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Marine benthic biota recovery after the Permian/Triassic extinction is still a challenging topic in several fossil clades such as brachiopods. In fact, available data from the Early-Middle Triassic are scarce worldwide and their global record derive from limited localities throughout the Tethys Ocean. This work presents the first record of the Anisian Tetractinella-beds (Brachiopoda, Athyridida) in the peri-Iberian epicontinental platforms established in the westernmost Tethys margins. Their utility as a reliable biohorizon marker is emphasised as they provide an effective tool for age calibration and correlation in the middle Anisian (Pelsonian) successions, also supported by the co-occurring fossil assemblage. In the South-Iberian Palaeomargin, Tetractinella-beds occur in intensively-burrowed shallow-marine succession. The rich ichnological content has been exhaustively evaluated in order to assess the ecological factors controlling the development of the brachiopod fauna. Three ichnoassemblages are documented dominated by Oravaichnium, Balanoglossites and Thalassinoides, respectively. The gathered faunal, ichnological, taphonomical, and sedimentological data reveal an alternation of sea-level changes influencing the composition of the Anisian marine communities. The first stage consists of near-shore restricted environments sporadically disturbed by short-term shallow-marine interludes, characterised by the presence of Oravaichnium and its associated fauna. Subsequently, the Pelsonian transgression event is recorded (MID-2), documented by a firm-ground surface pointed out by the development of a Balanoglossites surface, followed by the highstand, when shallow epicontinental environments developed in connection with open-marine areas. This phase involved the spreading of Tetractinella and deep-water bivalves. Finally, near-shore restricted conditions were re-established typified by Oravaichnium and the last occurrences of Tetractinella, with the disappearance of t

[EN] Donato García was the mineralogy professor at the Royal Cabinet of Natural History and Central University of Madrid from 1816 to 1853. In addition to teaching mineralogy, he gathered geological and mineralogical material for didactic purposes, and for exhibitions in the hall of the Cabinet. He was a key figure in developing the subject matter of mineralogy in Spain during the first half of the nineteenth century. Donato Garcia likewise promoted the careers of very important future teachers at the Military Academy of Engineers, Natural Sciences Museums, and Universities, integrating oral lectures, mineral testing, visual recognition, and the use of crystallographic models. This paper investigates how the crystallographic system proposed by Haüy (in the mid-thirties) was assimilated through unpublished documents of Donato García’s mineralogical lessons from 1824 to 1825, obtained from Spain’s Archivo General de Palacio (Madrid). Hence, this manuscript can be considered the first scientific work reliably attributable to Donato and based on the notes of his pupil José Musso y Valiente, which stands as an early attempt to create a handbook of mineralogy in Spanish. The novel approach to teaching mineralogy is furthermore compared with lessons published by disciple Antonio María Cisneros y Lanuza in 1843.

A new Triassic small marine reptile has been found in the locality of Cehegín (Murcia, Southeastern Spain). The fossil remains mainly comprise moulds of the bones and some osseous fragments still embedded in the rock. These correspond to an articulated sauropterygian, being distinguishable the cervical vertebrae in one rock, while the other rock preserves the middle-inferior part of the body, being differentiated some dorsal, sacral and caudal vertebrae, the ribs, the gastralia, part of one forelimb, part of the hindlimbs and some pelvic elements that can be also intuited. The moulds of dorsal vertebrae, the ribs and the gastralia are overlapped, but it can be distinguished that the ribs are pachiostotic and the gastral ribs are constituted by different components (partite gastral ribs). The features of this reptile permit to refer it to Eosauropterygia. This discovery constitutes the most complete sauropterygian found, to date, in the South-Iberian Palaeomargin of the Tethys, and adds new information about the diversity and palaeogeographical distribution of Sauropterygia in the Middle Triassic, indicating that it was greater than previously believed., Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Universidad de Alcalá, Universidad de Jaén, Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

Donato García was the mineralogy professor at the Royal Cabinet of Natural History and Central University of Madrid from 1816 to 1853. In addition to teaching mineralogy, he gathered geological and mineralogical material for didactic purposes, and for exhibitions in the hall of the Cabinet. He was a key figure in developing the subject matter of mineralogy in Spain during the first half of the nineteenth century. Donato Garcia likewise promoted the careers of very important future teachers at the Military Academy of Engineers, Natural Sciences Museums, and Universities, integrating oral lectures, mineral testing, visual recognition, and the use of crystallographic models. This paper investigates how the crystallographic system proposed by Haüy (in the mid-thirties) was assimilated through unpublished documents of Donato García’s mineralogical lessons from 1824 to 1825, obtained from Spain’s Archivo General de Palacio (Madrid). Hence, this manuscript can be considered the first scientific work reliably attributable to Donato and based on the notes of his pupil José Musso y Valiente, which stands as an early attempt to create a handbook of mineralogy in Spanish. The novel approach to teaching mineralogy is furthermore compared with lessons published by disciple Antonio María Cisneros y Lanuza in 1843.

A comparative study has been made between some cidaroid fossil spines from Lower Cretaceous of southern Spain and other contemporary ones. The modern spines are a composite material formed by calcite nanocrystals oriented with their optical axes parallel to the elongated direction, which behave as a single crystal. Transmission Petrographic Microscopy (TPM) observations of the fossil spines prove that it is a calcite single crystal, whose optical axis coincides with the direction of elongation (as in the current spines). This paper presents a crystallographic approach to propose a secondary crystallisation mechanism, specifically the Ostwald ripening process, through a structural analysis that compares the spines and the conditions observed during the fossilisation process.

In the External Zones of the Betic Cordillera (S Spain), upper Muschelkalk (Ladinian) facies have been known for decades; however, so far there is no stratigraphic record of Anisian deposits. In the present study, new biostratigraphic data from a carbonate succession in the easternmost Subbetic domain reveal a Pelsonian-Illyrian (Anisian) age. The nautiloids Germanonautilus salinarius and Germanonautilus saharonicus are documented for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula, and together with the brachiopod Tetractinella trigonella and the bivalves Neoschizodus orbicularis and Myophoria vulgaris they represent marker fossils of Anisian deposits previously described from many other basins, both in the Germanic and Alpine realms. The co-occurrence of the nautiloid G. saharonicus and the bivalve Gervillia joleaudi at the top of the studied succession serves as correlation tool for the first faunal migration event from the Sephardic towards the Subbetic domain. The palynomorph assemblage, including the monosaccate pollen grain Cristianisporites triangulatus, provides further evidence of a late Anisian age. An integrated study of fossil assemblages and sedimentary facies reveals tidal and very shallow-marine environments that characterize an extensive epicontinental platform in the western Tethys along the paleo-margin of the Iberian Massif. Two thin shale intervals represent two distinct transgressive phases, correlative to the Pelsonian maximum-flooding zone recorded in other European basins. The new findings contribute to the ongoing paleogeographic reconstruction of epicontinental platform settings which developed during the Middle Triassic in the Peri-Tethyan realm.

A new Triassic small marine reptile has been found in the locality of Cehegín (Murcia, Southeastern Spain). The fossil remains mainly comprise moulds of the bones and some osseous fragments still embedded in the rock. These correspond to an articulated sauropterygian, being distinguishable the cervical vertebrae in one rock, while the other rock preserves the middle-inferior part of the body, being differentiated some dorsal, sacral and caudal vertebrae, the ribs, the gastralia, part of one forelimb, part of the hindlimbs and some pelvic elements that can be also intuited. The moulds of dorsal vertebrae, the ribs and the gastralia are overlapped, but it can be distinguished that the ribs are pachiostotic and the gastral ribs are constituted by different components (partite gastral ribs). The features of this reptile permit to refer it to Eosauropterygia. This discovery constitutes the most complete sauropterygian found, to date, in the South-Iberian Palaeomargin of the Tethys, and adds new information about the diversity and palaeogeographical distribution of Sauropterygia in the Middle Triassic, indicating that it was greater than previously believed.

In the External Zone of the Betic Cordillera (S Spain), upper Muschelkalk (Ladinian) facies have been known for decades; however, so far there is no stratigraphic record of Anisian deposits. In the present study, new biostratigraphic data from a carbonate succession in the easternmost Subbetic domain reveal a Pelsonian-Illyrian (Anisian) age. The nautiloids Germanonautilus salinarius and Germanonautilus saharonicus are documented for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula, and together with the brachiopod Tetractinella trigonella and the bivalves Neoschizodus orbicularis and Myophoria vulgaris they represent marker fossils of Anisian deposits previously described from many other basins, both in the Germanic and Alpine realms. The co-occurrence of the nautiloid G. saharonicus and the bivalve Gervillia joleaudi at the top of the studied succession serves as correlation tool for the first faunal migration event from the Sephardic towards the Subbetic domain. The palynomorph assemblage, including the monosaccate pollen grain Cristianisporites triangulatus, provides further evidence of a late Anisian age. An integrated study of fossil assemblages and sedimentary facies reveals tidal and very shallow-marine environments that characterize an extensive epicontinental platform in the western Tethys along the paleo-margin of the Iberian Massif. Two thin shale intervals represent two distinct transgressive phases, correlative to the Pelsonian maximum-flooding zone recorded in other European basins. The new findings contribute to the ongoing paleogeographic reconstruction of epicontinental platform settings which developed during the Middle Triassic in the Peri-Tethyan realm.

The lower part of the Lower Cretaceous Bolos Sandstone Formation as exposed in the Barranco de la Muela section (Sierra de la Muela Range, southeastern Spain) yields two species of ornamented nautiloids, Cymatoceras neocomiense and Eucymatoceras plicatum. These have been collected together with other cephalopods (ammonoids, belemnites) and different invertebrates (corals, brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods, echinoids). This fossil assemblage includes numerous large macroconchs of the ammonite Pseudothurmannia mortilleti, here considered as a senior synonym of P. catulloi, index species of the homonymous subzone of the upper Hauterivian “Pseudothurmannia ohmi” Zone. On this basis, the here reported findings constitute the first biostratigraphically well-constrained records of C. neocomiense and E. plicatum, namely in the Pseudothurmannia catulloi Subzone. The presence of these two ornamented and relatively depressed nautiloids in fine sandstone levels interbedded with sandy marls of the Bolos Formation, together with the palaeoecological characteristics of the associated fauna suggest a nearshore to inner-middle shelf, shallow to moderately deep palaeoenvironment with mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sedimentation, and high to moderate energy., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Centro de Investigação da Terra e do Espaço da Universidade de Coimbra, Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

The seas of the Mesozoic were remarkable for predatory marine reptiles, but the track record of these vertebrates is extremely scarce and morphologically distinct. In this paper, Middle Triassic seabed tracks made by the paddles of nothosaurs (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Valdelcubo locality, Riba area, Guadalajara, Spain, are reported. The trackway occurs at the base of Cuesta del Castillo Sandstones Formation. The palaeoenvironment was a shallow near-coastal marine habitat. The tracks from Valdelcubo are broad, elliptical, with the claw marks locally differentiated, with double row imprints. The left tracks of the trackway are better recognized than the right ones. This record is interpreted as a trackway of a buoyant and punting tetrapod, using its forefeet only. The features of these tracks and trackway have a strong affinity with the ichnogenus Dikoposichnus. Nevertheless, some tracks from Valdelcubo are associated swim traces and claw marks, being tentatively classified as aff. Dikoposichnus. This finding adds new data to the little-known type of locomotion of nothosaurs. Additionally, this is the first Triassic record of subaqueously-registered paddle tracks attributed to sauropterygians outside China and enhances the information about its palaeobiogeographical distribution, suggesting a global distribution for distinctive swim track assemblages., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Instituto Dom Luiz (Portugal), Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

The important paleontological and archaeological discoveries made in Tamajón in recent years have enriched the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of this town in the north of the Guadalajara province (central Spain). The extraordinary educational and outreach value of these findings led the PaleoIbérica Research Group to develop a project for the design and creation of the Paleontological and Archaeological Interpretation Centre of Tamajón (CIPAT, acronym in Spanish). In this new space, students and the general public have access to knowledge of the past of the region through three exhibition and didactic areas and the support of a rigorous and engaging infographic. The Paleontological Area allows visitors to explore, through fossils, replicas, models (real and virtual) and dioramas, the diversity of coastal and marine life that inhabited the region during the Late Cretaceous Age. Moreover, the area highlights crocodylomorphs, dinosaurs and fishes (identified through their fossilized tracks), and the remains of plants and invertebrates. The Archaeological Area shows the origin and uses of the building material known as Tamajón Stone by means of rough or carved samples, tools traditionally used in its extraction and carving, and historical photographs. Furthermore, in the Didactic Area, innovative specific educational activities are carried out, facilitating the knowledge and appreciation of the rich natural and cultural heritage of Tamajón. After its recent inauguration (August 2021), the CIPAT is a valuable tool to encourage the practice of positive attitudes toward geoconservation and to promote the sustainable and socioeconomic development of the region through geotourism., Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Diputación Provincial de Guadalajara, Universidad de Alcalá, Eurocaja Rural Foundation, Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

The seas of the Mesozoic were remarkable for predatory marine reptiles, but the track record of these vertebrates is extremely scarce and morphologically distinct. In this paper, Middle Triassic seabed tracks made by the paddles of nothosaurs (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Valdelcubo locality, Riba area, Guadalajara, Spain, are reported. The trackway occurs at the base of Cuesta del Castillo Sandstones Formation. The palaeoenvironment was a shallow near-coastal marine habitat. The tracks from Valdelcubo are broad, elliptical, with the claw marks locally differentiated, with double row imprints. The left tracks of the trackway are better recognized than the right ones. This record is interpreted as a trackway of a buoyant and punting tetrapod, using its forefeet only. The features of these tracks and trackway have a strong affinity with the ichnogenus Dikoposichnus. Nevertheless, some tracks from Valdelcubo are associated swim traces and claw marks, being tentatively classified as aff. Dikoposichnus. This finding adds new data to the little-known type of locomotion of nothosaurs. Additionally, this is the first Triassic record of subaqueously-registered paddle tracks attributed to sauropterygians outside China and enhances the information about its palaeobiogeographical distribution, suggesting a global distribution for distinctive swim track assemblages.

The important paleontological and archaeological discoveries made in Tamajón in recent years have enriched the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of this town in the north of the Guadalajara province (central Spain). The extraordinary educational and outreach value of these findings led the PaleoIbérica Research Group to develop a project for the design and creation of the Paleontological and Archaeological Interpretation Centre of Tamajón (CIPAT, acronym in Spanish). In this new space, students and the general public have access to knowledge of the past of the region through three exhibition and didactic areas and the support of a rigorous and engaging infographic. The Paleontological Area allows visitors to explore, through fossils, replicas, models (real and virtual) and dioramas, the diversity of coastal and marine life that inhabited the region during the Late Cretaceous Age. Moreover, the area highlights crocodylomorphs, dinosaurs and fishes (identified through their fossilized tracks), and the remains of plants and invertebrates. The Archaeological Area shows the origin and uses of the building material known as Tamajón Stone by means of rough or carved samples, tools traditionally used in its extraction and carving, and historical photographs. Furthermore, in the Didactic Area, innovative specific educational activities are carried out, facilitating the knowledge and appreciation of the rich natural and cultural heritage of Tamajón. After its recent inauguration (August 2021), the CIPAT is a valuable tool to encourage the practice of positive attitudes toward geoconservation and to promote the sustainable and socioeconomic development of the region through geotourism.

En este trabajo se presenta el estudio de dos secciones estratigráficas situadas en el Arroyo Gilico (región oriental de la Cordillera Bética, noroeste de la provincia de Murcia). En estas sucesiones, pertenecientes al Cretácico Inferior, son frecuentes los restos de ammonoideos y de otros invertebrados, como belemnoideos, bivalvos, braquiópodos, además de diversas trazas fósiles. La identificación de 15 especies de ammonoideos ha permitido asignar los niveles estudiados al Hauteriviense Superior y al Barremiense Inferior. En los estratos pertenecientes al Hauteriviense Superior se han podido distinguir las dos zonas actualmente admitidas (Zona de Balearites balearis y Zona de Pseudothurmannia ohmi) y, asimismo, dividir éstas en varias subzonas. En la Zona de B. balearis la base de cada subzona está definida por la primera aparición de cada una de las tres especies pertenecientes al mismo género: B. binelli, B. krenkeli y B. angulicostatus. La Zona de P. ohmi (la cual sustituye a la clásica Zona de P. angulicostata) incluye únicamente la subzona del mismo nombre (Subzona de P. ohmi). Los niveles pertenecientes al Barremiense Inferior se han identificado a partir de la primera aparición de la especie Taveraisdiscus hugii, taxón que también define el inicio de la Zona de T. hugii. Las secciones estudiadas corresponden a un medio de plataforma externa pelágica, deducido a partir de los aspectos estratigráficos y el estudio paleoecológico basado en las diferentes morfologías de ammonoideos y otros organismos encontrados en el área estudiada., This study focuses on two stratigraphic successions situated in the Gilico Creek (oriental region of the Betic Cordillera, northwest of Murcia province). These sections belonging to Lower Cretaceous contain ammonoids and other skeletal components such as belemnoids, bivalves, brachiopods and various types of ichnofossils. The identification of 15 species of ammonoids have made it possible to differentiate levels corresponding to Upper Hauteriverian and Lower Barremian. In the strata belonging to Upper Hauteriverian it has been possible to distinguish the two currently admitted spawn zones (the Balearites balearis Zone and the Pseudothurmannia ohmi Zone) and divide them into several subzones. Three subzones can be recognized within the B. balearis Zone. The base of each subzone is defined by the first occurrence of one of three successive species belonging to the same Balearites genus: B. binelli, B. krenkeli and B. angulicostatus. The P. ohmi Zone (which replaces the classical P. angulicostata Zone) includes only the subzone also named with the same name P. ohmi. Regarding the levels attached to Lower Barremian stage, have been delimited from the first appearance of Taveraidiscus hugii, taxon that also defines the beginning of the T. hugii Zone included within these materials. The studied sections belong to an external pelagic shelf environment, deduced from stratigraphic features and the paleoecological study based on the different ammonoid morphologies and other organisms founds in the studied area.

Las prácticas de reconocimiento de muestras paleontológicas son especialmente propicias para impartir contenidos procedimentales y actitudinales en Paleontología, donde el alumno se instruye en habilidades como la capacidad de observación y análisis, destrezas metodológicas, la aplicación de conocimientos a la resolución de problemas concretos y el reconocimiento a visu de ejemplares fósiles. Para este tipo de instrucción se requiere de un conjunto de materiales tales como colecciones de fósiles, manuales taxonómicos, guiones con caracteres biométricos diagnósticos, fotografías de ejemplares tipo, etc. Dicha información debe ser recopilada, entendida y asimilada por el alumnado, por lo se propone la elaboración de un compendio de directrices básicas de reconocimiento de los grupos más relevantes en el registro fósil en un único recurso didáctico, a partir de la información facilitada en clases teóricas, que coadyuvará a aumentar la tasa de éxito en una parte básica en el desarrollo de la asignatura. El proyecto didáctico comienza con la tutela del alumnado en la elección de parámetros biométricos principales y los criterios diagnósticos de cada grupo de fósiles, la elaboración de formularios de reconocimiento, la selección de los ítems transversales de Paleontología Aplicada y la inclusión de criterios de evaluación por parte del profesorado. El resultado final se refleja en la edición de un recurso didáctico utilizable que permite seguir con mayor aprovechamiento las prácticas de reconocimiento de fósiles a distintos grados de la Facultad de Ciencias, pudiendo adaptar su dificultad, dependiendo del nivel de conocimientos del Grado en particular.

Las distintas intervenciones realizadas hasta la fecha en los yacimientos paleontológicos de las “Hoces de Beteta” han permitido recuperar, además de numerosos microfósiles y macrorrestos de invertebrados, diversos restos de vertebrados. Con el objetivo de desarrollar una capacidad de análisis que permita argumentar, en términos precisos, las decisiones tomadas con respecto al proceso restaurador más adecuado para la preparación y conservación de los ejemplares óseos obtenidos, entre éstos, se ha seleccionado, por su representatividad, un fósil procedente del yacimiento de Vadillos-1. El ejemplar elegido, correspondiente a un resto postcraneal de Dinosauria, se encontraba en un estado de preservación relativamente bueno, pero partido en siete fragmentos, presentándose uno de ellos parcialmente recubierto por una concreción carbonatada de elevada consistencia. A este fragmento se le han aplicado ciclos experimentales de limpieza química y mecánica, estableciéndose tratamientos con ácido clorhídrico (HCl) diluido del 15 al 5%, en intervalos de tiempo de 1 a 72h, seguidos de ensayos de eliminación de la matriz mediante aguja percutora. Finalizada la limpieza química y mecánica, se ha procedido a realizar una valoración estimativa de los ciclos desarrollados, mostrándose más eficaces los que incluyen un tratamiento químico más prolongado con ácido más diluido. Por último, los siete fragmentos se han unido mediante un adhesivo concentrado reversible, quedando el resto óseo siglado y depositado en condiciones de preservación adecuadas., The different interventions carried out to date at the palaeontological sites of the “Hoces de Beteta” have allowed to recover, along with numerous microfossils and invertebrate macroremains, diverse vertebrate remains. Aiming to develop the analysis capacity which will allow to argument, in precise terms, the decisions made concerning the most appropriate restoration process for the preparation and preservation of the obtained bone specimens, among these, it has been selected, and due its representativeness, a fossil from the Vadillos-1 site. The chosen specimen corresponds to a postcranial remain of Dinosauria, which was in an adequate preservation state, but fragmented in seven pieces, one of them partially covered by a highly consistent carbonate concretion. Five experimental cycles of chemical and mechanical cleaning have been carried through to this piece, stablishing treatments with hydrogen chloride (HCI) diluted from 15 to 5%, in temporal intervals from 1 to 72h, followed by matrix elimination tests with a hand engraver. Once finished the chemical and mechanical cleaning, an estimative assessment of the developed cycles has been carried out, showing as more efficient those which include a more prolonged chemical treatment with more diluted acid. Finally, the seven fragments have been put together using reversible concentrated adhesive, remaining the specimen labelled and deposited in suitable preservation conditions., Patrimonio Arqueo- lógico y Paleontológico de Castilla-La Mancha, Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Fac. de Ciencias Geológicas, TRUE, pub

The lower part of the Lower Cretaceous Bolos Sandstone Formation as exposed in the Barranco de la Muela section (Sierra de la Muela Range, southeastern Spain) yields two species of ornamented nautiloids, Cymatoceras neocomiense and Eucymatoceras plicatum. These have been collected together with other cephalopods (ammonoids, belemnites) and different invertebrates (corals, brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods, echinoids). This fossil assemblage includes numerous large macroconchs of the ammonite Pseudothurmannia mortilleti, here considered as a senior synonym of P. catulloi, index species of the homonymous subzone of the upper Hauterivian “Pseudothurmannia ohmi” Zone. On this basis, the here reported findings constitute the first biostratigraphically well-constrained records of C. neocomiense and E. plicatum, namely in the Pseudothurmannia catulloi Subzone. The presence of these two ornamented and relatively depressed nautiloids in fine sandstone levels interbedded with sandy marls of the Bolos Formation, together with the palaeoecological characteristics of the associated fauna suggest a nearshore to inner-middle shelf, shallow to moderately deep palaeoenvironment with mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sedimentation, and high to moderate energy.

Las distintas intervenciones realizadas hasta la fecha en los yacimientos paleontológicos de las “Hoces de Beteta” han permitido recuperar, además de numerosos microfósiles y macrorrestos de invertebrados, diversos restos de vertebrados. Con el objetivo de desarrollar una capacidad de análisis que permita argumentar, en términos precisos, las decisiones tomadas con respecto al proceso restaurador más adecuado para la preparación y conservación de los ejemplares óseos obtenidos, entre éstos, se ha seleccionado, por su representatividad, un fósil procedente del yacimiento de Vadillos-1. El ejemplar elegido, correspondiente a un resto postcraneal de Dinosauria, se encontraba en un estado de preservación relativamente bueno, pero partido en siete fragmentos, presentándose uno de ellos parcialmente recubierto por una concreción carbonatada de elevada consistencia. A este fragmento se le han aplicado ciclos experimentales de limpieza química y mecánica, estableciéndose tratamientos con ácido clorhídrico (HCl) diluido del 15 al 5%, en intervalos de tiempo de 1 a 72h, seguidos de ensayos de eliminación de la matriz mediante aguja percutora. Finalizada la limpieza química y mecánica, se ha procedido a realizar una valoración estimativa de los ciclos desarrollados, mostrándose más eficaces los que incluyen un tratamiento químico más prolongado con ácido más diluido. Por último, los siete fragmentos se han unido mediante un adhesivo concentrado reversible, quedando el resto óseo siglado y depositado en condiciones de preservación adecuadas., The different interventions carried out to date at the palaeontological sites of the “Hoces de Beteta” have allowed to recover, along with numerous microfossils and invertebrate macroremains, diverse vertebrate remains. Aiming to develop the analysis capacity which will allow to argument, in precise terms, the decisions made concerning the most appropriate restoration process for the preparation and preservation of the obtained bone specimens, among these, it has been selected, and due its representativeness, a fossil from the Vadillos-1 site. The chosen specimen corresponds to a postcranial remain of Dinosauria, which was in an adequate preservation state, but fragmented in seven pieces, one of them partially covered by a highly consistent carbonate concretion. Five experimental cycles of chemical and mechanical cleaning have been carried through to this piece, stablishing treatments with hydrogen chloride (HCI) diluted from 15 to 5%, in temporal intervals from 1 to 72h, followed by matrix elimination tests with a hand engraver. Once finished the chemical and mechanical cleaning, an estimative assessment of the developed cycles has been carried out, showing as more efficient those which include a more prolonged chemical treatment with more diluted acid. Finally, the seven fragments have been put together using reversible concentrated adhesive, remaining the specimen labelled and deposited in suitable preservation conditions.

Desde el comienzo de los tiempos, nuestro planeta ha pasado por numerosos episodios de cambio climático y ha sufrido devastadoras catástrofes naturales. Con ellas, han llegado las extinciones en masa asociadas y el consiguiente origen de nuevas especies que se encargarían de ocupar los nichos de las anteriores. Una de las más importantes fue la extinción masiva de final del Pérmico (hace unos 252 millones de años) tras la cual el clima del planeta se tornó extremadamente cálido y árido. El acontecimiento que aquí nos ocupa ocurrió un tiempo después, cuando, en mitad de este periodo árido, un período húmedo promulgado por el Evento Pluvial del Carniense (Carnian Pluvial Event, CPE por sus siglas en inglés) tuvo lugar aproximadamente hace 234 millones de años y duró aproximadamente hasta hace 232 millones de años. El origen de este evento se relaciona con las erupciones volcánicas de Wrangellia y en el aceleramiento de los ciclos del agua que provocaron. Pero todavía más importante fue la extinción que vino asociada al evento y el origen de unas especies relativamente nuevas recogidas bajo el nombre de dinosaurios. Este trabajo trata de aportar datos suficientes que contrasten la existencia del CPE y que expliquen su origen, importancia y consecuencias, siendo el origen de los dinosaurios una de las premisas más importantes. Además, el estudio de este evento nos lleva a hacernos una pregunta: ¿qué nos pueden enseñar los cambios climáticos pasados en relación al cambio climático actual?

Sauropterygian vertebrate remains from the Ladinian (Middle Triassic) of the proximity of Calasparra (Murcia, Spain) are described here. They represent the first documented Triassic vertebrate remains found in the Province of Murcia, and the first in the Subbetic domain of the Betic Cordillera (Southeastern Spain). These new remains consist of incomplete vertebrae, some fragmented neural spine apophyses, fragments of transverse processes, a partial thoracic vertebrae mould and one isolated thoracic vertebral centrum, seemingly of a single specimen. Their features permit to refer them to the suborder Eusauropterygia. These fossils have been found in the middle part of the upper member of the Cehegín Formation. The biostratigraphical framework of the Cehegín Formation consists of a relatively abundant fossil content that allowed its attribution to the uppermost Fassanian (Lower Ladinian). The sedimentary features and the palaeontological content of the site are typical of an epicontinental platform.

La “Fauna de Ediacara” es el término correspondiente a la asociación de organismos fósiles pertenecientes a la segunda mitad del periodo Ediacárico (565-543 Ma). Este periodo de tiempo sitúa a los organismos en un momento importante de la evolución de la Tierra, el límite entre el Proterozoico y el Fanerozoico, de manera que el estudio de esta biota ofrece la oportunidad, no solo de entender la composición y estructura del ecosistema precámbrico sino además también el tránsito hacia los ecosistemas del periodo Cámbrico. Esta asociación fósil representa uno de los primeros ecosistemas que alberga organismos macroscópicos y complejos, incluyendo los ancestros de los animales. Habitaron en íntima relación con los tapetes microbianos, y ecológicamente fueron similares a los ecosistemas bentónicos suspensívoros modernos, tanto en complejidad como en estructura. Presentaban una gran diversidad con al menos cinco grupos principales bien diferenciados y a pesar de ser mayoritariamente organismos de cuerpo blando presentaron unas condiciones de preservación únicas que han permitido su descubrimiento en cientos de formaciones geológicas alrededor del mundo. Su extinción fue probablemente producto de un profundo cambio en la complejidad de las comunidades, siendo estos organismos progresivamente reemplazados por nuevos taxones que presentaban mejores adaptaciones al medio. Conocer este tipo de biota es fundamental para comprender mejor la serie de eventos biológicos que han ocurrido en la biosfera a través del tiempo, que finalmente resultan en la biosfera actualmente conocida.

The palaeontological sites of Riba de Santiuste and Sienes (Riba de Santiuste area) are located in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. They include a stratigraphic interval in Muschelkalk facies belonging to the “Cuesta del Castillo Sandstones” Formation and “Royuela Dolostones, Marls and Mudstones” Formation. These sites include numerous fossil plants, direct vertebrate remains, and vertebrate swim traces. The vertebrate remains correspond to a multitude of anatomical elements of Sauropterygia (Nothosauroidea, Placodontia) and possible Archosauria (Rauisuchia) remains. The fossil material attributed to nothosaurs includes teeth, coracoids, a thoracic vertebra, some isolated vertebral centra, humerus, rib fragments, and some dorsal and caudal vertebrae. The remains attributed to placodonts correspond to fragments of skull, quadrate, teeth and osteoderms. Other undetermined sauropterygian remains, such as ulnas, fragments of long bones, fragments of ribs, and articular facets of ribs have been also recovered. Additionally, a fragment of mandible and an intervertebral disk of indeterminate reptiles whose size could be compatible with archosaurs are also described. These bones are exceptionally well-preserved because the fossilization processes have preserved the microstructure of the tissues. The sites also show vertebrate traces, with parallel scratch impressions interpreted as swim traces. The relative stratigraphic position and the palaeontological content of these sites suggest a Ladinian age (Middle Triassic). The interpretation of the sedimentary facies here described also suggests that the sites could correspond to detrital-carbonate mixed deposits of coastal intertidal to supratidal environments.

El proyecto de redes ha visto el desarrollo y el diseño de prácticas de carácter interdisciplinar (esquema de trabajo colaborativo entre alumnos y profesores) en el ámbito de la paleontología aplicada en estudios de Grado y de Máster, involucrando tanto el área de conocimiento de paleontología como a la de estratigrafía del Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y del Medio Ambiente de la Universidad de Alicante. En la acción educativa propuesta se ha planteado una coordinación entre las áreas de paleontología y estratigrafía para diseñar y llevar a cabo de forma conjunta actividades de campo y de laboratorio. Por ello, se elaboraron actividades de carácter interdisciplinar que los alumnos han ido desarrollando durante las salidas de campo y las sesiones de laboratorio y se realizó un muestreo para el desarrollo de las actividades de laboratorio compartidas entre las asignaturas. Al finalizar cada una de las asignaturas involucradas, se propuso a los alumnos una entrevista sobre la experiencia llevada a cabo, destacando aspectos positivos, elementos a mejorar y dificultades encontradas. Los resultados de las entrevistas y de la puesta en común en grupos de debate se utilizarán para la puesta en marcha de la acción educativa en los siguientes cursos académicos.

Triassic brachiopods from the Betic Range were unknown hitherto. Herein we describe the first brachiopod occurrences in the early Ladinian of this domain referable to a new genus and species Misunithyris goyi derived from three localities of the south-Iberian Triassic outcrops. The analysis of internal and external characters of this brachiopod allowed to characterize systematically and biogeographically this fauna in a chronostratigraphic interval when the paucity of brachiopod records is attributable to the entire peri-Iberian epicontinental platform system established in the westernmost Tethyan margin. The new record is endemic to the Betic Range and represents a new faunal constituent of the multicostate zeillerids stock. This fauna inhabited the epicontinental seas of the Sephardic bioprovince since a closer affinity with the low-latitude Tethyan assemblages is revealed. The possible linkage of the Triassic stock with the Early–Middle Jurassic multicostate zeillerid representatives suggests feasible phylogenetic relationships between both groups.

In this paper, we synthesize sedimentological, magnetostratigraphic and paleontological data from the continental vertebrate site of Puerto de la Cadena (Murcia, SE Spain), in order to clarify its age. The study site is located on the northern edge of the Carrascoy mountain range, in the upper part of the Cigarrón Unit. The end-Messinian discontinuity has been detected at the base of this unit, which indicates it has an early Pliocene age. Abundant remains of small and large vertebrates, including rodents, lagomorphs, primates, carnivorans, perissodactyls, artiodactyls, proboscideans, testudines, squamats, and crocodiles, have been found in this area. Some of these elements are of African origin, such as Debruijnimys sp., Macaca sp., and Sivatherium cf. hendeyi, and their presence is related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. In addition, remains found at this site verify the persistence of Crocodylia in the European record beyond the late Miocene. The association includes typical elements of the early Ruscinian terrestrial record (MN14), like Apocricetus cf. barrierei, Sivatherium, Gazella aff. baturra, and Hipparion fissurae. The Puerto de la Cadena site is located in a reversed geomagnetic chron that has been correlated with C3n.3r (from 4.997 to 4.896 Ma). According to this correlation, the MN13/MN14 boundary has a minimum age of 4.9 Ma.

In this paper, we synthesize sedimentological, magnetostratigraphic and paleontological data from the continental vertebrate site of Puerto de la Cadena (Murcia, SE Spain), in order to clarify its age. The study site is located on the northern edge of the Carrascoy mountain range, in the upper part of the Cigarrón Unit. The end-Messinian discontinuity has been detected at the base of this unit, which indicates it has an early Pliocene age. Abundant remains of small and large vertebrates, including rodents, lagomorphs, primates, carnivorans, perissodactyls, artiodactyls, proboscideans, testudines, squamats, and crocodiles, have been found in this area. Some of these elements are of African origin, such as Debruijnimys sp., Macaca sp., and Sivatherium cf. hendeyi, and their presence is related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. In addition, remains found at this site verify the persistence of Crocodylia in the European record beyond the late Miocene. The association includes typical elements of the early Ruscinian terrestrial record (MN14), like Apocricetus cf. barrierei, Sivatherium, Gazella aff. baturra, and Hipparion fissurae. The Puerto de la Cadena site is located in a reversed geomagnetic chron that has been correlated with C3n.3r (from 4.997 to 4.896 Ma). According to this correlation, the MN13/MN14 boundary has a minimum age of 4.9 Ma.