In 1976 John Ostrom published an enlightening paper about the anatomical transformations in shoulder girdle and forelimb elements along origin of birds. Most his ideas were based on comparing Archaeopteryx lithographica with extant New World vulture Cathartes aura . offered innovative range movements function wing basal bird Further, he explored that may have occurred at early stages evolution ...

The operculum and stapes footplate, the two moveable elements within the oval window of the frog, have been thought to function independently. In this study, laser interferometry was used to record the vibrations of both structures in response to free-field airborne sound. Contrary to expectation, the operculum appears to be coupled to the footplate. Coupling is achieved both by means of ligame...

Synodus pacificus sp. nov., a new species of lizardfish, is described based on specimens collected in the western Pacific Ocean. It belongs to a species group with needle-like posterior processes of the pelvic girdle and differs from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: 4 upside-down omega-shaped marks on the lateral body; black patches on the nape and opercular regi...

The Atlantic mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus, is an amphibious fish that successfully overcomes the numerous physical challenges of capturing prey in a terrestrial environment. However, it is unclear what changes in the morphology and function of the feeding apparatus contribute to the mudskipper's successful transition from aquatic to terrestrial capture of prey. In particular, how does th...

A new avian species is described from the early Eocene Messel fossil site in Germany. Eopachypteryx praeterita, gen. et sp. nov. is a small bird and exhibits a characteristic morphology with a short and robust beak, a distinctively shaped coracoid, stout humerus, robust pectoral girdle skeleton, and short hindlimbs. Although similarities to the Paleogene Eocuculus as well as to some extant tell...