showed South American affinities. The subsequent fauna (MP 8+9 and MP 10) developed from that of MP 7 and was not affected by peculiar events. The fauna of the MP 11-MP 15 interval (middle Eocene) is poorly known. The last interval (MP 16–MP 19 +20, latest middle and late Eocene) is characterised by a rich and diverse fauna, despite temperatures lower than that of the early Eocene. This fauna perhaps partly originated during the preceding interval. Richness and diversity resulted from dispersals and local radiations; autochthonous forms were apparently rather frequent. This fauna still included taxa with South and North American affinities. At the end of the Eocene, there occurred a prominent extinction event, the ‘Grande Coupure’. Most taxa were eliminated, at least in western Europe; they survived elsewhere, permitting subsequent repopulation. The Grande Coupure was a pivotal event. Before it, the faunas were indicative of warm climates and included American components; after the Grande Coupure, the faunas that progressively repopulated Europe were indicative of less warm climates and no longer included American forms. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0087-3 Authors Jean-Claude Rage, Département Histoire de la Terre, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, UMR 7207, CNRS, CR2P, 8 rue Buffon, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594

Description:    A new locality with terrestrial microfossils, named Lapsarna (LRN), has been found on the West Peninsula of the island of Lesvos (Greece). Among other fossils (i.e. lacustrine pulmonate gastropod, lacustrine fish, small lizard and crocodilian isolated remains), isolated teeth of small mammals, belonging to the Orders Chiroptera, Insectivora and Rodentia, have been found. The rodent material allows the identification of one species of Eumyarion , one species of Democricetodon and the glirid Glirulus cf. diremptus , whereas the bat and insectivore material is too scanty to allow generic identification. Radiochronological data suggest that the new locality is older than 18.4 ± 0.5 Ma. This makes Lapsarna one of the oldest small mammal localities in Greece so far known. The study of the new fossils can lead to a preliminary basis for the reconstruction of life in the subtropical forests that covered the area during the early Miocene. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s12549-012-0080-x Authors Katerina Vasileiadou, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, 17 8th November Str., Mytilene, 81100 Lesvos, Greece Nickolas Zouros, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, 17 8th November Str., Mytilene, 81100 Lesvos, Greece Journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments Online ISSN 1867-1608 Print ISSN 1867-1594