Bollettino SPI Vol. 64 (3)
Published in December 2025
Index
- Leonardi G. (2025) – INVITED PAPER – OPEN ACCESS
State-of-the-Art on the Brazilian Cretaceous non-avian Dinosaurs: Tracks and Bones
p. 469-493
doi:10.4435/BSPI.2025.27
Cretaceous dinosaur tracks and bones are widely distributed across Brazil, reflecting a variety of geological, paleogeographic, paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental contexts. This review paper provides a brief summary of these finds. Skeletal remains are predominantly referred to sauropod species, with fewer specimens belonging to theropods, while ornithischian body fossils are notably wanting. The Cretaceous dinosaur tracks found in the Brazilian syneclises and rift basins are also discussed herein. These tracks are primarily associated with theropods, but also indicate the presence of sauropods, ornithopods and ankylosaurs.
- Amane A., Bianucci G. & Zouhri S. (2025)
A delphinid mandible from the Lower Pliocene of Morocco: further fossil evidence of high dietary niche partitioning in true dolphins
p. 495-505
doi:10.4435/BSPI.2025.28
We describe a left mandible of Delphinidae (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the Lower Pliocene of the Asilah Basin, northwestern Morocco. Despite its fragmentary nature, the specimen reveals key morphological features that support affinities with extant Globicephalinae, i.e., a short mandibular symphysis; a reduced alveolar portion; and a posteroalveolar portion characterized, laterally, by a nearly straight dorsal margin and a ventral margin that sharply curves posteroventrally. However, the Asilah mandible differs from all known extant and fossil globicephalines in its unique character combination, and therefore is here referred to Globicephalinae gen. and sp. indet. pending the discovery of more complete materials. The overall morphology of the reconstructed Asilah mandibles implies a feeding strategy intermediate between suction and grasping. Therefore, this fossil seemingly provides further evidence of a Pliocene generalist delphinid lacking specialized features towards either suction or macropredation, which in turn would have evolved independently multiple times across the family. More generally, this record further supports a high disparity within Delphinidae as early as in Pliocene times, which may correlate with high dietary niche partitioning.
- Caposeno M., Carnevale G., Trubin Y., Smirnov P.V. & Marramà G. (2025)
Cartilaginous and bony fish remains from the Eocene Tavda Formation, Kostanay Region, northern Kazakhstan:
Paleoecological and paleoenvironmental significance
p. 507-515
doi:10.4435/BSPI.2025.29
The recent (2014-2019) controlled excavations carried out in the Kostanay Region of northern Kazakhstan have provided new data that contribute to the knowledge of the Eocene marine fauna from the Turgay Strait. Herein, we present a report of the cartilaginous and bony fish remains collected during campaigns carried out at two western Asian Eocene localities. The host sediments were deposited in a large epicontinental marine basin throughout the Early Paleogene, when the Turgay Strait connected the Arctic waters to the North and the Peri-Tethys to the South. The bony fish material examined is poorly preserved and is referred in this study to a variety of teleost groups, including eels (Anguilliformes), codfishes (Gadiformes), mackerels (Scombriformes) and indeterminate percomorphs, whereas the chondrichthyans are represented by lamniform sharks. This report documents one of the easternmost occurrences of these groups of fishes in the northern hemisphere during the Paleogene, providing evidence of their presence in the Turgay Strait before its closure.
- Conti C., Faraoni P., Mancini A.M., Martire L. & Negri A. (2025) – OPEN ACCESS
Unusual mass-occurrence of small, uncoiled ammonites in a Barremian black shale of the Maiolica Formation in the Umbria-Marche Basin (Central Italy)
p. 517-543
doi:10.4435/BSPI.2025.30
The unique mass occurrence of tiny heteromorph ammonites found in a single layer in the Mt. Cipollara locality of Cerreto d’Esi (Maiolica Formation, Umbria-Marche Basin, Italy) provides critical insights into the depositional environments of the upper portion of the Cretaceous Maiolica Formation. The mechanisms behind the formation and preservation of this ammonite assemblage within black shales remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used biostratigraphy and stable carbon isotopes to analyze the entire section containing the layer rich in ammonites. We then conducted a high-resolution paleoecological analysis on this specific layer. Samples were systematically collected across multiple stratigraphic layers to ensure comprehensive coverage. The focus was on documenting the morphology, abundance, and associated sedimentary structures of the ammonite assemblage. Additionally, sedimentological petrographic examinations were carried out to clarify depositional processes.
Our results reveal a diverse ammonite assemblage dominated by the Leptoceratoididae family of early Barremian age, showing relatively good preservation in a predominantly dysoxic, low-energy environment at the seafloor. Calcareous nannofossil data suggest the presence of a well-stratified water column, with a low salinity lid. The multidisciplinary analyses indicate that these black shales not only served as a repository for ammonite remains but also reflected localized paleoecological conditions characterized by reduced turbulence and increased organic deposition. This unique sedimentary and paleontological context suggests that deposition may have been influenced by regional fluctuations in climatic and oceanographic conditions. Consistent with recent literature on Leptoceratoididae, the presence of both normal coiled (oligotrophic) and heteromorphic (mesotrophic) ammonites in the assemblage suggests that the stratification of water masses favored the coexistence of both types, leading to ecological segregation and explaining the paleontological record.
- Solounias N. & Gerard S. (2025) – OPEN ACCESS
A novel examination of the preorbital fossae of Equidae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)
p. 545-561
doi:10.4435/BSPI.2025.31
The soft anatomy and skull of the extant Equus (Equidae, Mammalia) help in the understanding of the preorbital fossa (POF) of extinct Equidae. The preorbital fossae which are prevalent in the extinct species are reduced but not absent in Equus. None of the facial muscles of Equus coincide with their facial fossae. The nasolabialis muscle is situated over the shallow preorbital fossa not the levator labii superioris. The levator labii superioris is closer to the orbit; its tendon is supported by a special fascial sling of the nasolabialis. Although the preorbital fossa in the modern horse is externally shallow, it is present as folded bone within that bony fossa. It is also present internally and therefore is not lost. The tholos, the murus reticulatus and the pontis are internal structures of the paranasal sinuses of Equus and may represent parts of the original preorbital fossa. The preorbital fossae in extinct equids are probably independent of the nasolabialis and levator labii superioris muscles. They simply coincide in space and may be functionally unrelated structures. These muscles were most likely attaching on taut membranes that covered the preorbital fossae in extinct taxa. Micro CTs of Merychippus reveal that the floor of the fossa is an extremely thin bone (0.3 mm) and unlikely suitable for muscle support. The nasolacrimal duct disappears in the fossa area. Embryology of mammals supports that the fossa is the duct wide open. Rostral to the fossa, the duct is reconstituted. In other words, it is reassembled.
The fossae could contain glands or a sound-producing structure. Fossae most likely were derived from embryonic placodes. Membranes may have covered the fossae. The extinct equids were grazing less than Equus; the fossae are reduced in Equus probably because of its extreme grazing. Apparently, the maxillae are better in supporting the high force and grazing functions than the nasal capsule. In Equus, parts of the fossae are relocated in the paranasal sinuses (e.g., tholos, murus reticulatus). The internal nasal cavity of Merychippus reveals structures homologous to those observed in Equus.
- Rassegna dell’Attività Sociale – Adunanza dell’Assemblea degli Associati della Società Paleontologica Italiana (SPI), 6 giugno 2025
- Ferretti A. (2025)
A tribute to Enrico Serpagli (1936-2023) and Maurizio Gnoli (1948-2023)
p. i-xiv