Akhtar Zeb Khan, Imran Ahmad, Muhammad Ibrar
et al.
Groundwater resources are vital, particularly in arid regions of Pakistan, yet current assessments of groundwater potential in this area (District Swat) remain inadequate. This study aims to evaluate the Groundwater Potential Zone (GWPZ) of the district, employing an integrated approach such as Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), and multi-criteria decision-making, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Various thematic maps were generated and analysed in ArcGIS multivariate environment. Based on their spatial distribution and relative influence on groundwater recharge potential capabilities, different weights were assigned using AHP. The finalised theme of each parameter with its assigned score was further processed in a weighted overlay, resulting in the demarcation of the entire district into three distinct potential zones: low potential (6.88%) with water table depth greater than 30 metres, moderate potential (77.21%) between 10 and 30 metres, and high potential (16%) with water table depth less than 10 metres. The accuracy of the results was cross-checked with a water table map generated from the field assessments, and it showed a strong correlation between the simulated and observed data. This research project provides scientific insight into the distribution and management of the groundwater resources for the long-term development and conservation of water-deprived regions.
Abstract Background Long-term persistence of species with low genetic diversity is the focus of widespread attention in conservation biology. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is a big cat from high-alpine regions of Asia. However, its subspecies taxonomy, evolutionary history, evolutionary potential, and survival strategy remain unclear, which greatly hampers their conservation. Results We sequence a high-quality chromosome-level genome of the snow leopard and the genomes of 52 wild snow leopards. Population genomics reveal the existence of two large genetic lineages in global snow leopards, the northern and southern lineages, supported by the biogeography. The Last Glacial Maximum drove the divergence of two lineages. Microclimate differences and large rivers between the western and central Himalayas likely maintain the differentiation of two lineages. EPAS1 is positively selected in the southern lineage with almost fixed amino acid substitutions and shows an increased allele frequency with elevation. Compared to the southern lineage, the northern lineage exhibits a lower level of genomic diversity and higher levels of inbreeding and genetic load, consistent with its recent population decline. We find that snow leopards have extremely low genomic diversity and higher inbreeding than other Carnivora species; however, strong deleterious mutations have been effectively purged in snow leopards by historical population bottlenecks and inbreeding, which may be a vital genetic mechanism for their population survival and viability. Conclusions Our findings reveal the survival strategy of a species with low genetic diversity and highlight the importance of unveiling both genetic diversity and genetic burden for the conservation of threatened species.
Ayşe Öykü Ova, Enrique Joffre, Reza Zandi Shafagh
et al.
Although a variety of protocols to isolate high-molecular-weight genomic DNA exist, the isolation and preservation of ultra-high-molecular-weight genomic DNA of sufficient quality and length for error-free third-generation sequencing remains challenging. Inspired by the isolation of high-molecular-weight DNA in agarose plugs suitable to be separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we report the construction of an incubation chamber for DNA isolation. The chamber is flanked by semi-permeable polycarbonate membranes of variable pore size for the selective diffusion of compounds and components, which allows efficient cell lysis and the subsequent isolation of ultra-high-molecular-weight genomic DNA without shearing. The designed experimental approach is simple, but effective in isolating high-quality ultra-long genomic DNA that is suitable for third-generation sequencing by Oxford Nanopore Technology from challenging bacterial samples. We envisage that genomic DNA isolation using the incubation chamber, or variations thereof, will facilitate the regular sequencing of megabasepair-long DNA fragments, with a multitude of applications in microbiology, immunology, oncology, paleontology and forensic science.
SOL A. CAVASIN, IGNACIO A. CERDA, SEBASTIÁN APESTEGUÍA
Sphenodontians are a group of vertebrates with a vast taxonomic diversity and worldwide distribution of their fossils.
Although they have been the subject of many studies on their phylogeny and morphology, those focused on their paleobiology
are still scarce. We present here the osteohistology of eleven postcranial elements corresponding to a single
specimen of Priosphenodon avelasi, an eilenodontine sphenodontian from Cenomanian–Turonian rocks of Río Negro
(Argentina). The bone samples described here share a parallel-fibered type of matrix. The degree of vascularization
varies in all the samples, but none of them present a significant density of primary vascular canals. Lines of arrested
growth were observed in all appendicular elements, being better preserved in the humerus, radius and fibula. Extrinsic
fibers were observed only in reduced regions of the cortex of the ulna and in one of the phalanges. The primary bone
tissue suggests that the specimen had a relatively low growth rate with alternation between slow and accelerated stages.
The latter could explain why this taxon reached the largest sizes of all known sphenodontians.
Abstract Ophiuroids, also known as brittle stars, are an important component of modern marine benthos, yet their fossil record is still poorly understood. Here, we describe new finds of ophiuroids from the upper Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) of Asturias, north-west Spain. The material consists of several articulated specimens that show all relevant anatomical details to allow for an exhaustive description of a new species, Arenorbis santameraensis sp. nov., which adds a Jurassic member to the genus Arenorbis previously known exclusively from the Middle Triassic of central Europe. We demonstrate that Arenorbis has characters that are typically found in the suborder Ophiodermatina. The new Jurassic record of Arenorbis shows remarkable parallels with its Middle Triassic equivalents in terms of sedimentological and taphonomic context, suggesting niche conservatism in this genus. In contrast to its wide geographical distribution during the Middle Triassic, the new species is currently only known from a restricted area, which suggests that it represents a Jurassic relict of a formerly widespread Triassic lineage. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D253BD9D-53C3-44BA-884B-15BA1F7876D3
Bifurcated cervical ribs have evolved infrequently in dinosaurs. Previously documented examples include those in abelisaurid theropods, leptoceratopsid ceratopsians, and turiasaurian sauropods. In apatosaurine sauropods a spectrum of cervical rib morphologies exists, from cervical ribs with small dorsal processes extending from the shafts to completely bifurcated cervical ribs. Similar dorsal processes are present in the dicraeosaurid Dicraeosaurus. The presence of dorsal processes and bifurcated cervical ribs suggests that the hypaxial neck muscles that inserted on the cervical ribs were oriented in divergent directions. In all the dinosaurian examples we have found, the cervical ribs are maximally bifurcated in the middle of the cervical series. We hypothesize that bifurcated cervical ribs are traces of diverging neck muscles that provided improved control in the middle of the neck, at some distance from both the head and the trunk.
Anamaria Iulia Torok, Erika Andrea Levei, Silviu Constantin
et al.
The aim of the study was to develop the hydrogeochemical profiling of caves based on the elemental composition of water and silty soil samples and a multivariate statistical analysis. Major and trace elements, including rare earths, were determined in the water and soil samples. The general characteristics of water, anions content, inorganic and organic carbon fractions and nitrogen species (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) were also considered. The ANOVA—principal component analysis (PCA) and two-way joining analysis were applied on samples collected from Cloșani Cave, Romania. The ANOVA-PCA revealed that the hydrogeochemical characteristics of Ca<sup>2+</sup>-HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> water facies were described by five factors, the strongest being associated with water-carbonate rock interactions and the occurrence of Ca, Mg and HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> (43.4%). Although organic carbon fractions have a lower influence (20.1%) than inorganic ones on water characteristics, they are involved in the chemical processes of nitrogen and of the elements involved in redox processes (Fe, Mn, Cr and Sn). The seasonal variability of water characteristics, especially during the spring, was observed. The variability of silty soil samples was described by four principal components, the strongest influence being attributed to rare earth elements (52.2%). The ANOVA-PCA provided deeper information compared to Gibbs and Piper diagrams and the correlation analysis.
Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Agness Gidna, Enrique Baquedano
et al.
Abstract Here, we present the first three-dimensional taphonomic analysis of a carnivore-modified assemblage at the anatomical scale of the appendicular skeleton. A sample of ten carcasses composed of two taxa (zebra and wildebeest) consumed by wild lions in the Tarangire National Park (Tanzania) has been used to determine element-specific lion damage patterns. This study presents a novel software for the 3D spatial documentation of bone surface modifications at the anatomical level. Combined with spatial statistics, the present analysis has been able to conclude that despite variable degrees of competition during carcass consumption, lions generate bilateral patterning consisting of substantial damage of proximal ends of stylopodials and zeugopodials, moderate damage of the distal ends of femora and marginal damage of distal ends of humeri and zeugopodials. Of special interest is, specifically, the patterning of tooth marks on shafts according to element, since these are crucial to determine not only the type of carnivore involved in any given bone assemblage, but also the interaction with other agents (namely, hominins, in the past). Lions leave few tooth marks on mid-shaft sections, mostly concentrated on certain sections and orientations of stylopodials and, to a lesser extent, of the proximal tibia. Redundant occurrence of tooth marks on certain bone sections renders them as crucial to attest lion agency in carcass initial consumption. Indirectly, this can also be used to determine whether hominins ever acquired carcasses at lion kills.
<p>Articulated holaspid specimens of <i>Placoparia</i> Hawle and Corda, 1847
and <i>Eoharpes</i> Raymond, 1905 entombed inside cephalopod conchs and under the remains
of large illaenid, asaphid, cyclopygid and dalmanitid trilobites from the
Middle Ordovician Šárka Formation of the Prague Basin (Czech
Republic) are described and discussed. Two such samples were also found in
the overlying Dobrotivá Formation of Middle/Late Ordovician age. Four
articulated juvenile exoskeletons of <i>Placoparia</i> preserved under a cephalon of the
cyclopygid trilobite <i>Degamella</i> Marek, 1961 represent the first record of shelter
strategy of non-holaspid trilobites. The sheltered preservation of
trilobites could be explained by a hiding behaviour associated with the
danger of predation, storm disturbances, seeking for food or high
vulnerability after moulting. It is obvious that <i>Placoparia</i> and <i>Eoharpes</i> deliberately entered
the restricted space under skeletal parts of large trilobites or inside
cephalopod conchs. These exceptional finds provide a new insight in the life
strategy of some Ordovician benthic trilobites and are classified as cases
of “frozen” behaviour.</p>
<p>The non-marine Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Thailand,
which consist of the Indochina block and the Sibumasu block, have yielded
several terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate fossils, but only few amphibian
remains have been reported. Here, we present an overview on the Thai
amphibian palaeo-diversity based on the literature, re-examination of
published material, new findings, and unpublished material. Thai amphibian
fossil remains are assigned to Stereospondyli (Cyclotosauridae,
Plagiosauridae, and Brachyopoidea) and Anura and were discovered from four
formations, ranging from the Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous of Thailand.
The occurrence of Brachyopidae in Thailand, which are related to Chinese
forms, supports the previous hypothesis of physical connections between the
Indochina blocks and the Sibumasu block during the Mesozoic era.</p>
Susanna Kümmell, Fernando Abdala, Judyth Sassoon
et al.
To date there is little information on carpal bone homology in late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Synapsida. Crucial to the understanding of homology in synapsid carpal elements is the fact that different nomenclatures are used for the carpals of non-mammaliamorph Synapsida (Gegenbauer’s canonical nomenclature) and Mammaliaformes (mammalian nomenclature). The homologies of the carpals of non-mammaliamorph synapsids and mammals were established early last century and have not been reviewed since then. Here we provide a detailed study of the carpal bones of synapsids ranging in age from the early Permian to Late Cretaceous. The mammaliamorph lunate, previously considered the homologue of the intermedium of non-mammaliamorph synapsids, is interpreted here as homologous to their lateral centrale. We interpret the single mammaliamorph centrale as a homologue of the medial centrale of non-mammaliamorph synapsids. In some synapsid specimens, we found that one or two centralia are fused to the radiale (e.g., the gorgonopsian Arctognathus and tritylodontid Bienotheroides), supporting a digging habit. A third centrale is present in the therocephalian Theriognathus, very likely an abnormal duplication. An additional medial bone in a biarmosuchian was interpreted as a prepollex/ sesamoid. A cartilaginous prepollex/sesamoid may also have been present in several non-mammaliamorph synapsids, which have an open space proximal to distal carpal I. Distal carpal V is completely lost in dicynodonts and it is mainly fused to distal carpal IV in the adult stage of most other therapsid groups, but showed a delayed development in most non-mammaliamorph cynodonts. In mammaliamorphs, distal carpal V is not present. Our observations provide an updated revision of synapsid carpal homologies, mainly on the basis of position and anatomical contacts and also taking into account the results of embryological studies.
Research is in the midst of a period of global terraform, usually heralded under the banner of ‘Open Science’. Open Science is a response from communities to an increasingly digital ecosystem, enabling new practices to emerge. Three of the major pillars of Open Science include Open Access, Open Data, and Open Source. The global paleontological community is slowly adapting to each of these as part of its culture, raising new questions around scientific practices, data standards and interoperability, and the role of paleontological research in a modern society. This chapter discusses some of the progress that the paleontological community has made in shifting towards open practices, and considers some potential avenues for the future of the field.
The PC/33b well drilled by the ENEL Company in the Monte Amiata area near Piancastagnaio (Southern Tuscany, Italy) yielded some fossiliferous layers from 3024.40 to 3028.40 m. Thc cored interval is interpreted as belonging to the Paleozoic Basement of the Tuscan Series which includes some informai Units (A, Band C) indicated as "Formations" in this paper. "Fm" A consists of graphitic phyllites and metasandstones with rare intercalations of mudstone to wackestone-packstone; "Fm" B consists of chloritic phyllites and metasandstones with some intercalations of impure microcrystalline dolostones. "Fm" A seems to pass to the underlying "Fm" C, which gradually consists of thick mudstone to dolostone layers interbedded into the graphitic metasandstone-phyllitic lithotypes. The few crystalline fossiliferous layers occur in the transition levels between "Fm" A and "Fm" C.
The fossils identified in the cored interval belong to fragmented crinoids, gasteropods, gymnocodiacean and dasycladacean algae, and to foraminifers (mainly fusulinids). Despite the strong recrystallization and metamorphism affecting the rocks, some fusulinids could be identified. They are Praeparafusulina cf. lutugini (Schellwien) (possibly reworked), Polydiexodina (Eopolydiexodina ?) cf. shabalkini Leven, Yangkienia sp., Y. aff. compressa (Ozawa), Cancellina sp., Pseudodoliolina "ex. gr." P. ozawai Yabe & Hanzawa,? Chusenella sp., ghosts of Misellina sp. and ?Neofusulinella sp.
This fusulinid association is indicative of the Cancellina Zone of Kubergandian age (Late Permian), which is recorded in Italy for the first time. A brief review of the Permian fusulinid assemblages from the Apennine region is included in the conclusions.
The family Cantharidae is a worldwide distributed group of flattened and soft-bodied beetles displaying aposematic
colouration. These beetles, commonly known as soldier beetles, have an extensive fossil record dating back to the
Lower Cretaceous. The majority of fossil material, referred to Cantharidae, is known from amber inclusions. In
this paper we describe and illustrate a new soldier beetle Kuskaella macroptera gen. et sp. nov. from the Baltic amber. It is characterised by pronotum of the male parallel-sided in basal third and abruptly narrowed towards apex, and
of the female gradually and steadily narrowing from the basal margin to the apex; globular head; unequal maxillary
palpomeres with the last segment elongated-globular and pointed; long elytra slightly surpassing the last abdominal
segment. This finding is the first described species of both sexes preserved in a single amber piece.
Kristian G. Jakobsen, Glenn A. Brock, Arne T. Nielsen
A bivalve-dominated molluscan fauna is described from the Darriwilian (Middle Ordovician) Stairway Sandstone, Amadeus Basin, central Australia. The fauna comprises 16 species of bivalves and rostroconchs plus six gastropod species which are treated under open nomenclature. Two new bivalves, Sthenodonta paenesymmetrica sp. nov. and Modiolopsis pojetai sp. nov., are described. The relatively low-diverse molluscan fauna constitutes around 62% of the total benthic macrofauna. Approximately 75% of the molluscs comprise bivalves, especially nuculoids, which were biogeographically restricted to low latitudes during the Ordovician. The molluscan assemblage displays a very high degree of endemism at species level, though the bivalve Sthenodonta eastii also occurs in the Georgina Basin farther to the northeast. This indicates a possible marine connective seaway between the Georgina and Amadeus basins during the Darriwilian. Nuculites, Cyrtodonta, and Modiolopsis are cosmopolitan and previously reported from North China, Avalonia, and Southern Gondwana.
OMAR CIRILLI, MARCO G. BENVENUTI, GIORGIO CARNEVALE
et al.
The late Miocene continental successions of the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin (Grosseto), one of the longest and most continuous vertebrate-bearing continental successions in the Neogene Italian record, yielded at least four superimposed vertebrate assemblages bracketed in the time span 8.3 - 6.4 Ma. The Baccinello-Cinigiano basin is famous for recording endemic vertebrate assemblages that include the youngest European Miocene hominoid, Oreopithecus bambolii. The late Miocene endemic vertebrate fauna known as the Baccinello V0 assemblage is the oldest vertebrate fauna within the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin succession, being correlated to the European mammal Neogene unit MN11. Recent field surveys along the Trasubbie river allowed studying in detail the basal Baccinello-Cinigiano sedimentary succession, and sampling fossiliferous level bearing microvertebrates along the small creek Fosso della Fittaia. The sample “Fosso della Fittaia 2013” yielded about 170 fossil remains improving our documentation of the oldest vertebrate assemblages from the Baccinello-Cinigian basin. As far as rodents are concerned, in addition to the already recognized murid Huerzelerimys and glirid Anthracoglis, a few dental remains are assigned to a new genus and species of giant dormouse. It is further worth noting the occurrence in the sample of shrew remains (the first described from the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin) identified as cf. Lartetium. The latter attests the presence of a crocidosoricine in the Fosso della Fittaia 2013 assemblage, postdating the youngest known occurrences of the subfamily by at least 1 my. The vertebrate assemblage is completed by a diverse herpetofauna and the first fish remains reported from the basin.
A new study that integrates developmental and paleontological data reveals previously unsuspected evolutionary transformations during the emergence of the bird wrist, consistent with its derivation from non-avian dinosaurs.
The postcranial skeleton of Vagaceratops (= Chasmosaurus) irvinensis (CMN 41357), lacking only the tail, most of the left front and left hind limbs, and portions of the pelvis, is preserved in articulation. It is one of the most complete, best articulated ceratopsid skeletons known. Both the manus and vertebral column exhibit conspicuous pathologies, possibly an indication of advanced age at the time of death. The vertebral column comprises a syncervical, six additional cervical vertebrae, and 12 dorsals. A partial synsacrum is represented by two dorsosacrals, four sacrals, two caudosacrals, and a partial third caudosacral centrum. The ribcage, although crushed, is nearly complete. The sternum is unusually wide compared with other ceratopsids. As in other chasmosaurines, the humerus bears a prominent deltopectoral crest that forms the anterior edge of the broad, rectangular proximal humeral expansion. The medial tuberosity is separated from the dorsal surface of the humerus by a distinct notch. The insertion for the latissimus dorsi is conspicuous. The deltopectoral crest extends a full half of the distance to the distal end of the humerus. Epipodials of the forelimb are relatively short compared to the corresponding propodial. The ulna has a long, distinctly triangular olecranon, broadly rounded anterolateral process, prominent medial process, and a deeply concave trochlear notch. The terminal phalanges on the fourth and fifth manual digits are relatively large, and unlike other ceratopsids have distinct distal ?articular facets. The fourth trochanter of the femur is relatively proximal in position. This study and other recent studies of ceratopsid postcrania suggest that potentially useful taxonomic variation is present in the number of dorsosacrals, size of the groove on the ventral surface of the sacrum, morphology of the last dorsal and dorsosacral ribs, morphology of the scapula and proximal expansion of the humerus, morphology of the ulna, ratio of humerus/epipodium, morphology of the fifth manual digit, and position of the fourth trochanter of the femur.