Ayumi Maeda, Yuichi I. Naito, Masashi Tsuchiya
et al.
Abstract Symbiotic relationships of microorganisms including eukaryotic algae and prokaryotes affect holobiont nitrogen metabolism and provide survival advantages in extreme environments; however, the influences of different symbionts on nitrogen metabolism in host organisms remain unclear. By tracing the nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) of amino acids (AAs), it is possible to constrain the biosynthetic sources and trophic interactions. We targeted reef-dwelling large benthic foraminifers hosting species-specific symbiotic algae to identify the trophic positions of multiple species with distinct feeding strategies. We measured δ15N in AAs of bulk organic matter and of foraminiferal shells and compared the feeding strategy of each species with its estimated trophic position (TP). Estimated TPs based on δ15N in AAs were inconsistent with respect to species-specific feeding strategies. In particular, Amphisorus kudakajimensis, which depends on heterotrophic feeding, showed light δ15NGlu and δ15NPhe and TP of ~ 1. A shared nutrient source for both host and symbionts and an interactive supply of trophic compounds may explain the low trophic position. The mixotrophic or heterotrophic TPs of Calcarinidae hosting endosymbiotic diatom with limited feeding (TP = 1.5–2.3) may be affected by bacterial heterotrophic processes. Differences in symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae and diatoms) may have influenced host’s nutritional strategies through functional variations in nitrogen metabolism. Large variations in δ15NGlu and δ15NPhe within single species suggested that large benthic foraminifers exploit multiple sources of nitrogen. Additional culture studies using different nitrogen sources could provide insights into detailed nitrogen metabolism of organisms with endosymbionts and role of associated organisms.
ARTAI A. SANTOS, ANTONIO HERNÁNDEZ-ORÚE, ENRIQUE PEÑALVER
et al.
We describe Aspidothorax hispanicus sp. nov. from Gzhelian, Pennsylvanian strata of León, Spain, representing the first
occurrence of Aspidothoracidae in the Iberian Peninsula. This discovery expands the paleogeographical range of the
family, previously known only from the Russian Federation and France. The new insect is preserved in close association
with foliar remains of medullosan (Alethopteris zeilleri) and callistophytalean (Pseudomariopteris cordato-ovata) seed
ferns whose environmental preferences suggest that the new insect species inhabited humid tropical forests. The fossil
leaves bear six types of damage, probably produced by insects, belonging to three functional feeding groups: margin
feeding, hole feeding, and piercing and sucking. This diversity of interactions highlights varied feeding strategies, includ
ing chewing, piercing and sucking behaviors, evidencing a more complex range of herbivory in the area than previously
known. The stylet mouthparts of Megasecoptera make these insects strong candidates for producing the piercing and
sucking damage on the associated plants. The presence of dark patches and spots on the fossil wing, probably represents
a camouflage strategy against predators, such as Palaeodictyoptera and other active hunters. The dark wing apex might
also reflect the presence of sexual dimorphism or courtship behavior. This new assemblage of insects, in addition to
plants and plant-insect interactions, contributes to a broader paleoecological understanding of the Carboniferous forests
of the La Magdalena Coalfield.
Nicoleta Manuta, Buket Çakar, Ozan Gündemir
et al.
Studies on the structure of the distal phalanx help explain the development of laminitis. Additionally, examining the structure of the distal phalanx from a taxonomic perspective also contributes to veterinary anatomy. In this study, we examined shape variation in the medial and lateral distal phalanx of both fore- and hindlimbs using the geometric morphometry method. We investigated whether the shape of the distal phalanx differed between phalanx positions and how much of the shape variation in this bone depends on size. For this purpose, distal phalanges from 20 Holstein cattle were used, and the bones were digitized in 3D. A draft containing 176 semi-landmarks was prepared for shape analysis, and this draft was applied to all samples using automated landmarking through point cloud alignment and correspondence analysis. A principal component analysis was performed to obtain general patterns of morphological variation. The centroid size (CS) was employed as an approximation of size. Although distal phalanx groups generally showed close variations, PC1 statistically separated the hindlimb lateral distal phalanx (HL) and the forelimb medial distal phalanx (FM) from each other in shape. While PC2 separated HL from other distal phalanx groups, PC3 separated fore- and hindlimb groups. The shape (Procrustes distance) of the hindlimb medial distal phalanx (HM) is markedly less variable than the other three phalanges. The smallest distal phalanx in size was HL. For both forelimb and hindlimb, the medial distal phalanges were larger than the lateral ones. Size (CS) was found to have an effect on PC1 and PC3. In this study, a reference model of the same breeds for distal phalanx was created. These results can provide useful information, especially in terms of veterinary anatomy, zooarchaeology, and paleontology.
Zahid Ullah Khan, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Muhammad Tayyab Naseer
et al.
Abstract Kadanwari is a major gas-producing field in Pakistan's Lower Indus Basin (LIB), extensively explored for optimized production. However, the reservoir sands of the Lower Goru Formation (LGF), deposited in a complex river-dominated delta, bear severe variability and hinder accurate facies approximation for optimal production. Furthermore, the regionally extended NNW-SSE directed horst and graben structures significantly compartmentalized these reservoir facies. The main E-sand interval is analyzed for its geological properties, depositional environment, and distribution. The integration of various approaches, including seismic interpretation, attribute extraction, well-based facies modeling, and petrophysical evaluation, proved significant in evaluating the heterogeneous and tectonically influenced E-sands. The discontinuity attribute substantially highlighted the structural style and aided in analyzing the geometries of faults. The low values of the frequency attribute (< 10 Hz) signified the entrapped gas-bearing sands along the faulted zones. The high responses of instantaneous amplitude and sweetness profoundly illuminated the gas-significant deposits throughout the field in association with the well-identified gas-prone sand facies. The outcomes of the neutron-density crossplot depicted gas-bearing sands having low density (< 2.3 g/cc) and good porosity (12%) with the assessment of various cements. The facies modeling distinguished between clean and intermixed sand-shale reservoir zones. Petrophysical analysis revealed a net pay of 14 m within E-sand having gas saturation of about 68%. The adopted approach is robust and efficient, employing a limited data set for developing well-associated seismic responses for potential zone delineation within structural arrangements. The techniques can be optimistic about the LGF's complex potential sands demarcation throughout the Indus Basin.
The Nihewan Basin is infilled by a relatively complete Pliocene to Pleistocene sequence, rich mammalian fossils and containing many Palaeolithic artefacts, implying that it is a unique location for Quaternary multidisciplinary study. Fossil excavations in these deposits have been carried out for nearly a century. The systematic study of the fossils by Teilhard de Chardin and Piveteau in 1930 laid the foundations for the classic Nihewan Faunal assemblage, which has been widely followed as a standard for the Early Pleistocene biochronology in eastern Asia. With the availability of magnetostratigraphic analyses on several sections in the Nihewan basin, a comprehensive geochronological study is timely pending. Here we report the results of a comprehensive survey of the Xiashagou section, where the classic Nihewan Fauna was discovered. By synthesising the lithostratigraphical, biostratigraphical, and magnetostratigraphical information, together with measurements taken by the authors, the total thickness of the Nihewan Formation in the Xiashagou section being 116 m. Furthermore, the geochronological study demonstrates that the classic Nihewan Fauna was originally recovered from at least 6 fossil horizons, spanning from ∼2.4 Ma to ∼1.8 Ma, i.e., the early Early Pleistocene. The new evidence from the Xiashagou section also suggests several cycles of fluctuations in the biodiversity and population of the classic Nihewan Fauna during the early Pleistocene. The preliminary correlation of these cycles matches the short periods of glaciation in the early Pleistocene.
Florencia Paula Bamonte, María Alejandra Marcos, Marcos Emanuel Echeverría
et al.
In this research, we reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions from a sedimentary record of a wetland (mallín) located in the Patagonian steppe near to the Subantarctic forest on the northeastern shore of the San Martín Lake basin (SW Santa Cruz, Patagonia, Argentina). The Mallín Ñire (49° 00’ 23.5” S; 72° 13’ 34.5” W) presents a basal age of 10,200 cal. years BP and its pollen content, carbon isotopes, and stratigraphy were analyzed. The relationship with modern pollen assemblages from surface sediment samples allows us to interpret changes in the fossil record. Between 10,200 and 9,000 cal. years BP, we can infer a grass-shrub steppe with dwarf-shrubs under arid conditions and between 9,000 and 6,500 cal. years BP, a grass steppe dominated under an increase of moisture availability. Conditions became drier until 4,000 cal. years BP; later, a grass-shrub steppe developed, which suggests an environmental transition like the modern ones. The last 1,400 cal. years BP present high paleoenvironmental variability. The integration with other sequences allowed us to interpret the regional changes during the Holocene related to moisture availability by precipitation changes related to the westerly variations.
Syed Amjad Ali Bukhari, Muhammad Basharat, Hammad Tariq Janjuhah
et al.
The modernization of human civilization has led to the prospect of better and more durable building materials. Marble, found in various colors and textures, has been used as a building stone for centuries, either as cut stone or polished stone. The present study evaluated the petrological, geochemical, and geotechnical characterizations of the Gahirat Marble formation as a building stone. It is exposed over an area of 160 square kilometers in southwestern Chitral. The Gahirat Marble formation has been divided into two parts, i.e., the eastern and western parts. The eastern part is a coarse crystalline rock that exhibits a granulose structure and was subjected to amphibolite facies metamorphism, whereas its western part is a coarse-to-medium crystalline rock that displays a differential granulose structure and was subjected to green schist facies metamorphism. Petrographically, it is composed mainly of calcite (>92%) with minute quartz, chlorite, muscovite, biotite, garnet, and opaque minerals. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was used to analyze the chemical composition of the Gahirat Marble showing that it is a pure calciocarbonate marble (CaO: 53.16–55.02 wt.%). The specific gravity measured varies from 2.46–2.71 gm/cm<sup>3</sup>, water absorption is <0.2%, sulfate soundness is <0.65, and due to its unconfined compressive strength, it is classified as strong rock, thus conforming to ASTM C503 specifications. The results acquired from the investigated samples suggest they are suitable as dimension stones. Until now, it has been limitedly mined and marketed but can be further exploited for export trade, based upon its petrographic, geotechnical, and geochemical characterization.
The Rhabdodontidae was one of the most important dinosaur groups inhabiting the Late Cretaceous European Archipelago. Currently, the clade comprises nine species within six genera, which have been found in southern France, northern Spain, eastern Austria, western Hungary and western Romania, ranging from the Santonian to the late Maastrichtian. Phylogenetic analyses consistently place the Rhabdodontidae at the very base of the iguanodontian radiation, whereas the in-group relationships of rhabdodontids are relatively poorly understood; nevertheless, the clade seems to have had a rather complicated biogeographical history. Generally, rhabdodontids were small- to medium-sized, probably habitually bipedal herbivores, characterised by a rather stocky build and a comparatively large, triangular skull. Several lines of evidence suggest that they were presumably gregarious animals, as well as selective browsers that fed on fibrous plants and occupied different ecological niches than sympatric herbivorous dinosaur clades. Moreover, the sympatry of at least two rhabdodontid taxa was rather common and can be explained, at least in some instances, by niche partitioning. While rhabdodontids disappeared prior to the K/Pg extinction event in Western Europe, they survived close to the end of the Cretaceous in Eastern Europe, where they were amongst the last non-avian dinosaurs still present before the end of the Cretaceous. In this paper, we provide an overview of the rhabdodontid taxonomic history, diversity, phylogenetic relationships and palaeobiogeographic history, as well as palaeoecology and extinction. In addition, we also highlight still open questions on each of these topics and suggest potential future research directions.
Leandro M. Pérez, Néstor Toledo, Sergio F. Vizcaíno
et al.
Resumen. En 1895, H. Eberhard descubrió un fragmento de cuero de mamífero, con pelos y osteodermos, en una caverna cercana a Puerto Consuelo (Seno de Última Esperanza, Chile). Los restos fueron asignados a un perezoso milodóntido, nominado en 1899 Neomylodon listai por F. Ameghino. El hallazgo suscitaría numerosas publicaciones y una fuerte competencia, especialmente entre F.P. Moreno y F. Ameghino. Posteriormente al hallazgo de Eberhard, nuevos restos de tegumento fueron colectados por otros exploradores (entre ellos O. Nordenskjöld y R. Hauthal). En esta contribución presentamos una cronología pormenorizada de los hallazgos y el derrotero de los restos de cuero desde 1895 hasta 1910 e indicamos su ubicación actual. Se realizó una exhaustiva búsqueda y revisión bibliográfica en publicaciones y correspondencia de la época. El cuero encontrado por Eberhard fue llevado por Moreno a La Plata en 1898 y de allí a Londres a comienzos de 1899 y actualmente está depositado en la colección del Natural History Museum de Londres. Los restos hallados por la expedición de R. Hauthal en 1899 están en el Museo de La Plata, incluyendo el trozo de cuero que se encuentra en exhibición (MLP 94-VIII-10-28). La evidencia recopilada no permite despejar dudas sobre la procedencia del material originalmente descripto por F. Ameghino, que desencadenó numerosas expediciones nacionales y extranjeras. En la actualidad existen al menos 40 restos de tegumento asignables a milodóntidos provenientes de la Cueva de Última Esperanza distribuidas en once instituciones del mundo (Argentina, Chile, EEUU y Europa).
PALABRAS CLAVE. Neomylodon listai. Grypotherium. Cueva del Milodón. Ameghino. Moreno. Osteodermos. Cuero.
Abstract. HIDE REMAINS OF GROUND SLOTHS (XENARTHRA, FOLIVORA) FROM ÚLTIMA ESPERANZA (CHILE). CHRONOLOGY OF THE REPORTS, ORIGIN AND CURRENT LOCATION. In 1895, H. Eberhard discovered a piece of mammal hide, with hair and osteoderms, in a cavern near Puerto Consuelo (Seno de Última Esperanza, Chile). The remains were assigned to a mylodontid ground sloth, named in 1899 as Neomylodon listai by F. Ameghino. The finding promoted several publications and a strong competition, especially between F.P. Moreno and F. Ameghino. After Eberhard’s finding, new hide remains were collected by other explorers (among them O. Nordenskjöld and R. Hauthal). In this contribution, we present a detailed chronology of the findings and the track of the hide remains, from 1895 to 1910, and their current location. In doing so, an exhaustive search and bibliographic revision of publications and letters from that epoch was performed. The hide found by Eberhard was taken to the Museo de La Plata in 1898, and then, to London in the beginning of 1899. The hide is housed at the Natural History Museum of London. The remains found by Hauthal’s expedition in 1899 are deposited in the Museo de La Plata, including the exhibited fragment of hide (MLP 94-VIII-10-28). The evidence provided here does not allow clearing up doubts on the provenance of the material originally described by F. Ameghino, which triggered numerous national and foreign expeditions. At present there are at least 40 remains of hide assignable to mylodontids, recovered from the Cave of Última Esperanza spread in eleven institutions world wide (Argentina, Chile, USA and Europe).
KEY WORDS. Neomylodon listai. Grypotherium. Cueva del Milodón. Ameghino. Moreno. Osteoderms. Hide.
ANDREA BENEDETTI, MAURIZIO MARINO, RITA MARIA PICHEZZI
We present the micropaleontological record on ongoing research on Paleogene larger foraminifers from Central Italy collected in the field work for the realization of the geological sheet 348 “Antrodoco” of the Geological Map of Italy 1:50.000 scale. The work provides an examination of the biostratigraphic potential of selected taxa with emphasis on rotaliids. Ornatorotalia is documented for the first time from the Paleocene. Possible new species of Miscellanea, Ornatorotalia, and Rotalia are figured and described in open nomenclature.
Detailed biostratigraphic study of mid-Cretaceous Tethys Himalayan pelagic units shed new light on the evolution of the northern India passive continental margin. After a major episode of alkaline
magmatism recorded from Zanskar to Nepal in the Early Cretaceous, condensed glauco-phosphorites were deposited during the Rotalipora subticinensis Subzone, and were overlain unconformably by pelagic mudstones during the Rotalipora ticinensis to Rotalipora appenninica Zones (Fatu La Formation in Zanskar and Muding Formation in Nepal). Throughout the Tethys Himalaya drowning of clastic shelves thus occurred with the same modalities and synchronously in Late Albian time. The base of the Chikkim Formation in Zanskar is younger, and overlies palimpsest arenites and reworked glauco-phosphorires deposited during the latest Cenomanian Whiteinella archaeocretacea Zone. Hiatuses several million years long, mainly coeval and similar in duration in the Chikkim and Fatu La Formations, characterize the Cenomanian and the Late Turonian to Campanian sections throughout the Zanskar Range. These hiatuses are ascribed to continuous resuspension of pelagic sediments on the upper slope, caused by the action of strong eastbound oceanic currents. Much higher accumulation rates were recorded in the early-middle Turonian, when deposition occurred at grearer depths below the mudline. Accumulation rates increased greatly in the Maastrichtian, when offshore marls with sparsc phosphate nodules were gradually rcplaced by inner shelf carbonate facies at the close of the Cretaceous. The studied succession shows a mirrorlike repetition of sedimentary facies, interpreted as part of a 65 to 70 my long Cretaceous supersequence. Sedimentary evolution reflected a complex interplay of global and regional phenomena, including the extensional and magmatic episodes leading to thc final fragmentarion of Gondwana-Land and opening of the Indian Ocean, a long-term tendency to eustatic rise, changing paleooceanographic circulation, and oceanic anoxic events.
An isolated prerosaur sternum is described. It has been collected in the Zorzino Limestone (Norian, Late Triassic), at the locality of Endenna (Bergamo Prealps, Lombardy, Northern ltaly). The shape and size of the bone are very similar to those of the sternum preserved in the holotype of Eudimorphodon ranzii Zambelli, 1973, collected from the same formation at the locality of Cene (Imagna valley, Lombardy, Northern Italy), and it is ascribed to this species. It represents the second well preserved Eudimorphodon sternum so far collected.
The ammonite faunas collected in three marly interbeds of the Maiolica limestone exposed near Cesana Brianza (Como province, Lombardy) are described in this paper. The age of the first and second interbeds is Late Barremian. In particular the first is tentatively ascribed to the sartousi zone and the second to the feraudi/giraudi zones. The new specíes Toxoceratoides sudalpinus sp. n. has been collected in the second level. The fauna of the youngest interbed does not allow us to recognize a specific ammonite zone, although it can be ascribed to the Barremian-Aptian boundary or even the basal Aptian. It is characterized by the occurrence of Leptoceratoidinae which were not reported before from this stratigraphic level.
The Lower Cretaceous Xinlong Formation in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region, which was deposited in a non-marine, fluvial environment, has yielded a diverse assemblage of vertebrates. The study of the shark teeth from the Xinlong Formation revealed the presence of teeth of Acrorhizodus khoratensis that do not appear to correspond to a jaw position retrieved in Thailand. It also provides a new understanding of the systematic affinities of the species “Hybodus” aequitridentatus. The latter does not belong to te genus Hybodus but to a new genus belonging to the family Thaiodontidae. The material found in the Xinlong Formation also questions our understanding of the heterodonty pattern of the genus Acrorhizodus and highlights how peculiar this genus is among Hybodontiformes. As only two teeth differ significantly from the material retrieved in Thailand, it is difficult to assess whether the Chinese material includes a species different from the Thai one, but it certainly calls for a careful reappraisal of all the available material to better assess the heterodonty pattern of this genus.
An accurate biostratigraphic study of the Paleocene-middle Eocene calcareous nannofossils was performed on the turbiditic successions that characterize the Northern Apennines Mt. Caio, Farini d’Olmo, Mt. Sporno and Mt. Penice Units, belonging to the “Tertiary Flysch Auctt.” and referable to the External Ligurides. This geologic complex accumulated in a link key area, located between the oceanic Ligure-Piedmontese domain and the Adria continental margin. The reference biostratigraphic scheme used in the study is the recently published calcareous nannofossil biozonation proposed for the Paleogene by Agnini et al. (2014). The obtained biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic data suggest that further investigation is needed to clarify the tectono-sedimentary evolution and to unravel the complex architecture of the External Ligurides.