Mateusz Baca, Barbara Bujalska, Danijela Popović
et al.
Abstract Background The field vole, an abundant and widespread microtine rodent, is a complex comprised of three cryptic species: the short-tailed field vole (Microtus agrestis) which is present over much of Eurasia, the Mediterranean field vole (Microtus lavernedii) in southern Europe, and the Portuguese field vole (Microtus rozianus) in western Spain and Portugal. Previous research has shown high genomic differentiation of these three lineages. However, the details of the process underlying their divergence remain unknown. Results We analyse 70 mitogenomes and 16 nuclear genomes of modern specimens, and 83 mitogenomes and 12 nuclear genomes of ancient specimens spanning the last 75 thousand years (ka). We estimate the divergence of Portuguese from short-tailed and Mediterranean field voles to be ca. 220 ka ago and of the latter two species to be ca. 110 ka ago, earlier than previous estimates involving only modern sequences. The divergence times we obtain match those between major mitochondrial lineages of cold-adapted and steppe rodents in Europe. We find signatures of gene flow within and between field vole lineages, with some analyses suggesting a hybrid origin of the Mediterranean lineage. Ancient specimens from the Italian Peninsula reveal a previously unrecognised lineage that show evidence of genetic exchange with other populations. Conclusions The pattern of genetic variation in the field vole species complex demonstrates the impact of stadial-interstadial cycles in generating recurrent episodes of allopatry and connectivity of populations, a situation which could only be revealed by our dense genomic sampling over time.
Andrew J. McGrath, Darin A. Croft, Juan D. Carrillo
et al.
Abstract Background The Middle Miocene fauna of La Venta, Colombia, offers a grand opportunity to understand low-latitude South American ecosystems prior to the late Cenozoic Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). We present new material of two proterotheriid litopterns, Villarroelia totoyoi and Mesolicaphrium sanalfonense, and a macraucheniid litoptern, Theosodon, from La Venta. During the GABI, North and South American faunas intermixed, after which some lineages proliferated and others died out. We conducted an ecomorphological analysis of 11 North and South American faunas pre-dating and post-dating the GABI by scoring all mid- to large-sized mammalian herbivores on their body size, tooth morphology, and feeding height. Results The fossils studied here offer new information on the deciduous dentition of M. sanalfonense and mandible of the La Venta Theosodon. Pre-GABI South American faunas were more ecomorphologically diverse than their North American counterparts. The post-GABI Pleistocene fauna exhibited similar ecomorphological diversity to pre-GABI South American faunas, but modern faunas show this diversity was mostly lost in the end-Pleistocene extinctions. Conclusions The new litoptern fossils provide previously unknown information on these species’ morphology, but they do not resolve outstanding systematic and phylogenetic questions. Discrepancies in ecomorphological diversity between pre-GABI North and South American faunas is attributable to the presence of small, high-feeding (arboreal) taxa and hypselodont (ever-growing cheek teeth) taxa in South America, which North America lacked. Arboreal herbivores (porcupines and primates) experienced some success in North America after dispersing during the GABI. Although hypselodont xenarthrans were successful in post-GABI North America, the fact that most other hypselodont lineages went extinct during and after the GABI suggests that dental morphology may not fully capture the ecomorphological diversity in diet of North American herbivores. Future studies could examine faunas immediately before and after the GABI to uncover the precise dynamics of the interchange and why certain lineages succeeded while others failed.
Abstract Scolecodonts are the fossilised jaw apparatus of polychaetes, with fossil records dating back to the Late Cambrian. However, they are commonly found in Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian strata. Here, we describe three species—Langeites aff. glaber, Langeites sp., and Oenonites spp. from the Miaogao Formation in Yiliang, Yunnan, South China. A comparative morphological study on the maxillary apparatus of the family Paulinidae and the extant members of Eunicidae and Onuphidae was conducted. This study aims to evaluate evolutionary changes in the maxillary apparatus, particularly the first maxilla, within the eulabidognatha-type apparatus. To infer their palaeoecology, Langeites aff. glaber and Langeites sp. were compared with modern species of Eunicidae and Onuphidae based on their complex maxillary apparatus. The similarity between these fossil and extant taxa suggests that Langeites retained similar feeding habits over time. These scolecodonts represent a new record for the Late Silurian of South China, and extend the geographical range of the genus Langeites. As a genus restricted to the Silurian, Langeites has potential applications in stratigraphic correlation for the Late Ludlow to Early Pridoli.
Abstract Worldwide, silicified woods are found in many geological formations. Significantly, the organic materials of wood are no longer dominant; almost all wood fossils have been mineralized into inorganic silica materials. These unique geological processes must be understood to develop better understanding on organic material fossilization, particularly in the micron scale. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the composition of silicified wood using comprehensive microanalysis. The methods utilized were XRF, ICP-MS, XRD, FTIR, and FE-EPMA. Specimens are from Jasinga, West Java, Indonesia. The results showed that wood silicification was controlled by the infiltration of silica from the host rock into the spaces of the wood structure. In Jasinga, they are controlled by Pliocene tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The ratio of silica phases revealed a trend in the degree of silicification. Besides silica, the distribution of trace elements also demonstrates the geochemical interaction between the wood fossil and host rock. Wood fossils are affected by the gradual replacement of organic carbon-based materials with silica through silicification. Silica enrichment occurs in the internal of wood, facilitates permineralization and recrystallization. Silica replaces organic material and preserves the wood structures. The microanalytical approach provides comprehensive perspectives on wood petrification, leads to better insights for paleontological studies.
Liaqat Ali, Shehzad Ali, Seema Anjum Khattak
et al.
The present research was carried out to examine the health and environmental impacts associated with coal mining activities in the Makarwal coal mining area in Pakistan. To achieve the objectives, 41 soil samples were collected from the coalmine-affected areas and analyzed for major and toxic trace elements (TTEs) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most of the soil samples have extremely high concentrations of toxic metals such as Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The positive correlations and high concentration of trace elements in the Makarwal coalmine-affected region suggest an analogous origin of soil contamination. The factor analysis (FA) showed two components, i.e., F1 (53.4%) and F (74.21%), of total variability for soil. The F2 was loaded with Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr, which was similar to cluster 2, while the F1 was loaded with Cu and Cr, having a similar pattern to cluster 1. This proves that the contamination in the surrounding area is mostly associated with geological ore strata existing in the Makarwal coalfield. Based on geoaccumulation (I<sub>geo</sub>), the elemental concentration in the studied soil sample could be categorized as follows: (1) Pb, Ni, and Zn are moderate to severely polluted and (2) Cr and Cu are in the moderately polluted category. The ecological risk indices (ERIs) of the single trace element contamination index highlighted that Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr pose a high risk to humans and the ecosystem. Based on different statistical tools performed for the source identification and distribution of metal contamination, it seems that the exposed sedimentary rocks, including limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and coal, are responsible for the toxic metal contamination in the study area.
Márton Szabó, Robin Kundrata, Johana Hoffmannova
et al.
Abstract Fossil bioinclusions in amber are invaluable source of information on the past evolution and diversity of various organisms, as well as on the paleoecosystems in general. The click-beetles, Elateridae, which originated and greatly diversified during the Mesozoic, are mostly known from the adpression-like fossils, and their diversity in the Cretaceous ambers is only poorly documented. In this study, we describe a new click-beetle based on an incomplete inclusion in ajkaite, an Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) amber from the Ajka Coal Formation from Hungary. We used X-ray micro-computed tomography scanning to reconstruct its morphology because it is deposited in an opaque piece of amber. Our results suggest that the newly described Ajkaelater merkli gen. et sp. nov. belongs to subfamily Elaterinae. It represents the first Mesozoic beetle reported from Hungary, and the first Mesozoic Elateridae formally described from mainland Europe. Our discovery supports an Eurasian distribution and diversification of Elaterinae already in the Cretaceous. The paleoenvironment of the Ajka Coal Formation agrees well with the presumed habitat preference of the new fossil taxon. The discovery of a presumably saproxylic click-beetle shed further light on the yet poorly known paleoecosystem of the Santonian present-day western Hungary.
It is unclear how Lungfishes evolved durophagy, the consumption of hard prey, despite being the longest lineage of vertebrates with this feeding mechanism. Here, the authors describe exceptionally preserved fossils of Youngolepis from the Early Devonian, showing early adaptations to durophagy.
Ferns from the family Matoniaceae are characteristic but not very numerous elements of Early Jurassic floras of the Holy Cross Mountains. Based on historical specimens from the Geological Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, only partly published by Raciborski and Makarewiczówna, and a new collection gathered recently from the Gromadzice outcrop, two taxa are here recognised: Matonia braunii and Phlebopteris angustiloba, of which only P. angustiloba is rather frequent. Both species are represented by sterile and fertile specimens well comparable with historical and recently published material of these species from Greenland, Germany and Sweden. Specimens referred by Raciborski to Laccopteris elegans (illegitimate name) do not belong to Matoniaceae.
Dinosaur footprints are described from the Lower Sandstone Unit of Kersa area, eastern Ethiopia. These are thought to belong to an early branch of theropods, and reported for the first time from Ethiopia. The evidence supports a Late Triassic age for the Lower Sandstone Unit in eastern Ethiopia and also throws light on its probable depositional environment.
CARMELO PETRONIO, CHIARA ANGELONE, PIETRO ATZORI
et al.
After more than sixty years since its discovery, the fossils from Monte Peglia (late early Biharian, Umbria) are reconsidered in their entirety. The small mammals of Monte Peglia upper and lower levels had been studied in the past, whereas the remains of large mammals of Monte Peglia lower level, stored in several Institutions of central Italy, are described here for the first time. The following taxa have been described: Hystrix refossa, Homotherium latidens, Panthera cf. P. gombaszoegensis, Felis cf. F. lunensis, Canis mosbachensis, Vulpes alopecoides, Meles meles, Pannonictis cf. P. nestii, Mustela palerminea, Ursus cf. U. etruscus; Macaca sylvanus florentinus, Equus altidens, Stephanorhinus cf. S. hundsheimensis, Sus sp., Capreolus sp., Axis eurygonos, Hemitragus cf. H. orientalis, Bison degiulii. Moreover, the list of small mammals of the lower level has been updated with the addition of three new small vertebrate taxa: Rana sp., Myotis sp. (large size), cf. Miniopterus sp. The study of the remains of large mammals of the lower layer indicate the survival of a number of taxa of latest Villafranchian age. If we accept the biochronological correlation of Monte Peglia with the Colle Curti local fauna, its age should be ~1.072 Ma. In this case, it is possible to pinpoint the accumulation of the lower level to the MIS 35/33, as the small mammals confirm the presence of a mixed environment with forested and open spaces and warm temperate climate. The accumulation of the upper level, characterized by taxa typical of open spaces and steppes and a cooler climate, probably occurred during MIS 34/32.
Luvsantseden Uranbileg, Munkhjargal Todbileg, Otgon Odbayar
et al.
Carboniferous monodominant fossil plants are found in dark and greenish gray colored siltstones in east and west part of Oyu Tolgoi area. The Sainshandhudag Formation is divided into 3 members from bottom to top such as Ulgii, Tsagaansuvarga and Aman-Us, was classified Tournasian –Serphukhovian by previous studies. Fossil plants in the west part of the Oyu Tolgoi area are unclassified due to uncertain fossil branch fragments with poor conservation. The Sainshandhudag Formation was classified Late Visian based on fauna definition of Teriariproductus barunchurajensis Suur. еt. Lazarev, Streptorhynchus tomskiensis (Janischevsky), Cletyridina pectinifera (Sow.) in lower part of section around Tsokhiot Khiid area. This classification is used Mongolian recent stratigraphic scheme. And then, our definition of fossil plants Knorria sp., Tomiodendron mongolicum Durante, Tomiodendron sp. in the east part of Oyu Tolgoi area, is clued to classify the stratigraphic age of Tsagaansuvarga member of Sainshandhudag Formation to Late Visian - Serpukhovian. The study was defined lower-upper Carboniferous sediment, is confirmed by our additional study of fossil plants Lepidodendropsis sp., Knorria sp., Tomiodendron sp., Angaropteridium neubirgae Durante, Angarophlois sp. in lower and middle part of section of Murgutsug Formation in the Tsokhiot Khiid area. These fossil plants are interpreted as branches of ~20 m high trees belonged to Lycopodiopsida group, which was distributed along latitude in entire South Mongolia.
Өмнөд Монголд тархалттай Сайншандхудаг, Мөргөцөг формацын фитостратиграфийн судалгааны шинэ үр дүн (Цохиот, Оюу толгой)
Хураангуй: Оюу толгойн ордоос Зүүн ба Баруун талбайд тархсан бараан, ногоовтор-саарал алевролитоос тогтох тунамал хурдсаас Карбоны “монодоминант” хадгалалттай ургамлын олдвор илэрсэн. Энэ хурдас нь дотроо доороос дээш байрлах Өлгий, Цагаан-Суварга, Аман-Ус гэсэн 3 мэмбэрт хуваагддаг Сайншандхудаг формацад хамаарагдах ба энэхүү формацын насыг өмнөх судалгаагаар турней - визейд хамааруулж үзсэн байдаг. Баруун талбайгаас муу хадгалалттай бөгөөд ангилалзүй нь тодорхойгүй ургамлын фрагмент - үлдэгдлүүд илэрсэн. Сайншандхудаг формацыг өмнөх судалгаагаар Цохиотын хийд орчимд тогтоогдсон тулгуур зүсэлтийн доод хэсгээс илэрсэн Teriariproductus barunchurajensis Suur. еt. Lazarev, Streptorhynchus tomskiensis (Janischevsky), Cletyridina pectinifera (Sow.) зэрэг мөрхөлтөн амьтдын тодорхойлолтоор визейн цаг үед хамааруулж үзсэн ба хурдсын насны талаарх энэхүү дүгнэлт нь Монголын стратиграфийн схемд одоо мөрдөгдөж байгаа. Харин, Оюу толгой ордоос Зүүн талбайд тархсан Сайншандхудаг формацаас бидний судалгаагаар илэрч, тогтоогдсон Knorria sp., Tomiodendron mongolicum Durante, Tomiodendron sp. зэрэг ургамлын олдвороор уг формацын Цагаан-Суварга мэмбэрийн насыг визейн хожуу үе – серпуховын цаг үетэй дүйцүүлэн үзэх үндэслэлтэй юм. Мөн түүнчлэн бид Цохиотын хийд орчимд ажиллан тэнд тогтоогдсон Мөргөцөг формацын тулгуур зүсэлтийн доод ба дунд хэсгээс Lepidodendropsis sp., Knorria sp., Tomiodendron sp., Angaropteridium neubirgae Durante, Angarophlois sp. зэрэг ургамлыг илрүүлэн нэмэлт судалгаа явуулснаар уг формацын доод-дунд карбоны насны үндэслэлийг дахин баталгаажуулах боломж олдсон билээ. Түрүү карбоны хурдсаас илэрсэн эдгээр ургамлууд нь 20 м орчим өндөртэй Lycopodiopsida буюу шивлийн бүлэгт хамаарагдах эртний ургамлууд бөгөөд Өмнөд Монголын хэмжээнд өргөргийн дагуу нилээд өргөн тархалттай нь тогтоогдоод байгаа юм.
Түлхүүр үг: Визей, серпухов, эртний ургамал, Knorria sp., Tomiodendron mongolicum
Christian Raúl Barrón-Ortiz, Gilfredo de la Riva-Hernández, Raúl Barrón-Corvera
The occlusal pattern of the cheek teeth has traditionally been one of the most widely used features to determinate equid species. Nevertheless, its large ontogenetic variation and subjective assessment of characters has diminished its reliability. For this reason, many workers have reduced emphasis on the cheek teeth in identifying equid species and have turned their attention to other skeletal elements. We re-emphasize the analysis of the oclusal pattern to determine the number of equid species present in the Cedazo local fauna, Aguascalientes, Mexico. In contrast to previous studies, we only analyzed cheek teeth with an equivalent stage of wear and developed a computer program that integrates a digital image processor to analyze the occlusal pattern and also to take measurements of different features of the occlusal surface. Selecting teeth with an equivalent stage of wear reduced the usable sample size significantly. For this reason, the analysis concentrated on the third upper premolars (P3), because they represent the largest sample size. Specimens of Equus caballus, E. asinus and hybrids were also included to serve as controls. Principal Components and Canonical Discriminant Functions analyses were performed. The extant species were positively discriminated. Moreover, these analyses suggest the presence of two distinct P3 morphotypes for the fossil sample studied, which indicate the possible occurrence of at least two separate equid species for the Cedazo local fauna. However, it is prudent to collect more material and evaluate these results with a larger sample size and using the remaining tooth positions. The computer program developed in this study serves as a useful tool for analyzing the occlusal pattern of equid cheek teeth.
A new species of Limatula is erected. The material derives from clayey silt cropping out near Gravina in Puglia that represents the regressive final phase of the Pleistocene "Gravina Clay" Formation.
The Norian beds of the Southern Calcareous Alps have yielded at least four species belonging to Saurichthys. Their vertebral column has large praezygapophyses, which, in each of these nominai species, attain a different relative length. The latter is inversely proportional to age: in fact, the youngest two, coeval species have the longest praezygapophyses, at least six times as long as a vertebral segment. Such a conspicuous change in an otherwise conservative genus, is here relateci to a major ichthyofaunal break that saw the florishing of the Pholidophoridae. The relative length of the praezygapophyses can be a very useful stratigraphical means, at least in the Norian (Upper Triassic).
ZSOLT RÓBERT NAGY, NEVENKA DJERIC, †SÁNDOR KOVÁCS
et al.
A shallowing-upward carbonate sequence was studied from the outcrop at Gyulakeszi, Tapolca Basin (western Hungary), and it is interpreted as a Middle Triassic (Curionii or younger) platform progradation. Two lithostratigraphic units are distinguished. Microfacies analysis and micropaleontological investigation conducted on the red nodular, cherty limestone (Vászoly and Buchenstein formations) suggest that the lower unit was deposited during the Reitzi and the Secedensis ammonoid zones. The overlying white platform limestone (upper unit) is typical of a prograding platform and includes gravity-driven deposits at the base followed by periplatform facies deposited in shallow marine warm waters around the fair-weather wave base. The section at Gyulakeszi was unaffected by fabric-destructive dolomitization, which is uncharacteristic of similar platform facies in the Balaton Highland. Isopachous and radiaxial fibrous calcite cement found in the grainstone and boundstone facies are indicative of early lithification and diagenesis in the marine phreatic zone. “Evinospongiae”-type cement is described for the first time from the Balaton Highland and it is similar to the outer platform cements published previously from the Alps (Italy and Austria). The progradation could have advanced over the pelagic limestones as early as the Curionii zone, which is an undocumented event in the Veszprém Plateau. Similar event, however, is well known from the Western Dolomites, where aggradation was followed by intense progradation during the Gredleri and Archelaus ammonoid zones. The length of this progradation event at Gyulakeszi, however, is ambiguous since proven Ladinian (Longobardian) rocks are not exposed in the study area and were not penetrated by boreholes in the Tapolca Basin.