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Big East M5: 11.06.13 EditionPosted by Dan Lyons on November 6th, 2013
- Georgetown is projected to finish around the top of the Big East this season, even after losing its top player from 2012-13 in forward Otto Porter, drafted third overall by the Washington Wizards. Porter is the most recent in a long line of talented forwards who have been the key player in John Thompson's Princeton offense, following stars like Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert and Greg Monroe. This year, it is unclear if Georgetown has that type of player at the forward spot. Greg Whittington, the most obvious candidate, tore his ACL over the summer. Nate Lubick will probably get playing time but lacks some of the raw talent and skills that the others have had. Transfer Josh Smith has all the talent a coach could want, but has major question marks after a less-than-stellar two years at UCLA. Instead, this year's Hoyas may be more focused on guard play with Markel Starks and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a departure from what we usually expect from Thompson's best teams.
- St. John's has announced that sophomores Felix Balamou and David Lipscomb will take redshirts this season. Balamou was a contributor last year, averaging two points in nine minutes of action per game,and appearing in all but five of the Red Storm's contests. Lipscomb, a walk-on, appeared in seven games last season but has yet to score in college. The move should allow both guards to develop without burning a year of eligibility during a time when St. John's already has a crowded backcourt. Players like D'Angelo Harrison, Phil Greene IV, Rysheed Jordan and Jamal Branch will probably see most of the meaningful minutes in this year's backcourt, so this is a wise move for these two players' futures.
- It's hard if not virtually impossible to lose during Midnight Madness, but this year's event has already proven problematic for Xavier. Guard Dee Davis suffered a concussion during the event and has sat out for more than a week of activities as a result; reports are now that he may not be available for the season opener against Gardner-Webb. Davis is second of all the returning Xavier players in both minutes and points per game, so the Musketeers probably want their guard back as soon as possible. Head coach Chris Mack is taking all necessary precautions: "Until he's symptom-free we'll do what's wise for Dee, and that's to sit him."
- The injury bug has reared its ugly head in Providence as well. Friars' guard Kris Dunn suffered a shoulder injury in an exhibition with Rhode Island College and may miss the season opener against Boston College. Dunn's injury is especially worrisome because it is the same shoulder on which he had labrum surgery before last season, costing him the first nine games of 2012-13. Dunn's perimeter mate Bryce Cotton is also entering the season hampered by a sore knee, but he is not expected to miss any time. The tandem should be one of the better backcourts in the Big East, and keeping them on the court is key if the Friars want to make a run at the NCAA Tournament this season.
- Josh Smith could be the player that swings this season in favor of Georgetown. The UCLA transfer has been with the program roughly a year, and it has allowed him time to grasp the role of playing power forward in John Thompson's offense. One of the players who he is battling for playing time, Nate Lubick, doesn't seem too thrilled with going up against the powerful Smith every day in practice: "Ugh. It's miserable. He backs it down and dunks it on me every time. He's good. It's something that's very hard for another team to prepare." In Rob Dauster's article on CollegeBasketballTalk, other teammates commended Smith's underrated passing ability, which is key for big men in the Georgetown offense. If Smith's ability in practice translates to the faster pace of real games and his conditioning continues to improve, Smith may be the missing piece for a talented Hoyas team looking to get over the NCAA Tournament hump.


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Having spent nearly 20 years serving registered investment advisors in TD Ameritrade's RIA segment, Tom Nally is ready to face what may be his greatest challenge — assuming the role of TD Ameritrade Institutional president that his storied successor, Tom Bradley, left behind in February. When Bradley became the parent company's new president of retail distribution, Nally took over as head of the RIA business.
It's a position that Nally is prepared to take over, considering that he and Bradley worked closely together for years and that during his career he has been responsible for trading, fixed income, advisor relations, customer service, advisor technology, account services and operations for more than 4,000 independent RIAs who custody assets with TDAI.
"In working with Tom in this organization for a long time, we definitely have a lot of similarities," Nally says. "We both place emphasis on the culture here and building strong teams and making sure that we're always putting the client first. We're obviously different people, so we do things differently, but it's all about making sure you have good people with common goals working together."
Nally considers his company fortunate to be in "the sweet spot" of financial services, where the RIA business is growing significantly. Not only does TDAI see existing advisors enjoying strong asset growth, but it also sees many new breakaway entrants coming into the space. Indeed, more advisors are bringing assets to TDAI than ever before. Last year, the business brought in 348 breakaway brokers, up about 20% year over year, and TDAI now comprises 60% of the overall company's net new assets and 40% of its total assets. As of Feb. 29, TD Ameritrade has $441.8 billion in total assets.
Asked to name the most pressing issues that advisors will encounter in the year to come, Nally focuses on four essential trends.
First, advisors are running their firms more like a business than a practice, he says. "We're seeing more and more advisors hiring chief operating officers and trying to create enterprise value to build out their business," Nally says. Second, a significant demographic trend is taking place, with advisors more focused on the wealth transfer of assets from boomers to Gen X and Gen Y — a $20 trillion opportunity.
Third, the breakaway broker trend is not slowing down. The RIA space has grown by about 45% in the last five years or so, while the wirehouses have grown only 6% because "their model is broken," Nally asserts. Fourth, since the average age of advisors is about 55, more RIAs are getting serious about succession planning.
Putting a personal spin on this fourth trend, Nally says what struck him most about a recent TD Ameritrade succession survey is that the overwhelmingly preferred exit strategy is to identify and develop an internal successor. Is that similar to what's just happened with Nally and Tom Bradley? "Yeah, absolutely," he answers. "I guess I'm a great test case for it, right?"
To be sure, the 40-year-old New Jersey native has a talent for adapting to new surroundings, having spent a few years in San Diego before moving on to his current location in Fort Worth, Texas. Putting others' needs first is his first priority, he says, and it extends to helping advisors gain more market share, products, services and an advanced technology platform.
"I really believe in the value advisors bring to their clients, and I know our company does, too," Nally says. "The beauty of the RIA business is that the RIA sits on the same side as the end client. When I come to work every day to try to do a better job serving advisors, I know that's ultimately going to translate into doing a better job for end investors."
Find out who was named on the 2012 IA 25 in Investment Advisor's May issue.
Check out more extended interviews of the 2012 IA 25 at AdvisorOne.

subset: commoncrawl


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Zynga Co-Founder Signs On as Board Adviser at Bee Cave Games
Eric Schiermeyer, founding team member of social gaming company Zynga, announced Friday he will act as adviser to the board of directors at Bee Cave Games.
The position comes on the heels of Schiermeyer's investment in the company (the amount was not disclosed). Schiermeyer,
will still hold his position at Zynga. as Tech Crunch points out, is no longer with Zynga, hence the title ambiguity on his LinkedIn profile.
Schiermeyer, who was once SVP of product at Zynga, is now listed as "guru of growth" on CrunchBase and simply "founder" on his LinkedIn profile. He was one of the original team members to work on Zynga Poker, one of the company's most successful and widely played social games to date.
So joining Bee Cave Games, a startup that works predominantly on casino-style games, makes sense for a guy with Schiermeyer's background. Schiermeyer also worked with Erik Bethke, CEO of Bee Cave Games, during Bethke's time at Zynga. The two worked together scaling growth upward on Mafia Wars, another one of Zynga's more popular games.
Schiermeyer's investment and adviser position comes at an interesting time for Zynga, as the company positions itself in the long term to move into online real-money gaming.


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These unique, statement earrings are sure to get noticed. They add a touch of shine to any outfit, and you can wear them proudly knowing your purchase helps women escaping human trafficking.
A part of our Premier Line, these ethically handcrafted earrings come packaged in a beautiful box and finished in elegant 14k Gold or luminous Rhodium - a rare and valuable precious metal.
All our jewelry is handcrafted by survivors of human trafficking. Slight irregularities and variations in craftsmanship or natural characteristics of the materials are unique and individual to each artisan jewelry item. These characteristics are considered a part of the beauty and charm of the handmade jewelry item and should not be considered a defect.
However, we want you to love your purchase! We stand behind our products and warrant that all items will be free from manufacturing defect.* If you are dissatisfied with your choice, please see the Returns & Exchanges page.
*General wear and tear, misuse and tarnishing are not covered under the warranty. Our warranty does not provide for replacements or refunds for lost or stolen items.
Our artisan jewelry is made with love and care. Following these steps will help keep your unique jewelry pieces looking their best year after year.
The flattering Journey necklace features a delicate chain and hammered chevron pendant. Simple and sweet, this necklace is a go-to item for everyday wear, and a great addition to a layered look. The Journey necklace represents the journey each woman takes to obtain true freedom, and is a great reminder to persevere.
A part of our Premier Line, this ethically handcrafted necklace comes packaged in a beautiful box and finished in elegant 14k Gold or luminous Rhodium - a rare and valuable precious metal.
Light and breezy, our Breeze Butterfly Necklace tells a story of transformation. Available in gold tone or silver tone, the Breeze necklace is a fun piece that can be worn every day.
This ethically handcrafted necklace tells the world that you stand for freedom because your purchase gives back to young women escaping human trafficking. A part of our Hope Line, it tells a story of new beginnings.


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Lycoming College does not offer a traditional major in Computer Science. Rather, our focus is on the interdisciplinary aspects of computers and technology – the ways in which computers have impacted, and continue to make fundamental changes in a wide-variety of disciplines. Because of this focus, our courses are tailored to meet the needs of students who may have little or no experience with traditional computing concepts but who recognize the importance that a fundamental understanding of computing will have in their futures.
Students interested in computers and technology have several options at Lycoming College. By augmenting their chosen major with a minor in computer science or a minor in computational science, students will prepare themselves for the rapidly changing, technology-rich 21st century. Students entering the workplace after graduation will have more to offer potential employers by bringing with them experience and expertise that others in the pool of applicants do not have. Those going to graduate school will have the skills and knowledge that will allow them to utilize computers and technology in innovative ways in their advanced research environment. For suggestions on major – minor combinations, click here.
Students whose interests and future plans are best served by combining components of computing with courses from other disciplines may tailor a technology-rich individual interdisciplinary major that will meet their specific needs. More information about individual interdisciplinary majors.
Are you interested in learning more about what Lycoming has to offer?


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Colleges with actuarial programs
There are many actuarial science programs to choose from at a variety of colleges and universities. While there are advantages to attending such programs, you should know that you don't have to major in actuarial science to become an actuary, nor is an advanced degree required. Many students come to the profession from backgrounds in math, statistics, finance, economics and other areas. However, potential actuaries all seem to have a couple of key things in common—an interest in, and an aptitude for, math and a desire to put math skills to use in a business context.
To earn an actuarial credential, you must complete a series of actuarial examinations, e-Learning components and other requirements through an actuarial membership organization such as the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). The path you choose to become an actuary depends somewhat on your learning style. If you are comfortable with self-study and believe you can stay motivated on your own, you are free to study the recommended material and attempt the actuarial exams and other components on your own. That works well for many people. However, you may find it easier to prepare for the actuarial exams within a university setting, and in particular, within an actuarial science program or math/statistics/business program with an actuarial concentration.
An Actuarial College List is available to help you make the make the right decision. The colleges on the list are organized into six categories:
- Centers of Actuarial Excellence
- Undergraduate Introductory
- Undergraduate Advanced
- Graduate Education
- Graduate Education and Research
- Other - Offers some courses relating to actuarial science
The schools provide the information that appears on the college list, but only the Centers of Actuarial Excellence schools have had their information verified.


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Select a design, then select the device that you would like to style.
In Stock - Worldwide Shipping
Skins are premium quality decals that feature stunning, high-resolution graphics printed on premium grade adhesive-backed cast vinyl.
Skins provide low profile protection with no bulk and protects your Samsung Galaxy S9 from scratches. The unique weaved adhesive allows for fast, easy and accurate application, and goo-free removal.
Make your Samsung Galaxy S9 uniquely yours.
iStyles Samsung Galaxy S9 Skin design of Orange, Pattern, Textile, Tapestry, Turquoise, Art, Circle, Psychedelic art, Visual arts, Symmetry with green, red, orange, yellow colors. Model SGS9-MNDCITR
Samsung Galaxy S9 not included.
The Matte finish is a non-glossy, satin-type finish that give Skins an arty look and feel (art pieces, professional photos, canvases are usually matte). It is fingerprint and smudge resistant, and looks gorgeous with most designs.
The Gloss finish is a shiny finish that gives Skins an expensive, classy and sophisticated look (like a really shiny car). Designs look more vibrant with a gloss finish.
View your Shopping Cart or Style Another Device with "Mandala Citrus"
100% Would Recommend I had no problems what so ever with the products I got or the service I received. I would 100% recommend shopping with istyles. The package I ordered arrived early and with everything in there, the products looked better than expected.Emily McLaughlin, United States


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Photo Gallery | PFD Wins Race Up Boston Place ... AGAIN!
As most of your know, my husband Lenny is in the Portland Fire Department (and is also a Realtor). Since 2008, he and his fellow colleagues have participated in the American Lung Association's Race Up Boston Place. This year, the department won the fire fighter division for the third time in five years!
The stair climb takes place at the BNY Mellon Building at One Boston Place – the third tallest building along Boston's skyline with 41 stories. The guys in the PFD joined this event in 2008 and decided that they were not going to just climb, they were going to climb wearing their full turnout gear, including helmet and breathing air from their SCBA air packs. It was a first. That first year the Portland Fire Department did not win, but they would the next year and the year after that!
Since the PFD did not win in 2011, this year seemed less stressful and everyone seemed to just be going to have fun and do their best – not defend a title. There was lots of talk around the building that morning about other departments and how they trained and how some fire fighters were also triathletes and how so many departments wanted to win. I was able to volunteer at the top of the stairs for a bit and see some of the other teams finish – and some of them were SO fast and they were hardly sweating once they reached the top. About 15 minutes into the fire fighter division, I was sure there wasn't a chance that we would win.
Once the competition was over, we headed over to the award ceremony at a local pub called Scholars. The PFD and all us wives found a great place to view the trophy presentation along a second floor balcony. Of course the fire fighter division is always announced last, so as we were listening to all the individual awards, a familiar name was called – Liz Westburg – she was one of the wives who climbed with me on the Wives of the PFD team. She won the women 30-39 age group! And then, when they started to announce the mens division, two more familiar names were announced – Ryan Thomson, fastest male fire fighter in the 30-39 age group and James Westburg (Liz's husband!) was number three in the same category! Three champions in our group – SO EXCITING and SO PROUD! This was clearly as far as we thought our winning streak was going this year.
And then it was time for the fastest fire fighter team. In years past they have drawn this out. Starting with third place and then second and so on. This year, well, you can see here. It was SO EXCITING and so unexpected! We had all planned on going out to dinner to celebrate recent promotions, but this gave us another reason to celebrate! OH! And the PFD and Wives of the PFD helped lead the company rank fundraising division with a total of $7,940.50. Only $59.50 from $8,000! If you would like to help us top $8,000, donate here!
Congratulations to all participants!
For more blogs by April, go to www.thecohentracyteam.com


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Google App Engine launched this week and one controversial aspect was that it only works for Python. It wasn't a big deal to me. Firstly, it's a good way for Google to limit the initial market. Secondly, Google specialises in Python and not Ruby - quoth Yegge: "One of the fences in this big playground is your choice of programming language. You have to play inside the fence defined by C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript." After all, Google has Guido but not Matz or DHH. (I wonder how many times someone has asked that guy if he'd consider a position at Google!) Thirdly, who cares? Do you really think it will stay Python-only for long? Heavens to Murgatroyd!!!
Dion's take (read his post for the full detail):
Anyway, I have a dream and surprisingly it doesn't involve Ruby and unsurprisingly it does involve the magic bullet that is server-side Javascript.
How cool would it be if Google bought Aptana or AppJet - or did their own work with Jaxer or Rhino - and made a robust, elastic, server-side Javascript platform? Then roll in Rhino and Rails, hopefully reworked from Rails considerably to take into account the synergies delivered by dual-side Javascript. Backed by BigTable of course!
That's the tipping point right there!


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Homeschool geometry
Everything from basic math up through high school!
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Homeschool geometry
I have been tutoring homeschool geometry for the past two years. I used the book A High School First Course In Euclidean Plane Geometry. My students loved geometry and most of the time they needed little intervention from me. I did not tell my students that the book has a solutions manual but they did not needed anyway. It is a fine book at high school level.
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Two young children were left in a car outside a South Florida casino while their parents gambled inside early Thursday, police say.
The children, ages four and one, were found in a car in the parking lot of the Hialeah Park Casino at 2200 E. 4th Ave., said Hialeah Police spokesman Carl Zogby.
The kids were spotted by casino employees in the unattended car just after midnight, Zogby said.
"The kids were subject to anything happening to them. They could've walked out of the car, or someone could've come in — who knows what could've happened," Zogby said.
U.S. & World
He said the parents had been inside gambling, possibly for over an hour, while their children sat in the car, which had the engine running and the air conditioning on.
The parents, Tyrell Johnson and his girlfriend Josephine Laidler, were both charged with child neglect, Zogby said.
Footage showed the man and woman being detained by police at the scene and the two young children playing with officers.
Hialeah Police and the Department of Children and Families are investigating the incident.
The children were put into the custody of their grandparents by a family court judge Thursday afternoon. If the parents bond out of jail, they are not allowed to go near the kids.
The Hialeah casino also banned the couple for life.


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Recipe from Tara Thornton of Ala.
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts boiled (cut into strips)
1/2 carton sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 can crescent rolls
Mix both soups and sour cream together. Roll up chicken strips in crescent rolls. Place soup mixture in bottom of greased casserole dish and place chicken rolls on top, top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until crescent rolls are brown.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.


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Reviewed By WILLIAM C (LEWES, DE) Reviewed for a 1992 Chevy Corvette —8/10/2012 5:14 PM
If you have a nice car what a way to enhance it. Spend the money, the quality is better then any out there. Shipping is always fast. I like to pick a contrasting color for my mat like black mats with a silver logo on a factory grey interior. They really pop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Jennings showcasing leadoff skills
ST. PETERSBURG -- Desmond Jennings has been the Rays' primary leadoff hitter since being called up midway through the 2011 season, and it is not hard to see why.
Jennings stole 20 bases in 63 games that season and swiped 31 more in 2012.
But after 44 starts this season, hitting leadoff in all of them, Jennings had stolen only seven bags and saw his batting average dip to .232.
Manager Joe Maddon is never fearful of tinkering with lineups to spark production, and he did so, bouncing Jennings around the lower part of the order.
Since the team's trip to Houston, Jennings is back at the top and the Rays have lost only one of those seven games. During that stretch, Jennings has 14 hits in 33 at-bats, four of which have led off the game.
He had another big game in Monday's 7-4 win over the Twins, as he went 2-for-4 with a walk, triple and two runs.
"His on-base percentage is a lot better," Maddon said. "The quality of his contact has gotten better. His decision-making is better. He's stealing bases again. He's starting to look like he's supposed to."
Jennings has stolen four bases since returning to the leadoff spot.
"I wasn't getting on base, and once you stop doing something for awhile, it's not that you forget how to do it, you just don't have confidence in it," Jennings said. "As of late, I've been feeling better and swinging better. Everything has been going great."


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Donald Henry Rumsfeld (born July 9, 1932) is an American government official, Republican politician and businessman who served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977, under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006, under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest (at 43 years old) and the oldest person (at 74 years old) to have served as Secretary of Defense, as well as the only person to have served in the position for two non-consecutive terms. Combined, he is the second longest-serving defense secretary after Robert McNamara.
Rumsfeld was White House Chief of Staff during part of the Ford Administration and also served in various positions in the Nixon Administration. He was elected to four terms in the United States House of Representatives, and served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO. He was president of G. D. Searle & Company from 1977–1985, CEO of General Instrument from 1990–1993, and chairman of Gilead Sciences from 1997-2001. Rumsfeld is one of the key people responsible for the restructuring of the military after 2001, for designing the national response to the 9-11 attacks, and for taking charge of the wars against Afghanistan (2001-present) and Irag (2003-2010), including the controversial treatment of prisoners. At first highly popular with the media for his outspokenness, he lost political support as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dragged on and was forced to retire immediately after the 2006 election.
Donald Henry Rumsfeld was born on July 9, 1932, in Evanston, Illinois, to George Donald Rumsfeld and Jeannette (née Huster). His great-grandfather, Johann Heinrich Rumsfeld, emigrated from Weyhe near Bremen in Northern Germany in 1876. Growing up in Winnetka, Illinois, Rumsfeld became an Eagle Scout in 1949 and is the recipient of both the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America and its Silver Buffalo Award in 2006. He was a camp counselor at the Northeast Illinois Council's Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan in the late 1940s and a ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1949. Rumsfeld later bought a vacation house 30 miles (48 km) west of Philmont at Taos, New Mexico.


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Great stuff Paul – thanks for sharing with the readers of the Mobile Photo Awards blog – I know people will dig it!
Paul Moore: an iPhoto Essay from Ireland
The Mobile Photo Awards is pleased to present the Mobile Photography of Paul Moore. We have always been struck by the beauty of his landscapes from his native Ireland, specifically from the Lough Boora Parklands near his home. Please enjoy his marvellous, soulful images.
"Everyone needs a place they can go to escape the madness of the modern world. For me, that place is Lough Boora Parklands in the midlands of Ireland. It is only 25 mins from my home but feels like a world away. Up until recently, it was a working bog with trains criss-crossing the landscape carrying the turf to its final destination. There is evidence of this activity with tracks and old trains still littered about the landscape. The bog has been allowed to return to its natural state and has been enhanced with the addition of 3 artificial lakes and a number of sculptures dotted around the place. It is also a wildlife reserve and is surrounded by farmland. It is a wonderfully peaceful place that changes with the seasons. It is a great place to just chill out. Have a look." – Paul Moore
Paul Moore
You can see more of Paul's work on his FLICKR STREAM
11 Comments on "Paul Moore: an iPhoto Essay from Ireland"
Absolutely beautiful journey through Lough Boora Parklands! Thank you for taking us there
Absolutely love Paul's work! So glad you're sharing it.
Lovely work, particularly like the Duck pictures.
Wonderful work! makes me want to go there
Great work Paul!
Stunning images Paul!!
Those cows! Beautiful work, all of it.
I never thought cows could be so photogenic!
Thanks very much for all your kind comments. And thanks again to Dan for the feature:)
I have enjoyed Paul's photography in WIAM and am happy to see that others are recognizing his talent.
Cheers Paul


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Printable Patterns
D Dog embroidery pattern - Printable
In Stock
This Doggy would be adorable stitched onto a onesie or a baby quilt.
This 4 page PDF file includes an image of the finished embroidered pattern, a stitch and color guide, simple embroidery instructions, an easy to trace black and white pattern, and a black and white pattern in reverse for an iron on transfer pencil.
This pattern measures 4.5 inches x 4.75 inches (approximately 11.5cm x 12cm), but you can enlarge or shrink the pattern to whatever size you like.
After checking out, you will receive an email that contains a link to download the pattern to your desktop or downloads folder.
To view the file you will need to have Adobe Reader. You can download a free version of Adobe Reader here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
This pattern is for personal use only, please do not distribute. COMMERCIAL USE IS PROHIBITED. All designs ©Penguin & Fish


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WASHINGTON -- House Republicans this week unveiled a much-anticipated bill to repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula in advance of a subcommittee vote early next week.
Bill Repeals SGR and Grants Pay Raises for 5 Years
The bipartisan House measure released late Thursday provides 5 years of stable Medicare payments starting next year, with reimbursements growing 0.5% for each year between 2014 and 2018, according to the 70-page, yet-to-be-named bill.
The 5-year period allows physicians to transition to new models of care, after which doctors would be subject to having reimbursements based on performance on quality measures, or may opt out of that requirement if they practice in certain alternative payment models.
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will make opening statements on the bill Monday and hold a formal vote Tuesday. Medical groups widely praised the bill Friday.
Obama Touts ACA Benefits
President Obama is once again using the bully pulpit to stump for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) amid growing criticism of the 2010 health law.
Speaking from the White House's East Room on Thursday morning, Obama delivered news that 8.5 million Americans will receive an average $100 rebate from health insurance companies this summer.
The rebates are a result of the ACA's "medical-loss ratio" -- the provision that requires health insurance companies to spend at least 80% to 85% of the premiums they collect on medical care rather than administrative costs. If the insurers don't do that, they must issue a rebate to their customers.
Nine Pioneer ACOs to Leave Program
The leading accountable care organizations (ACOs) showed mixed results in producing savings in the first year of the program but great success in hitting quality measures, the Medicare program said Tuesday.
A total of 13 of 32 "pioneer" ACOs -- organizations participating in the most advanced ACO model Medicare offers -- produced enough savings to have Medicare share them with the ACO, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said.
However, CMS also reported Tuesday that seven pioneer ACOs that didn't produce savings told the agency they intend to apply for Medicare's Shared Savings Program -- a lower-risk, lower-reward program. Another two pioneers will leave the ACO model altogether.
CMS Releases Apps to Follow Sunshine Act Payments
Physicians can now track payments and gifts they receive that are reported by drug companies through two mobile device apps released Wednesday by CMS.
Starting Aug. 1, CMS's Open Payments program -- created by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act -- will track and later publicly report transfers of value between physicians and drug and device manufacturers.
"These two apps are an innovation option for doctors and industry to accurately and securely track their financial ties and other transfers of value as required under this important transparency program," CMS Program Integrity Director Peter Budetti, MD, JD, said in a statement.
Questions Raised About ACA Data Security
Federal watchdogs expressed concerns to lawmakers Wednesday about the security of information that will be traded through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) health insurance exchanges.
Federal tax information provided to the exchanges in order to determine benefit eligibility may not be adequately protected, an official from the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said Wednesday.
Alan Duncan, assistant inspector general for the Treasury Department, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee his office has concerns the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) fraud controls may not be ready in time to detect ACA-related fraud schemes.
House Inches Toward Oversight of Compounding
Congress is wrangling with the issue of where to draw the line between state and federal oversight of large-scale compounding pharmacies in light of a series of infections -- including a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak -- linked to the facilities.
There now appears to be general agreement the FDA needs more clear authority over compounding manufacturers -- pharmacies that compound bulk supplies of drugs in advance of a patient prescription.
But at hearing Tuesday held by the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, lawmakers appeared uneasy about tightening the regulation of traditional, compounding pharmacies, citing the service that the compounders provide to physicians. At the same time, Congress doesn't want to enable shoddy oversight of large-scale compounders like those that have caused recent outbreaks.
Self-Referrals for Biopsies on the Rise
Physician referrals under Medicare for anatomic pathology services doubled in a 7-year period when the provider had a financial tie to the biopsy service, a government report said Monday.
Meanwhile, non-self-referred anatomic pathology services grew about 38% from 2004 to 2010, the Government Accountability Office said. Additionally, referrals for Medicare's anatomic pathology services by physicians increased "substantially" the year after they began to self-refer.
The practice of self-referral -- which has caught the eye of Congress more than once in the past year -- cost Medicare roughly an additional $69 million for anatomic pathology services in 2010 and caused an additional 918,000 more such services than if self-referring providers referred at the same rate as non-self-referring providers.
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On-line version ISSN 1851-8044
Ameghiniana vol.47 no.3 Buenos Aires Sept. 2010
Predation bite-marks on a peirosaurid crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén Province, Argentina
Lucas Ernesto Fiorelli1
1Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja, Entre Ríos y Mendoza s/n, 5301 Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina. firstname.lastname@example.com
Abstract. Bite marks and injuries caused by intraspecific predation or aggressive social behavior are un-common in fossil vertebrates, and in the fossil record of suchian archosaurs they are extremely unusual. A peirosaurid crocodyliform collected from the Upper Cretaceous beds of the Neuquén Group (northern Patagonia, Argentina) shows abundant bite marks and injuries. These injuries are spread across all the preserved parts of the specimen, with the highest concentration of bite marks, perforations and breakage in the caudal region. Characteristics of these injuries are analyzed, and their possible origin and related taphonomic aspects are assessed. Results indicate that the injuries were not produced by intraspecific fighting, but probably by the predating action of a theropod dinosaur.
Resumen. Marcas de predación en un crocodiliforme peirosaurido del Cretácico Superior del Neuquén, Argentina. El hallazgo de marcas de mordeduras y lesiones por predación o comportamiento social agresivo intraespecífico en vertebrados fósiles es poco frecuente. En el registro fósil de arcosaurios suquianos tales evidencias son extraordinarias. Aquí se reporta un crocodiliforme peirosáurido del Cretácico Superior del Grupo Neuquén (norte de Patagonia, Argentina) con abundantes marcas de mordeduras y lesiones. Estas heridas están localizadas en todas las partes preservadas del espécimen, con una alta concentración de mordeduras, perforaciones y roturas en la región caudal. En el presente trabajo, se analizan las características de las lesiones, y también sus posibles causas y los aspectos tafonómicos relacionados. Los resultados muestran que las mordeduras fueron hechas por la acción de un predador y no por peleas intraespecíficas.
Key words. Bite marks; Predation; Peirosaurid; Upper Cretaceous; Neuquén.
Palabras clave. Mordeduras; Predación; Peirosáurido; Cretácico Superior; Neuquén.
Bite marks and injuries produced by predation and scavenging in vertebrate fossils are uncommon and only a few cases are well documented (Erickson and Olson, 1996; Chure et al., 1998; Frey et al., 2002; Everhart, 2005; Reisz and Tsuji, 2006; Bianucci et al., 2010; Hone et al., 2010). Even less common are cases in which the bite injuries are caused by intraspecific and cofamilial aggressive social behavior (Molnar and Farlow, 1990; Sereno and Novas, 1993; Tanke and Currie, 1998; Bell and Currie, 2009). Cases applicable to crocodylomorphs are also limited, with only a few examples recorded in fossil members of this group (Gilmore, 1946; Buffetaut, 1983; Sawyer and Erickson, 1998; Frey et al., 2002). A case of injuries and bite marks produced on the tail of a specimen of the crocodyliform Baurusuchus pachecoi Price, 1945, from the Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin (Brazil), was recently reported (Avila et al., 2004). These authors argued that such bite marks were produced by cospecific combat.
Ethology and social behavior of extant crocodylians is more complex than that of other non-archosaurian reptiles (Avila et al., 2004). Many ethological traits, a combination of sensory signals (olfactory, visual, and acoustic), and several corporal postures and social displays are used as warnings before escalation to physical intraspecific aggression occurs (Hunt, 1977; Garrick et al., 1978; Vliet, 1989; Thorbjarnarson and Hernández, 1993; Pough et al., 1998; Senter, 2008). Injuries are caused frequently when for some reason —e.g., disputes for food or territory, dominance fights during reproductive period and courtship behavior, etc.— fighting takes place (Cott, 1961; Hunt, 1977; Vliet, 1989, 2001a, 2001b; Senter, 2008). Adult or subadult extant crocodilians have virtually no natural predators. However, crocodilian nests, neonates and juveniles are predated by mammals, birds, fishes, snakes, turtles, and even other crocodilians (Scott, 2004). As adult members of this group represent the top predators in their trophic environments, cases in which they have been attacked by other predators have been very rarely recorded.
Herein I report a peirosaurid crocodyliform from the Santonian Bajo de la Carpa Formation in Neuquén Province, Argentina (Bonaparte, 1991; Fiorelli et al., 2007), with numerous injuries, perforations, breakage, and bite marks. These injuries are present throughout most of the preserved parts of the specimen being more frequent in the caudal section.
Material and methods
The specimen described here, MUCPv-27 (figure 1.1-1.8), represents a new species of a still unnamed peirosaurid crocodyliform (Fiorelli et al., 2007). Bonaparte (1991) briefly described this specimen and suggested that it would represent a taxon closely related to Araripesuchus Price, 1959. Nevertheless, a recent review of MUCPv-27 stated that it would not represent a form closely related to the Notosuchia, but instead exhibits affinities with neosuchian peirosaurids (Fiorelli et al., 2007). Available fragmentary remains include many elements in good state of preservation but most of the fossil was lost (probably owing to predation). Preserved elements of MUCPv-27 (figure 1.1-1.8) include cranial remains, nine dorsal vertebrae, some articulated appendicular elements, numerous presacral osteoderms, and an almost complete caudal region that is fully enclosed by osteoderms. Materials were photographed, drawn, and different digital programs were used for the analysis and design of the images and to highlight specific anatomical aspects.
Figure 1. Some elements of the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid. 1 and 2, caudal vertebrae in right lateral (1) and posterior (2) views; 3, several armor pieces, osteodermal plates of the trunk and ribs fragments; 4, fragment of the snout showing both nasals; 5, dorsal vertebra; 6, articulated middle dorsal vertebrae and plates; 7, indeterminate appendicular elements; 8, very complete caudal region showing disposition of the armor on the tail / algunos elementos del peirosaurido MUCPv-27 1 y 2, vértebra caudal en vista lateral derecha (1) y posterior (2); 3, varias piezas de la dermostea, osteodermos del tronco y restos de costillas; 4, fragmento del hocico mostrando ambos nasales; 5, vértebra dorsal; 6, vértebras dorsales medias y placas articuladas; 7, elementos apendiculares indeterminados; 8, región caudal muy completa mostrando la disposición de la dermostea sobre la cola.
Abbreviations. MUCP, Museo de Geología y Paleontología, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina. MUCPv-27 is currently housed at the Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales -CePaLB-, State Route #51, Km 65, Neuquén Province, Argentina.
Locality and horizon
Specimen MUCPv-27 comes from beds exposed within the Campus of the University of Comahue, in the city of Neuquén (38º56'25"S - 68º3'10"W) (figure 2.1). In this area, the outcrops are referred to the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, Río Colorado Subgroup, Neuquén Group (middle-upper Santonian; Leanza et al., 2004) (figure 2.2). Unlike other sections in the basin, the rocks of this formation in the city of Neuquén were deposited in fluvial and aeolian systems (Sánchez et al., 2006). Moreover, the arid and dry continental climate was dominated by aeolian deposition, creating big dunes and inter-dune lagoon basins skirted by fluvial deposits, criss-crossed by streams and seasonal or ephemeral water bodies. The horizon in which the fossil was found is composed of coarse-grained, light violet to pink sandstones of fluvial origin.
Figure 2. Locality and horizon. 1, map of Argentina and the Comahue region showing the site where MUCPv-27 was collected; 2, stratigraphic column of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, Neuquén Group (taken and modified from Chiappe and Calvo, 1994, and Leanza et al., 2004) showing the diverse biota found in the outcrops of this formation mainly in the University Campus / localidad y horizonte. 1, mapa de Argentina y la región del Comahue señalando el sitio donde fueron recolectados los materiales de MUCPv-27; 2, columna estratigráfica de la Formación Bajo de la Carpa, Grupo Neuquén (tomado y modificado de Chiappe y Calvo, 1994, y Leanza et al., 2004) mostrando la variada biota hallada en los afloramientos de esta formación, especialmente en el campus universitario.
Fauna of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation
Various outcrops of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation have yielded a rich fossil vertebrate assemblage (figure 2.2), including the remains of an indeterminate titanosaurid (Chiappe and Calvo, 1994; Parras and González Riga, 2001), cf. Laplatasaurus Huene, 1929 (Leanza et al., 2004), and the peculiar beaked sauropod Bonitasaura salgadoi Apesteguía, 2004, found at the locality known as La Bonita, in Río Negro Province. The theropod dinosaur fauna is also diverse, including the small abelisauroid theropod Velocisaurus unicus Bonaparte, 1991, found in Neuquén (also in the Campus of the University of Comahue). Recently, the presence of carnotaurine abelisaurid theropods was reported from the top of the unit in the La Invernada region , in northern Neuquén (Porfiri and Calvo, 2006), and also at Paso Córdova (Río Negro Province) (Ezcurra and Méndez, 2009). Aditionaly, remains of indeterminate theropods coming from the Auca Mahuida region (Neuquén Province) were considered by Coria and Arcucci (2004) to be large basal tetanurans related to carcharodontosaurids. Porfiri et al. (2008) reported from Tratayén (Neuquén Province) an articulated postcranium belonging to an allosauroid related to the Carcharodontosauria (sensu Benson et al., 2009). Coelurosaurian dinosaurs are also common and relatively well-known, such as the alvarezsaurids Alvarezsaurus calvoi Bonaparte, 1991 (Campus of the University of Comahue) and Achillesaurus manazzonei Martinelli and Vera, 2007 (Paso Córdova), the enantiornithine Neuquenornis volans Chiappe and Calvo, 1994, and the basal ornithuromorph Patagopteryx deferrariisi Alvarenga and Bonaparte, 1992 (both in the Campus of the University of Comahue). Also, bird egg-clutches with embryos (Schweitzer et al., 2002) (Campus of the University of Comahue), dinosaur eggs related to Megaloolithus patagonicus Calvo et al., 1997 (south of Neuquén city), and remains of the snake Dinilysia patagonica Woodward, 1901 (Campus of the University of Comahue). In addition, the chelid Lomalatachelys neuquina Lapparent de Broin and de la Fuente, 2001, comes from Loma de la Lata, in Neuquén Province (de la Fuente, 2007) and constitutes a common faunal element.
Crocodyliforms are an important faunal component of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation with Notosuchus terrestris Woodward, 1896, being the most abundant vertebrate from the unit (remains of Notosuchus were found in the Campus of the University and at Paso Córdova). Other crocodyliforms, found in the Campus of the University and at Paso Córdova, are the derived notosuchian Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis Bonaparte, 1991 (Campus of the University), the baurusuchids Cynodontosuchus rothi Woodward, 1896 (uncertain locality), Wargosuchus australis Martinelli and Pais, 2008, and the basal mesoeucrocodylian Neuquensuchus universitas Fiorelli and Calvo, 2007, the last two from the Campus of the University of Comahue.
Brief description of MUCPv-27
The elongated nasals form the dorsal edge of the external nares and bear deep pits and grooves resembling those of peirosaurids. The median suture is evident and straight. The lateral edges of the nasals are subparallel to each other. As in other peirosaurids, the internal surface does not bear a nasal septum (figure 1.4).
The degree of preservation of some of the post-cranial materials is exceptional, as most of the osteoderms are preserved in natural articulation (figures 1.6, 3.1-3.3). The dorsal region of the vertebral column is short and represented by nine elements, four of which are articulated to each other and to several paravertebral dorsal osteoderms. Seven dorsal vertebrae lack their centra whereas the other two dorsal vertebrae have complete spool-shaped centra with a completely closed neurocentral suture. Brochu (1996) showed that neurocentral sutures in the extant crocodylian vertebral column close in a posterior-anterior pattern as the animal matures. Moreover, this author used these ontogenetic changes as relative maturity indicators (Brochu, 1996). This pattern was recently confirmed as plesiomorphic for the Pseudosuchia (Irmis, 2007). Although it is impossible to pinpoint the age of the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid (due to lack of histological data), the neurocentral suture closure of the dorsal series could indicate that it was a subadult or adult specimen. These vertebrae are robust, with anteroposteriorly elongated neural spines, and pre- and post-spinal laminae. Caudal vertebrae (figures 1.1-1.2) possess dorsally elongated neural spines, a noticeable development of the pre- and post-spinal laminae, and aventral groove on the centra, like other peirosaurids (Fiorelli et al., 2007).
Figure 3. Dorsal vertebrae and articulated trunk osteoderms of the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid showing several bite marks. 1, left lateral view; 2, dorsal view; 3, ventral view. The black and white arrows indicate puncture marks and injuries present in the specimen / vértebras dorsales y osteodermos articulados del tronco del peirosáurido MUCPv-27 mostrando diversas marcas de mordedura. 1, vista lateral; 2, vista dorsal; 3, vista ventral. Las flechas negras y blancas indican las marcas de perforaciones y lesiones presentes en el espécimen.
The external surfaces of the osteoderms are heavily ornamented by deep pits and grooves and bear a slightly developed ridge (figures 1.3, 1.6). In MUCPv-27 the dorsal osteoderms of the first paravertebral row possess rounded lateral edges (figure 1.6). This character differs from that of other peirosaurids that possess dorsal osteoderms with straight lateral edges (e.g., Uberabasuchus Carvalho et al., 2004). The presacral dorsal osteoderms are preserved in natural articulation, indicating the presence of a single row of parasagittal osteoderms flanked by accessory (rounded) osteoderms (figure 1.3). This morphology contrasts with that of other peirosaurids (e.g., Mahajangasuchus Buckley and Brochu, 1999, and Uberabasuchus Carvalho et al., 2004), suggesting that this poorly studied clade had a highly diversified osteoderm morphology and arrangement. Numerous small osteoderms with complex articulated edges represent elements of the ventral armor (figure 1.3). The caudal osteoderms completely enclose the tail endoskeleton; their general morphology varies according to their location, ranging proximodistally from subquadrangular to anteroposteriorly elongated elements (figure 1.8).
Bite marks in the peirosaurid MUCPv-27
Virtually all the preserved elements of MUCPv-27 carry clear signs of injury and bite marks, mainly in the osteoderms and vertebrae that compose the caudal section (figure 1.8). More than 70 bite marks, punctures, breakage points, and other related damage are present in the preserved parts of the specimen. All marks are in the postcranial area, which is not surprising due to their fragmentary nature and the lack of preservation of more skull material.
The articulated dorsal section presents some indications of bite marks and represents a very affected and damaged section. It cannot be established whether this damage was due to predation or to later erosion, although the biostratinomic processes affecting the material were more important than either the diagenetic or erosional processes (see below, Taphonomic Considerations). In any case, the greatest damage in the presacral section is observed ventrally, where the vertebrae lack their respective centra. Additionally, almost all neural apophyses and neural spines are damaged at their distal ends and several tiny bony fragments (figures 3.1-3.3) were found during preparation. Diverse breakage marks and circular perforations filled by sediment are present on the articulated dorsal paravertebral osteoderms (figures 3.1-3.3, 4.1-4.3). The perforations vary in diameter (~5-10 mm) and present a singular disposition. All perforations are arranged linearly along the axis of the animal, in each osteoderm from the right side and located medial to the osteodermal keel (i.e., carina dermostealis) (figures 3.2, 4.2). In the corresponding preserved paravertebral osteoderms of the left side, the same and very characteristic linear arrangement can be observed (figure 3.1-3.3, 4.3). This alignment of injuries along both sides of the trunk could indicate a single bite made by larger predator on the back of MUCPv-27.
Figure 4. Several isolated and articulated osteoderms of trunk of MUCPv-27 with punctures and bite marks. 1, isolated osteoderm fragments showing some punctures in dorsal view; 2, two articulated paravertebral osteoderm plates from the right side of trunk with aligned marks in dorsal view; 3, three paravertebral osteoderm plates from the left side of trunk with circular aligned marks in ventral view. The black and white arrows indicate the puncture marks and injuries present in the specimen. Scale bars = 3 cm / algunos osteodermos del dorso de MUCPv-27 aislados y articulados con perforaciones y marcas de mordidas. 1, vista dorsal de fragmentos de osteodermos aislados que muestran perforaciones; 2, vista dorsal de dos osteodermos paravertebrales articulados del sector derecho del tronco con marcas alineadas; 3, vista ventral de tres osteodermos paravertebrales del lado izquierdo del tronco con marcas circulares alineadas. Las flechas negras y blancas indican las marcas de mordeduras y heridas presentes en el espécimen/escala = 3 cm.
Diverse perforations and breakage marks can be observed on the external surface of the articulated osteoderms, suggesting that the perforations were made from the outside towards the inside. Moreover, the internal surface of some osteoderms displays unhealed bony elevations or incisions — and without fossilized connective tissue (figures 5.3, 6.4-6.5)— underneath the external bite marks. These traits cannot be observed on the right side osteoderms. Breakage marks in the trunk osteoderms are also filled by sediment, indicating that the dorsal section was covered with sediments subsequent to the action of the predator. Such taphonomic features suggest high fragmentation was produced by predation, before burial of the specimen. Some of the isolated osteoderms exhibit very sharp and acute punctures, as well as rounded and circular marks (figures 4.3, 5.2-5.3).
Figure 5. MUCPv-27; several views of the articulated tail section showing many bite marks, perforations and injuries. 1, proximal section of tail in left lateral view (the fossil was found on its back with the ventral part facing upwards); 2, caudal vertebrae fully surrounded by caudal plates in left lateral view, showing the internal damage to the centra and neural spines; 3, row of right paravertebral caudal plates in inner view with tooth mark and punctures marks in both sides (observe the radial axes born from the central perforation in the left mark); 4, right accessory osteoderm plates of the tail showing numerous linearly arranged perforations; 5, middle section of the tail; 6, inner side of ventral plate of the middle section of tail with a clear puncture mark; 7, distal section of the tail in the left lateral view. White arrows indicate puncture marks and injuries / MUCPv-27; vistas de la sección caudal articulada mostrando numerosas mordeduras, perforaciones y lesiones. 1, vista lateral izquierda de la sección proximal de la cola (el fósil fue hallado invertido, con la parte ventral hacia arriba); 2, vista lateral izquierda de las vértebras caudales rodeadas completamente por osteodermos mostrando los daños internos en los centros y las espinas neurales; 3, vista interna de una hilera de osteodermos paravertebrales caudales del sector derecho con marcas de dientes y perforaciones en ambos lados (obsérvense los ejes radiales que se extienden desde una de las perforaciones); 4, osteodermos accesorios derechos de la cola mostrando numerosas perforaciones alineadas; 5, sección media de la cola; 6, lado interno de un osteodermo ventral de la sección media de la cola mostrando una perforación muy clara; 7, vista lateral izquierda de la sección distal de la cola. Las flechas blancas muestran las perforaciones y lesiones.
Figure 6. MUCPv-27, tail and osteodermal plates. 1 and 2, middle section of the tail of MUCPv-27 showing puncture and bite marks on the outside; 3, puncture marks and damage (arrows) in the inner side of the tail -mainly in the caudal vertebrae- when the osteodermal plates indicated in 1 and 2 are removed; 4 and 5, isolated fragments of dorsal and caudal osteodermal plates in external (4) and inner (5) views; 6 and 7, two articulated paravertebral caudal osteodermal plates from the left side in external (6) and inner (7) views. White arrows show puncture marks and injuries / MUCPv-27, cola y osteodermos 1 y 2, sección media de la cola de MUCPv-27 mostrando las perforaciones y mordeduras del lado externo; 3, perforaciones y daños (flechas) en el lado interno de la cola -principalmente en las vértebras caudales- cuando son removidos los osteodermos señalados en 1 y 2; 4 y 5 fragmentos aislados de osteodermos dorsales y caudales en vistas externa (4) e interna (5); 6 y 7, dos osteodermos paravertebrales caudales articulados del lado izquierdo en vistas externa (6) e interna (7). Las flechas blancas indican perforaciones y lesiones.
The tail section possesses dozens of bite marks, injuries, perforations, punctures, breakage marks and "scratches". The circular and aligned bite marks are present on both sides of the tail (figures 1.8, 5.1-5.7, 7.1-7.2). The articulated caudal region is crushed in a direction which is aligned with the axes that join the ventral and dorsal bite marks. This suggests that the crushing of the caudal region may have been produced by one single bite delivered by the predator. Almost all the bony elements of the tail show signs of damage, mainly in the armor (figures 1.8, 5.1-5.7, 6.1-6.3). The most important damage is perforations directed from the outside towards the inside of the armor plates. Most of these perforations are quite irregular on the osteoderm external surface (range of diameter = 3-20 mm). However, the corresponding internal marks are extremely characteristic, with obvious sediment infilling both perforations and cracks radiating from them (figures 5.3, 5.6, 6.5). This clearly indicates that the pressure exerted by the jaws of the predator on the caudal section was directed from outside toward the center. Another important characteristic observed is that all perforations are arranged longitudinally along the external surface of the tail (at least, three rows of punctures on each side of the tail). This supports the idea of a bite mark produced by a predator that bit the tail multiple times. In addition, numerous caudal osteoderm fragments display breakage marks, which were posthumously filled by sediment. Diverse caudal osteodrems were found disarticulated, but associated with the tail; these exhibit considerable puncturing and breakage identical to that observed in the rest of the osteodrems (figure 6.4-6.7).
Figure 7. 1, Schematic reconstruction showing the articulated tail of MUCPv-27 as it was found in the sediment-turned up side down- and the injuries and bite pressure (black arrows) on both sides; 2, restoration of the caudal section showing the correct position of tail and the several osteodermal plates completely enclosing the vertebrae. cv, caudal vertebra; ha: hemal arch; op, osteodermal plate / reconstrucción esquemática que muestra cómo fue hallada en el sedimento la cola articulada de MUCPv-27 -con la superficie ventral girada hacia arriba- mostrando las lesiones y la presión de mordida (flechas negras) en ambos lados; 2, restauración de la sección caudal mostrando la correcta posición de la cola y la dermostea encerrando completamente las vértebras. cv, vértebra caudal; ha, arco hemal; op, osteodermo.
All caudal vertebrae and haemal arches remain articulated. Like the armor, these are extraordinarily well-preserved, although they have been affected by predatory action too, a fact revealed by numerous bite marks observable throughout the series. For each bite mark, punctures and deeper breakage marks are correlated with the breakage between the vertebraemainly in the centra-and haemal arches (figures 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.3). The main breakage and punctures occurred in between the vertebrae, because the extremities of the vertebral centra are cracked (infillings of sediment with small particles of bone; figure 6.3). Moreover, the neural spines and apophyses present considerable damage and breakage, because of collapse of the armor onto the axial skeleton possibly by the mandibular pressure exerted.
The punctures and breakage displayed in the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid correspond clearly to bite marks and injuries produced by a predator. However, it cannot be determined whether the injuries caused the death of the specimen or if they just represent carrion biting. In any case, these two ideas are not mutually exclusive and a combination of both cannot be rejected. The observed features however, reject the hypothesis that the multiple bite marks and injuries were the result of aggressive intraspecific fights and/or agonistic social behavior including biting related to rivalry between males (e.g., territoriality, reproduction, food). This conclusion is drawn from the fact that the bite marks and punctures are numerous (more than 70), producing considerable trauma to the organism. Crocodilian males normally use dominance advertisement postures and head-slapping at the water surface (Garrick et al., 1978; Vliet, 1989, 2001a, 2001b; Pough et al., 1998; Senter, 2008) in intraspecific conflicts. However, there are eventually fights between males which cause some damage, but rarely end in death of the animal (Cott, 1961; Hunt, 1977). As was hypothesized by Avila et al. (2004), social behaviors observed in extant representatives of the group were already present in more basal crocodyliforms such as baurusuchids. This suggests that these behaviors appeared early in the evolutionary history of the group. According to Cott (1961), in studies performed on specimens of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768), the majority of injuries were produced by individuals of the same species —between rival males or attacks by potential cannibals— and 70% of these occurred on the tail (Avila et al., 2004). These marks tend to be shallow and are unlikely to be fatal.
Injuries inflicted on most postcranial elements of specimen MUCPv-27 are not consistent with intraspecific interactions such as recorded by Cott, (1961) or Avilla et al. (2004), as they are much deeper and affect both dorsal and caudal vertebrae. This does not rule out the possibility that this species engaged in intraspecific interactions involving non-lethal biting, but the present specimen does not provide evidence of such behavior. Instead, bite marks found on MUCPv-27 suggest the attack of a significantly larger animal, able to inflict lethal wounds on this large-sized peirosaurid (~3-4 m in length).
Sedimentological and taphonomical considerations
Outcrops of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation at the University Campus quarry are composed of yellow quartzose sandstones, with poorly sorted subangular to subrounded grains, claystone matrix, calcareous cement, and light ferric color (Garrido, 2000). During the Santonian-Campanian, the Bajo de la Carpa Formation biotope comprised a wide basin with fluvial phases and extensive flood plains. This fluvial system with very low sinuosity and abundant sand load was also characterized by a complete absence of mudstones (Garrido, 2000). Moreover, the arid and dry continental climate was dominated by aeolian deposition, creating large dunes and interdune lagoon basins skirted by fluvial deposits, crisscrossed by streams with the occurrence of seasonal flooding (Caldwell and Albino, 2001).
Sánchez et al. (2006) characterized the sedimentary and paleoenvironmental sequences of the outcrops in the neighborhood of Neuquén city by means of a very complete and detailed lithostratigraphic section of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation at the University Campus quarry. They determined that this unit is represented —from base to top— by deposits of ephemeral fluvial systems followed by integrated fluvio-aeolian systems. The former correspond to canalized flows during maximum discharge episodes, with fine- and medium-grained sandstones rich in quartz and abundant yellow to pink silt—clay matrix. These sandstones are found as low angled cross beds. The fluvio-aeolian deposits were developed in a transverse dune field affected by ephemeral fluvial currents in the interdune areas, and parabolic dunes that were likely the result of remobilization of the underlying aeolian system, associated with periodic flood events by ephemeral sheet flows. These beds appear as white sandstones with parallel and horizontal lamination (Heredia and Calvo, 2002; Sánchez et al., 2006). Moreover, these authors agree that the extent and geometry of the dune fields responded to climatic variations of short term, fluvial system interference, and oscillations of phreatic levels, low sediment provision, and tectonic factors (Sánchez et al., 2006).
In this unique environment, compared with other Patagonian Cretaceous settings, poor vegetation was influenced by a great seasonality, evidenced by the discovery of abundant roots and bulbs. Also, insects and pupae chambers are very common (Caldwell and Albino, 2001; Fiorelli et al., 2006).
Despite the arid and relatively extreme conditions prevailing in the paleoenvironment of the University Campus exposures during the Santonian, its taxonomic diversity was high (figure 2.2; see also Fauna of the Bajo de la Carpa Formationsection). The vertebrates from the University Campus area were found close to each other, in an area of approximately 40,000 m2 and representing mainly small- to medium-sized (~0.3-2.0 m) specimens. The largest vertebrate remain from this level is the peirosaurid specimen MUCPv-27, with an estimated body length of 3-4 m. Other vertebrates are not larger than one or two meters, but the bite marks on MUCPv-27 indicate the presence of a larger predatory species.
The general characteristic features exhibited by the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid, reveal that the biostratinomic processes were the most important taphono-mic processes. MUCPv-27 was exhumed in a quartzite medium-grained sandstone matrix that is extremely friable and homogeneous. Although biostratinomic attributes (i.e., climatic damage, breakage, accumulated abrasion, transport, predator/scavenger action) tend to increase with the time of sub-aerial exposure, the peirosaurid specimen MUCPv-27 exhibits only bite marks and lacks other taphonomic attributes. The damage produced by one or several predators and the absence of other biostratinomic factors could indicate that the burial occurred shortly after the predation event (which might have produced the death of this animal). Beyond the predation event, no important mechanical or physical transport took place before burial. This is inferred from three important key characteristics:
- The articulated caudal section presents compression in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal tooth bite marks and to the inferred bite pressure (figure 7.1). For this reason, we can reject lithostatic forces or deformation/pressure by the sediment.
- As described before, there are many bony microfragments, with sediment completely filling the spaces produced by the bite marks; this suggests the complete absence of selective transport.
- The fact that the osteoderms remained articulated and imbricate in both dorsal and caudal sections is evidence that the remains were not eaten and that quick burial, but not transport, followed predation.
On the other hand, several studies demonstrated that vertebrate predators and scavengers modify bones (e.g., Weigelt, 1989; Behrensmeyer, 1978; Hill, 1987; Njau and Blumenschine, 2006). The grooves found on fossil bones can best be attributed to damage by a carnivorous animal since there is no reliable method to differentiate feeding during predation versus scavenging (Barder et al., 2009). According to Farlow and Holtz (2002), distinguishing successful predation events from scavenging on the basis of tooth-marked bones is probably impossible, because the victim cannot recover from either. However, Barder et al. (2009), Chure and Fiorillo (1997), Chure et al. (1998), and Jacobsen (1999), among others, showed that the grooves and repeated rectilinear striae on bones in the fossil record were more probably produced by vertebrate scavengers than active predators. In this regard, the MUCPv-27 peirosaurid does not exhibit parallel grooves or rectilinear striae, indicating that the carcass was not subaerially exposed for a long time (which explains the lack of scavenging events after predation).
Disarticulation, breakage, fragmentation, and orientation of bones were therefore most likely generated exclusively by predator action and not by physical and/or weathering mechanics. The action of decomposers produced no significant disarticulation and dismemberment. Activities of arthropod or worm scavenging, and fungal action are rejected or would have been minimal due to the absence of any paleosol and/or bioturbation in the bed where MUCPv-27 was found. Therefore, bacterial action is considered to be mainly responsible for necrolysis and decomposition of the connective tissue after burial. Additionally, no bones exhibit bioerosion, accumulated abrasion, bone surface deterioration or corrosion (dissolution) signals. It is known that weathering increases and bone density decreases with the distance from the channel, so that in distal floodplain facies only scarce and weathered fossils occur (Behrensmeyer, 1978; Smith, 1993; Willis and Behrensmeyer, 1994; Holz and Simões, 2005). In this regard, the sedimentary characteristic of the University Campus area and the homogeneous taphonomic attributes exhibited by MUCPv-27 suggest that this peirosaurid was exposed to weathering for only hours to a few days.
No other vertebrate remains found at the University Campus quarry show significant transport features, but in some cases some disarticulation or dismemberment is present. The quarry yielded frequent and abundant in situ preserved avian egg-clutches (Schweitzer et al., 2002) —some with embryonic remains— and numerous articulated or semi-articulated specimens with cranial remains of Notosuchus Woodward, 1896 and Dinilysia Woodward, 1901 (Caldwell and Albino, 2001; Albino and Caldwell, 2003; Pol, 2005; Fiorelli and Calvo, 2008). However, there is no case of preserved soft tissues (e.g., tendons, skin impressions), possibly because the typical quartzitic aeolian medium-grained sandstone from this stratigraphic level directly affects preservation.
Taphonomic analysis indicates that the death of this peirosaurid was a selective event (due to predation), and not caused by subsequent burial, because this represents a local catastrophic episode that also buried other representative vertebrates in the same unit at the University Campus quarry. Although not all the remains found in this quarry are contemporaneous, their taphonomic attributes are highly homogeneous indicating little time averaging.
The identity of the putative predator of MUCPv-27
In the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, carrying one of the richest and most characteristic vertebrate faunas from the Neuquén Group, there are only two possible predatory or scavenging animals capable of producing such bite marks on a three meter long peirosaurid: a large crocodyliform or a theropod dinosaur. Crocodyliforms dominated this fauna, in which the most conspicuous and abundant faunal element was the notosuchian Notosuchus terrestris Woodward, 1896 (more than 50 specimens found up to now). Although it represents a small- to medium-sized form , recent studies on rostral, dental, cranial and postcranial features led to the conclusion that Notosuchus would have been an important herbivore, specializing in consumption of low-standing and geophytic vegetation (Fiorelli et al., 2006; Fiorelli and Calvo, 2008). Nevertheless, a recent study on the teeth and dental characters of Notosuchus (Lecuona and Pol, 2008) showed differences in diet type and feeding behavior among notosuchians (i.e., Sphagesaurus Price, 1950, and Mariliasuchus Carvalho and Bertini, 1999). Although no particular diet has been inferred for Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis Bonaparte, 1991, its cranial characteristics and small body size (Bonaparte, 1991; Martinelli, 2003) make it obvious that it could not generate large bite marks and cause great injuries. Overall, these typical notosuchians can be rejected as potential predators of the peirosaurid under study. The basal mesoeucrocodylian Neuquensuchus universitas Fiorelli and Calvo, 2007, represents a cursorial and running form of small to medium size. Although cranial remains are not known, Neuquensuchus probably had a small skull (~100-150 mm), with a morphology resembling that of the skulls of Shantungosuchus Young, 1961, and Sichuanosuchus Peng, 1995 (Fiorelli and Calvo, 2007), which disqualifies this crocodyliform as another potential predator. Further crocodyliforms that coexisted with the peirosaurid specimen MUCP-27 are the baurusuchids Cynodontosuchus rothi Woodward, 1896, and Wargosuchus australis Martinelli and Pais, 2008. These crocodyliforms —in addition to other peirosaurids (perhaps with cannibalistic habits)— could possibly have been the predators or scavengers of specimen MUCPv-27; they were macropredators and strict carnivores that inhabited the same semi-arid paleoenvironment in what is now the University Campus area of Neuquén city. However, the continuous longitudinal bite marks present in the caudal section indicate that the predator that made those marks had a large-sized skull. This observation points further towards the possibility that a large theropod dinosaur was responsible for the bite marks in MUCPv-27. As previously mentioned, several carnivorous dinosaurs are known from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, although only some of them had large skulls, namely abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids (Porfiri and Calvo, 2006; Coria and Arcucci, 2004; Porfiri et al., 2008; Ezcurra and Méndez, 2009). The predator that caused the bites did not swallow the tail section after the attack, possibly because of the difficulty of tearing apart and swallowing this armored body part. This can be inferred because the tail was not digested (the specimen does not present abrasion, dissolution or bioerosion), but instead remained articulated after the generation of injuries and bite marks.
Although social behavior and ethological features of extant crocodyliforms are very complex (combination of sensorial aspects, corporal postures and social displays), it has been hypothesized that these characters were acquired early in the evolution of the group (Avila et al., 2004). However, these complex social behaviors rarely result in death but can cause serious damage and harm in the individual. Moreover, adult crocodilians do not have natural predators —they only have them in early stages,when they are neonates and juveniles (Scott, 2004). For that reason, predation marks on adult crocodilians are extremely rare, even more so in the fossil record. Furthermore, although there have been clear cases of predation and evidence of scavenging in the fossil record (Erickson and Olson, 1996; Chure et al., 1998; Frey et al., 2002; Everhart, 2005; Reisz and Tsuji, 2006; Bianucci et al., 2010; Hone et al., 2010), no recorded cases exist of predation and scavenging on terrestrial fossil crocodyliforms. Therefore, the peirosaurid specimen MUCP-27 represents the first case and demonstrates that large predators —other big crocodyliforms or maybe even theropod dinosaurs— potentially chose other predators of considerable size as prey, such as this three meter long peirosaurid.
I thank J. Calvo for access to the materials at the Comahue University Museum (MUC) to study the crocodyliforms under his care. I am indebted to D. Pol for his constant help and comments on the peirosaurid specimen MUCPv-27, which were very useful for improving this work. I also express gratitude to P. Makovicky, D. Pol, and an anonymous referee for carefully reviewing, criticizing and commenting. In addition, I thanks M.B. Andrade, D. Riff, A. Haro and M. Ezcurra, for their valuable comments and in-depth review of the early manuscript. To R. Juárez Valieri for his help, information, and comments. Thanks are also extensive to Sergio de la Vega and Ivana Amelotti for their constant help.
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Recibido: 11 de mayo de 2009.
Aceptado: 23 de abril de 2010.


text:
This post follows on from my earlier one where I opened up my broken TP-Link TL-PA211 Powerline Ethernet adaptor ready to replace the faulty capacitor. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Capacitor
Repairing a dead TP-Link TL-PA211 Powerline Ethernet Adapter (Part1)
I've been using a pair of TP-Link Powerline TL-PA211 Ethernet Adaptors for about 18 months and they've been brilliant; far superior to using a wireless signal to bridge the house sized gap between the ADSL modem and my computers.
Within the space of about 6 weeks the adaptors died in the same way, both suddenly not powering on, showing no signs of activity whatsoever. I bought some new devices and went to throw the TP-Link ones in the recycling but, unable to throw them away without knowing why they had stopped working, I decided to open them up and have a look inside. Continue reading