Omar Vicencio-Campos, Luis Chirino-Gálvez, Jhonatan Alarcón-Muñoz
et al.
Since its founding in 1870, the Colegio Seminario San Rafael of Valparaíso has offered natural science-related courses, complemented by laboratory work. Thus, in 1881, five science “cabinets” were established within the school premises, and in 1886, the building that still houses them was inaugurated. The Museo Seminario Valparaíso (MSV) houses various natural history collections, among which a notable paleontological collection stands out, comprising paleobotanical, invertebrate, and vertebrate specimens. Within one of the oldest mineral collection showcases, associated with copper oxides and sulfides samples, a proximal fragment of a right sauropod ulna was found. This ulna must have been deposited long ago, which is proven when it is considered that the associated mineral specimens with collection register labels on the shelf dates between 1860 and 1896, and because this collection has not been modified and it has remained unchanged for over a century. On the other hand, it was only in the 1960s that the first formal descriptions of dinosaur bone records in Chile were made, based on indeterminate titanosaur remains from the informal unit “Estratos de Quebrada La Totora”. Morphological comparisons of the ulna suggest affinities with the clade Titanosauria. Furthermore, based on its preservation characteristics, the provenance of the specimen is attributed to the Estratos de Quebrada La Totora, Coquimbo region. In this way, the specimen could represent the first discovery of a non-avian dinosaur in Chile and the first historical evidence of titanosaurs found in a Chilean museum collection.
Guillermina Sánchez Vuichard, Nerina Pisani, Carolina Vásquez
et al.
The Central Pampa plain (36º–37º S; 60º–61º W) presents numerous shallow lakes subjected to climatic dynamics and anthropogenic impacts during the Late Holocene, but few were analyzed. New studies are essential to provide an integral and regional analysis of these lakes evolution. In this context, a multi-indicator analysis including sedimentary and palynomorph (pollen and non-pollen) indicators was performed to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental evolution of Blanca Chica shallow lake during the past 1700 years. Four main lake condition stages were identified. Natural forcing dominated the period prior to 1880 CE, followed by a scenario characterized by the combined action of anthropic and natural forcings. Between 260800 CE, laminated sediments and phytoplankton dominance point to a high-level, turbid, nutrient rich lake during a wet period. Between 800–1600 CE, massive sediments, increasing halophytic vegetation and decreasing phytoplankton indicate a lower water-lake level in a dry context. This drought scenario was intensified between 1660–1830 CE as suggested by massive mottled sediments, submerged macrophytes remains and filamentous chlorophytes. A shift to wetter conditions is indicated for 1830–2015 CE, by a perennial, turbid, eutrophic, high-level lake with massive organic sediments. The onset of agriculture and cattle was shown by a raise in pollen taxa (i.e., 1830) and increased sedimentation rates related to soils erosion which suggested intense anthropic activity. The change in the aquatic communities and sedimentology for the last 30 years allowed considering a shift to high anthropogenic impact combined with an increase in precipitation which generated an accelerated eutrophication of the lake.
Karen Borrazzo, Luis Alberto Borrero, Ivana Laura Ozán
et al.
This paper presents the taphonomic and geoarchaeological study of a thin shell lens identified 3.2 km from the coast of San Sebastian Bay on the hilltop of the inland Cerro Bandurrias archaeological locality (Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina). The biological assemblage of the shell lens comprises marine fauna (bivalves, gastropods, and fish) that may represent the remains of the occasional exploitation of littoral resources by hunter gatherers. However, since the lack of unequivocal anthropogenic signals, alternative non-anthropogenic hypotheses need to be also assessed. Indeed, the time frame of the shell lens (radiocarbon dated as ~6500 cal. years BP) indicates that the bioclast accumulation occurred during the Middle Holocene marine transgression with a different paleogeography, when the hill was part of a coastal landform (peninsula). The methodological design comprised the combination of different and independent sources of information and the techniques applied to assess competing genetic hypotheses. Based on compositional, taphonomic and sedimentological analyses, our research suggests that the most parsimonious explanation is that hunter gatherers were the primary agents of bioclast accumulation of the lens. Thus, this ephemeral archaeological evidence provides a new record for the human exploitation of littoral resources on the Atlantic coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego during the Middle Holocene. The conspicuous character of shells improves the archaeological visibility of short term, nonredundant past human occupations.
Lionel Marié, Thibaut Guiragossian, François Fournier
The discovery of eggshells in paleontological and archaeological contexts is particulary common. Dinosaur eggshells are found in very large numbers, and are the subject of diverse studies, sometimes even entering the field of archaeology. Similarly, ostrich eggs are of taxonomic interest in the identification of the species that laid them, but also archaeologic in the use made of them by humans over time. This type of artefacts sometimes requires the preparation of thin sections to understand their taxonomic affinities and/or possible diagenetic modifications. The production of thin sections of fossil eggshells is a complex process involving expensive materials, consumables and precise skills. Here we propose a new method based on the use of multiple samples per slide which has the advantage of limiting the consumables used, reducing the preparation time, and facilitating the study of the eggshells. This type of method not only allows simultaneous viewing all the eggshells from the same clutch at once but also saving. Finally, the presence of several eggshell samples on the same slide permit a significant time saving time during certain analyzes that require the establishment of a vacuum (cathodluminescence, scanning electron microscope).
D. Fidalgo, J. Madurell-Malapeira, R. Martino
et al.
This work presents a comprehensive review of the Quaternary fossil records of hippopotamuses from the Iberian Peninsula, unveiling biogeographical insights of global significance. The results presented herein include the inference of a delayed arrival of Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus antiquus) populations onto the Iberian Peninsula compared to other European Mediterranean regions, with an estimated age of ca. 1.7 Ma, in contrast to 2.1–2.2 Ma elsewhere. Moreover, we hypothesize the possibility of a short-lived coexistence between H. antiquus and Hippopotamus amphibius, close to the extinction of the former taxon (ca. 0.45 Ma). The local extinction of all hippopotamus populations on the Iberian Peninsula between MIS 5 and 3 is suggested here, mirroring proposals made for the Italian peninsula. Notable aspects of this fossil record include the abundance of specimens, previously undocumented anatomical elements, and partially complete individuals with articulated body segments. The remains analyzed herein also present different ontogenetic stages and sexual dimorphism. Moreover, the presence of specimens displaying paleopathologies provides valuable insights into ethological and paleoecological studies. The exceptional record of at least three events of human exploitation of hippopotamus stands out, with this being a rarity in the broader context of the archaeological and paleontological record of the European continent.
Abstract Otoliths are common and diverse in the Neogene of tropical America. Following previous studies of Neogene tropical American otoliths of the lanternfishes (Myctophidae), marine catfishes (Ariidae), croakers (Sciaenidae), and cusk-eels (Ophidiiformes), we describe here the otoliths of the gobies (Gobiidae). The Gobiidae represent the richest marine fish family, with more than 2000 species worldwide and about 250 in America. In the fossil record too they are the species richest family in the Neogene of tropical America. We have investigated otoliths sampled from Ecuador, Pacific and Atlantic Panama, Atlantic Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Trinidad, ranging in age from late Early Miocene (late Burdigalian) to late Early Pleistocene (Calabrian). Most of the studied material originates from the collection expeditions of the Panama Paleontology Project (PPP). Our study represents the first comprehensive record of fossil gobies from America, and we recognize 107 species, of which 51 are new to science, 35 are in open nomenclature, and 19 represent species that also live in the region today. Previously, only two fossil otolith-based goby species have been described from the Neogene of tropical America. The dominant gobies in the fossil record of the region are from the Gobiosomatini, particularly of genera living over soft bottoms or in deeper water such as Bollmannia, Microgobius, Antilligobius, and Palatogobius. Another purpose of our study is to provide a first comprehensive account of otoliths of the extant Gobiidae of America, which we consider necessary for an adequate identification and interpretation of the Neogene otoliths. We studied otoliths of 130 extant American gobiid species and figured 106 of them for comparison. We also present a morphological analysis and characterization of the extant otoliths as a basis for the identification of fossil otoliths. Problems that commonly arise with the identification of fossil otoliths and specifically of fossil goby otoliths are addressed and discussed. A comparison of the history of the Gobiidae in tropical America reveals a high percentage of shared species between the Pacific and the Atlantic basins during the Late Miocene (Tortonian and Messinian) from at least 11 to 6 Ma. A recording gap on the Pacific side across the Pliocene allows a comparison again only in the late Early Pleistocene (Calabrian, 1.8 to 0.78 Ma), which shows a complete lack of shared species. These observations support the effective closure of the former Central American Seaway and emersion of the Isthmus of Panama in the intervening time. Groups that today only exist in the East Pacific were also identified in the Miocene and Pliocene of the West Atlantic, and there is also at least one instance of a genus now restricted to the West Atlantic having occurred in the East Pacific as late as the Pleistocene. The evolution of gobies in tropical America and the implications thereof are extensively discussed. Furthermore, observations of fossil gobies in the region are discussed in respect to paleoenvironmental indications and paleobiogeographic aspects. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:821F185A-DF6B-4D19-984B-E040A206C45A. https://zoobank.org/CB4D4CB4-FED2-45BF-B164-EB48286E8DB5 .
Bernard Lathuilière, Danwei Huang, The Corallosphere Group
The morphology of stony corals (Scleractinia) remains the only means to reconstruct the most inclusive evolutionary history of the clade comprising both extant and extinct species. The definitions of morphological characters and their associated trait states are critical for assembling a dataset that could be analysed for phylogenetic reconstruction. Here, we present coral morphological data that consist of more than a hundred characters reviewed by the Corallosphere working group. These characters would eventually form the basis of a data matrix used to reconstruct the phylogeny of all extinct and extant scleractinian families. The initial results obtained by the working group comprise poorly resolved trees, which are biased by the complexity of the multiple character states and the multiplicity of researchers involved in the coding process. When the analysis is restricted to matrices consisting of families from the Triassic and Jurassic periods and coded by a single person, resolution increased, allowing for further exploration of various ingroups and outgroups. The results presented here represent analyses of (i) a data matrix with all families represented by their type genus; (ii) a data matrix with selected families represented by their solitary or phaceloid genera; (iii) a data matrix with only Triassic corals; (iv) a data matrix with only Jurassic corals; (v) a data matrix with Triassic and Jurassic corals; and (vi) data matrices with several outgroups. Well-resolved trees have been obtained in several cases. Phylogenetic rela-tionships among basal, robust and complex groups established using molecular data are discussed in the context of the morphological phylogeny obtained here.
Sadaf Yaghoubi, Ali Reza Ashouri, Majid Mirzaie Ataabadi
et al.
Abstract A mammutid is described here for the first time from the Late Miocene (MN12 equivalent) deposits of Abkhareh village, Varzeghan region, in the North-Western part of Iran. It is identified as “Mammut” cf. obliquelophus and is represented by an isolated and moderately worn upper third molar with a zygodont crown pattern typical of mammutids. In addition, two upper incisors found associated with the molar and probably belonging to the same individual are assigned as Mammut. The studied material expands the geographic distribution of “Mammut” obliquelophus into Western Asia.
Evidence of late Pleistocene human and fauna remains has been documented within the extensive cave systems of the Tulum region in northeast Yucatán, Mexico. This unique area is vital for paleontological and paleoanthropological research, providing insights into early human adaptation in the Americas. To date, 10 human fossils have been thoroughly studied, with two additional recent discoveries under investigation. These remains, dating from 13,700 to 8,000 BP, emphasize the paleoanthropological significance of Tulum's submerged caves. A key discovery is the skeleton of Eva de Naharon, dated to 13,721 years cal BP, making her the oldest known human fossil in the Americas. Using 3D facial reconstructions and DNA analysis, researchers have identified craniofacial similarities with South Asian populations, suggesting shared ancestry and migration patterns. These findings enrich our understanding of human migration and adaptation. Ongoing research continues to highlight the role of Tulum’s underwater caves in shaping early human history, survival strategies, and social structures over millennia.
Catalina Haidau, Paul-Adrian Bulzu, I. Mirea
et al.
Abstract Studies on fossil bone microbial communities are scarce; even fewer studies were performed in cave deposits. For our research, sediments and fossil bones were sampled, and the whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analyses were performed on samples from Muierilor and Ursilor caves, some of Romania’s most important archaeological and paleontological sites. Most of the identified taxa belong to Bacteria, with Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota amongst the most abundant phyla in bone samples from both caves. The sediment samples presented similar composition, with Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota being the most abundant phyla. The inferred bacteriomes indicated the presence of environment-specific bacteria, typical bone colonizers, and bacteria found in soils and decomposing human remains or archaeological profiles as well as phosphate-solubilizing and organotrophic bacteria. Diversity indices indicated a higher diversity in bone samples from Muierilor Cave than in Ursilor Cave samples and sediment samples from both caves. Environmental conditions, especially air relative humidity, were also considered in explaining the bacteriome diversity in different cave settings. These findings help to understand fossil bones’ deposition and degradation in various environmental conditions. Furthermore, this is the first attempt to relate microenvironments and bacteria to preserving fossil bones from caves.
Man has always been interested in knowing what his origins were and how he evolved over time, to satisfy this need he has developed scientific research methodologies. The main objective of this study is to analyze the scientific-methodological tools that have helped to learn about the origin and evolution of the human species; Correspondingly, a review study was developed, based on hermeneutical, heuristic and historical-logical methods. Among the findings, the existence of branches of science such as paleontology, biogeography and anthropology are signified; as well as the historical-logical and heuristic methods for the study of the origin and evolution of man; through them it has been determined that the human species has evolved from other non-human species.
La historia de las mujeres argentinas en el desarrollo de la paleoherpetología es muy interesante y crucial, ya que la misma evidencia el rol de la mujer en el campo académico, en el ámbito familiar y en la sociedad. A lo largo de casi 100 años, las investigaciones llevadas a cabo por mujeres fueron en aumento, abarcando los principales grupos taxonómicos y generando nuevas líneas de investigación con cada generación. En la actualidad, el cambio de paradigma de la mujer en el campo de la paleontología de vertebrados en general, no solo se plasma en su rol dirigiendo campañas paleontológicas y equipos de investigación, sino que también se refleja en sus actividades de gestión y su proyección en el ámbito internacional.
This paper deals with discussions sparked by the scientific advances of paleontology in the first half of the 19th century on whether predation and animal death should be linked to the Fall of man. The history of the belief in paradisiacal vegetarianism and animal peace, which could be traced back to the writings of Early Church fathers, is briefly discussed. The paper discusses the argumentation of W. Buckland, E. Hitchcock, H. Miller, and other men of science and theologians, who accepted the fact, which became evident from the fossil record, that death and predation prevailed in the living nature from the beginning, and struggled to conceive it in the Christian terms. Light is shed on the early pictorial representations of prehistoric life, which accentuated ferocity of the primeval world in stark contrast to the traditional view on the prelapsarian harmony between animals. The attitudes of those who persisted in defending the belief in peaceful animal relationships in paradise despite of findings of paleontology are explored. The main exponents of the latter view could be found among the “scriptural geologists”, the early predecessors of presentday Young Earth creationists. The attempt by the Scottish theologian W. Gillespie to explain the existence of predation in prehistoric animals by the Fall of Satan is reviewed. It can be concluded that the revision of Christian doctrine of the earthly paradise had been well underway in the pre-Darwinian age and was accomplished with the triumph of evolutionism.
Javad Sharifi, Amane Tajika, Alireza Mohammadabadi
et al.
Abstract The Aitamir Formation, situated in the Koppeh Dagh Basin in the northeast of Iran, is known for its well-exposed Albian-to-Cenomanian succession. Although geologists previously documented a number of macro- and microfossils, no nautilids had been discovered until now to our knowledge. Here, we present lower Albian and middle Cenomanian nautilids from the Koppeh Dagh Basin for the first time. This discovery is also the first record of Cretaceous nautilids from Iran. We identified the specimens as Eutrephoceras clementianum (d’Orbigny 1840), E. sublaevigatum (d’Orbigny 1850), E. bouchardianum (d’Orbigny 1840) and Eutrephoceras sp. These specimens occur in horizons situated between several ammonite-bearing levels, which allowed us to more precisely constrain age estimates for the recovered nautilid specimens. E. clementianum could not be dated precisely but likely comes from between late Aptian ammonite index Hypacanthoplites uhligi and middle Albian Hoplites (Hoplites) baylei. E. sublaevigatum occurs just above the late Albian ammonites Mariella bergeri and Semenoviceras michalskii and below the Mantelliceras mantelli Zone. At the upper part of the section, E. bouchardianum and Eutrephoceras sp. were collected from lower Albian beds, which correspond to the Mantelliceras mantelli and Mantelliceras dixonii zones. These new findings contribute to our knowledge of the geographical distribution and stratigraphic range of Albian–Cenomanian nautilid species.
La conservación preventiva de los bienes patrimoniales estuvo inicialmente asociada a las variables ambientales de los museos que los custodiaban. Las colecciones paleontológicas, si bien menos susceptibles que otras colecciones biológicas, no son ajenas a esta problemática; sin embargo, la comunidad científica ha sido muchas veces reticente a esta realidad. A partir de la década de 1970, diversas instituciones del Reino Unido, Estados Unidos de América, Canadá y algunos países europeos dieron impulso a esta temática; publicaron numerosas contribuciones que trataron en detalle las causas y las formas de mitigación de los daños potenciales a los ejemplares fósiles y, en años recientes, incluyeron técnicas espectroscópicas (no invasivas) a casos de estudio. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo sintetizar el conocimiento de los factores ambientales que representan un riesgo para las colecciones paleontológicas, una temática cuyo abordaje, como parte de la conservación preventiva, es incipiente en nuestro país.
Timothy Gaudin, Susan Tuckniss, Alberto Boscaini
et al.
Pronothrotherium typicum is a late Miocene–early Pliocene (Huayquerian–Chapadmalalan SALMA) nothrotheriid sloth known from the Catamarca Province of northwestern Argentina. Pronothrotherium is one of four nothrotheriid genera known from relatively complete skeletal material, but unlike the other three, the osteology of Pronothrotherium has not been formally described. The present study provides the first detailed description and illustration of the cranial anatomy of Pronothrotherium, based largely on a nearly complete, subadult skull of P. typicum from the collections of The Field Museum (Chicago, Illinois, USA), as well as a less well-preserved adult skull and isolated mandible from the same collections. A revised cranial diagnosis of P. typicum is provided in the text. The skull of this species shows a number of distinctive features, most notably a peculiar vomerine keel in the nasopharynx, terminating in a swollen knob, that is, as far we know, a unique morphology among mammals. Based on the results of the present study, there appears to be reason to recognize two contemporaneous species of Pronothrotherium, P. typicum and P. mirabilis, although the latter is less well supported. We do not accept the validity of a third described species, P. figueirasi, considering it instead to be synonymous with P. mirabilis. The present study does not resolve the uncertain phylogenetic relationships among the well-preserved nothrotheriine taxa Pronothrotherium, Mionothropus (late Miocene), and the two Pleistocene genera in Nothrotheriini, Nothrotherium and Nothrotheriops. However, we hope that the data provided will facilitate subsequent phylogenetic studies that may resolve these issues.