Abstract Introduction: Neanderthals, our extinct relatives, exhibited distinct nasal morphology compared to Homo sapiens. Objectives: This study explores these differences through a comparative analysis of cranionasal measurements. Material and Methods: Data on Neanderthal nasal features were obtained from existing paleoanthropological literature, focusing on 16 hominid fossils. A parallel sample of 38 modern human CT scans was retrospectively reviewed, with measurements focusing on nasal region. Results: Neanderthals displayed significantly larger nasal cavities with increased basion-nasion and basion-prosthion distances, wider intercanine dimensions, and larger nasal breadth and height compared to modern humans. Choanal width and nasal index did not differ significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest functional adaptations in Neanderthal nasal morphology, potentially aiding in thermoregulation within cold environments. Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary significance of these adaptations.

Resumo Introdução: Os Neandertais, nossos parentes extintos, exibiam uma morfologia nasal distinta em comparação com o Homo sapiens. Objetivos: Este estudo explora essas diferenças através de uma análise comparativa de medidas nasocranianas. Material e Métodos: Dados sobre as características nasais do Homo Neanderthalensis e Homo Heilderbergensis foram obtidos a partir da literatura paleoantropológica existente, com foco em 16 fósseis. Uma amostra paralela de 38 de crânios de Homo Sapiens foi analisada retrospetivamente mediante tomografia computadorizada (TC), com obtenção de medições relativas à região nasal. Resultados: Os Hominídeos exibiram cavidades nasais significativamente maiores, com distâncias basion-nasion e basion-prosthion aumentadas, dimensões intercaninas maiores e maior largura e altura nasal em comparação com os humanos modernos. A largura coanal e o índice nasal não diferiram significativamente. Conclusões: Esses achados sugerem adaptações funcionais na morfologia nasal neandertal, potencialmente auxiliando na termorregulação em ambientes frios. Pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para compreender totalmente o significado evolutivo dessas adaptações.

Abstract Carl Degenhardt's geological knowledge helped him to arrive to Colombia with an English mining company in mid-19th century. His travels from the north coast to Marmato (central Colombia) and from there to other regions, allowed him to recognize, describe, and collect numerous sample minerals, rocks, and fossils. Eventually, these observations were shared with Alexander von Humboldt, published by himself and by different authors, providing valuable information for the advancement of geological knowledge in our country. Carl Degenhardt colected Buchotrigonia abrupta (=Trigonia abrupta), Stoyanowiceras aequatorialis (=Ammonites aequatorialis) y Toxancyloceras degenhardtii (=Hamites degenhardtii), that are some of the first fossils reported to Colombia by Leopold von Buch.

Resumen La formación en geología de Carl Degenhardt (1805?-1849) le ayudó a llegar a Colombia de la mano de una compañía minera inglesa a mediados del siglo XIX. Sus recorridos desde la costa norte hasta Marmato (centro de Colombia) y desde este sector hacia otras regiones le permitieron reconocer, describir y recolectar numerosas muestras minerales, rocas y fósiles. Eventualmente estas observaciones fueron compartidas con Alexander von Humboldt, las cuales fueron publicadas por el mismo y por diferentes autores, proporcionando información valiosa para el inicio del conocimiento en geología de nuestro país. Carl Deganhardt colectó Buchotrigonia abrupta (=Trigonia abrupta), Stoyanowiceras aequatorialis (=Ammonites aequatorialis) y Toxancyloceras degenhardtii (=Hamites degenhardtii), que son algunos de los primeros fósiles reportados para Colombia por Leopold von Buch.

SIGNIFICANCE: The scarcity of bat fossils in Africa poses a significant challenge to both scientific understanding and current conservation efforts. While this article engages in informed speculation regarding the reasons behind this scarcity, it does not lessen the importance of the issue. Without a robust fossil record, tracing the evolutionary history, biological adaptations, and historical ecological roles of bats becomes difficult. Understanding their past is instrumental in mitigating current threats to bats like habitat loss and climate change. Thus, the intriguing lack of a comprehensive fossil record not only limits scientific inquiry but also hinders effective conservation measures.

Classic depictions of human evolutionary ecology cast Homo as predator and other hominins, including Paranthropus robustus, as prey. Such hypotheses rest on a small number of fossils that exhibit evidence of carnivore predation, including the iconic SK 54 cranium from Swartkrans in South Africa. Here we demonstrate that the SK 54 cranium shares its closest affinities with H. erectus sensu lato rather than P. robustus. Demonstrating that Homo was prey for leopards at Swartkrans weakens the historically significant hypothesis that Homo was better able to avoid predation because of being behaviourally and technologically advanced compared to Paranthropus. Subsequent ideas about hominin palaeobiology derived from this hypothesis warrant reconsideration. SIGNIFICANCE: • The small sample of early Homo from southern Africa is increased by the allocation of the SK 54 cranium to that genus. • Evidence from Swartkrans suggests that Homo was prey for leopards. • Hypotheses concerning the biology, behaviour, and technological capabilities of Homo and P. robustus stemming from Brain's seminal work, The Hunters or the Hunted?, should be reassessed.

SIGNIFICANCE: Uploading unreviewed manuscripts to a preprint server promotes accessibility and facilitates rapid breakthroughs. We, however, question the motivation of Berger and colleagues who used the new eLife publishing model to launch what appeared to be a carefully curated media campaign around an unreviewed narrative, thereby manipulating accepted norms in scientific publishing. This team has engaged in ostentatious public displays under the guise of promoting science, including launching precious fossil remains into space. Given these ethical concerns, we call on the public, heritage and scientific practitioners to reflect on the current state, and future, of human evolution research.

Resumen El estudio de foraminíferos planctónicos usando secciones delgadas es relativamente reciente y en el caso de las especies Clavihedbergella simplex y Clavihedbergella moremani es un método que facilita su observación e identificación, más aún en rocas Cretácicas colombianas donde el método de preparación tradicional con peróxido no es efectivo. Este estudio hace una descripción taxonómica de dichas especies a partir de ejemplares en secciones delgadas e identifica sus respectivas ocurrencias a lo largo de rocas Cretácicas en un pozo ubicado en la parte central del Valle Medio del Magdalena, Colombia. Las directrices presentadas en este estudio validan la utilidad de este método de investigación y facilitan la identificación de estas dos especies en sección delgada.

Abstract The planktonic foraminifera study using thin sections is relatively recent and in the case of Clavihedbergella simplex and Clavihedbergella moremani species is a method that enhances their observation and identification, even more in cretaceous colombian rocks where traditional peroxide preparation method is not effective. This study provides a taxonomic description of these species using thin section fossils and identifies their occurrence along the cretaceous rocks in a well located in the central part of the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. The guidelines presented in this study validates the usefulness of this investigation method and ease the identification of these two species in thin section.

Abstract Introduction: The genus Agassizia in Mexico is represented both in the fossil record by the species Agassizia regia† during the Miocene of Chiapas and by the extant species Agassizia excentrica on the Atlantic coast and Agassizia scrobiculata on the Pacific coast. Qualitative diagnosis and descriptions make it hard to distinguish morphological boundaries between species, especially in groups with fossils and recent representatives, increasing the level of complexity by having samples of disparate qualities and quantities. Objective: We propose the use of little explored statistical methods in the comparison of paleontological and biological populations. This methodology allowed us to resolve issues of missing values in a morphometric data set for the genus Agassizia. Methods: Using samples recently collected and specimens already housed in collections, we explore a routine of recovery of missing data MICE and the numerical and graphic analyses PERMANOVA, PCA, and SIMPER to compare morphometric parameters between these species for recognizing diagnostic characters. Results: Our results show a morphological difference in the length of the ambulacrum II and the length and width of the periproct and peristome structures, these being greater in A. scrobiculata, with a consistent pattern in both population samples not previously described. Conclusions: Quantitative morphometric comparisons can be an assertive and complementary tool to determine distinctive differentiation characteristics in species of the same genus. Comparative morphology reviews should be an ongoing exercise to keep taxonomic knowledge on both extinct and extant species up to date. Our research encourage the scientific community studying fossil populations to utilize quantitative and multivariate methods to strengthen their investigations.

Resumen Introducción: El género Agassizia en México está representado tanto en el registro fósil por la especie Agassizia regia† del Mioceno de Chiapas, como por las especies actuales Agassizia excentrica de la costa del Atlántico y Agassizia scrobiculata de la costa del Pacífico. Las descripciones y diagnosis cualitativas dificultan reconocer los limites morfológicos entre especies, especialmente en grupos con representantes fósiles y recientes, e incrementando el nivel de complejidad al tener muestras de cantidad y calidad desiguales. Objetivo: Proponemos el uso de métodos estadísticos poco explorados en la comparación de poblaciones paleontológicas y biológicas. Esta metodología nos permitió resolver problemas de valores faltantes en un conjunto de datos morfométricos para el género Agassizia. Métodos: Usando muestras recolectadas para este fin, así como provenientes de colecciones científicas, exploramos una rutina de recuperación de datos faltantes MICE, y los análisis numéricos y gráficos PERMANOVA, PCA y SIMPER para comparar parámetros morfométricos entre estas especies y reconocer caracteres de diagnóstico. Además, comparamos cuidadosamente los caracteres morfológicos descritos previamente en la literatura taxonómica y la descripción ambiental del hábitat actual de A. scrobiculata. Resultados: Nuestros resultados muestran una diferencia morfológica en la longitud del ambulacrum II y la longitud y anchura de las estructuras del periprocto y peristoma, siendo estas mayores en A. scrobiculata, con un patrón consistente en ambas muestras poblacionales no descrito previamente. El hábitat actual de las muestras de A. scrobiculata en la costa del Pacífico es un sistema costero poco profundo con sedimentos arenosos y temperaturas tropicales. Bahía Chamela comparte varias similitudes con la fauna y las condiciones ambientales previamente descritas en el Mioceno de Chiapas. Conclusiones: Las comparaciones morfométricas cuantitativas pueden ser una herramienta poderosa y complementaria para determinar caracteres distintivos de diferenciación en especies del mismo género. Las revisiones de morfología comparativa deben ser un ejercicio continuo para mantener actualizado el conocimiento taxonómico sobre las especies existentes y extintas. Nuestro trabajo busca incentivar a la comunidad científica que trabaja con poblaciones fósiles a explorar estos y otros métodos cuantitativos y multivariados para fortalecer sus investigaciones.

Abstract The sedimentary basins in the Continental Rift of Southeastern Brazil (CRSB) provide an opportunity for ichnological analyses due to its well-known facies relationships and paleoenvironmental interpretations. This study reports invertebrate trace fossils from the Neogene fluvial deposits (Floriano Formation) and applies integrated ichnological and facies analyses to reconstruct the environmental conditions recorded in this lithostratigraphic unit. Fieldworks revealed a rich ichnofauna in the Floriano Formation, whose facies associations have been interpreted as indicative of meandering river environments. Four sedimentary facies were identified, including bioturbated sandstone, horizontally stratified sandstone, laminated sandstone, and mudstone. Six ichnogenera were identified, Arenicolites, Beaconites, Camborygma, Palaeophycus, Skolithos, and Taenidium. Those ichnogenera occur as Skolithos, Taenidium, and Beaconites ichnocoenoses. The Skolithos ichnocoenosis is primarily represented within sand bar deposits, indicating arthropod colonization in abandoned channels. The Taenidium ichnocoenosis, which is observed within mudstone layers and presents Camborygma burrows, suggests transitional environments between aquatic and subaerial conditions, locally with high water table levels. The Beaconites ichnocoenosis indicates changes in substrate consistency associated with progressive desiccation and extended exposure time. Therefore, the identified ichnocoenoses, combined with the analysis of physical sedimentary structures, suggest generally humid conditions during colonization by invertebrates of the meandering river deposits of the Floriano Formation. CRSB (CRSB wellknown well known interpretations Formation unit sandstone Arenicolites Palaeophycus ichnocoenoses channels burrows levels time Therefore structures

ABSTRACT Apoid hymenopterans are well represented in the fossil record, particularly in the mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar with 37 species and eight families. The fossils from this deposit are providing a glimpse into an astonishingly diverse fauna, including lineages with no counterpart in the present day. In this study, we describe two new genera and six new species of a remarkable new lineage of apoid wasps from Burmese amber: †Temnogyna gen. nov., containing †T. elegans sp. nov., †T. multiplex sp. nov., and †T. nyx sp. nov.; †Rhabdogyna gen. nov., containing †R. festiva sp. nov., †R. prima sp. nov. and †R. elongata sp. nov. These new fossil taxa have distinctive body morphology, particularly in the pattern of forewing venation and a remarkable anterior constriction in the 2nd metasomal segment, which sets them apart from all known apoid lineages. To accommodate these extinct taxa, a new family is introduced, †Temnogynidae fam. nov. (type genus †Temnogyna gen. nov.). Furthermore, the phylogenetic affinities of these new taxa are also discussed, based on the interpretations of the main morphological characters presented in previous studies. We also discuss how the discovery of this new family sheds light on the evolution of apoid wasps during the early Cretaceous. record midCretaceous mid Cretaceous 3 families fauna day study Temnogyna gen nov T †T sp Rhabdogyna R †R morphology nd segment introduced Temnogynidae fam type nov.. . nov.) Furthermore discussed studies

Abstract Sahelanthropus tchadensis has raised much debate since its initial discovery in Chad in 2001, given its controversial classification as the earliest representative of the hominin lineage. This debate extends beyond the phylogenetic position of the species, and includes several aspects of its habitual behavior, especially in what regards its locomotion. The combination of ancestral and derived traits observed in the fossils associated with the species has been used to defend different hypotheses related to its relationship to hominins. Here, the cranial morphology of Sahelanthropus tchadensis was assessed through 16 linear craniometric measurements, and compared to great apes and hominins through Principal Component Analysis based on size and shape and shape information alone. The results show that S. tchadensis share stronger morphological affinities with hominins than with apes for both the analysis that include size information and the one that evaluates shape alone. Since TM 266-01-060-1 shows a strong morphological affinity with the remaining hominins represented in the analysis, our results support the initial interpretations that S. tchadensis represents an early specimen of our lineage or a stem basal lineage more closely related to hominins than to Panini. 2001 behavior locomotion Here 1 measurements alone S 266010601 266 01 060 266-01-060- Panini 200 26601060 26 0 06 266-01-060 20 2660106 2 266-01-06 266010 266-01-0 26601 266-01- 2660 266-01 266-0 266-

A fossil scarabaeoid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) Mahengea mckayi new genus, new species - the only well-preserved insect fossil and one of only a few insects found at the site - is described from an otherwise rich Eocene (~ 45.6 mya) maar Lagerstàtte at Mahenge in central northern Tanzania. Numerous fossil fishes and plants have been recovered from this site and described. The dearth of insect fossils is surprising considering their richness in other deposits of similar origin and age. We suggest that the rich fish fauna present in the oxygen-rich parts of the water in the former volcanic crater lake may have scavenged most of the terrestrial insects that fell into the water. Although the fossil described here is undoubtedly that of a member of the Scarabaeoidea, the family placement remains unsure. SIGNIFICANCE: We describe the first Eocene fossil scarab from Africa. It is one of only a few scarab fossils from the continent and one of the best-preserved insect (invertebrate) fossils from the deposit.

Abstract Late Paleocene elasmobranch findings are reported, along with reinterpretations of some previous taxonomic identifications in two main outcrops around Talcahuano area (Biobío region, Chile), and also delimiting the exposed lithostratigraphic units. Reviewed fossils are among 15 genera, comprising the species Paraorthacodus clarkii, Squalus minor, Squalus orpiensis, Centrophorus sp., Squatina prima, Anomotodon novus, Striatolamia striata, Carcharias spp., Sylvestrilamia teretidens, Odontaspis winkleri, Palaeohypotodus speyeri, Palaeohypotodus rutoti, Isurolamna inflata, Premontreia gilberti, Physogaleus secundus, Palaeogaleus vincenti and Hypolophodon sylvestris. The main elasmobranch assemblage, collected from the San Martín outcrop, indicates deposition in a shallow lower shoreface-uppermost offshore marine environment and warm-temperate water. Moreover, this elasmobranch assemblage constrains the age of Pilpilco Formation into the middle-late Thanetian, which implies a latest Thanetian-early Ypresian age for the overlying Curanilahue Formation and a Danian-early Thanetian hiatus with the underlying Quiriquina Formation.

Resumen Paleontología e implicancias estratigráficas de un conjunto de elasmobranquios del Paleoceno Superior en Talcahuano, Chile surcentral. Se reporta el hallazgo de elasmobranquios del Paleoceno Superior, junto con la reinterpretación de algunos taxones descritos previamente en dos afloramientos principales en el área de Talcahuano (región del Biobío, Chile), que también delimitan las unidades litoestratigráficas expuestas. Los fósiles descritos se encuentran entre 15 géneros y abarcan las especies Paraorthacodus clarkii, Squalus minor, Squalus orpiensis, Centrophorus sp., Squatina prima, Anomotodon novus, Striatolamia striata, Carcharias spp., Sylvestrilamia teretidens, Odontaspis winkleri, Palaeohypotodus speyeri, Palaeohypotodus rutoti, Isurolamna inflata, Premontreia gilberti, Physogaleus secundus, Palaeogaleus vincenti e Hypolophodon sylvestris. El conjunto principal de elasmobranquios, obtenidos desde el afloramiento de Cerro San Martín, indica una depositación en un ambiente marino somero de shoreface inferior al offshore más superior, con una temperatura del agua templada cálida. Más aún, este conjunto de elasmobranquios acota la edad de la Formación Pilpilco al Thanetiano medio a tardío, subsecuentemente implicando una edad para la sobreyaciente Formación Curanilahue entre finales del Thanetiano al Ypresiano temprano y un hiato Daniano-Thanetiano temprano con respecto a la subyaciente Formación Quiriquina.

The Parnaíba Basin covers an area of 665,888 km2 between the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil. It is completely made up of siliciclastic sedimentary and volcanic rocks with ages varying between the Silurian and the Cretaceous. Among the formations of the Basin, the Tianguá Formation is considered a potential source rock. However, there are few geochemical and/or geological studies and no research work on the molecular parameters of the organic matter (OM) present in its outcropping rocks (OR). Thus, the objective of the present work is to characterize the OM, concerning the depositional paleoenvironment and the degree of thermal evolution, through molecular parameters and OM content. The OM was extracted using the Soxhlet system, chromatographed by classical methods, and analyzed using GC-MS and GC-MS/MS. The samples exhibited low total organic carbon values (TOC < 1) and the molecular parameters of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons suggested a marine depositional environment, with algae, bacteria, and terrestrial plants input. The C30 biomarkers (24-n-propylcholestane), identified using synthetic standards and usually associated with the Chrysophyte algae, corroborated the marine origin of the depositional environment. In addition, some molecular parameters suggested little thermal evolution. 665888 665 888 665,88 km Brazil Cretaceous rock However andor or (OM OR. OR . (OR) Thus evolution content system methods GCMS GC MS GCMS/MS. GCMSMS MS/MS. GC-MS/MS TOC 1 environment algae bacteria input C C3 24npropylcholestane, 24npropylcholestane npropylcholestane 24 n propylcholestane , (24-n-propylcholestane) addition 66588 66 88 665,8 (OR GCMS/MS MSMS MS/MS 2 (24-n-propylcholestane 6658 6 8 665,

Abstract Endogenous virus elements (EVEs) are viral-derived sequences integrated into their host genomes. EVEs of the Jingchuvirales order were detected in a wide range of insect genomes covering several distantly related families. Moreover, Jingchuvirales-derived glycoproteins were recently associated by our group with the origin of a putative new retrovirus based on a glycoprotein captured by a mosquito retrotransposon. But, except for mosquitoes, there is a lack of a more detailed understanding of the endogenization mechanism, timing, and frequency per Jingchuvirales viral lineages. Here we screened Jingchuvirales glycoprotein-derived EVEs (Jg-EVEs) in eukaryotic genomes. We found six distinct endogenization events of Jg-EVEs, that belong to two out of five known Jingchuvirales families (Chuviridae and Natareviridae). For seven arthropod families bearing Jg-EVEs there is no register of bona fide circulating chuvirus infection. Hence, our results show that Jingchuvirales viruses infected or still infect these host families. Although we found abundant evidence of LTR-Gypsy retrotransposons fragments associated with the glycoprotein in Hymenoptera and other insect orders, our results show that the widespread distribution of Jingchuvirales glycoproteins in extant Arhtropods is a result of multiple ancient endogenization events and that these virus fossils are being vertically inherited in Arthropods genomes for millions of years. (EVEs viralderived derived Moreover Jingchuviralesderived retrotransposon But mosquitoes mechanism timing lineages glycoproteinderived JgEVEs Jg (Jg-EVEs JgEVEs, EVEs, Chuviridae Natareviridae. Natareviridae . Natareviridae) infection Hence LTRGypsy LTR Gypsy orders years

Abstract The origins of the genus Homo have been a focus of much debate in the paleoanthropological literature due to its importance in understanding the evolutionary trajectories that led to the appearance of archaic humans and our species. On the level of taxonomic classification, the controversies surrounding the origins of Homo are the result of lack of clear classification criteria that separate our genus from australopiths, given the general similarities observed between fossils ascribed to late australopiths and early Homo. The challenge in finding clear autapomorphies for Homo has even led to debates about the classification of Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis as part of our genus. These debates are further complicated by the scarcity of fossils in the timeframe of appearance of our genus, making any fossils dated to between 3.0 and 2.5 Ma of particular relevance in the context of this discussion. The Ledi-Geraru mandible is one such fossils, which has called the attention of researchers due to its combination of primitive traits seen in Australopithecus and derived traits observed in later Homo. Despite being fragmented and poorly preserved, it is one of the key fossil specimens available from the period mentioned above. species 30 3 0 3. 25 2 5 2. discussion LediGeraru Ledi Geraru preserved above