Hasil untuk "Paleontology"

RYO TANIGUCHI, YUKI FUKUDA, KANTA SUGIURA et al.

Visual systems have been crucial for animals to detect light signals. Binocular stereopsis has affected prey-predator re lationships throughout animal evolution by providing depth perception, among others. However, it has been difficult to reconstruct extinct binocular functions due to a lack of suitable fossil material. Here, we show, based on morphological analysis of well-preserved eyes, that an extinct mantis (Ambermantis wozniaki Grimaldi, 2003) in the Cretaceous New Jersey amber developed an advanced visual system as a predator. We found that A. wozniaki possesses large compound eyes with numerous, ca. 12 000 ommatidia. The interocular distance is narrower than the eyes, and the estimated bin ocular visual field is broader than in the typical extant basal and derived taxa. The large number of ommatidia indicates that the compound eyes of A. wozniaki achieved high spatial resolution to capture objects visually. The broad binocular field supports that A. wozniaki increased the stereoscopic area and developed an advanced prey-recognition system. These findings suggest that the Cretaceous basal mantises were highly adaptive visual predators, implying the ecological domination of mantises as visual specialists for 90 million years.

Tingyu Han, Yuanchao Li, Hongwei Zhao et al.

Abstract Coral reef ecosystems face escalating threats from anthropogenic global climate challenges, leading to frequent bleaching events. A key issue in coral transplantation is the inability of fragments to rapidly grow to sizes that can resist environmental pressures. The observation of accelerated growth during the early stages of coral regeneration provides new insights for addressing this challenge. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, we study the fast-growing stony coral Acropora muricata. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and high-resolution micro-computed tomography, we identify a critical regeneration phase around 2–4 weeks post-injury. Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals 11 function-specific cell clusters. Pseudotime analysis indicates epidermal cell differentiation into calicoblasts. Bulk RNA-seq results highlight a temporal limitation in coral’s rapid regeneration. Through integrated multi-omics analysis, this study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive understanding of coral regeneration, providing insights beyond fundamental knowledge and offering potential protective strategies to promote coral growth.

Stephen Frost

Chrysanthos Botziolis, Nicolina Bourli, Elena Zoumpouli et al.

This study delves into the sedimentation mechanisms governing mud deposits in shallow marine and tidal environments, with a particular focus on elucidating the versatile therapeutic applications of these muds. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing the selection of mud as a cosmetic resource that can positively influence human health and well-being by utilizing a comprehensive analysis involving CaCO₃, TOC, grain size, and statistical parameters across six outcrops situated on the Kefalonia and Corfu islands. The research reveals that the CaCO₃ content of mud deposits on both islands is comparable. Despite the average value (26.71%) significantly exceeding the recommended value (10%) for optimal plasticity, no discernible impact on the mechanical behavior and plasticity of the clay was observed, rendering it a neutral quality criterion. Notably, the TOC content is higher on Corfu Island, suggesting its potential superiority for mud therapy. However, all samples exhibit a TOC content (<0.77%) considerably below the threshold required (2–5%) for material maturation in mud therapy. Consequently, an enrichment of samples with organic matter is imperative. The application of statistical parameters, analyzed through graphical methods, facilitated the creation of various bivariate diagrams, offering insights into the prevailing environmental conditions during deposition. Linear and multigroup discriminant analyses categorize two sediment types: a unimodal type, characterized by mud grain-size dominance, deposited in a shallow water environment, and a bi-modal type, featuring mud and sand content, deposited in a tidal-affected environment. This classification underscores the potential of shallow marine muds (Kefalonia Island) for therapeutic use, given their optimal grain size. In contrast, the tidal mud (Corfu Island), while also suitable for mud therapy, necessitates processing as a cosmetic product to minimize sand content, as coarser fractions may induce skin irritations or injuries.

Di-Fei Zhao, Ying-Hai Guo, Geoff Wang et al.

The Youganwo Formation oil shale located in the Maoming Basin represents a large commercially valuable lacustrine oil shale resource and a potential bio-shale gas reservoir in South China. With the aim of deepening the understanding of factors that influence organic matter enrichment, this research conducted a geochemical investigation to reconstruct the depositional paleoenvironment of bioproductivity, preservation and dilution. Youganwo Formation oil shale is mainly deposited in semi-deep to deep-lake environments with relatively warm and humid paleoclimate in the subtropical-temperate zone. The total organic carbon (TOC) content (1.46–11.85%), S2 values (4.79–115.80 mg HC/mg rock) and HI (328–1040 mg HC/mg TOC) indicate that the oil shale has a good oil source rock potential. TOC content, (S1 + S2) values and vitrinite reflectance values show that its marginally mature organic matter (OM) belongs to kerogen type I-III with good oil-generating potential.A 3rd order sequence was identified in the Yougnwo formation. Subsequently, the multiple factors including bioproductivity, preservation and dilution that control the OM enrichment of oil shale within system tracts were discussed. Moderate-quality oil shales (Oy-1) were developed in the transgressive systems tract (TST) in an oxidizing condition with abundant detrital input. High-quality oil shales (Oy-2) were deposited during the high-stand systems tract (HST) with increased accommodation space, improved preservation conditions, warm and humid climate, higher water bioproductivity and minimum detrital matter input. During the regressive systems tract (RST, Oy-3), higher detrital matter input and fresher water led to lower TOC values. Among these multiple factors, dilution condition was the major one that influences OM abundance and variation on the basis of sufficient organic matter input. Thus, OM enrichment models of Oy-1, Oy-2 and Oy-3 sub-members were established. The OM enrichment and quality in oil shale were controlled by the combined effect of bioproductivity, preservation, and dilution.

Shijie LIU, Qi GUAN, Ming PAN

The Devonian period, marking the initial phase of the Late Paleozoic era, has garnered considerable attention in recent decades. This heightened interest stems from its intricate climatic fluctuations, recurrent global shifts in sea levels, and a series of consequential biological catastrophes. Of particular captivation is the upper Devonian-lower Carboniferous in northeastern Guangxi, characterized by a multifaceted paleogeographic configuration known as platform-trench-basin facies. Notably, the stratigraphic progression from basin facies to open platform facies displays a notable continuity, culminating in the formation of a substantial kilometer-thick carbonate rock layer. This unique geological foundation underpins the development of a renowned karst geomorphic landscape, which is globally significant.Furthermore, this distinctive karst landscape has facilitated the establishment of the international Devonian-Carboniferous boundary auxiliary layer profile, adding another layer of importance to the study of the Devonian system in this region. While prior investigations have primarily concentrated on sedimentary facies, paleontology, pivotal organisms, and event layers like the 'F-F' biological catastrophe event and the D/C boundary layer during the Late Devonian, certain critical events, notably the Kačak-Otomari event in the late middle Devonian, have received comparatively less attention. Moreover, a comprehensive global-scale comparative analysis has been lacking.Given these gaps, the present study investigates a critical juncture, the boundary between the Eiffelian and Givertian systems, situated in Longyankou village, Yangshuo county. A meticulous examination was carried out, involving the collection of ten carbonate rock samples from this specific section. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing microscopic features, elemental compositions, ratios, as well as carbon and oxygen isotope data, the study aimed to elucidate and discuss the ancient oceanic sedimentary environments in proximity to this location. Our findings can be summarized as follows:(1) The presence of Polygnathus intermedius, a conodont fossil, is observed within the YS3 sample layer, attributed to the late Eifelian period. This fossil aids in establishing a precise temporal boundary for both the carbon isotope migration event and the Kačák event within this stratum. (2) By employing Wilson's established microfacies sedimentary model in conjunction with lithological traits, four distinct microfacies types, SMF23, SMF16, SMF4, and SMF15, have been successfully distinguished. (3) Through meticulous geochemical analysis, we draw several significant conclusions regarding the sedimentary environment during various stages: The sedimentary environment during the YS1 to YS2 transition demonstrates rapid deepening of sedimentary water and a consistent material source supply. This mirrors the geological process of swift transformation from limited platform facies to slope facies during the initial transgression phase; the low terrigenous component content during YS3 and YS4 stages indicates a distant shoreline sedimentary environment with deep waters and relatively elevated sea levels. Notably, this stage is characterized by widespread hypoxia, displaying global uniformity; Geochemical indicators for YS5 to YS10 stages exhibit minor fluctuations. Notably, the terrigenous component content gradually increases, while the appearance of radial oolitic limestone signifies a low-energy environment. Simultaneously, the sedimentary area witnesses a significant sea level decline, characterized by thicker upward progradational sequences that provide excellent sedimentary responses. (4) Reconstructing the paleoseawater temperature evolution curve based on oxygen isotope data reveals an average seawater temperature of 21 ℃ during the studied period. This temperature profile reflects a warm subtropical climate, aligning with the paleogeographic proximity to the equator. (5) The observed negative migration of carbon isotopes corresponds with the E/G boundary stratotype profile in Morocco and the carbon isotope curve characteristics observed in Canada within the same horizon as sample YS3. In summary, these findings emphasize the prevalence of a deep-water and anoxic sedimentary environment amidst a global-scale transgressive backdrop.

ATTILA VÖRÖS, GYULA KONRÁD, Krisztina Sebe

Recent nautiloid and ammonoid finds from the Middle Triassic Zuhánya Limestone Formation in the Mecsek Mountains (south Hungary) proved that the formation encompasses the whole Pelsonian and the lower Illyrian substages of the Anisian Stage. On the basis of 11 identified ammonoid species, the Balatonicus and Trinodosus zones have a complete record. The stratigraphical position of the Zuhánya Limestone on the whole corresponds to the Felsőörs Limestone in the Balaton Highland. The palaeobiogeographical evaluation of the cephalopod fauna showed that the elements of the nautilid fauna point mostly to Germanic and partly to Sephardic affinity. On the other hand, the ammonoid fauna has no Germanic elements; most of the species are Alpine in character, while the species Procladiscites brancoi indicates Dinaridic connection, or at least an occasional appearance of pelagic organisms. These results endorse the previous palaeogeographical assumption and suggest that during the Middle Triassic the Mecsek succession was situated along the European shelf, between the Vindelician-Bohemian Land and the open Tethyan Ocean.

G. Lyubarsky, E. Perkovsky

How to cite this article: Lyubarsky G.Yu., Perkovsky E. E. 2021. New findings of Cryptophagidae (Coleoptera: Clavicornia) from Baltic amber in the unbiased collection of the Paleontological Institute of RAS // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.30. No.3. P.282–287. doi: 10.15298/rusentj.30.3.05 New findings of Cryptophagidae (Coleoptera: Clavicornia) from Baltic amber in the unbiased collection of the Paleontological Institute of RAS

N. FANTINI SESTINI

Aim of this paper is the description of a faunule of gastropods and bivalves found associated with ammonites belonging to the Pelsonian from Kokaeli Peninsula (Turkey), a region named in the past Bithynia.

Heyo Van Iten, Juliana De Moraes Leme, Marcello G. Simões et al.

The fossil record of polypoid cnidarians includes a number of taxa that were incorrectly identified as either tubiculous worms or plants. The holotype of the putative alga Euzebiola clarkei (Ponta Grossa Formation, Lower Devonian, Brazil), originally described under the name Serpulites sica, is re-described and re-figured as a species of Sphenothallus, a medusozoan cnidarian. Unlike Sphenothallus from other localities, the black, organic-walled Ponta Grossa specimen consists of a single parent tube that is confluent with the apical ends of at least 18 daughter tubes. The pattern of arrangement of the daughter tubes, which are arrayed in single file along the exposed face and the two thickened margins of the parent tube, partly resembles the whorl-like pattern of arrangement of colonial polyps of certain scyphozoan cnidarians. For these reasons, the Ponta Grossa Formation material figures prominently in the argument that Sphenothallus was a medusozoan cnidarian capable (in at least one species) of clonal budding.

Linus Girdland-Flink, Ebru Albayrak, Adrian M. Lister

The current range of the Asian elephant is fragmented and restricted to southern Asia. Its historical range was far wider and extended from Anatolia and the Levant to Central China. The fossil record from these peripheral populations is scant and we know little of their relationship to modern Asian elephants. To gain a first insight to the genetic affinity of an E. maximus population that once inhabited Turkey we sequenced ca. 570 bp mtDNA from four individuals dating to ~3500 cal. BP. We show that these elephants carried a rare haplotype previously only observed in one modern elephant from Thailand. These results clarify the taxonomic identity of specimens with indeterminate morphologies and show that this ancient population groups within extant genetic variation. By placing the age of the common ancestor of this haplotype in the interval 3.7–58.7 kya (mean = 23.5 kya) we show that range-wide connectivity occurred at some time or times since the start of MIS 3, ~57 kya, probably reflecting range and population expansion during a favourable climatic episode. The genetic data do not distinguish natural versus anthropogenic origin of the Near Eastern Bronze Age population, but together with archaeological and paleoclimatic data they allow the possibility of a natural westward expansion around that time.

Łucja Fostowicz-Frelik, Qian Li, Xijun Ni

Abstract Background Tamquammys has been considered one of the basal ctenodactyloid rodents, which has been documented in the earliest to middle Eocene (~ 56.0–48.5 Ma) in China. It was the most abundant and widespread rodent genus in the Erlian Basin (Nei Mongol, China) and dominated Arshantan small-mammal faunas of that region. Here for the first time we describe the morphology of the astragalocalcaneal complex in Tamquammys robustus (larger) and T. wilsoni, and interpret it against the background of locomotor adaptations of basal Euarchontoglires (rodents, lagomorphs, tree shrews, and primates). Results The comparative morphology of the tarsal elements in Tamquammys robustus and T. wilsoni shows overall slenderness of the bones and their similarity to the tarsal elements of Rattus, a generalist species, and those of small rock squirrels (e.g. Sciurotamias). The two species differ slightly in their cursorial ability; smaller T. wilsoni shows some adaptations to climbing. The results of principal component analysis of the calcaneus and astragalus support this observation and place T. robustus in-between Rattus and ground/rock squirrel morphospace, and T. wilsoni closer to euarchontans, Tupaia and Purgatorius. Conclusions The morphology of the tarsal elements in Tamquammys indicates a generalist rodent morphotype with no particular adaptations to arboreality. We suggest that Tamquammys as a basal ctenodactyloid is closer to the ancestral astragalocalcaneal morphology of rodents than that of more derived North American paramyines of similar age. Overall similarity in Tamquammys tarsal elements structure to Purgatorius, a basal primate, may point to the antiquity of the tarsal structure in Tamquammys and a generally unspecialized foot structure in early Euarchontoglires.

HEINRICH WINTERSCHEID

The late Oligocene flora from the Nirmer Tunnel at the south-western edge of the Lower Rhine Basin was first described by Menzel (1913). A revision of Menzel’s original material indicates that most taxa are from the vegetation of riparian forests (Magnolia burseracea, Ocotea rhenana, Rhodoleia bifollicularis, Eotrigonobalanus furcinervis, Trigonobalanopsis rhamnoides, Sparganium sp. vel Typha sp.) and mesophytic forests (Carpolithes dactyliformis, Sapotacites minor). Some specimens cannot be identified, so they are named Dicotylophyllum div. spp. here. The fossil species Carpolithes dactyliformis (sandstone imprints and endocasts) belongs to Cornaceae subfamily Mastixioideae and is lectotypified here. The floral assemblage is compared with some similar floras from the Oligocene of Central Europe.

Frida Hybertsen, Steffen Kiel

Carbonate blocks with silicified fossils were recovered from a newly recognized cold seep deposit, the Satsop Weatherwax site, in the basal Humptulips Formation, along the West Fork of Satsop River in Washington State, USA. The petrography and the stable carbon isotope signature of the carbonate, with values as low as -43.5‰, indicate that these carbonate blocks formed at an ancient methane seep. The fossils recovered from this block include five vesicomyid specimens, two fragments of a thyasirid, five specimens of the peltospirid Depressigyra, two specimens of the hyalogyrinid Hyalogyrina, 25 specimens of the neritimorph Thalassonerita eocenica, and three limpet specimens of two different species. Five species can be described as new: Nuculana acutilineata (Nuculanoidea), Desbruyeresia belliatus (Provannidae), Provanna fortis (Provannidae), Orbitestella dioi (Orbitestellidae), and Leptochiton terryiverseni (Polyplacophora). Other fossils recovered from this site are numerous serpulid tubes, echinoid spines, one brachiopod fragment and two neogastropods. Almost all species recovered belong to extant genera and the fauna has a modern character, but are different from species found in younger seeps in Washington State. This is the first record of an orbitestellid from an ancient cold seep deposit, the first fossil provannids from the Humptulips Formation, and the first fossil record of Desbruyeresia from North America.

R. Hatcher, W. A. Thomas, G. W. Viele

K. L. Beals, Courtland L. Smith, S. M. Dodd

Borka Szabolcs

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between structural elements and the so-called genetic lithofacies in a clastic deep-water depositional system. Process-sedimentology has recently been gaining importance in the characterization of these systems. This way the recognized facies attributes can be associated with the depositional processes establishing the genetic lithofacies. In this paper this approach was presented through a case study of a Tertiary deep-water sequence of the Pannonian-basin.

Mark T. Clementz