Papers by Jordi Garcia Marsà
Background. The Late Cretaceous is a keystone period to understand the origin and
early radiation... more Background. The Late Cretaceous is a keystone period to understand the origin and
early radiation of Crocodylia, the group containing all extant lineages of crocodilians.
Among the taxa described from the latest Cretaceous of Europe, the genus
Allodaposuchus is one of the most common but also one of the most controversial.
However, because of its fragmentary record, several issues regarding its phylogenetic
emplacement and its ecology remain unsolved or unknown. The discovery of a single
specimen attributed to Allodaposuchus, represented by both cranial and postcranial
remains, from the Casa Faba site (Tremp Basin, NE Spain) in the lower red unit of `
the Tremp Fm. (early Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous) offers a unique opportunity to
deepen in the phylogenetic relationships of the group and its ecological features.
Methods. The specimen is described in detail, and CT scan of the skull is performed
in order to study the endocranial morphology as well as paratympanic sinuses
configuration. In addition, myological and phylogenetic analyses are also carried out
on the specimen for to shed light in ecological and phylogenetic issues, respectively.
Results. The specimen described herein represents a new species, Allodaposuchus
hulki sp. nov., closely related to the Romanian A. precedens. The CT scan of the skull
revealed an unexpected paratympanic sinuses configuration. Allosaposuchus hulki
exhibits an “anterodorsal tympanic sinus” not observed in any other extant or extinct
crocodilian. The caudal tympanic recesses are extremely enlarged, and the expanded
quadratic sinus seems to be connected to the middle-ear channel. Phylogenetic
analyses confirm the emplacement of the informal taxonomic group ‘Allodaposuchia’
at the base of Crocodylia, being considered the sister group of Borealosuchus and
Planocraniidae.
Discussion. Although this is a preliminary hypothesis, the unique paratympanic
configuration displayed by A. hulki suggests that it could possess a high-specialized
auditory system. Further, the large cranial cavities could help to reduce the weight
of the cranium. Concerning the postcranial skeleton, Allodaposuchus hulki shows
massive and robust vertebrae and forelimb bones, suggesting it could have a bulky body. The myological study performed on the anterior limb elements supports this
interpretation. In addition, several bone and muscular features seem to point at a
semi-erected position of the forelimbs during terrestrial locomotion. Taking all the
above results into consideration, it seems plausible to suggest that A. hulki could
conduct large incursions out of the water and have a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.
ENG: Paleohistological study and ontogenetic series of skeletal remains of four different sirenia... more ENG: Paleohistological study and ontogenetic series of skeletal remains of four different sirenians of the Torreforta's paleontological site (Tarragona), from the middle Miocene. // CAT: Estudi paleohistològic i sèrie ontogènica de restes òssies de quatre individus diferents de sirenis provinents del jaciment paleontològic de Torreforta (Tarragona), del Miocè mitjà. // ESP: Estudio paleohistológico y serie ontogénica de restos óseos de cuatro diferentes individuos de sirenios provenientes del yacimiento paleontológico de Torreforta (Tarragona), del Mioceno medio.
We describe a new location of Psammodromus edwardsianus in the Aragon southern area. / Se describ... more We describe a new location of Psammodromus edwardsianus in the Aragon southern area. / Se describe una nueva localidad para Psammodromus edwardsianus en el sur de Aragón. / Es descriu una nova localitat per a Psammodromus edwardsianus al sud d'Aragó.
We describe the finding of a juvenile melanin Hemorrhois hippocrepis in the island of Ibiza. / Es... more We describe the finding of a juvenile melanin Hemorrhois hippocrepis in the island of Ibiza. / Es descriu la troballa d’un exemplar juvenil melànic d’Hemorrhois hippocrepis a l’illa d’Eivissa. / Se describe el hallazgo de un ejemplar melánico juvenil de Hemorrhois hippocrepis en la isla de Ibiza.
Clapir, Joves Historiadors Valencians by Jordi Garcia Marsà
Clapir, Joves Historiadors Valencians, Jun 15, 2015
ENG: The "Dragon of the Patriarch" is one of the most unique elements of the popular culture of V... more ENG: The "Dragon of the Patriarch" is one of the most unique elements of the popular culture of Valencia city. This paper analyzes its historical origins in South America of the Hispanic viceroys and the legends that have formed around it after its arrival at Valencia.
El "Dragó del Patriarca" és un dels elements més singulars de la cultura popular de la Ciutat de València. En aquest article analitzem el seu origen històric a l’Amèrica del Sud dels virreis hispànics així com les llegendes que s’han format al seu voltant després de la seua arribada al Cap i Casal.
Books by Jordi Garcia Marsà
Papers & Abstracts by Jordi Garcia Marsà
Montaña de Timbaiba is a paleontological site from the latest Middle Pleistocene period to early ... more Montaña de Timbaiba is a paleontological site from the latest Middle Pleistocene period to early Late Pleistocene transition, located inside a volcano on the west coast of the Lanzarote. Its most significant feature is the relative dominance of Puffinus holeae, an extinct shearwater (Aves: Procellariidae), and the presence in this assemblage of Calonectris diomedea, an extant species of the same family. The site has been interpreted as a possible breeding and nesting place of these shearwaters (Bisbal-Chinesta et al., 2015).
The vertebrate fossil record of Montaña de Timbaiba is completed by the murid rodent Malpaisomys insularis, represented by a mandibular fragment with complete dentary and the distinctive mixture of primitive and derived characters of the species, specially its partial stephanodonty. An analogous assemblage of Malpaisomys insularis and shearwaters from the Late Pleistocene dunes of Península de Jandía (Fuerteventura island) was published (Michaux et al., 1991).
The stratigraphic sequence of the site is characterized by the continued appearance of locust egg pods, especially in its two major paleosols of African dust, with a significant decline in abundance in the intermediate level of aeolian sands.
The massive presence of locust infestations in the
Canary Archipelago has been associated with the end of intense cold periods and the beginning of strong arid–sub-humid oscillations during the Quaternary (Meco et al., 2011).
A small percentage of locust eggs presents taphonomic evidence of predation, that consist of small perforations made from the outside, sometimes with another conserved secondary hole. These marks are similar to those produced by other groups of invertebrates that prey on the eggs of Orthoptera: some species of flies and beetles deposit their eggs in the soil near locust ootechae, which enables the immatures to easily find locust eggs to consume them and fulfill their larval development.
To sum up, a locality with an interesting faunal association that is expected in the future be the result of a new prospecting and deeper studies, not only taxonomically, but also paleoecologically.
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Papers by Jordi Garcia Marsà
early radiation of Crocodylia, the group containing all extant lineages of crocodilians.
Among the taxa described from the latest Cretaceous of Europe, the genus
Allodaposuchus is one of the most common but also one of the most controversial.
However, because of its fragmentary record, several issues regarding its phylogenetic
emplacement and its ecology remain unsolved or unknown. The discovery of a single
specimen attributed to Allodaposuchus, represented by both cranial and postcranial
remains, from the Casa Faba site (Tremp Basin, NE Spain) in the lower red unit of `
the Tremp Fm. (early Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous) offers a unique opportunity to
deepen in the phylogenetic relationships of the group and its ecological features.
Methods. The specimen is described in detail, and CT scan of the skull is performed
in order to study the endocranial morphology as well as paratympanic sinuses
configuration. In addition, myological and phylogenetic analyses are also carried out
on the specimen for to shed light in ecological and phylogenetic issues, respectively.
Results. The specimen described herein represents a new species, Allodaposuchus
hulki sp. nov., closely related to the Romanian A. precedens. The CT scan of the skull
revealed an unexpected paratympanic sinuses configuration. Allosaposuchus hulki
exhibits an “anterodorsal tympanic sinus” not observed in any other extant or extinct
crocodilian. The caudal tympanic recesses are extremely enlarged, and the expanded
quadratic sinus seems to be connected to the middle-ear channel. Phylogenetic
analyses confirm the emplacement of the informal taxonomic group ‘Allodaposuchia’
at the base of Crocodylia, being considered the sister group of Borealosuchus and
Planocraniidae.
Discussion. Although this is a preliminary hypothesis, the unique paratympanic
configuration displayed by A. hulki suggests that it could possess a high-specialized
auditory system. Further, the large cranial cavities could help to reduce the weight
of the cranium. Concerning the postcranial skeleton, Allodaposuchus hulki shows
massive and robust vertebrae and forelimb bones, suggesting it could have a bulky body. The myological study performed on the anterior limb elements supports this
interpretation. In addition, several bone and muscular features seem to point at a
semi-erected position of the forelimbs during terrestrial locomotion. Taking all the
above results into consideration, it seems plausible to suggest that A. hulki could
conduct large incursions out of the water and have a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.
Clapir, Joves Historiadors Valencians by Jordi Garcia Marsà
El "Dragó del Patriarca" és un dels elements més singulars de la cultura popular de la Ciutat de València. En aquest article analitzem el seu origen històric a l’Amèrica del Sud dels virreis hispànics així com les llegendes que s’han format al seu voltant després de la seua arribada al Cap i Casal.
Books by Jordi Garcia Marsà
Papers & Abstracts by Jordi Garcia Marsà
The vertebrate fossil record of Montaña de Timbaiba is completed by the murid rodent Malpaisomys insularis, represented by a mandibular fragment with complete dentary and the distinctive mixture of primitive and derived characters of the species, specially its partial stephanodonty. An analogous assemblage of Malpaisomys insularis and shearwaters from the Late Pleistocene dunes of Península de Jandía (Fuerteventura island) was published (Michaux et al., 1991).
The stratigraphic sequence of the site is characterized by the continued appearance of locust egg pods, especially in its two major paleosols of African dust, with a significant decline in abundance in the intermediate level of aeolian sands.
The massive presence of locust infestations in the
Canary Archipelago has been associated with the end of intense cold periods and the beginning of strong arid–sub-humid oscillations during the Quaternary (Meco et al., 2011).
A small percentage of locust eggs presents taphonomic evidence of predation, that consist of small perforations made from the outside, sometimes with another conserved secondary hole. These marks are similar to those produced by other groups of invertebrates that prey on the eggs of Orthoptera: some species of flies and beetles deposit their eggs in the soil near locust ootechae, which enables the immatures to easily find locust eggs to consume them and fulfill their larval development.
To sum up, a locality with an interesting faunal association that is expected in the future be the result of a new prospecting and deeper studies, not only taxonomically, but also paleoecologically.
early radiation of Crocodylia, the group containing all extant lineages of crocodilians.
Among the taxa described from the latest Cretaceous of Europe, the genus
Allodaposuchus is one of the most common but also one of the most controversial.
However, because of its fragmentary record, several issues regarding its phylogenetic
emplacement and its ecology remain unsolved or unknown. The discovery of a single
specimen attributed to Allodaposuchus, represented by both cranial and postcranial
remains, from the Casa Faba site (Tremp Basin, NE Spain) in the lower red unit of `
the Tremp Fm. (early Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous) offers a unique opportunity to
deepen in the phylogenetic relationships of the group and its ecological features.
Methods. The specimen is described in detail, and CT scan of the skull is performed
in order to study the endocranial morphology as well as paratympanic sinuses
configuration. In addition, myological and phylogenetic analyses are also carried out
on the specimen for to shed light in ecological and phylogenetic issues, respectively.
Results. The specimen described herein represents a new species, Allodaposuchus
hulki sp. nov., closely related to the Romanian A. precedens. The CT scan of the skull
revealed an unexpected paratympanic sinuses configuration. Allosaposuchus hulki
exhibits an “anterodorsal tympanic sinus” not observed in any other extant or extinct
crocodilian. The caudal tympanic recesses are extremely enlarged, and the expanded
quadratic sinus seems to be connected to the middle-ear channel. Phylogenetic
analyses confirm the emplacement of the informal taxonomic group ‘Allodaposuchia’
at the base of Crocodylia, being considered the sister group of Borealosuchus and
Planocraniidae.
Discussion. Although this is a preliminary hypothesis, the unique paratympanic
configuration displayed by A. hulki suggests that it could possess a high-specialized
auditory system. Further, the large cranial cavities could help to reduce the weight
of the cranium. Concerning the postcranial skeleton, Allodaposuchus hulki shows
massive and robust vertebrae and forelimb bones, suggesting it could have a bulky body. The myological study performed on the anterior limb elements supports this
interpretation. In addition, several bone and muscular features seem to point at a
semi-erected position of the forelimbs during terrestrial locomotion. Taking all the
above results into consideration, it seems plausible to suggest that A. hulki could
conduct large incursions out of the water and have a semi-terrestrial lifestyle.
El "Dragó del Patriarca" és un dels elements més singulars de la cultura popular de la Ciutat de València. En aquest article analitzem el seu origen històric a l’Amèrica del Sud dels virreis hispànics així com les llegendes que s’han format al seu voltant després de la seua arribada al Cap i Casal.
The vertebrate fossil record of Montaña de Timbaiba is completed by the murid rodent Malpaisomys insularis, represented by a mandibular fragment with complete dentary and the distinctive mixture of primitive and derived characters of the species, specially its partial stephanodonty. An analogous assemblage of Malpaisomys insularis and shearwaters from the Late Pleistocene dunes of Península de Jandía (Fuerteventura island) was published (Michaux et al., 1991).
The stratigraphic sequence of the site is characterized by the continued appearance of locust egg pods, especially in its two major paleosols of African dust, with a significant decline in abundance in the intermediate level of aeolian sands.
The massive presence of locust infestations in the
Canary Archipelago has been associated with the end of intense cold periods and the beginning of strong arid–sub-humid oscillations during the Quaternary (Meco et al., 2011).
A small percentage of locust eggs presents taphonomic evidence of predation, that consist of small perforations made from the outside, sometimes with another conserved secondary hole. These marks are similar to those produced by other groups of invertebrates that prey on the eggs of Orthoptera: some species of flies and beetles deposit their eggs in the soil near locust ootechae, which enables the immatures to easily find locust eggs to consume them and fulfill their larval development.
To sum up, a locality with an interesting faunal association that is expected in the future be the result of a new prospecting and deeper studies, not only taxonomically, but also paleoecologically.