Robert Weis

Musée national d'histoire naturelle de Luxembourg | MNHN · Palaeontological section

Belemnites harleyi Mayer, 1866, originally described from the Jurassic of Normandy, has encountered diverging interpretations during the last 150 years of scientific research. It has subsequently been assigned to four different genera (Belemnopsis, Aulacoteuthis, Acrocoelites and Holcobelus). The detailed study of the rostrum morphology and its inner structure allows us to attribute it to a new genus, Lissajousibelus Weis gen. nov., in honor of the French geologist Marcel Lissajous (1863-1921). Key features of the new genus are the overall depressed rostrum, short dorsolateral apical grooves, a long intermediate ventral groove with splitting surface and a shallow dorsoalveolar depression. Bed-by-bed sampling at the classic locality Feuguerolles-sur-Orne (Calvados) enables us to revise the stratigraphic position of Lissajousibelus harleyi (Mayer, 1866) as lowermost Toarcian Tenuicostatum Chronozone. Lissajousibelus Weis gen. nov. is therefore amongst the earliest belemnites with belemnopseine morphology. However, its phylogenetic relationships with younger Belemnopseina from the Aalenian-Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) remain unclear.

The systematic study of new belemnite assemblages from the Central Apennines and western Sicily revealed several new taxa for Italy. The specimens originate from Lower Jurassic sediments (Sinemurian–Toarcian), and their exact stratigraphic occurrence can be established by accompanying ammonite assemblages. The systematic analysis allows six genera of the suborder Belemnitina to be recognised (Subhastites, Passaloteuthis, Pseudohastites, Bairstowius, Cuspiteuthis, Megateuthis). The coeval occurrence of heterogeneous canaliculate belemnites (with alveolar grooves) was unexpected; their partially incomplete preservation does not allow assigning them safely to any existing genus, with the exception of a well-preserved specimen of Pachybelemnopsis sp. (with phragmocone, protoconch, and siphuncle). This represents the earliest known record of a belemnopseine belemnite. The Italian canaliculate belemnites are tentatively compared with canaliculate belemnites from the European Peri-Tethys, Japan, and New Zealand. A direct comparison is, however, hampered by the incomplete preservation of most of the herein reported specimens. The records of canaliculate belemnites in the Early Jurassic of Italy show remarkably heterogeneous rostrum morphologies, indicating an earlier diversification in belemnites than previously assumed.

The rare belemnite Rhabdobelus avena (Dumortier in Mayer, 1869) is described for the first time from Tethyan sediments of the Central Apennines (Bosso river valley) and western Sicily (Rocca Busambra). These records extend the stratigraphic occurrence of Rhabdobelus Naef, 1922 from the Upper Toarcian to the uppermost Lower Bajocian. Systematic review of the genus Rhabdobelus enables recognition of five taxa (R. avena, R. donovani, R. aff. donovani, R. exilis, R. serpulatus) and their respective phylogenetic relationships; furthermore, lectotypes are designated for R. avena, R. donovani, and R. serpulatus, and a neotype is designated for R. exilis. The distribution pattern of rhabdobelid belemnites and substantial changes in their rostrum morphology suggest adaptive radiation during the Aalenian and Early Bajocian, with a trend from European shelf environments to Tethyan hemi-pelagic habitats.

The belemnite family Holcobelidae GUSTOMESOV, 1977 is revised, based on ca. 200 rostra from recent fieldwork as well as historical museum collections. The studied specimens originate from various European localities and are dated from the Early Aalenian to the Early Bajocian (Middle Jurassic). Eight species of the genera Holcobelus STOLLEY, 1927 (including H. elmii n. sp.) and Calabribelus n. gen. (with type species C. pallinii) are described. The evolution of the morphological characters at the family level is outlined and compared with acrocoelitids (Belemnitina) and pachybelemnopseids (Pachybelemnopseina); the possible phylogenetic links between the Holcobelidae and the latter are discussed. The stratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic distribution of holcobelids is analysed in respect to morphological changes, leading to a hypothesis on different lifestyles among the investigated taxa. The peculiar distribution pattern of Holcobelidae represents a colonization event by belemnites in the northern Tethys and a distinctive belemnitid Tethyan fauna developed during the Bajocian, dominated by Pachybelemnopsis and Hibolithes.

A new belemnite species, Parapassaloteuthis francoizbreutae n. sp., is described from lower Toarcian beds (Bifrons Chronozone) of north-western France. It represents the first record of Parapassaloteuthis (Passaloteuthididae, Belemnitina) in the study area after the extinction event and faunal turnover associated with the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), affecting several passaloteuthidid belemnites. The presence of a new species ascribed to Parapassaloteuthis after the T-OAE implies suggests the survival persistence of parapassaloteuthidids specimens in refuge areas, that were only marginally affected by anoxia.

http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/g2018v40a4.pdf. The present paper deals with the systematic description of the belemnite assemblages from the Lower Jurassic, collected at the Roche Blain quarry, Fresney-le-Puceux. In spite of the reduced thickness of the succession at Fresney-le-Puceux, 13 successive ammonite chronozones could be documented in this rather unique outcrop situation in mainland Europe. Twelve genera and 26 species of belemnites belonging to the Passaloteuthididae, Hastitidae, Megateuthididae, Salpingoteuthididae, and family incertae sedis are described and illustrated herein. The stratigraphical range of the belemnites is correlated with the standard ammonite zonation, using the chronozone concept: the described specimens range from the lower Pliensbachian (Davoei Chronozone) to the uppermost Toarcian (Aalensis Chronozone) while ammonites indicate the Aalenian (Murchisonae Chronozone) to be present too, but these beds delivered no identifiable belemnites so far. The belemnite diversity from Normandy is compared to data from coeval outcrops in Western and Central Europe.

Teleosauroids were a clade of semi-marine crocodylomorphs that attained near-global distribution during the Jurassic Period. They were particularly common during the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) and are well documented throughout the UK and Germany. However, Toarcian teleosauroids discovered in Luxembourg have been little studied and rarely discussed in the scientific literature. Here we present a comprehensive catalogue of Luxembourg thalattosuchian specimens, including nine teleosauroids (all from the Toarcian) and five Thalattosuchia indeterminate (four from the Toarcian and one from the Bajocian), many of which are noted in the literature for the first time. We describe these specimens and identify two distinct genera (Steneosaurus and Platysuchus) as present in the sample as well as three, or possibly four, distinct species. This represents a high diversity of teleosauroid taxa (both common and rare forms) from the Toarcian rarely seen elsewhere in the world.

Fossil wing of Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha with peculiar venation is described from the lower Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) of Bascharage (Grand-duchy of Luxembourg). It represents new family Xulsigiidae fam. nov., comprising a new genus and species Xulsigia karetsa gen. et sp. nov. It is placed preliminarily in extinct infraorder Pincombeomorpha for the presence of three branches of median vein. Key to families of Pincombeomorpha is given and the taxonomic position and venation features of the new fossil are discussed. Family Xulsigiidae is registered in Zoobank under the http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3A57B428-638A-439A-AEC4-D18B5959B5CA Genus Xulsigia is registered in Zoobank under the http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2B255A30-5A7C-4CF8-AE77-18ED6E8E03C2

Most of the known and most-complete Early Jurassic specimens of plesiosaurians were recovered from the United Kingdom and Germany, and few specimens from that age originate from other areas in Europe. This study describes a new plesiosaurian taxon from Toarcian deposits of Luxembourg, Microcleidus melusinae , represented by the most complete skeleton ever discovered from this country. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis places Microcleidus melusinae within Microcleididae, as a sister taxon of the species previously included in the genus Microcleidus . The new specimen studied here contributes to our understanding of the palaeodiversity of Early Jurassic plesiosaurians and confirms their high degree of ‘endemism’ and low morphological disparity.

The early Middle Jurassic represents an interval of important taxonomic diversification in belemnites in the Western Tethys. Field work in the Moroccan Atlas mountains has permitted to collect numerous belemnite rostra, ranging from the uppermost Aalenian (Concavum Zone) to the lower Bajocian (Propinquans Zone). Seven species belonging to the genera Holcobelus, Calabribelus, Belemnopsis, Conobelemnopsis and?Dicoelites (all suborder Belemnopseina) are described for the first time from the Middle Atlas (area of Boulemane) and the Central High Atlas (area of Rich). The taxonomic composition of the genus Calabribelus is re-discussed in the light of the new findings, including the description of C. combemoreli sp. nov. The taxonomic analysis evidences strong affinities with Belemnopseina-dominated faunas from the French Subalpine Basin (SE France) and Calabria (South Italy). These Mediterranean assemblages strongly differ in taxonomic composition from coeval boreal belemnite faunas of NW Europe, characterized by a predominance of the suborder Belemnitina. The new records from Morocco confirm that during the late Aalenian and early Bajocian faunal segregation between Mediterranean (Tethyan domain) and Euro-Boreal (Boreal domain) assemblages is fully expressed, for the first time in the evolutionary history of belemnites. ©2017 E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany.

The early Middle Jurassic represents an interval of important taxonomic diversification in belemnites in the Western Tethys. Field work in the Moroccan Atlas mountains has permitted to collect numerous belemnite rostra, ranging from the uppermost Aalenian (Concavum Zone) to the lower Bajocian (Propinquans Zone). Seven species belonging to the generaHolcobelus, Calabribelus, Belemnopsis, Conobelemnopsis and ?Dicoelites (all suborder Belemnopseina) are described for the first time from the Middle Atlas (area of Boulemane) and the Central High Atlas (area of Rich). The taxonomic composition of the genus Calabribelus is re-discussed in the light of the new findings, including the description of C. combemoreli sp. nov. The taxonomic analysis evidences strong affinities with Belemnopseina-dominated faunas from the French Subalpine Basin (SE France) and Calabria (South Italy). These Mediterranean assemblages strongly differ in taxonomic composition from coeval boreal belemnite faunas of NW Europe, characterized by a predominance of the suborder Belemnitina. The new records from Morocco confirm that during the late Aalenian and early Bajocian faunal segregation between Mediterranean (Tethyan domain) and Euro-Boreal (Boreal domain) assemblages is fully expressed, for the first time in the evolutionary history of belemnites.

Nel, A. & Weis, R. March 2017. A new Early Jurassic damselfly from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Odonata: Campterophlebiidae). Alcheringa 00, 000–000. ISSN 0311-5518. André Nel [anel@mnhn.fr], Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB-UMR 7205—CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 50, Entomologie, F-75,005, Paris, France; Robert Weis [rweis@mnhn.lu], Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg, Section Paléontologie, 25, rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. Gallodorsettia kronzi gen. et sp. nov., the first representative of the damselfly family Campterophlebiidae from the Toarcian of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is described herein. Its closest relative is the genus Dorsettia, known from the early Lower Jurassic of UK and China. The Campterophlebiidae seem to be rare in the Early Jurassic of Western Europe, despite being one of the most diverse odonatan families at that time, especially in Asia.

The field work carried on by the Paleontological section of the National Museum for Natural History (Luxembourg) and collaborators in the ‘Couches à Sonninia’ (Bajocian, Middle Jurassic) of southern Luxembourg, during 1984 and 2010, yielded numerous well preserved ammonites. The specimens are referred to the genera Hyperlioceras, Euhoploceras, Fissilobiceras, Nannoceras, Pseuodshirbuirnia, Shirbuirnia, Emileia and are herein described for the first time from Luxembourg. As a complement to ammonites, new specimens of belemnites referred to the genera Eocylindroteuthis and Brevibelus are reported herein, with comments on their stratigraphic position. The palaeontological analysis of the ammonite assemblage provides further biostratigraphic details for the lithological units of the lower Bajocian in Luxembourg.

Major changes in the taxonomy and nomenclature of Megateuthididae Sachs et Nalnjaeva, 1967 are discussed in historical order. According to the revised data, the northern and eastern Russian megateuthidid belemnites are represented by the genera Megateuthis (Pacific coast only), Acrocoelites, Arcobelus, Odontobelus, Paramegateuthis and Rarobelus.

The belemnite genus Orthobelus Nalnjaeva, in Sachs & Nalnjaeva 1970, was revealed to be a junior homonym of the treehopper genus Orthobelus Stål, 1869 (Insecta), and it is replaced by Rarobelus Nalnjaeva nom. nov. This Early Toarcian-Early Aalenian Subarctic-Arctic genus is characterised by a marked conical shape at all stages of the ontogeny. Consequently, it does not belong to the family Passaloteuthididae Naef, 1922, as commonly supposed earlier, but is an early representative of the family Megateuthididae Sachs & Nalnjaeva, 1967. To date, three species from northern Siberia (Russia) have been described: R. gigantoides (Pavlow, 1914), R. obscurus (Nalnjaeva, in Sachs & Nalnjaeva 1970), and R. procerus (Nalnjaeva, in Sachs & Nalnjaeva 1970). In this study, we present evidence of a wider geographic distribution for R. gigantoides, i.e. from East Greenland on the west to the Omolon massif region of northeastern Russia on the east. At the end of the earliest Toarcian Dactylioceras tenuicostatum Zone, with the beginning of the Toarcian OAE, a significant extinction event affected the Passaloteuthididae and other Coleoidea in northwestern and Central Europe. While the first, but sporadic appearance of Megateuthididae occurred in the Pliensbachian, a major diversification of this megateuthidid fauna occurred from the Early Toarcian Hildoceras bifrons Zone onward both in and outside Europe. In the Arctic, this family first appeared not later than the beginning of the Early Toarcian Harpoceras falciferum Zone.

A gastropod fauna has been studied from upper Pliensbachian – upper Toarcian deposits of two sections of the Causses Basin (southern France) in order to investigate the mode of recovery after the early Toarcian anoxic event. The fauna consists of 15 species, one of which is new (Bathrotomaria kronzwilmesorum sp. nov.). Their stratigraphical distribution shows two peaks of diversity – in the Bifrons Zone (Bifrons Subzone) and in the Aalensis Zone (Mactra Subzone) – which reflect brief times during which the oxygen content and bottom consistency favoured the settlement of a relatively diversified fauna. In the Variabilis–Pseudoradiosa zones, gastropods are only represented by two species. This probably indicates more severe and unstable environmental conditions, only allowing the survival of gastropod taxa with wide adaptive capacities. The very low species diversity and the discontinuous and slow faunal recovery were probably determined by physiographic factors. The Causses area was a small basin confined by exposed lands and open towards the central part of western Tethys. Gastropods described here occur exclusively in the Toarcian – early Aalenian communities of the European epicontinental seas, whereas species from the central region of western Tethys are absent. Geographic isolation and marginal location of the Causses Basin restricted faunal exchange with the western European epicontinental seas, preventing fast recovery after the anoxic event. Gastropods of the central region of the western Tethys were probably unable to settle and colonize that area due to the strongly different environment.

A belemnite assemblage is described for the first time from the Lower Jurassic Adnet Fm. of the Austrian Alpine Tethys. Six taxa of the family Passaloteuthididae have been recognized (Coeloteuthis oravicus, C. aff. calcar, Nannobelus acutus, Passaloteuthis elongata, P. cf. laevigata, Pseudohastites carinatus). The relatively elevate number of specimens attributed to Coeloteuthis and the apparent absence of Subhastites are the most remarkable features of this assemblage. The taxonomic analysis shows a close similarity of the Glasenbach Gorge fauna with coeval assemblages of the Slovakian Klippenbelt. It provides further evidence that Early Jurassic belemnite faunas were rather uniform in generic composition in Northwest and Tethyan Europe during Late Sinemurian and Early Pliensbachian.

The anatomy and development of the tails at the posterior part of the mantle were studied in several groups of Recent and extinct coleoid cephalopods; substantial differences in their formation were revealed. Males of the Recent loliginid squid Alloteuthis spp. form their tail by increased growth of the anterior part of the gladius with simultaneous growth of the posterior mantle. As a result, the gladius rolls longitudinally in the tail forming a pseudoconus. The attenuated tail in males of the squid Lycoteuthis springeri (Lycoteuthidae) is supported from inside by the special rod-like apical vacuolated cartilage. Adults of both sexes of recent Onykia robsoni and O. robusta form a carrot-shaped flexible chitinous rostrum supporting the attenuated tail. Adults of several Jurassic belemnites formed an elongated epirostrum posterior to their orthorostrum; the structures differed in growth and microstructure. Counts of growth microincrements within the orthorostrum and epirostrum were used to date their formation and estimate the age of belemnites. The development of the long rigid tail and the corresponding shift of the fin to the middle part of the mantle streamline the body and possibly facilitate the animal's movement in the water by gliding. The analogous tail formation in several independent groups points to its adaptive nature for the development of a more mobile adult phase in species of coleoid cephalopods.

Belemnites (Belemnitida) played a major role in marine ecosystems at Jurassic and Cretaceous times. Their fossil record suggests a successful diversification already during the Early Jurassic, with a peak during the Toarcian. The aim of this study is to explore the radiation of belemnites at the scale of the western Tethys, and adjacent areas, from the Hettangian to the Aalenian. A comprehensive bibliographic research and original material study allowed obtaining a signal of species diversity and exploring, using statistics and rarefaction techniques, the potential relation between belemnites diversity and the biogeography trough the studied time interval. However, our research reveals that data for Early Jurassic belemnites are largely concentrated in Toarcian and on north-western Europe (Germany, Great Britain, Luxembourg, etc.) whereas little is known from the rest of the Europe (Causses and Quercy Basins, Provence Platform, northern Spain, etc.), and from the Mediterranean areas (Italy, Austria, Southern Spain, North Africa, etc.). In these latter areas and especially for the beginning of the Early Jurassic, data are still dramatically low, and what is known about belemnites is whether old and without any figuration or sparse. This state of facts blurs our perception of the real radiation of belemnites during the Early Jurassic. In order to increase the knowledge in these areas and periods it is necessary to acquire new data. Thus, belemnites appear to us as a rewarding group for future field research, each field campaign being able to significantly improve our knowledge of the belemnites radiation and palaeobiogeography.

Jurassic belemnites represent promising proxies especially for palaeoecological and also paleobiogeographical reconstructions. However, basic knowledge on taxonomic composition, biostratigraphy and diversity of Lower Jurassic belemnites is still dramatically low, especially for France. The present study provides new data on belemnites from the southern part of the Northwest European Province. More than 700 specimens have been collected along the Tournadous section in the Causses Basin (Southern France); they represent ten genera and 30 species belonging to Hastitidae, Megateuthididae, Passaloteuthididae and Salpingoteuthididae. Furthermore, numerous ammonites have been collected, allowing to establish a standard chronostratigraphical scheme and thus to assign, for the first time, a precise stratigraphical distribution to the Lower Jurassic belemnites of Southern France. The analysis of belemnites diversity and its variations along the section, compared to the well-known fauna of the northern part of the Northwest European province (Germany and England), opens interesting prospective for belemnite palaeobiogeography.

Belemnites (Order Belemnitida), a very successful group of Mesozoic coleoid cephalopods, dominated fossil coleoid assemblages throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous. According to the current view, the phylogenetically earliest known belemnites have been reported from the lowermost Jurassic (Hettangian) of northern Europe. The earliest belemnites are characterized by low diversity and small-sized rostra. Their distribution has until recently been assumed to be restricted to northern Europe until the Pliensbachian. Early belemnites (the Sinobelemnitidae and the Belemnitina) are now also known from the Late Triassic of China and the Hettangian–Sinemurian of Japan, and therefore from the eastern Tethys and western Paleo-Pacific oceans. It has been suggested that the distribution of belemnites became more widespread and expanded to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in the Toarcian. Here we re-describe a Sinemurian belemnite from South Tibet, which was located at the Gondwana margin at that time. The specimen is characterized by a long rostrum with one deep and long alveolar groove with a splitting surface, whose position cannot be determined as being either dorsal or ventral. This morphological feature allows an assignment of the re-described rostrum to either the Sinobelemnitidae or the Pachybelemnopseina. The Sinemurian belemnite from Tibet represents the earliest firm record of the Belemnitida from the Southern Hemisphere, suggesting that the wide distribution and diversification of this order was established much earlier than previously thought.

A Middle Oxfordian Jurassic belemnite fauna, associated with ammonites, from the Lar Formation at Rostam Kola (North Iran) is described for the first time. The specimens have been assigned to the following taxa: Hibolithes hastatus, Hibolithes aff. beyrichi, Pachybelemnopsis latesulcatus, Duvalia didayana, Duvalia monsalvensis, Rhopaloteuthis cf. argoviana and Rhopaloteuthis sauvanausa. Ammonites collected from the same belemnite bearing levels allow to refer the belemnite fauna to the Middle Oxfordian Transversarium Zone. Only a few Tethyan belemnite assemblages are recorded in the Middle Oxfordian, but it is possible to establish a close affinity with the taxa of the Mediterranean Province. The ammonites associated with the belemnites as also those from the upper levels of the section show clear Submediterranean affinities. All the ammonites known from previous and present surveys in the study area belong to the families Perisphinctidae and Ataxioceratidae. The species in new samples are Perisphinctes cf. parandieri, Perisphinctes (Subdiscosphinctes) sp. A, Orthosphinctes sp. A, Orthosphinctes sp. B, Lithacosphinctes? sp. A and Passendorferia cf. gygii. Key-words: Belemnites, Ammonites, Lar Formation, Oxfordian, East Alborz, Iran.

Early Jurassic belemnites are of particular interest to the study of the evolution of skeletal morphology in Lower Carboniferous to the uppermost Cretaceous belemnoids, because they signal the beginning of a global Jurassic–Cretaceous expansion and diversification of belemnitids. We investigated potentially relevant, to this evolutionary pattern, shell features of Sinemurian–Bajocian Nannobelus, Parapassaloteuthis, Holcobelus and Pachybelemnopsis from the Paris Basin. Our analysis of morphological, ultrastructural and chemical traits of the earliest ontogenetic stages of the shell suggests that modified embryonic shell structure of Early–Middle Jurassic belemnites was a factor in their expansion and colonization of the pelagic zone and resulted in remarkable diversification of belemnites. Innovative traits of the embryonic shell of Sinemurian–Bajocian belemnites include: (1) an inorganic–organic primordial rostrum encapsulating the protoconch and the phragmocone, its non-biomineralized component, possibly chitin, is herein detected for the first time; (2) an organic rich closing membrane which was under formation. It was yet perforated and possessed a foramen; and (3) an organic rich pro-ostracum earlier documented in an embryonic shell of Pliensbachian Passaloteuthis. The inorganic–organic primordial rostrum tightly coating the protoconch and phragmocone supposedly enhanced protection, without increase in shell weight, of the Early Jurassic belemnites against explosion in deep-water environment. This may have increased the depth and temperature ranges of hatching eggs, accelerated the adaptation of hatchlings to a nektonic mode of life and promoted increasing diversity of belemnoids. This study supports the hypothesis that belemnite hatchlings were ‘a miniature of the adults’.

Ammonites and belemnites from a Middle Jurassic section at Telma-Dareh (Alborz Mountains, northern Iran) are described. The lithology of the studied section consists of an alternation of marls and limestones attributed to the Dalichai Fm., overlying the top of the Shemshak Fm. (sandstones) and underlying the Lar Fm. (limestones). Fossils are rather abundant but concentrated in ten scattered levels, ranging from the Aalenian (Scissum-Murchisonae zones) up to the Bajocian. Ammonites (Tmetoceras scissum, Leioceras cf.comptum, Ludwigia cf. murchisonae, Onychoceras} sp., and Leptosphinctes sp.), belemnites (Brevibelus breviformis, Holcobelus cf. muniert) and bivalves are the most abundant and well-preserved fossils; accessory elements are scarce brachiopods and gastropods. The palaeobiogeographic affinities of the belemnite fauna is Subboreal-Submediterranean, whereas the ammonites have Submediterranean-Tethyan affinities. The Aalenian age of the lower part of the Dalichai Fm. at Telma-Dareh differs from the Bajocian age attributed by other authors to this formation in other localities.

Previously, the number of teudopseid coleoids that roamed the European seas during Early Toarcian times has been unclear. Re-study of a large set of teudopseid gladii from different European localities show that three species existed at that time: Teudopsis bunelii Eudes-Deslongchamps, 1835, Teudopsis bollensis Voltz, 1836 and Teudopsis subcostata (Münster, 1843). In the course of taxonomic treatments, the three taxa are re-described, a lectotype is designated for the first one, and neotypes are designated for the latter two. The most striking difference concerns the anterior shape. It is rachis-like in Teudopsis bunelii, triangular in Teudopsis bollensis, and lanceolate in Teudopsis subcostata. Although an out-group comparison is problematic, the pronounced dorsal keel is an unequivocal autapomorphy of the Teudopseina. The gladius of Teudopsis subcostata seems to possess the most ancient character combination. Phylogenetically, the trachyteuthidid lineage might have been originated from Teudopsis subcostata, whereas the palaeololiginid/muensterellid lineage evolved from Teudopsis bunelii. A close phylogenetic relationship between teudopseids and modern decabrachian as sometimes proposed is not supported.

A new vampyropod coleoid from the late Cenomanian limestones of Hâdjoula (north-west Lebanon) is described. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. is classified as a representative of the Trachyteuthididae, mainly on the basis of its general gladius morphology. It represents the fourth species of its genus and the second species of its genus recorded from Hâdjoula. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. differs from Glyphiteuthis libanotica in having a more slender gladius. Additionally, the arms are considerably longer in Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. than in Glyphiteuthis libanotica. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A new vampyropod coleoid from the late Cenomanian limestones of Hâdjoula (north-west Lebanon) is described. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. is classified as a representative of the Trachyteuthididae, mainly on the basis of its general gladius morphology. It represents the fourth species of its genus and the second species of its genus recorded from Hâdjoula. Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. differs from Glyphiteuthis libanotica in having a more slender gladius. Additionally, the arms are considerably longer in Glyphiteuthis abisaadiorum n. sp. than in Glyphiteuthis libanotica. doi:10.1002/mmng.200900005

  Three previously unknown octopods are described from Upper Cenomanian limestones of the Hâqel and Hâdjoula localities (Lebanon). Keuppia levante gen. nov., sp. nov., Keuppia hyperbolaris gen. nov,. sp. nov. and Styletoctopus annae gen. nov, . sp. nov. are regarded as the earliest representatives of the Octopoda (= Incirrata). This assumption is mainly based on their medially isolated bipartite gladius vestige. As can be inferred from growth increments, Keuppia gen. nov. can be distinguished from the genus Palaeoctopus by blades that grow forwards along their longitudinal axis. The gladius vestige of Keuppia hyperbolaris sp. nov. differs from that of Keuppia levante sp. nov. in having a more heterogeneous course of growth lines. Based on a pair of widely separated stylets, which closely resemble the rods of modern octopods, Styletoctopus annae gen. nov., sp. nov. is assigned to the Recent family Octopodidae. Peculiar encrustations, which are situated in close association with the gladius vestiges of Keuppia levante sp. nov., Keuppia hyperbolaris sp. nov., and Styletoctopus annae sp. nov. are interpreted as basal fin cartilages. The gladius vestige morphology of Keuppia hyperbolaris sp. nov. and Keuppia levante sp. nov. opens the possibility that both the Octopda and the Cirroctopoda originated from loligosepiid vampyropods instead of teudopseid. The surprising existence of a stylet-like gladius vestige in Styletoctopus annae sp. nov. suggests that the octopod clade branched off much earlier than previously believed. Octopod apomorphies such as the development of stylets, loss of fins and cirri must have been occurred before the Cenomanian.

Previous reports of belemnite faunas composed by Holcobelus and associated Pachybelemnopseina in the European Middle Jurassic generally lack precise biostratigraphic information. Recent field research in Luxembourg, Italy (Calabria) and France (Normandy and Haute-Provence) showed that Holcobelus appeared and flourished in the Aalenian (Murchisonae and Concavum Zones), but disappeared in the early Bajocian (Discites Zone, Propinquans Zone for Normandy) with the sudden rise of Pachybelemnopsis. The analysis of new data compared to previous publications suggests a peculiar and formerly unrecognized distribution pattern for Holcobelus in the European Boreal-Atlantic area and the peri-mediterranean northern margin of the Tethys Ocean. The faunal associations at the Aalenian-Bajocian boundary (Murchisonae-Propinquans Zones) show strong submediterranean affinities in southern and south-eastern Europe (SE France, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania), while a clear subboreal compositional pattern is observed in NW Europe (Luxembourg, NE France, Germany, N Switzerland). The submediterranean fauna is dominated by Pachybelemnopseina (Holcobelus ssp., Pachybelemnopsis and Hibolithes), meanwhile the subboreal fauna is characterised by Belemnitina (Brevibelus, Megateuthis, Eocylindroteuthis, Homaloteuthis) and the absence of Holcobelus with the exception of a single migrant species, Holcobelus blainvillii. Both faunas mingled in the western Anglo-Paris and the Aquitaine basins (SW England, NW France) where Belemnitina and Pachybelemnopseina are equally well represented.

Until today, gladii of loligosepiid vampyropods have been difficult to distinguished owing to their fragmentary state of preservation. Re-study of a large set of loligosepiids from different Lower Jurassic localities has shown that the preservation of growth lines is sufficient to provide an unambiguous determination. Especially the course of growth lines within the hyperbolar zone is a highly characteristic feature. Members of the Loligosepiidae (Loligosepia, Jeletzkyteuthis) display a deeply concave (V-shaped) hyperbolar zone. Members of the Geopeltidae, on the other hand, show weakly concave (Parabelopeltis), or even straightened (Geopeltis) growth lines. Gladii of Loligosepia can be distinguished from Jeletzkyteuthis by the transition lateral field/hyperbolar zone. The genus Loligosepia is characterised by abrupt backwards bent growth lines forming an elongated spine-like projection, whereas the transition is more arcuated in Jeletzkyteuthis. According to the present results, Loligosepia aalensis, Loligosepia bucklandi, Jeletzkyteuthis coriaceus, Geopeltis simplex, and Parabelopeltis flexuosa are re-described. In the course of taxonomic treatment, a lectotype of Jeletzkyteuthis coriaceus is designated and the morphologic independence of Parabelopeltis flexuosa reaffirmed. As can be inferred from the course of growth lines, Parabelopeltis and Geopeltis, members of the Geopeltidae, seems to be phylogenetically closest to Recent Vampyroteuthis infernalis.

The Aalenian-Bajocian boundary marks a crucial point in the diversification of belemnite faunas. During the Early Jurassic, belemnite assemblages had similar composition all across Europe. Diversification took place during the Late Aalenian. Despite the widespread occurrence of faunas, Aalenian belemnite assemblages are still poorly known in Europe. Recent collecting undertaken by the Luxembourg Natural History Museum proved that the Upper Aalenian and Lower Bajocian outcrops in southern Luxembourg are exceptionally rich in well-preserved invertebrate faunas, especially belemnites. The Hutberg site near Rumelange yielded a formerly misunderstood form which is described here as Homaloteuthis muriel n.sp. The new species had previously been identified as Homaloteuthis spinata, a taxon which is redefined here based on a study of original material from the type locality in Germany. The studied rostra come from a well-defined stratigraphic range (Aalenian Murchisonae Zone to Bajocian Humphriesianum Zone) and are ascribed to the following species: Eocylindroteuthis corneliaschmittae, Eocylindroteuthis trautscholdi, Brevibelus breviformis, Brevibelus gingensis, Homaloteuthis muriel n.sp., Homaloteuthis cf spinata, Megateuthis elliptica, Megateuthis suevica, Mesoteuthis cf. beneckei, Holcobelus blainvillii, Hibolithes wuerttembergicus Pachybelemnopsis roettingensis, Pachybelemnopsis baculiformis. The abundance of Megateuthididae at the Aalenian-Bajocian boundary is characteristic of north western Europe, with the exception of Normandy, whilst the south eastern European province is characterised by Pachybelemnopsis, Holcobelus, Hibolithes associated with rare Megateuthis and Brevibelus. To complete the overview, in addition to the Luxembourgian specimens, comparative Aalenian and Bajocian material from nearby Germany has been examined and figurated.

A belemnite fauna was collected in Southern Italy from hemipelagic marls (Sant’Onofrio formation) of Aalenian-Early Bajocian age. This is part of the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Caloveto Group succession, cropping out near the village of Caloveto (Calabria, Sila Mts., southern Italy). The cephalopod assemblage was analyzed for systematics and biostratigraphy, and for highlighting its palaeobiogeographic significance. Age assignments were constrained through cross-check with ammonite assemblages (Tmetoceras scissum, Ancolioceras opalinoides, Erycites fallifax, Erycites intermedius, Docidoceras sp.) found in the belemnite-bearing levels. The belemnite fauna is mainly composed of taxa ascribed to the genus Holcobelus (Early Aalenian-Middle Bajocian). This genus is characterized by an apical groove extending from the apex almost reaching the alveolar region. Although the species Holcobelus trauthi, Holcobelus subblainvillei, Holcobelus munieri, Holcobelus tetramerus and Holcobelus tschegemensis are present, the majority of the specimens cannot be identified as belonging to Holcobelus since their feature set also includes a very short apical region, a long and wide ventral groove, and a post alveolar compression. These characters are found separately in belemnites belonging to different families (Megateuthididae and Pachybelemnopseidae). For this reason we maintain an open nomenclature (Belemnitida incertae sedis) for these specimens, for which more systematic work is needed. Besides Holcobelus and allied forms, the following taxa were also identified: Megateuthis sp., Brevibelus breviformis, Pachybelemnopsis baculiformis, Hibolithes wuerttembergicus and Hibolithes sp. This fauna has close affinities to faunas from Romania, Bulgaria, France, southern Germany, Luxembourg, England and Caucasus.

Belemnites s. str. (Belemnitida) appeared in Europe not earlier than the basal Lower Jurassic with the earliest representatives of the suborder Belemnitina. These ancestral forms, present in the Hettangian of Germany, Northern Ireland and Belgium are so rare that every single specimen may shed new light on the dawn of the first true belemnites. Recent field research by the authors in the Hettangian of Belgium and Luxembourg yielded some isolated rostra assignable to the Passaloteuthididae (Schwegleria) and the Hastitidae (aff. Subhastites) as well as coleoid armhooks. This new material shows a formerly unrecognized heterogeneity of morphological features in early belemnites. Though the records are isolated, two lineages can be hypothesized in the Hettangian and Sinemurian Belemnitina: the Passaloteuthididae and the Hastitidae, both present as soon as the liasicus Zone. However, more complete and stratigraphically well set material is needed in order to confirm this working hypothesis.

The natural history museum of Luxembourg preserves a regionally important collection of fossils relevant to the study of different fossil groups of the Lower Lias. The ammonites from both the marl/limestone and the sandstone-facies, allow biostratigraphic conclusions for the Hettangian in the Grand-duchy. The study of gastropods, belemnites and ophiuroids indicates faunal changes at the Triassic/Jurassic transition.