Hasil untuk "Paleontology"

Sara G. Arranz, Souzanna Siarabi, Sharrah McKenzie et al.

The suid assemblages from Europe experienced considerable turnover during the Vallesian (MN9-MN10, early Late Miocene), ultimately leading to a marked decline in diversity during the Turolian. To provide further insight into the timing and paleoecological context of this Vallesian turnover in the suid assemblages, here we revisit the taxonomic composition of the suids from the Late Miocene (9.8 Ma) fossil locality of Can Llobateres 1 (CLL1; Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula), with emphasis on species other than the small tetraconodontine Parachleuastochoerus crusafonti (for which CLL1 is the type locality). Although CLL1 is one of the most thoroughly sampled Vallesian sites from Europe, a recent revision of the faunal list evinced that the occurrence of multiple large mammals is based on fossil remains that were described many decades ago or that have never been published, leading to potentially misleading or, at least, insufficiently substantiated attributions. According to published accounts, three additional suid species are recorded at CLL1, being much scarcer than Pa. crusafonti: the listriodontine Listriodon splendens, the suine Propotamochoerus palaeochoerus, and a large tetraconodontine variously assigned to Versoporcus steinheimensis or ‘Parachleuastochoerus’ valentini. Our revision of the available remains, including unpublished material recovered from the 1980s onward, confirms the presence of the two former species and the assignment of the large tetraconodontine to ‘Pa.’ valentini. On biochronological grounds, the association of these taxa is characteristic of the early Vallesian, with the record of L. splendens representing the last well-dated occurrence of this species. From a paleoenvironmental viewpoint, the suid assemblage from CLL1 is consistent with previous inferences indicating the presence of a densely forested and humid environment with more open habitats nearby.

Peipei Zhang, Yunzhi Yao, Zhengkun Hu et al.

A new genus and species of fossil harpactorin (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Trispongiosus hui Zhang, Yao, & Liu gen. et sp. nov., is described from Miocene Dominican amber, representing the third fossil record of Harpactorinae. The new species is remarkable for exhibiting fossula spongiosa on all three pairs of legs, which is not only the first report in Harpactorinae but also rare within Reduviidae. This structure is considered to be related to the locomotor capabilities of assassin bugs, potentially enhancing their attachment and agility in navigating complex surfaces and vegetation. Furthermore, the present study suggests that fossula spongiosa exhibits remarkable plasticity within Reduviidae by integrating fossil and extant perspective.

Cary Woodruff, William Hart, Alex Colesmith et al.

The contribution of microvertebrate fossils towards various paleobiological and geochemical studies are becoming increasingly more numerous and significant. As such, several methods have been developed for the extraction and collection of microfossils from bulk sediment. In the field, screenwashing relies on a sieve in a fluvial setting to passively wet sieve the fossiliferous sediment. Sampling in the field can be much easier as it alleviates the need to transport a large quantity of bulk sediment back to the home institution. However, the primary concerns of sampling bulk matrix in the field are access to a fluvial amenity and availability of sediment that can be successfully wet sieved. We encountered both issues at a locality where: 1) there was no access to any sort of fluvial feature, and 2) even with a man-made water containing feature, the clay-rich sediment at this locality created an impermeable layer in each screen box that clogged the screen, and prevented wet sieving. To overcome these challenges, we designed and implemented a two-part apparatus onsite in the field that relied on a solar-powered water transfer pump to cycle water throughout a system to provide fluvial agitation; whereby preventing the buildup of an impermeable clay layer, and allowing the processing and collection of microvertebrate material from this locality in the field. While there are numerous protocols and methodologies for the processing of microvertebrate material, the methodology we document in this study highlights another technique that can be utilized, and will hopefully prove useful to others encountering similar difficulties.

Heinz Furrer

Abstract There is a long history of palaeontological excavations at Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland) and the adjoining Monte Pravello—Monte Orsa (Italy), aimed at finding well-preserved skeletons of Middle Triassic vertebrates. The first fossils were discovered in the mid-Nineteenth Century during mining of black shales (scisti bituminosi) near Besano, Italy, with further finds in the early Twentieth Century through industrial-scale mining. Studies of the material generated international interest and prompted formal palaeontological excavations on both sides of the border. The earliest excavations took place in 1863 and 1878, with the most extensive between 1924 and 1968. Systematic excavations have continued up to the present day, focusing on six distinct fossiliferous horizons: the Besano Formation and the overlying Meride Limestone with the Cava inferiore, Cava superiore, Cassina, Sceltrich and Kalkschieferzone beds. All these have provided material for study and display, with Monte San Giorgio itself recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workers and organisations involved, locations excavated and material recovered are described herein.

Syed Muzyan Shahzad, Asim Shahzad, Hammad Tariq Janjuhah et al.

Abstract The Peshawar Basin is a part of the lower Himalayas that contains an enormous amount of groundwater storage. The evaluation of groundwater potential in the southern Peshawar district was done using well logging, lithostratigraphic properties, and combined hydrogeological and geophysical techniques. A total of 13 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) profiles were utilised to assess potential groundwater zones for surface resistivity studies. The aquifer system was delineated by comparing the data from five boreholes with the VES findings. An exploration of super-saturated groundwater potential was conducted, utilising parameters such as transmissivity (T), hydraulic conductivity (K), storativity, and the Dar Zarrouk analysis. The Dar Zarrouk analysis yielded average values of transverse resistance (TR), longitudinal conductance (S), and anisotropy (λ), which were determined to be 8069.12, 0.51, and 0.561, respectively. Similarly, average values of transmissivity (T), hydraulic conductivity (K), and storativity were obtained, resulting in 28.67, 0.24, and 0.000177, respectively. The saturated confined layer, characterized by highly saturated zones, was identified to begin at a depth of approximately 119 m and extend down to the lower boundary of the aquifer. The examined aquifer is composed of clay, sand, gravel, boulders, and loose layers of lacustrine mud that are interlayered to form an unconsolidated groundwater aquifer system. The aquifers in the region are highly developed and consisted of unconfined, semi-confined, and confined aquifer systems. As a result, it is possible to use the aquifer for groundwater development in the study area because of its low -to-medium discharge.

Georgios L. Georgalis, Andrea Villa, Martin Ivanov et al.

Abstract We here describe abundant new fossil material of amphibians and reptiles from different late Neogene localities of northern Greece: the Early Pliocene (MN 14) of Spilia 0, Spilia 1, and Spilia 2; the Early Pliocene (MN 15) of Spilia 3, Spilia 4, Spilia 5, and Vevi; and the Late Miocene or Pliocene of Chalicorrema and Rema Marmara. These new late Neogene herpetofaunas are highly diverse, documenting a considerably rich herpetofauna allowing the identification of at least two salamander, seven frog, two turtle, seven lizard, and eight snake taxa. Salamanders are represented by the salamandrid genera Ommatotriton and Ichthyosaura. Frogs are represented by the bombinatorid Bombina, the discoglossids Latonia cf. ragei and Latonia sp., the pelobatid Pelobates aff. praefuscus and Pelobates sp., the ranids Pelophylax and Rana cf. dalmatina, the hylid Hyla gr. arborea, and the bufonid Bufotes gr. viridis. Turtles are represented by the emydid Emys and an indeterminate geoemydid. Lizards are represented by the scincid Ophiomorus, two lacertids (one of which potentially pertaining to Lacerta), amphisbaenians, agamids, the anguid Pseudopus, and a potential varanid. Snakes are represented by the erycid Eryx, the natricid Natrix aff. rudabanyaensis, a small-sized elapid, an “Oriental viper”, the colubriforms Periergophis and Paraxenophis, as well as two further distinct but still indeterminate morphotypes of colubriforms. For the material from Spilia tentatively referred to Ommatotriton, this is only the third occurrence in the fossil record globally. The new material of Ichthyosaura and Bombina mark the first documentation of these genera in the Greek fossil record. Abundant cranial and postcranial material from Spilia is tentatively referred to Latonia ragei, a taxon previously known from the Early Miocene of Western Europe. The new record of Pelobates represents the oldest documented occurrences of the genus in the Greek fossil record. Interestingly, the Pelobates from Spilia bears much resemblance to an extinct taxon, Pelobates aff. praefuscus, which is otherwise known from the Late Miocene of the Caucasus, and not to the extant species that currently inhabits the area. The identification of Pelophylax and Rana adds to the rather poor Neogene record of ranids from Greece. Particularly for the case of Rana cf. dalmatina from Spilia 4, this corresponds to the only documented occurrence of this extant taxon in the Greek fossil record. Similarly, the identification of Hyla gr. arborea in Spilia 1, Spilia 3, and Spilia 4, marks only the third documented occurrence of this genus in the Greek fossil record. The Bufotes material from Spilia 1, Spilia 3, and Spilia 4 represents the first documented fossil occurrence of the extant Bufotes viridis complex in Greece. The material of Emys gr. orbicularis from Vevi marks the only known pre-Quaternary record of the genus in Greece and one of the only few Neogene members of the genus known from Europe. The scincid Ophiomorus is identified in Spilia 4, known from several cranial and postcranial remains, well outside the extant range of the genus. Practically, the Spilia Ophiomorus is only the fourth known fossil occurrence of this extant genus globally and also represents one of its oldest known occurrences. Material from Spilia 1 and Spilia 3 is tentatively referred to cf. Lacerta sp., and this would mark the first known occurrence of this emblematic extant genus in the Greek fossil record, denoting the presence of the genus since at least the Early Pliocene. The new amphisbaenian specimens from Spilia 4 add to the recently described single vertebra from the same locality, and represent the youngest occurrence of amphisbaenians from continental Eastern Europe. The new agamid material from Vevi and Chalicorrema add substantially to the record of this group, which was in Greece so far known exclusively from the latest Miocene/earliest Pliocene of Maramena. A similarly important addition is the record of Pseudopus from Spilia 4, as this genus had been known in the Greek fossil record only from a very few localities. The potential varanid from Spilia represents one of the few Pliocene occurrences of this group in Europe. We identify Natrix aff. rudabanyaensis among the material from Spilia 0, Spilia 4, and Vevi, adding to the previously known record of this taxon from Maramena, however, its precise species level assignment should await a revision of Neogene European Natrix spp. The find of a small elapid from Spilia 4 represents the youngest occurrence of a coral snake from Europe, extending their statigraphic range up to the Early Pliocene (MN 14). Periergophis and Paraxenophis, two bizarre snakes, so far exclusively known from their type locality in Maramena, could be also present here, even if tentatively identified. Most notably, the new material from these localities comprises forms that are now extinct (e.g., Periergophis and Paraxenophis) or extirpated from Europe (e.g., Latonia, Varanidae, Elapidae) but at the same time also loudly attests the emergence of the extant genera that dominate the extant herpetofaunas of Greece (Ichthyosaura, Bombina, Pelobates, Pelophylax, Rana, Hyla, Bufotes, Emys, Ophiomorus, Lacerta, Pseudopus, Eryx, and Natrix), for some of which their fossil record is documented here for the first time in the area.

Leonardo Kerber

Abstract Here I reviewed the Pleistocene caviomorphs collected by Santiago Roth (collection from Catalog No. 5) and housed at the paleontological collection of the Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Zurich (Switzerland). The fossils were found in Pleistocene strata from Buenos Aires and Santa Fé provinces (Argentina) during the late nineteenth century. The material includes craniomandibular remains assigned to Lagostomus maximus (Chinchilloidea: Chinchillidae), craniomandibular and postcranial (thoracic and sacral vertebra, left scapula, left femur, and right tibia) bones identified as Dolichotis sp. (Cavioidea: Caviidae), and a fragmented hemimandible and isolated tooth of Myocastor sp. (Octodontoidea: Echimyidae). Other rodent specimens from this collection (Ctenomys sp. and Cavia sp.) are possibly sub-recent materials.

Tamás Zsolt Vári, Sándor Gulyás, Pál Sümegi

Lake Kolon (Hungary), situated in the middle of the Turjánvidék area between the saline lakes of the Danube valley and the Homokhátság, is one of the most significant natural aquatic habitats in the Danube–Tisza Interfluve region. The central question of this study is how the lake changed, and how environmental factors and human activities have influenced these paleoenvironmental changes in Lake Kolon. A multiproxy analysis of a core sequence (loss on ignition, grain size, magnetic susceptibility, and geochemistry) provided crucial insights. Notably, correlations are observed in the following relationships: (1) clay, organic matter, and elements derived from organic sources, such as Na, K, and Zn; (2) MS, sand, inorganic matter, and elements originating from inorganic sources, such as Fe, Al, Ti, Na, K, and P; and (3) carbonate content and elements originating from carbonate sources, such as Ca and Mg. The lake’s paleoenvironment underwent significant changes in the past 27,000 years. Late-Pleistocene wind-blown sand provided the bottom for an oligotrophic lake (17,700 BP), followed by a calcareous mesotrophic Chara-lake phase (13,800 BP). Peat accumulation, along with the eutrophic lake phase, began at the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary around 11,700 BP. From 10,300 BP, with the emergence of an extended peatland phase, the percentage of organic matter (peat) increased significantly. Anthropogenic changes occurred from around 9000–8000 BP due to the different emerging cultures in the Carpathian basin, and from 942–579 BP due to the Hungarian settlements and activity nearby, respectively.

Marco Romano, FABIO MANUCCI, MATTEO ANTONELLI et al.

In this contribution we present an in vivo reconstruction and volumetric body mass estimate for the mounted skeleton of Mammuthus meridionalis on exhibit at the east bastion of the Spanish Fortress at L’Aquila (Abruzzo, Central Italy). The reconstruction has been obtained starting from a 3D photogrammetric model of the skeleton acquired via a micro-drones and by digitally adding a percentage of soft tissues according to the conditions observed in wild specimens. By applying to the volume the density range proposed in literature for extant proboscideans we obtain an estimate of the body mass in the adult male specimen ranging from 11.3 t to 11.5 t, with average body mass equal to 11.43 t. In addition, we compare the volumetric BM estimate with the BM predictive values obtained by means of traditional regression equations based on long bones linear dimension and shoulder height. The results confirm that the volumetric method is always preferable if sufficiently complete mounted skeletons are available, since application of regression formulas to single bony element can lead to an underestimation or overestimation up to 130%. As a general indication, weight estimates in extinct tetrapods based on single measures and single bones should be totally avoided, especially in groups morphologically and phylogenetically distant from extant reference taxa.

Erynn Johnson, David Peterman, Aja Carter

The fossil record represents the world’s largest historical dataset of biodiversity. However, the biomechanical and ecological potential of this dataset has been restricted by various unique barriers obstructing experimental study. Fossils are often partial, modified by taphonomy, or lacking modern analogs. In the past, these barriers confined many studies to descriptive and observational techniques. Fortunately, advances in computer modeling, virtual simulations, model fabrication, and physical experimentation now allow ancient organisms and their biomechanics to be studied like never before using “Defossilized Organismal Proxies” (DOPs). Although DOPs are forging new approaches integrating ecology, evolutionary biology, and bioinspired engineering, their application has yet to be identified as a unique, independent methodological approach. We believe that techniques involving DOPs will continue revolutionizing paleontology and how other related fields interact with and draw insights from life’s evolutionary history. As the field of paleontology moves forward, identifying the framework for this novel methodological development is essential to establishing best practices that maximize the scientific impact of DOP-based experiments. In this perspective, we reflect on current literature innovating the field using DOPs and establish a workflow explaining the processes of model formulation, construction, and validation. Furthermore, we present the application of DOP-based techniques for non-specialists and specialists alike. Accelerating technological advances and experimental approaches present a host of new opportunities to study extinct organisms. This expanding frontier of paleontological research will provide a more holistic view of ecology, evolution, and natural selection by breathing new life into the fossil record.

Juliana Sterli, Diego Pol, José Luis Carballido et al.

La herpetofauna extinta de la provincial de Chubut es una de las más diversas, temporal y espacialmente extensiva, y mejor conocidas en Argentina y en Sudamérica. Estos fósiles ayudan a entender la evolución de la herpetofauna en la región patagónica durante más de 180 millones de años. Desde su establecimiento en 1990, el Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio juega un rol clave en el descubrimiento, protección, estudio y exhibición de los importantes fósiles de la provincia. El estudio paleoherpetológico en el MPEF ha pasado por tres etapas diferentes: la Inicial, la Intermedia, y la Actual. Al presente, la colección de paleoherpetología del museo contiene aproximadamente 960 especímenes de anuros y reptiles—incluyendo tortugas, lepidosaurios, plesiosaurios, cocodrilos, pterosaurios, dinosaurios, y aves—encontrados en formaciones sedimentarias que abarcan desde el Jurásico Temprano hasta el Mioceno tardío. Basados en estos materiales, al menos 30 nuevas especies han sido nominadas y más de 200 trabajos han sido publicados en menos de tres décadas.

SERGIO ROS-MONTOYA, SAVERIO BARTOLINI-LUCENTI, M. PATROCINIO ESPIGARES et al.

Two archaeo-palaeontological Lower Pleistocene sites of Orce (Baza Basin, SE Spain), Fuente Nueva 3 (1.3 Ma) and Barranco León (1.4 Ma), preserve some of the earliest evidences of human presence in the European continent. During the 2013 field season, a small Lyncodontini mustelid mandible was found at Fuente Nueva-3. This finding was accompanied by a lower canine (c1), also from the same site, and a lower fourth premolar (p4) from Barranco León. Here, we report on the morphological and biometrical study of these materials, in comparison to other Eurasian Pliocene-Pleistocene species of the tribe Lyncodontini. The analyses revealed an affinity between the taxon from Fuente Nueva-3 and Barranco León with the small-sized European species Martellictis ardea (Gervais, 1848-1852), allowing us to ascribe the described material to the latter species. The presence of M. ardea in the sites of Orce is the southernmost occurrence of the species in the Iberian Peninsula and an important finding in the scarce fossil record of Lyncodontini in Europe.

Filippo Barattolo, Viorel Ionesi, Paul Ţibuleac

Polyphysacean algal fertile caps from the Sarmatian near Suceava (NE Romania) are here described as a new species, Acetabularia moldavica, ascribed to the extant genus Acetabularia due to the presence of both inferior and superior coronae. Gametangia are preserved and closely packed within the gametophore. The gametangium wall is strongly mineralized and SEM observations show acicular aragonite crystals arranged perpendicularly to the wall surface. The occurrence of mineralized cyst walls distinguishes the new species from the other three species ascribed to the genus Acetabularia, namely Acetabularia miocaenica, Acetabularia chiavonica, and Acetabularia transylvana. Cyst wall biomineralization in A. moldavica sp. nov., Chalmasia, and Halicoryne appears to assist in distinguishing taxa at species level but not at genus level. Four types of intracellular biomineralization can be recognized in polyphysaceans according to the mineralization of cyst walls and intergametangial spaces. The attribution of an extant species to a fossil genus and vice-versa can be problematic when the fossil consists of a mineralized spicule (intracellular biomineralization). Two contrasting examples are Acetabularia schenckii (extant species) assigned to the genus Acicularia (fossil), and Halicoryne morelleti (fossil species) referred to an extant genus (Halicoryne). When it is unclear whether fossil taxa possessed one or two coronae, the attribution of Cenozoic species to an extant genus appears speculative. Therefore, we support the view that the genus Acicularia should only be applied to fossil species. In addition, mineralized aggregates of cysts of Halicoryne morelleti should be distinguished from their possible extant counterparts (Chalmasia, Halicoryne, and Acetabularia) when coronal structures are not preserved. In the literature Halicoryne morelleti has been compared with the fossil genera Sedalanella and Ioanella. The first genus must be considered a junior synonym of Oroseina. A new interpretation of the genus Ioanella is supplied. The two layers of cysts of Ioanella conform poorly with the small ellipsoidal calcareous bodies of Halicoryne morelleti. Therefore, we propose the new genus Patruliuspora for Halicoryne morelleti.

RAYMOND L. BERNOR, SHIQI WANG, YAN LIU et al.

Skulls, mandibles and dentitions of a new, monospecific lineage of late Miocene Chinese hipparionine horse, Shanxihippus dermatorhinus nov comb.are reported. We frame our description of this newly recognized genus with a comparison to primitive North American hipparion, Cormohipparion occidentale and Central European Hippotherium primigenium from the Vienna Basin and Hoewenegg, Germany. We recognize, for the first time that the Chinese early late Miocene hipparion “Hipparion” weihoense is primitive and referable to Hippotherium extending the range of that lineage in the early late Miocene (MN9 equivalent) from China to Central and Western Europe. We develop a multistate 53 character state analysis including primitive species of Hippotherium, Sivalhippus, Shanxihippus, Cremohipparion and Proboscidipparion to undertake a cladistic analysis using four consecutively further removed North American outgroups: Cormohipparion occidentale, Cormohipparion quinni, Merychippus insignis and Parahippus leonensis. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of these taxa and pose hypotheses of origin and biogeographic distribution of these superspecific taxa in the late Miocene of Eurasia. We conclude that Shanxihippus, Cremohipparion and Proboscidipparion are three distinct clades, held at Genus rank, that have converged in their snout lengthening and nasal retraction likely due to similarities in feeding adaptation.

LAURA BONFIGLIO, GIOVANNI DI STEFANO, GIANNI INSACCO et al.

On the Hyblean Plateau (south eastern Sicily) at Contrada Cimillà, south west of Ragusa, the infillings of a karstic cavity on the carbonatic Ragusa platform has yielded abundant Pleistocene mammal bones. Prevailing remains of thé pigmy megacerine Megaloceros (Megaceroides) carburangelensis (De Gregorio, 1925) are associated with scanty remains of Cervus siciliae Pohlig, Elephas cf. mnaidriensis Adams, Ursus cf. arctos L. aves. On the margins of the Hyblean Plateau two Pleistocene mammal faunal associations have been recognized which are contained in continental deposits correlated with early Middle Pleistocene and late Middle Pleistocene-Late Pleistocene terraced marine deposits, respectively. Both faunal associations are preserved in the fissure-filling deposits of the central carbonatic Ragusa platform. The Pleistocene mammal remains from Contrada Cimillà belong to the younger faunal association of the Hyblean Plateau. The infillings of a karstic cavity near by the Pleistocene mammal-bearing cavity at Contrada Cimillà has yielded remains of not endemic mammals (Canis sp., Erinaceus europaeus L.) as well as Neolithic artifacts.

I. P. MARTINI, V. PASCUCCI, F. SANDRELLI

Several Upper Tortonian to Lower Messinian sedimentary facies were recognized and mapped in the M.te Soldano area at the southeastern end of the extensional Basin of Volterra in the Nothern Apennines in Tuscany. They consist of (a) disorganized coarse  conglomerates, ft) organized conglomerates interbedded with sandstone, (c) coarse to medium grained sandstone which is present both as interlayers within the organized conglomerares as well as turbidite layers interbedded with lacustrine clay,(d) marlstone rich in opercula of Bithynia, and (e) lacustrine clay with few sandy turbidite interlayers. The vertical and lateral distribution of these facies indicates the existence of a large alluvial fan complex. The development of such a large complex from an apparently relatively narrow sediment source area (an interbasin ridge) was possible because the feeding rivers were probably located at the intersection between a border fault and a fault associated with a transfer zone. This allowed for a much wider drainage basin.

P. G. Giordano, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze

Scales of a new species of Teleosteomorpha from the continental Aptian of the south of South America are studied. These neopterygians are from the La Cantera Formation in central Argentina, and were previously identified as Pholidophoriformes. They present ganoid scales; most of them are rhombic with well-developed peg-and-socket articulations and possessing a smooth surface. They have a straight posterior margin, but occasionally, some scales of the flank have a sinuous posterior margin with one or two serrations. The shape of the scales varies along the body from large, rectangular and deeper than long scales behind the head to the preanal region to smaller and rhomboidal scales in the caudal region. There are a few horizontal rows along the flank and about 32 lateral line scales. Thick, round ganoid scales are present in the prepelvic region close to the ventral margin. The round and rhombic scales present growth lines, which form concentric ridges on the external side. A characteristic row of deep scales forms the dorsal margin on each side of the body; a row of median ridge scales is not present. This is a unique feature of the studied fishes. Scutes covered with unornamented ganoine precede the pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins, as well as the dorsal and ventral margins of the caudal fin. The posterior margin of the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin is formed by a single line of scales, which continues and covers the base of the first principal caudal ray. Histological studies reveal a lepisosteoid-scale type with multiple ganoine layers, lack of dentine, and the presence of canaliculi of Williamson. The macro- and micromorphology of the scales shows features that are found in other teleosteomorphs, but also in other neopterygians.

Gil Nelson, Deborah L Paul, G. Riccardi et al.

Abstract This paper describes and illustrates five major clusters of related tasks (herein referred to as task clusters) that are common to efficient and effective practices in the digitization of biological specimen data and media. Examples of these clusters come from the observation of diverse digitization processes. The staff of iDigBio (The U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Resource for Advancing Digitization of Biological Collections) visited active biological and paleontological collections digitization programs for the purpose of documenting and assessing current digitization practices and tools. These observations identified five task clusters that comprise the digitization process leading up to data publication: (1) pre-digitization curation and staging, (2) specimen image capture, (3) specimen image processing, (4) electronic data capture, and (5) georeferencing locality descriptions. While not all institutions are completing each of these task clusters for each specimen, these clusters describe a composite picture of digitization of biological and paleontological specimens across the programs that were observed. We describe these clusters, three workflow patterns that dominate the implemention of these clusters, and offer a set of workflow recommendations for digitization programs.

Shun-Li Li, Xing-He Yu, Cheng-Peng Tan et al.

Junggar Basin, located in northern Xinjiang, presents continuous and multikilometer-thick strata of the Jurassic deposits. The Jurassic was entirely terrestrial fluvial and lacustrine deltaic sedimentation. Eight outcrop sections across the Jurassic strata were measured at a resolution of meters in southern Junggar Basin. Controlling factors of sedimentary evolution and palaeoclimate changes in Junggar Basin during the Jurassic were discussed based on lithology, fossils and tectonic setting. In the Early to Middle Jurassic, the warm and wide Tethys Sea generated a strong monsoonal circulation over the central Asian continent, and provided adequate moisture for Junggar Basin. Coal-bearing strata of the Badaowan, Sangonghe, and Xishanyao Formations were developed under warm and humid palaeoclimate in Junggar Basin. In the late Middle Jurassic, Junggar Basin was in a semi-humid and semi-arid environment due to global warming event. Stratigraphy in the upper part of the Middle Jurassic with less plant fossils became multicolor or reddish from dark color sediments. During the Late Jurassic, collision of Lhasa and Qiangtang Block obstructed monsoon from the Tethys Sea. A major change in climate from semi-humid and semi-arid to arid conditions took place, and reddish strata of the Upper Jurassic were developed across Junggar Basin.