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A conger eel (Anguilliformes, Congridae) is described from the lower Lutetian concretionary nodules of the Lillebælt Clay Formation exposed at Trelde Næs, eastern Jutland, based on two partially complete articulated cranial skeletons. One of the cranial specimens exhibits an otolith void from which a cast was taken, used by Schwarzhans (2007) to describe the extinct Pseudoxenomystax treldeensis, which is placed herein within the new genus Smithconger gen. nov. Smithconger treldeensis (Schwarzhans, 2007) is characterized by well-developed lateral processes on the frontals, supraoccipital crest absent, sphenotic spine rather large, anteriorly pointed and exposed on the flattened surface of the skull roof, otic bullae considerably reduced, maxilla almost straight and distally pointed, maxillary and dentary teeth numerous and arranged in multiple rows, dentary with slightly convex ventral profile, opercle with smooth posterior margin and subopercle short. The otoliths of Smithconger treldeensis show high dorsal rim, broad and deep dorsal depression, no ventral furrow, sulcus straight, shallow, centrally positioned with anteriorly reduced colliculum, and ostial channel at anterior tip of colliculum short, not reaching the predorsal rim. The otolith-based species Bathycongrus waihaoensis Schwarzhans, 2019 from the Kaiatan (Bartonian/Priabonian) of New Zealand is also assigned to the genus Smithconger. Smithconger is tentatively referred to the congrid subfamily Congrinae due to the lack of hypohyals in the hyoid bar. This new Eocene genus of conger eel shows a certain degree of similarity with the extant Bassanago. The diversity and relationships of other Eocene congrids is also briefly discussed.

The carbon stable isotope composition (δ13C) of tooth enamel in mosasaurid squamates reflects aspects of their diet and diving behaviour. Here we present new δ13C data for such marine squamates from the Maastrichtian of Denmark and compare these with results obtained in previous studies from the lower-latitude type area of the Maastrichtian Stage (latest Cretaceous; 72.1–66.0 Ma) in the south-east Netherlands and north-east Belgium. For the Danish samples, there is a weak correlation between mosasaur body size and δ13C values, with larger-sized taxa having lower δ13C values, comparable to what has previously been observed for mosasaurs from the Maastrichtian type area.

Resumen La educacion cientifica autentica ha recibido una mayor atencion en los ultimos anos, pero aun no esta claro en que consiste la autenticidad. Aqui, utilizamos conceptos de la Teoria Antropologica de lo Didactico para acercarnos a la autenticidad. Tomamos como punto de partida un programa de educacion de un museo y lo analizamos para determinar en que constituye su autenticidad. A continuacion, utilizamos la Teoria de Situaciones Didacticas para construir un modelo de referencia que constituye una version optimizada con respecto a la autenticidad del programa. Tambien se discuten brevemente las implicaciones de nuestros resultados. Abstract Authentic science education has received increased attention in recent years, but it remains unclear what constitutes authenticity. Here, we use notions from the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic to approach authenticity. We take a point of departure in an existing education programme in a museum, and analyse it to pinpoint what constitutes its authenticity. We then use the theory of didactical situations as a way to construct a reference model; this reference model constitutes an authenticity-optimised version of the programme. We conclude by briefly discussing the implications of our findings.

Lithornis vulturinus Owen, 1840 1891. Proherodius oweni Lydekker, p. 363 (in part). 1977. Parvigyps praecox Harrison & Walker, p. 31 (in part). 1977. Pediorallus barbarae Harrison & Walker, p. 36. 1977. Promusophaga magnifica Harrison & Walker, p. 40. 1984. Pediorallus nasi Harrison, pp 19���21. NEW SYNONYMY 1988. Lithornis nasi (Harrison): Houde, p. 31. NEW SYNONYMY Neotype: NHMUK A 5204, partial skeleton. Neotype locality and horizon: London Clay Formation, England; Ypresian, Early Eocene. Referred material from the Early Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay Formation of England: NHMUK 33138, fragment of sternum and ribs embedded in a clay nodule plus proximal end of left humerus; NHMUK 38933, synsacrum; NHMUK 38934, imperfect sternum embedded in a clay nodule; NHMUK 38935, imperfect wing bones and vertebrae embedded in a clay nodule; NHMUK A 225, two casts of right tarsometatarsus; NHMUK A 3681, proximal part of right tarsometatarsus; NHMUK A 4270, distal end of right femur; NHMUK A 5278, distal end of left femur; NHMUK A 5279, damaged proximal part of right tarsometatarsus; NHMUK A 5195, proximal end of left tarsometatarsus; NHMUK A 5197, proximal part of left tarsometatarsus; NHMUK A 5198, distal part of left tibiotarsus; NHMUK A 5199, distal part of left tibiotarsus; NHMUK A 5200, two vertebrae thoracicae, left caput humeri, proximal end of right ulna, distal end of right femur and distal end of right tibiotarsus; NHMUK A 5201, distal end of right tibiotarsus; NHMUK A 5455, imperfect skeleton, dissociated elements (could not be located). Referred material from the Early Eocene (Ypresian) Fur Formation of Denmark: MGUH 26770, articulated skeleton. Newly referred material: NHMUK A 5425, imperfect skeleton, dissociated elements, London Clay Formation, England, Ypresian, Early Eocene; NHMUK A 6115, imperfect skull, damaged proximal end of right humerus and sternal fragment embedded in a clay nodule, London Clay Formation, England, Ypresian, Early Eocene; MGUH 1285, distal part of left humerus, ��lst Formation, Denmark, latest Paleocene���earliest Eocene; DK 23, subcomplete left humerus, Fur Formation, Denmark, Ypresian, Early Eocene. Tentatively referred material. PU 23482 and UM 73103, Early Eocene Willwood Formation. Differential diagnosis. Lithornis vulturinus differs from other species of Lithornis in the following combination of features: processus orbitalis of os lacrimale fused to os ectethmoidale only at the tip; small caudal process on os palatinum similar to that found in some tinamous; pterygoid fossa small and shallow; corpus scapulae slender and poorly curved; humerus, presence of shallow oblique groove extending from distal part of crista bicipitalis to dorsal margin of sulcus transversus; ala postacetabularis ilii only slightly sloping ventrally; crista iliaca dorsolateralis lacking marked convexity above foramen acetabuli; wide spatium ischiopubicum and large foramen obturatum. L. vulturinus differs from L. plebius in the presence of small depression on the processus zygomaticus. L. vulturinus differs from L. celetius in the shorter processus orbitalis of os quadratum. L. vulturinus differs from L. promiscuus in the following features: smaller size; shallower fossa temporalis; smaller condylus occipitalis; lateral groove of mandibula shallow and in dorsal position. Remarks. The holotype of Lithornis vulturinus Owen, 1840 was lost in the Second World War (Houde 1988). Consequently, Houde (1988) erected NHMUK A 5204 as a neotype of L. vulturinus (see discussion below). Therefore, our comparisons are mostly based on NHMUK A 5204, which is the most complete specimen available from the type formation. Aside Lithornis vulturinus Owen, 1840, three other species are currently included in the genus Lithornis: L. celetius Houde, 1988 (Late Paleocene Fort Union and Polecat Bench Formations), L. promiscuus Houde, 1988 (Early Eocene Willwood Formation) and L. plebius Houde, 1988 (Early Eocene Willwood Formation). L. nasi (Harrison, 1984) from the Early Eocene London Clay Formation is regarded here as a junior synonym of L. vulturinus (see discussion). Another species from the Early Eocene London Clay,? Lithornis hookeri (Harrison, 1984), is only tentatively referred to the genus Lithornis by Houde (1988). Measurements of MGUH 26770 in mm (E, estimated measurements). Skull length (L) as preserved, 69.1; distance between foramen venae occipitalis externae and tip of processus paroccipitalis, 13.0; width (W) at medial edge of processus paroccipitalis, 10.8; L of lamina parasphenoidalis, 9.4; distance between tips of processus basipterygoidei, 10.5 E; distance between tip of processus zygomaticus and tip of processus postorbitalis, 9.5; height (H) of os lacrimale (distance from tip of processus supraorbitalis to tip of processus orbitalis), 11.5; mandibula, maximum W of fossa caudalis, 7.4. Atlas: L of corpus vertebrae (cv), 2.5. Axis: L of cv (from facies articularis cranialis to facies articularis caudalis), 5.6. C 3: L of cv, 4.7; W at processus transversi (prt), 6.3; C 4: L of cv, 6.0; W at prt, 7.1; C 5: L of cv, 7.6; W at prt, 8.0; C 6: L of cv, 8.7; C 7: L of cv, 9.8; W at prt, 9.5; C 8: L of cv, 9.3; W at prt, 9.8; C 9: L of cv, 9.6; W at prt, 9.9; C 10: L of cv, 10.0; W at prt, 10.3; C 11: L from zygapophysis cranialis (zcr) to zygapophysis caudalis (zca), 11.2; C 12: L from zcr to zca, 10.8; C 13: L from zcr to zca, 10.7; C 14: L from zcr to zca, 11.0; C 15: L of base of processus spinosus (psp), 2.7; L from zcr to zca, 11.0; T 1: L of base of psp, 4.2; L from zcr to zca, 11.0; T 2: L of base of psp, 5.6; L from zcr to zca, 11.2;T 3: L of cv, 9.7; L of base of psp, 7.3; L from zcr to zca, 11.7; T 4: L of cv, 10.7; L of base of psp, 7.8; L from zcr to zca, 12.3; T 5: L of base of psp, 6.9; L from zcr to zca, 12.0; T 6: L of cv, 10.4; L of base of psp, 6.3; L from zcr to zca, 11.8; T 7: L of cv, 10.1; L of base of psp, 5.5; L from zcr to zca, 11.2; T 8: L of cv, 9.8. L of base of psp, 4.5; L from zcr to zca, 10.3; Synsacrum, L as preserved, 46.4; maximal W of synsacrum, 18.5. Length of right (R) scapula, 67.0; R scapula, W of extremitas cranialis, 9.0; R coracoideum, distance from processus acrococaroideus to lateral end of facies articularis sternalis, 38.0; left (Lf) humerus, distance between extremitas distalis and proximal end of impressio musculi pectoralis, 70.1; R humerus, distance between proximal end of impressio musculi pectoralis and proximal end of caput humeri, 12.0; estimated L of humerus based on the last two measurements, 82.0; R humerus, distance between caput and distal end of crista deltopectoralis, 28.0E; R humerus, W of extremitas proximalis (from crista deltopectoralis to crista bicipitalis), 18.2; R Humerus, W from tuberculum dorsale to crista bicipitalis, 16.0E; Lf humerus, L of crista deltopectoralis, 24.0E; Lf humerus, W of shaft at distal end of crista deltopectoralis, 6.3; Lf humerus, W of shaft at mid-H, 5.5; Lf humerus, distance between extremitas distalis and distal end of crista deltopectoralis, 52.0; L of Lf ulna, 72.6; L of Lf radius, 67.1; Lf os carpi ulnare, H of ramus dorsalis, 5.3; L of Lf carpometacarpus, 40.0; L of Lf phalanx digiti alulae, 20.0; L of Lf phalanx proximalis digiti majoris, 16.0; L of Lf phalanx distalis digiti majoris, 18.0; L of Lf phalanx digiti minoris, 8.1; ilium, L from cranial end of ala preacetabularis ilii to caudal edge of antitrochanter, 35.9; distance between tip of tuberculum preacetabulare and crista iliaca dorsalis, 12.5; distance between tip of tuberculum preacetabulare and caudal edge of antitrochanter, 10.5; H of foramen acetabuli, 6.5., Published as part of Bourdon, Estelle & Lindow, Bent, 2015, A redescription of Lithornis vulturinus (Aves, Palaeognathae) from the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4032 (5) on pages 495-496, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.5.2, http://zenodo.org/record/235943

Genus Lithornis Owen, 1840 Type species: Lithornis vulturinus Owen, 1840 Other included species: Lithornis celetius Houde, 1988, p. 34; Lithornis promiscuus Houde, 1988, p. 35; Lithornis plebius Houde, 1988, p. 37., Published as part of Bourdon, Estelle & Lindow, Bent, 2015, A redescription of Lithornis vulturinus (Aves, Palaeognathae) from the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4032 (5) on page 495, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.5.2, http://zenodo.org/record/235943, {"references":["Owen, R. (1840) Description of the remains of a mammal, a bird, and a serpent from the London Clay. Proceedings of the Geological Society of London, 3, 162 - 166.","Houde, P. (1988) Paleognathous birds from the Early Tertiary of the Northern Hemisphere. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, 22, 1 - 148."]}

The extinct leatherback turtle genus Egyptemys is reported for the first time from the Fur (lowermost Ypresian) and Lillebælt Clay (Ypresian-Lutetian)formations of Denmark. In addition, a review of the known genera and species of leatherback turtles is given., Se cita por primera vez el género de tortuga de cuero Egyptemys en las Formaciones Fur (Ypresiense inferior) y Lillebælt Clay (Ypresiense - Luteciense) del Eoceno de Dinamarca. Junto a ello se repasan los géneros y especies conocidos de tortugas de cuero en todo el mundo.

A fragment of carapace represents the first published marine turtle specimen from the Maastrichtian of Denmark and the Baltic area., Se describe el primer hallazgo de un fragmento de tortuga marina del Maastrichtiense de Dinamarca y del área del Báltico.

Archaeopteryx' betydning som et evolutionært ikon kan ikke undervurderes. Fra et palæontologisk og zoologisk synspunkt markerer den oprindelsen af en meget succesfuld større gruppe af hvirveldyr: fugle. På trods af næsten 150 års efterfølgende fossilfund, er der stadig ikke fundet en fugl, der er ældre og mere primitiv end Archaeopteryx. Den er derfor den geologisk set ældst kendte fugl. Spørgsmålet om Archaeopteryx' sande slægtskab har ansporet talrige studier indenfor områder omkring fuglenes oprindelse, flyvningens udvikling og fjer, hvilket igen har givet en meget dybere indsigt i emner som fugles flyvning, fjernes udvikling, og de makroevolutionære processer som leder til fremkomsten af helt nye dyregrupper. Palæontologerne har nu også meget klarere forståelse for dinosaurernes biologi og fysiologi igennem direkte studier af deres nulevende efterkommere, fuglene.Set fra en historisk vinkel kunne opdagelsen af Archaeopteryx kun to år efter udgivelsen af førsteudgaven af Arternes oprindelse ikke være meget vellykket. Det skete på et tidspunkt, hvor evolutionsteorien lige var begyndt at ændre det almindelige verdenssyn dramatisk. Archaeopteryx hjalp mere end så meget andet med at hævde Darwins teori, selvom evolutionsmodstandere forsøgte at afvise dens sande natur næsten lige fra det tidspunkt hvor den dukkede op på den videnskabelige scene. På trods af disse angreb er Achaeopteryx et af de bedste eksempler, hvis ikke det bedste eksempel på en darwinistisk "overgangsform". The importance of Archaeopteryx as an icon of evolution cannot be understated. From a paleontological and zoological viewpoint it marks the origin of a very successful, major vertebrate group: birds. Also, despite nearly 150 years of continued fossil discoveries, no fossil bird has been found that is older and more primitive than Archaeopteryx . Thus it remains the geologically oldest known bird. The question of the true relationships of Archaeopteryx has spurred countless studies of areas related to the origin of birds, bird flight, and feathers, which in turn have given us a much deeper insight into subjects such as bird flight, feather evolution, and the macro-evolutionary processes which lead to the emergence of radically new animal groups. It is now also possible for paleontologists to gain a much clearer understanding of the biology and physiology of the dinosaurs, through direct studies of their living descendants, the birds.From a historical point of view the discovery of Archaeopteryx just two years after the publication of the first edition of Origin of Species , could not have been more fortuitous. Its discovery came at the time when the theory of evolution was beginning to dramatically change the common view of the world. Archaeopteryx , more than anything else, helped vindicate Darwin's theory, despite the fact that anti-evolutionists tried to disprove its nature almost exactly from the moment it appeared on the scientific stage. Despite these attacks, it has stood the test of time and is one of the best examples, if not the best example, of a Darwinian "transitory form."

To nye fossile papegøjer fra det nedre eocæne 'Moler' (Fur Formationen) i Danmark (c. 54 mio. år) beskrives. Et unavngivent stykke placeres i den uddøde familie af stamgruppe papegøjer, Pseudasturidae (slægt og art incertae sedis), mens en anden (Mopsitta tanta ny slægt og art) er den størst kendte fossile papegøje til dato. Begge stykker er de første beskrevne fossiler af deres art fra Danmark. Selvom Mopsitta fylogenetiske position er uklar (den klassificeres som familien incertae sedis), er den tættere på nulevende Psittacidae end til nogle andre kendte palæogene papegøjer og kan derfor repræsentere den ældst kendte kronegruppe papegøje. Udgivelsesdato: 15. maj Two new fossil psittaciform birds from the Lower Eocene ‘Mo Clay' (Fur Formation) of Denmark (c. 54 Ma) are described. An unnamed specimen is assigned to the extinct avian family of stem-group parrots, Pseudasturidae (genus and species incertae sedis), while a second (Mopsitta tanta gen. et sp. nov.) is the largest fossil parrot yet known. Both specimens are the first fossil records of these birds from Denmark. Although the phylogenetic position of Mopsitta is unclear (it is classified as family incertae sedis), this form is phylogenetically closer to Recent Psittacidae than to other known Palaeogene psittaciforms and may, therefore, represent the oldest known crowngroup parrot.

Det fossile aftryk af et par fuglefødder i moler (diatomit) repræsenterer den første publicerede hønsefugl (Orden Galliformes) fra den nedre eocæne (Ypresien) Fur Formation. Stykket kan bestemmes til at være en hønsefugl på grund af tilstedeværelsen af et par asymmetriske rygge på tarsometatarsus' mellemste ledflade. Stykket kan ikke henføres til hverken nogle af de tidligere beskrevne familier af eocæne hønsefugle (Gallinuloididae, Quercymegapodiidae og Paraortygidae) eller til de tidlige phasanider, og repræsenterer muligvis en ny gruppe af hønsefugle. Udgivelsesdato: 12. marts A pair of fossilized imprints of feet represent the first published galliform (landfowl) specimen from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of northwest Denmark. The specimen is referable to Galliformes due to the presence of a distinctly asymmetric trochlea metatarsi III. The specimen appears distinct from previously described Eocene Galliformes (e.g. Gallinuloididae, Quercymegapodiidae and Paraortygidae) and may represent a new taxon of Galliformes, increasing the diversity of this group in the Lower Eocene.