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Article Reference Stratigraphy, paleontology, and depositional setting of the Late Eocene (Priabonian) lower Pagat Member, Tanjung Formation, in the Asem Asem Basin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
Marine sedimentary rocks of the late Eocene Pagat Member of the Tanjung Formation in the Asem Asem Basin near Satui, Kalimantan, provide an important geological archive for understanding the paleontological evolution of southern Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) in the interval leading up the development of the Central Indo-Pacific marine biodiversity hotspot. In this paper, we describe amoderately diverse assemblage of marine invertebrates within a sedimentological and stratigraphical context. In the studied section, the Pagat Member of the Tanjung Formation records an interval of overall marine transgression and chronicles a transition from the marginal marine and continental siliciclastic succession in the underlying Tambak Member to the carbonate platform succession in the overlying Berai Formation. The lower part of the Pagat Member contains heterolithic interbedded siliciclastic sandstone and glauconitic shale, with thin bioclastic floatstone and bioclastic rudstone beds. This segues into a calcareous shale succession with common foraminiferal packstone/rudstone lenses interpreted as low-relief biostromes. A diverse trace fossil assemblage occurs primarily in a muddy/glauconitic sandstone, sandy mudstone, and bioclastic packstone/rudstone succession, constraining the depositional setting to a mid-ramp/mid to distal continental shelf setting below fair-weather wave base but above stormwave base. Each biostrome rests upon a storm-generated ravinement surface characterized by a low-diversity Glossifungites or Trypanites trace fossil assemblage. The erosional surfaces were colonized by organisms that preferred stable substrates, including larger benthic foraminifera, solitary corals, oysters, and serpulid annelid worms. The biostromes comprised islands of highmarine biodiversity on the mud-dominated Pagat coastline. Together, the biostromes analyzed in this study contained 13 genera of symbiont-bearing larger benthic foraminifera, ∼40 mollusk taxa, at least 5 brachyuran decapod genera, and 6 coral genera (Anthemiphyllia, Balanophyllia, Caryophyllia, Cycloseris, Trachyphyllia, and Trochocyathus), as well as a variety of bryozoans, serpulids, echinoids, and asterozoans. High foraminiferal and molluscan diversity, coupled with modest coral diversity, supports the hypothesis that the origin of the diverse tropical invertebrate faunas that characterize the modern Indo-Australian region may have occurred in the latest Eocene/earliest Oligocene.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025 OA
Inproceedings Reference Do diversification and dispersals of early Eocene perissodactyls differ from those of other modern mammals?
Perissodactyls make their first appearance in the fossil record during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), 56 Ma ago, at the same time as most modern placental mammal orders. However, their early diversification remains unclear since all main groups (Equidae, Isectolophidae, Ceratomorpha, Ancylopoda and Brontotheriidae) appear at the same time with numerous genera and are already diverse, contrary to other modern mammal orders, which have a much lower diversity. Moreover, several early perissodactyl genera seem endemic to each of the three Holarctic continents, rather than cosmopolitan as is the case for other mammal groups. We investigate the early evolution of perissodactyls by analyzing a new dataset focusing on early species to obtain a new expansive phylogeny. This large-scale phylogeny shows that the number of early perissodactyl genera was over-estimated and supports the synonymy of several genera. In addition, many species that were named as “Hyracotherium” in the past (or sometimes “Eohippus”, the “dawn-horse”) are not actually closely related to horses, including Hyracotherium itself, but can be considered as basal perissodactyls. Among the latter, at least Pliolophus and Cardiolophus experienced vast and fast dispersals between North America, Europe and Asia, during the PETM. This paleobiogeographic scenario much resembles the one of other earliest Eocene mammals, which comprise genera that are often found in at least two continents, such as in artiodactyls, primates, carnivorans, hyaenodontids, hyopsodontids, phenacodontids or rodents. Here, we show that the paleobiogeographic distribution of earliest perissodactyls does not differ from that of other modern mammals.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025 OA
Inproceedings Reference Tomography of three articulated perissodactyl skeletons from Messel
The perissodactyls from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Messel (MP11; around 47 Ma) are among the most well-known fossils from this site, and belong to at least five different genera: three equoids (Propalaeotherium, Eurohippus, and Hallensia) and two tapiromorphs (Lophiodon and Hyrachyus). Here, we investigated by X-ray microtomography at the DTHE (MateIS Laboratory, Lyon) the anatomy of three articulated skeletons from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences collection: two specimens of Eurohippus messelensis, as well as the only accessible skeleton of Hallensia matthesi. The segmented 3D models allow us to visualize for the first time some cranial, dental and postcranial features that were previously concealed. Surprisingly, the tooth rows of the two specimens of E. messelensis show two different morphologies. One is typical of E. messelensis whereas the other shows all the diagnostic characters of E. parvulus expressed by Franzen (2006). However, based on the monograph on equoids from Messel by Franzen (2007), E. messelensis was only recognized in Messel, whereas E. parvulus was known from several other localities, notably in the Geiseltal, but not in Messel. We thus suggest that E. parvulus may have also been present in Messel, which raises the question of their potential synonymy. Finally, the preservation of the skeleton of Hallensia matthesi does not permit to observe the fine anatomy of the skeleton, but still permits to discuss important characters such as the number of fingers.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025 OA
Inproceedings Reference The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel vertebrates based on the Belgian Collections
The paleontological collections of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences include a beautiful collection of 393 vertebrate specimens from the Messel Pit: 58 fish, 18 amphibians, 79 reptiles, 108 birds and 130 mammals. This collection is the largest Messel collection outside Germany and belongs to the „big four” (Smith et al. 2024). It results from a fieldwork partnership with the Seckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt between 1982 and 1988, so a few years before the Messel pit was listed in 1995 as UNESCO World Heritage site. With a few exceptions, most of the specimens have been collected by the Belgians. However, most of the specimens have been prepared by German preparators. Here we show the Messel biodiversity based on the Brussels collection. The collection is relatively well diversified and contains 24 type and figured specimens. Among them are remarkable specimens such as the holotype of the hyaenodont carnivorous mammal Lesmesodon edingeri, the paratypes of the trogon bird Masillatrogon pumilio and embalonurid bat Tachypteron franzeni, the exquisitely 3-D prepared turtle lovers Allaeochelys crassesculpta and armored crocodylia Diplocynodon deponiae, and the only skeleton of the basal perissodactyl Hallensia matthesi housed in a public collection. The archives related to this collection are currently being digitized and several new studies are now based on micro-CT scan technology allowing to „discover” hidden characters.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025 OA
Article Reference Bioerosional marks in the shells of two sea turtle taxa from the middle Eocene of Belgium
This study analyses the diverse types of bioerosion marks on the shells of two sea turtle specimens from the Lutetian (middle Eocene) of Belgium. The objective is to understand the physical stressors affecting these organisms in ancient marine environments and to identify the potential factors responsible for these changes. The first specimen, the holotype of Eochelone brabantica, presents multiple erosive anomalies on its costal plates. The second individual, corresponding to Puppigerus camperi, exhibits different types of shell deviations, also of an erosive character. The combination of macroscopic and imaging techniques (i.e., CT scanning and 3D surface scanning) allow us the precise observation and identification of the different alterations. Comparative analyses suggest several external factors as potential causes of the anomalies of the two specimens (i.e., invertebrate feeding traces and trauma). This detailed examination provides specific insights into the types and causes of shell alterations in these Eocene turtles, offering a clearer understanding of their interactions in the marine ecosystem in which they lived.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025 OA
Article Reference Early Delphinida (Cetacea, Odontoceti) from the Miocene of the southern North Sea Basin
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Article Reference Les Neuropterida du Jardin botanique Jean Massart (Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgique) (Arthropoda: Insecta)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026 OA
Inproceedings Reference Disabled individuals in a Belgian medieval Cistercian monastic community: a palaeopathological perspective.
Throughout human history, disabilities and impairments have been an inherent aspect of societies, deeply influenced by cultural contexts and by the diverse forms they manifest. Some of the physical and/or mental impairments leave skeletal traces detectable by palaeopathologists. This study presents notable cases of important disorders, such as disproportionate dwarfism, bilateral calcaneus varus (clubfoot) with evidence of crutch use and cerebral palsy. All these pathological individuals were buried in the Cistercian Abbey of the Dunes in Koksijde (Belgium), which was most active between the 12th and 15th centuries. Their grave locations are diverse, ranging from the cloister to the lay brother cemetery. There was no detected difference in their funerary treatment, except one “adapted” burial caused by a physical deformity resulting from cerebral palsy. Most of the identified pathologies are profoundly disabling, with many being congenital and detectable either at birth or during early childhood. Yet all cases presented in this study reached adulthood, with some even surviving into advanced age (over 60 years), suggesting that they received care and support from a young age. Possible health challenge encountered, as well as the nature of the assistance received will be discussed. The prevalence of disabilities within this monastic community raises questions about the social consequences of visible congenital anomalies. Were these individuals placed in a religious institution due to their disabilities, or did they choose monastic life for other reasons, as it might have offered opportunities to develop talents that did not rely on physical abilities? Interestingly, historical texts provide no specific mention of disabled individuals within the context of this abbey, making it challenging to determine whether they were fully integrated into the monastic community or were laypersons and/or benefactors.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference L’alimentation des anciens habitants de l’île de Pâques.
Comment vivaient les Rapanui, les anciens habitants de l’île de Pâques, il y a plusieurs siècles ? Et surtout, que mangeaient-ils ? Pour le savoir, les anthropologues se penchent sur une source d’information directe et inestimable : les restes humains et plus précisément les os et les dents. Mais leurs investigations ne s’arrêtent pas là. Ils cherchent aussi à comprendre comment des facteurs comme le sexe, l’âge ou le statut social pouvaient influencer l’accès aux différentes ressources alimentaires
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Étude des pathologies bucco-dentaires dans trois populations mérovingiennes de Belgique
Notre étude porte sur les pathologies bucco-dentaires de trois sites mérovingiens de Belgique (Ciply, Braives et Torgny) : plus particulièrement les caries, les abcès et les pertes ante-mortem (PAM). Nous analysons l’impact de diverses variables, telles que le site archéologique, le type de dent, le sexe et l’âge au décès sur la fréquence de ces trois pathologies. Avec un total de 4599 dents étudiées pour un effectif de 423 individus, nos résultats montrent que le nombre de dents conservées varie significativement selon le site d’origine, suggérant que celui-ci exerce une influence notable sur l’état de conservation des squelettes. Nos données montrent que la présence de caries et d’abcès dépend aussi du site. Ainsi, 63 % des Mérovingiens souffraient de caries, avec les plus fortes prévalences à Braives, tandis que l’abcès est présent chez 23 % des sujets avec une fréquence plus élevée à Ciply. Par contre, le nombre de PAM, qui touchait 65 % des individus, ne varie pas selon le site. La combinaison de plusieurs pathologies est observée chez 12 % des individus, avec des taux plus élevés à Ciply et Braives. Pour les trois pathologies, les dents les plus atteintes sont les molaires et, en ce qui concerne les caries, on observe un taux légèrement plus haut du côté droit, laissant penser à une préférence de côté pour la mastication. Concernant l’impact du sexe, les hommes montrent une prédominance de PAM et de caries par rapport aux femmes, mais celles-ci ont une fréquence légèrement plus élevée d’abcès. Comme attendu, les pourcentages de PAM et de caries augmentent avec l’âge chez les adultes. Notre étude révèle que les prévalences des pathologies bucco-dentaires sont influencées par tous les facteurs envisagés. Des inégalités de régime alimentaire et d’hygiène bucco-dentaire pourraient expliquer les différences liées au sexe et à la localisation géographique.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025